2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Philosophy (PHI)

PHI-2010: Primer in Philosophy (3 hours)

An introduction to the central areas of philosophy including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic, philosophy of religion and political philosophy. IAI:H4900.

PHI-2110: Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion (3 hours)

A study of philosophical questions arising from religious belief.

PHI-2210: Introduction to Logic (3 hours)

Elementary deductive and inductive logic with emphasis upon the use of logic in evaluating arguments. IAI: H4906.

PHI-2310: Social and Political Philosophy (3 hours)

Central problems of social and political thought, with emphasis on political and social ideals such as justice, equality, the law, the basis of authority, rights and obligations. Cross-Listed: POS-2200. Prerequisite: C or higher in PHI-2010 or PHI-2110.

PHI-2400: Ethical Theory (3 hours)

Critical analysis of the central moral systems in western philosophy including utilitarianism, the Kantian ethical tradition, the divine command theory and virtue ethics. Replaces: PHI-3610. Pre-requisites: C or higher in PHI-2010 or PHI-2110.

PHI-3110: Reason and Religion (3 hours)

Analysis of central problems in the philosophy of religion including the problems of evil, traditional arguments for the existence of God, religious experience, religious language and reformed epistemology. Prerequisite: C or higher in PHI-2010 or PHI-2110.

PHI-3410: Aesthetics (3 hours)

Traditional and modern approaches to the problem of aesthetics, literary criticism, music and art theory.

PHI-4040: Classical and Medieval Political Theory (3 hours)

An analysis of the major political theories of the classical and medieval periods. Includes works by Plato, Aristotle, the Roman Legalists, Augustine, Aquinas and Machiavelli. Cross listed: POS-4210.

PHI-4050: Modern Political Theory (3 hours)

A comparative look into 20th-century philosophies and ideologies including liberalism, conservatism, nationalism, capitalism, socialism, communism, fascism, Nazism and the latter century theories. Cross listed: POS-4220.

PHI-4900: Senior Seminar in Philosophy (4 hours)

Substantial research on a topic of the student's choice, culminating in the preparation and presentation of a research paper. Prerequisite: Instructor consent.

PHI-4910: Topics in Contemporary Philosophy (4 hours)

Advanced seminar on topics of current interest in philosophy. Prerequisite: 6 hours in philosophy.

PHI-4950: Independent Study in Philosophy (1-6 hours)