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PHL - Philosophy

PHL 100 Introduction to Philosophy

Study of the basic issues and methods of philosophy. Depending on instructor, it may have either a problem or a historical orientation. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 102 The Meaning of Life

Exploring religious and nonreligious ways that humans from diverse societies find value or meaning in human life and propose to live it well. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Identical to REL 102. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (University Program Group I-A: Humanities: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

Cross Listed Courses

REL 102

PHL 105 Critical Thinking in Everyday Life

Designed to help the student think clearly, evaluate arguments, and develop a sensitivity to language. Emphasis is on the development of skills rather than theories.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 118 Moral Problems

Study of basic moral problems and proposed solutions to problems associated with violence, oppression, prejudice, and sex. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 128 Philosophical Perspectives on Poverty & Economic Injustice

A philosophical examination of poverty and economic inequality; addresses questions of the moral justification of inequality, economic injustice, and poverty as a form of oppression. (University Program Group IV-A: Studies in Discrimination)

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 140 Introduction to Symbolic Logic

A study of modern formal logic, with emphasis on the development of general procedures for deciding whether any argument is correct. This course may be offered in an online format. (University Program Group II- B: Quantitative and Mathematical Sciences)

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 141QR Introduction to Logical Problem Solving

An introduction to logic, with a focus on its applications. Quantitative Reasoning. (University Program Group II-B: Quantitative and Mathematical Sciences)

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 145QR Chances, Choices, and Everyday Reasoning

A study of modern inductive reasoning, with emphasis on causal reasoning, probabilities, and decision theory as they relate to daily life. Quantitative Reasoning. This course may be offered in an online format. (University Program Group II-B: Quantitative and Mathematical Sciences)

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 158 Introduction to Environmental Ethics and Justice

A study of environmental ethics and justice, with emphasis on the contribution of environmental problems to the oppression of marginalized groups. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group IVA Studies in Discrimination)

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 200 History of Philosophy: Classical Period

Course focuses on 'Athenian School' of the classical period, with heavy emphasis on Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, and some emphasis on the Pre- Socratic philosophers. Recommended: Any PHL course.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 205 American Philosophy

Historical study of the development and distinctive themes of American philosophy from colonial times to the present. Emphasis on Pierce, William James, and John Dewey.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 218 Ethical Theories

Surveys philosophical theories about right and wrong, the good life, and the nature and justification of morality. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 225 Foundations of Cognitive Science

Introduction to cognitive science, the problems it addresses, its evolving models of the mind, its interdisciplinary nature, and its broader ramifications. Identical to PSY 225. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.

Credits
3(3-0)

Cross Listed Courses

PSY 225

PHL 230 Philosophy of Religion

The philosophical study of the meaning and justification of religious claims, including those about the nature and existence of God and human immortality. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 286 Philosophy in Literature

Philosophical themes in selected literary works from ancient, medieval, modern, or contemporary sources.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 297 Special Topics in Philosophy

Study of areas in philosophy not included in courses currently listed in catalog.

Credits
1-12(Spec)

PHL 300 History of Philosophy: Medieval Period

Faith, reason and logic in the Moslem, Jewish, and Christian perspectives during the Middle Ages.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 302 History of Philosophy: Modern Period

Major philosophers during the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment, such as Descartes, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Reid, Kant, Hobbes, Malebranche, Spinoza and Leibniz. Recommended: PHL 200; 56 credit hours.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 305 Chinese Philosophy

A survey of Chinese philosophy from the earliest times to the modern period, with emphasis on major thinkers and schools.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 311 Human Nature, Human Rights

A philosophical examination of classical theories of human nature and how these theories have shaped the development of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Recommended: One course in philosophy.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 312 Philosophy of Humanitarian Law

Exploration of philosophical and moral principles underlying the Geneva Conventions and other international laws aimed at reducing suffering and protecting human dignity during armed conflict. Recommended: One course in philosophy.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 313 Justice, Human Rights, and the Philosophy of Nonviolence

Focusing on questions of social and political philosophy, this course asks what we can learn from nonviolent movements about justice, power, democracy and human dignity. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Recommended: One course in philosophy.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 318 Business Ethics

Application of ethical principles to such business issues as fair competition, employee obligations, and business’s responsibilities to stockholders, customers, employees, community, and society. This course may be offered in an online format.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 320 Theory of Knowledge

The study of skepticism, the justification of beliefs, and theories of knowledge. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: PHL 100 or 140.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 325 Philosophy of Mind

An attempt to explain the nature of the mind, by examining philosophical works on the mind-body problem and by surveying empirical results. Recommended: Any PHL course. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 328 Animal Ethics

Study of ethical issues, both theoretical and applied, related to human interactions with animals. Recommended: One course in PHL.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 335 Philosophy of Psychology

An introduction to central areas of concern in the philosophy of psychology and/or the philosophy of psychiatry. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy. Recommended: One course in psychology.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 338 Medical Ethics

Philosophical exploration of ethical issues in health care, such as the client-professional relationship, medical resource distribution, research ethics, organ allocation, end-of-life issues. Prerequisite: PHL 118 or 218.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 340 Advanced Symbolic Logic

First order quantificational theory is presented as a paradigm of formal theories. In terms of this, some metatheoretic notions are introduced. Prerequisite: PHL 140 or 141QR.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 345 The Civil Rights Movement

Examines the civil rights movement from 1954 to 1980s; based on PBS series: Eyes on the Prize. Identical to PSC 325, REL 345, SOC 345. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: Any one of the following: HST 110, HST 111, HST 112, LAR 145, PSC 100, PSC 105, PSC 125, REL 140, SOC 100. (University Program Group IV-C: Studies in Racism and Diversity in the United States)

Credits
3(3-0)

Cross Listed Courses

PSC 325/REL 345/SOC 345

PHL 348 Decision Theory

An introduction to the central topics of decision theory, including decisions under certainty, ignorance, and risk, the nature of utility, basic probability, and the fundamentals of game theory. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 390 Philosophy of Science

Study of problems that arise in a critical examination of science: explanation, theory, confirmation, law, measurement, scientific change. Prerequisites: PHL 140; one other course in Group II of the University Program.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 397 Special Topics in Philosophy

Study of areas of philosophy not included in courses currently listed in catalog. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Prerequisite: 3 credit hours in philosophy.

Credits
1-12(Spec)

PHL 403 History of Philosophy: Nineteenth Century

Analysis of philosophical texts selected from the work of thinkers such as Hegel, Marx, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche. Prerequisites: at least three (3) credit hours in the history of philosophy.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 404 Twentieth Century Philosophy

A study of some of the important philosophical trends since 1900. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Prerequisite: PHL 100 or 140.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 405 Major Philosophers

An in-depth study of a major philosopher. Prerequisite: At least one of the following: PHL 200, 300, 302, 403, 404.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 410 Philosophy of Law

Consideration of such questions as: What is a legal system, a law, a legal right? What is the relation among law, morality, and custom?

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 418 Advanced Moral Philosophy

An advanced study of contemporary moral theory, meta-ethics, and the methodology of constructing and evaluating ethical theories. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Prerequisite: PHL 218.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 421 Philosophy of Language

Study of structure of language, relations between language and reality, and interrelations among language, thought, and culture. Prerequisite: PHL 100, PHL 140.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 422 Political and Social Philosophy

Fundamental questions of political life, e.g., How does power operate within and between societies? What principles should we use to evaluate social/political institutions? May be offered as Writing Intensive.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 426 Feminist Theory

Examination of theories that describe and criticize the social, cultural and political status of women and offer alternatives to the status quo. Identical to WGS 426 and PSC 426. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Recommended: one course in philosophy or one of PSC 275, 326, 371, 372, 373, 378.

Credits
3(3-0)

Cross Listed Courses

PSC 426/WGS 426

PHL 480 Philosophy of the Arts

Studies in the experience of arts and discussion of traditional and contemporary aesthetics. May be offered as Writing Intensive.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 490WI Senior Seminar in Philosophy

A senior seminar for philosophy majors. Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: Philosophy Majors with senior status or junior status with permission of the instructor; at least 21 hours in Philosophy.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 497 Special Topics in Philosophy

Study of areas in philosophy not included in courses currently listed in catalog. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Prerequisite: 3 credit hours in philosophy.

Credits
1-12(Spec)

PHL 498 Independent Research

Independent study of selected philosophical topic(s) or work(s). Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Credits
1-6(Spec)

PHL 518 Professional Ethics

An examination of the theories and methods used in ethical decision- making: with application to common issues in law, journalism, technology, research, education, and the health professions. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. Prerequisite: junior status.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 525 Philosophical Problems of the Self

Advanced study of central philosophical questions about persons, such as mind-body problem, the nature of personal identity, and the freedom of the will. Prerequisites: PHL 100.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHL 597 Special Topics in Philosophy

Study of areas in philosophy not included in courses currently listed in catalog. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Credits
1-12(Spec)

PHL 598 Readings in Philosophy

Selected studies of one or more philosophic works. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Credits
1-6(Spec)