Philosophy Courses [250-274]

[250-274] [275-320] [321-399]

PHIL 250. Epistemology. 3 crs. Investigation of the possibility, sources, nature, and scope of knowledge, with examination of both classical and contemporary texts.

PHIL 253. Philosophy of Culture. 3 crs. A philosophical analysis of culture in its various aspects and an investigation of the cultural foundations of philosophical speculations. Issues to be discussed include the meaning of culture, varieties of cultural experiences, cultural identity, cultural pluralism, culture conflict. This course will also focus on issues of race, racism and racial conflict.

PHIL 254. Phenomenology. 3 crs. An examination of contemporary continental thought emphasizing the phenomenological philosophies of Husserl, Heidegger, Jaspers, Merleau-Ponty, and Sartre.

PHIL 256. Pragmatism. 3 crs. An examination of the philosophy of pragmatism focusing on the contributions of its representative thinkers including Pierce and William James and on its contributions in the field of epistemology, ethics and religion.

PHIL 257. Philosophical Assumptions and Social Conflict. 3 crs. Analysis of philosophical principles applicable in the explanation and evolution of social conflict, with attention given to the meaning and philosophical roots of such notions as culture, nationalism, racism, and totalitarianism. Includes comparative studies of rights, anarchism, and violence.

PHIL 258. Business and Professional Ethics. 3 crs. An analysis of the ethical issues raised in business practices and professional activities. Issues to be discussed include the social responsibility of business, ethical issues raised by advertising, whistle blowing, Employment Rights, Self-regulation and Theories of Economic Justice.

PHIL 259. Philosophy of Economics. 3 crs. Does the difference between the subject-matter of natural sciences and economics indicate an unbridgeable gulf between the methodologies of the two disciplines? What kind of science is economics? Is economics value-free or value-neutral? These are the main questions addressed in this course. The issue of economic justice will also be discussed.

PHIL 260. Pre-Socratic Philosophy. 3 crs. Deals with the birth of Greek philosophy, from prephilosophical world views to systems of the Pythagoreans and atomists.

PHIL 261. Introduction to Plato. 3 crs. Study of one or more of Plato's Dialogues, with attention to the dramatic context as well as philosophical argument.

PHIL 264. Current Topics. 3 crs. The content of this course varies from semester to semester. It may focus on issues such as the philosophy of technology, on the thought of a current or recent thinker or on an interdisciplinary theme. The course content is announced several months prior to the date the course is offered.

PHIL 265. German Idealism. 3 crs. Explores the texts of the chief exponents of German idealism, especially Kant, Fichte, and Hegel.

PHIL 266. Philosophy of Language. 3 crs. This course examines the relationship between language, thought and reality, the structure of language and theories of meaning.

PHIL 267. Hermeneutics or Philosophy Interpretation. 3 crs. A study of selected texts in the history of interpretation and hermeneutics, with an eye to answering questions such as "Is there such a thing as an "objective" interpretation of a text?"

PHIL 269. Seminar on Neitzsche. 3 crs. A study of the thought of F. Nietzsche. Normally several of Nietzsche's relationships to classical philosophy and his influence on modern philosophy (especially on Existentialism and on Deconstruction).

PHIL 272. African Philosophy. 3 crs. Critical examination of such traditional and modern concepts in African thought as life or existence, time the universe, man and his place in the universe, and God.

PHIL 273. The Ethics of Medical Care. 3 crs. Examination of such primary topics as the morality of abortion, euthanasia, and human experimentation.

PHIL 274. Philosophy of Science. 3 crs. Analysis of discovery, explanation, and revolution in the natural sciences, with emphasis on the role of models.