Chairperson Professor Byrne Professor Nagy
Associate Professors Frye, Lampert Assistant Professors Burke, Donchin Lecturer Houser
Adjunct Professors Fisch, Moore In the contemporary human context of rapidly changing conditions of life and learning, people trained in various specialized diSciplines are becoming increasingly aware of a need to add perspective and breadth of vision to their professional thinking and to their personal and social living. The curriculum in philosophy is designed to help students expand their horizons beyond skill
acquisition and career preparation to include an understanding of the philosophical presuppositions of the present age both as inherited from the past and as addressed to the future. The courses in this curriculum go beyond traditional undergraduate
philosophy. Here the point of departure and to a degree the content of these courses is sought in current issues of lasting human concern. Philosophical material is selected and studied with a view to adding a speculative and critical dimension to these issues, a fuller understanding of which requires familiarity with and the cooperation of various other disciplines. Such study helps us to understand and improve the human condition shared by all.
Major in Philosophy
Requirements
Twenty-four (24 ) credit hours of philosophy,
including: .
Nine (9) credits in three of the followmg courses: P110, P120 (formerly P290), P165 or P262, P210, P214 (formerly P314) Nine (9) credits at the 300-400 level,
including P414 Double Majors
Students planning to major in a discipline other than philosophy are encouraged to consider philosophy as a second major. Any student planning such a double major should consult the Department of Philosophy about philosophy courses most suitable to his or her academic interests and career goals.
Minor in Philosophy
Requirements
Fifteen (15) credit hours of philosophy, including the following: P120 (formerly P290);
P165 or P262; P210 or P214.
Courses
1PUO Philosophy and the World (3 cr.)
An approach to the
contemporary human world an of philosophic traditions.
P120 Personal and Social Ethics (3 cr.) A of ethical values in relation to such and societal decision
and of life
orientation, conflict resolution freedom and creativity, commitment and' P165 Elenlentary
introduction to of the
two most widely applicable systems: the calculus and the
P210 Classical Philosophy (3 cr.) A survey of classICal Western philosophy,
Plato, Aristotle, and Aquinas.
P214 Modern Philosophy (3 cr.l A Western from the rise of to the disenchantment with absolutism, with such as Bacon, Descartes,
Hume, Leibniz, Kant, et al.
P220 Society and the Stale in the Ancient World (3 cr.) An of the origin, structure, and function of the state in relation to the patriarchal social revolution. Attention will be given to the effects of this revolution as they continue in the behaviors, values, and institutions of today's world.
P221 Philosophy of HUnlan Nature (3 cr.) An introductory consideration of
views about the nature, and
of human and of the effect such views on both private behavior and
with to
May be P237 Philosophy of Environnlent (3 cr.) An
consideration of attitudes, and with regard to
hpllw"pn human and their environment.
P262 Practical (3 cr.) A nonsvnlbolic
course provide ~
in the skills needed for argunlents, theories, and causal P280 Philosophical Problenls (1-6 cr.) A variable title course. A concentrated study of
attempts to solve some
~hilA. CA.~h;~~l problem or set of problems that contronts the contemporary world.
P281 of (3 cr.)
so as to of their
P283 Non-Western I'Hl1lcH""nrm
study in contrasts between non- Western and classic Western
in relation to environmental sOClaH)!oljtical and psychological issues. ' P293 Biomedical Ethics (3 cr.) A
philosophical consideration of ethical problems that arise in current biomedical practice, with to abortion euthanasia, of death, c~nsent
to treatnlent, and
in connection research
experimentation, and health care delivery.
P316 20th-Century Philosophy (3 cr.) A
survey of philosophical
problems of the
and P317 19th-Century historical of century from
utilitarianism, n!lSlnlVl',m
of evolution.
and the State in the Modern An of the modern state in relation to concepts of
human nature, social classes, the family, and property.
P325 Philosophy of (3 cr.) An of the the modern in
and in the self of such authors as
Bacon, Locke,
It'o'r:7.scnp. and Freud.
of Science (3 cr.) An introductory of theories with to the nature, purpose, and limitations science.
P337 study of
to such as labor; causes of
alienation; impact of industrialization and automation; employees' rights and responsibilities.
P338 Philosophy of Technology (3 cr.) A philosophical study of the role of technology in modern society, including consideration of the relationships between technology and human values.
P358 American Philosophy (3 cr.) A study of the philosophical tradition in the United States, emphasizing major thinkers such as Peirce, Royce, James, Dewey, and Whitehead.
P365 Intermediate Symbolic Logic (3 cr.) P:
P165 or consent of instructor. A second course in symbolic logic, covering topics in the predicate calculus, meta logic, set theory, and modal logic.
P367 Philosophy of the Arts (3 cr.) A study of the language of the arts, designed to show the relationship of human creativity to political, moral, aesthetic, and cognitive value.
P368 Philosophy of Language and
Communication (3 cr.) Introductory study of such topics as philosophy of language, conceptual analysis, information theory, theory of action, artificial intelligence.
P382 Philosophy of History (3 cr.) An analysis of some of the philosophical problems implicit in the study of history, such as the possibility of historical objectivity, and a survey of influential interpretations of history from Augustine to Heidegger.
P383 Topics in Philosophy (3 cr.) A variable title course. An advanced study of special, experimental, or timely topics drawn from the full range of philosophical discussion and designed to pursue interests unmet in the regular curriculum.
P414 Philosophy and Culture (3 cr.) A team- taught exchange of views with regard to a topic involving the interrelationship between philosophy and culture, and leading to student presentations. Required for majors.
Approved for honors credit.
P418 Seminar in the History of Philosophy (3 cr.) A variable title course. A conc:entrated study of one major philosopher or
philosophical school whose ideas have helped to form our age and contribute to an understanding of its problems. May be repeated for credit.
P433 Social Origins of Philosophy (3 cr.) An interpretation of Western philosophy seen as originating in and legitimating a patriarchal social order. Attention will be given to early mythic, literary, and philosophic documents as well as to the political dialogues of Plato.
P448 Seminar in American Philosophy (3 cr.) An intensive study of a major American thinker, such as Edwards, Royce, James, Peirce, Dewey, or Whitehead, or of a leading theme, such as community, experience, or education.
P468 Seminar in the Philosophy of Mind (3 cr.) An in-depth study of some particular problem of current concern in one of the following: theory of meaning, conceptual analysis, information theory, theory of action, artificial intelligence.
P488 Research in Philosophy I P: 9 credit hours of philosophy and consent of instructor. Independent research in philosophical theory approved by and reported to any member of the department.
May be repeated for credit, but no more than 6 credit hours may be counted towards the major.
P489 Research in Philosophy II P: 9 credit hours of philosophy and consent of instructor. Independent research in applied philosophy approved by and reported to any member of the department. May be repeated for credit, but no more than 3 credit hours may be counted towards the major.