The Specifics

Major in Philosophy

30 hours in philosophy approved by the advisor.

Minor in Philosophy

18 hours in philosophy. Refer to general requirements for minors.

Course Descriptions

Philosophy (PHIL)

203. Introduction to Ethics (3)
A study of what it means to live a good human life, including reflection on questions of good versus evil, right versus wrong, and virtue versus vice. In the course of our study, we will explore ethical questions that confront us as individuals, as members of society at large, and as members of more specific communities.

205. Logic (3)
A study of how to analyze, evaluate, and present arguments. The class will examine arguments in many fields, including law, science, economics, politics, religion, and philosophy. The class will also pay attention to the most effective ways to present arguments.

258. Special Topics (1-6). See page 29.

301. Ancient Philosophy (3)
A study of the Presocratic Philosophers and the major works of Plato and Aristotle. (Alternate years)

302. Medieval Philosophy (3)
A study of the major philosophers of the Middle Ages, from Augustine and Boethius through Aquinas and Ockham, including important Islamic and Jewish philosophers of the period. (Alternate years)

304. Early Modern Philosophy (3)
A survey of European philosophy from Descartes through Kant with special emphasis on epistemology, metaphysics, and questions of religious belief. (Alternate Years)

305. 19th Century Philosophy (3)
(Prereq: PHIL 304 or consent of instructor) A survey of European philosophy from Kant to Nietzsche. Attention will be given to idealism, positivism, utilitarianism, and roots of existentialism.

306. Continental Philosophy (3)
(Prereq: Consent of instructor) In this seminar course, students will focus on careful reading of some of the pivotal texts of Continental philosophy. Through discussion and writing, we will explore the major areas of Continental thought: phenomenology, hermeneutics, critical theory, and deconstruction. (Alternate years)

310. Philosophy of Science (3)
A study of the nature of science with special attention to the history of western science. The class will consider the scientific theories and methods of Aristotle, Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, and Einstein. It will also consider the relationships of natural science to other areas such as religion, philosophy, and the social sciences.

315. Medical Ethics (3)
An introduction to moral issues in modern health care and to ethical concepts and analytic skills relevant to addressing them. We will focus on classic cases in the development of medical ethics.

316. Business Ethics (3)
(Crosslisted with BADM 316) A study of ethical issues in business with the aim of strengthening our moral discernment and practical judgment. We will focus on classic and contemporary cases in the ethics of business.

317. Environmental Ethics (3)
What matters? Why does it matter? And what should we do about it? This course will survey the challenges that environmental concerns present to traditional ethical theory and practice. In particular, we will explore the relation of human and non-human value, as environmental issues (such as global warning and species extinction) intersect with human problems (such as poverty, population growth, and economic development). (Alternate years)

322. Aesthetics (3)
(Crosslisted with ART 322 and THEA 322) A consideration of beauty and what various philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Hume, and Kant had to say about it. The class will also consider art forms such as painting, sculpture, poetry, music, and photography to appreciate the presence or absence of beauty therein.

325. Faith and Reason (3)
A study of the relationship between faith and reason, focusing on how each might complement, contradict, or correct the other. (Alternate years)
330. Philosophy of Law (3)
A survey of philosophical understandings of law, in theory and in practice. Topics of discussion will include the basis of law and legal reasoning, the moral force of law, and theories of rights, responsibilities, and punishment in criminal, civil, constitutional, and international law. (Alternate years)

340. Theory of Religion (3)
(Crosslisted with RELG 340) What is religion? What are its origins and what is its future? Is it a source of good or evil? This course will explore contested questions about the nature of religion and the proper way to study it through a survey of various approaches and topics such as theology, philosophy, history, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and cultural studies. Our central questions will be how to assess (a) religious claims and (b) claims about religion. (Alternate years)

350. Social Philosophy (3)
A survey of major accounts of the origins, purposes, benefits, and dangers of human social systems. The course will include writings from Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and others. Special attention will be given to the role of imagination in these writings.

360. Women and Philosophy (3)
(Prereq: Consent of instructor) How do gender, embodiment, and social situation impact philosophical thought? This course introduces students to the writings of major female philosophers from ancient times to the present. Students will be asked to grapple with the questions raised by women in philosophy and to explore the difference feminist methods make to our approach to philosophical problems. (Alternate years)

398. Honors Research (3-6). See page 25.

410. Philosophy and Music (3)
What is music? Why is it important? This course surveys a number of philosophical approaches to these questions, ranging from Ancient Greek thought to contemporary feminist perspectives.

440. Senior Capstone in Philosophy (3)
(Senior majors only) In the senior capstone, students will draw on what they have learned over the course of the major to research a specific question or topic in philosophy. This research will culminate in a substantial paper and a public presentation to the college community.

442. Directed Study in Philosophy (1-3).
See page 28.
(Enrollment by consent of instructor and department chairman) Independent reading and/or research in an area of the student's special interest. A plan including a statement of the purpose of the study, a bibliography, and the nature of any papers or projects must have prior approval of the instructor and department chairman.

444. Internships. See page 28.

446. Readings. See page 28.

448. Research. See page 28.

450. Seminar. See page 29.

452. Special Projects. See page 29.

458. Special Topics. See page 29.

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