348 Philosophy of Science (3)
An introduction to philosophical problems in the natural and social sciences: the nature of explanation, induction, evidence, probability, verification, causation; the role of observation; the relations among the sciences. Spring semester alternate years.
351 History of Ancient Philosophy (3)
Selections from the pre-Socratic through the late Greco-Roman writers, including Plotinus. Emphasis on Plato and Aristotle. Fall semester.
352 Medieval Philosophy (3)
This course will trace the development of philosophy from late Antiquity through the High Middle Ages. Texts will be drawn from medieval Christian, Jewish, or Muslim authors. May be registered as Religion 352. Credit not allowed in both Philosophy 352 and Religion 352.
353 History of Modern Philosophy (3)
Rationalism and empiricism as developed by leading thinkers; selections from chief representatives from Hobbes and Descartes through Kant. Spring semester.
360 American Philosophy (3)
Earlier American thought in its reaction to European movements; the emergence of a genuinely American philosophy. Emphasis on James, Pierce, Santayana, Royce, Dewey, and Whitehead. Alternate years.
364 Existentialism and Phenomenology (3)
Presentations on the major figures and themes of this movement; discussions of selected passages from Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, and Ricoeur. Alternate years.
425 Ethics and the Professions (3)
An examination of ethical issues and principles related to problems and standards in the professions. Special attention to professional codes and case studies in relation to traditional and contemporary moral philosophy. Designed as a general course for students not majoring in philosophy and religion. Fall semester.
442 Philosophy of Mind (3)
A history of the philosophy of mind, from Aristotle and Descartes through the twentieth century. Emphasis on current debates, with reference to relevant scientific discoveries. Alternate years.
481r Interdisciplinary Seminar (3)
Critical inquiry into the most comprehensive questions raised by particular disciplines; reading and discussion of significant primary sources from scholars in the special field and philosophers. Two faculty members. On demand.
483 Feminist Theory (3)
A history of feminist theory from the eighteenth century to the present. Extensive reading, papers. Maybe registered as Humanities or Women’s Studies 483. Credit allowed in only one of the three courses.
484 Values and the Environment (3)
An examination of the personal and social values at issue in the environmental problems of urban and nonurban regions. Attention to the emerging concern for an environmental ethic. Fall semester alternate years. Prerequisite: Environmental Science 150. May be registered as Environmental Science 484. Credit not allowed in both Philosophy 484 and Environmental Science 484.
491r Studies in Philosophy (3)
A seminar or tutorial for the intensive consideration of one philosophical problem, movement, or figure. On demand.
495r Departmental Thesis
(1-3 hours per term, 4 hours for the two terms)
Every semester. See Departmental Honors. Student Must submit an Individual Studies/Research Contract to the Records Office at the time of registration.
497r Research (1-4)
On demand. Prerequisite: approval of department head. Student Must submit an Individual Studies/Research Contract to the Records Office at the time of registration.
498r Individual Studies (1-4)
Must be taken for at least three hours in one semester by all majors. Every semester. Prerequisite: approval of department head. Student Must submit an Individual Studies/Research Contract to the Records Office at the time of registration.
499r Group Studies (1-4)
On demand. Prerequisite: approval of department head.
RELIGION COURSES (REL)
103 Introduction to the Study of Religion (3)
Consideration of the various elements of religion and the methods for studying them; attention to beliefs, world-views, and sacred literature; rituals, myths, symbols; religious communities and organizations; types of religious experience. Every semester.
110 Introduction to Western Religions (3)
An introduction to the major religious traditions emerging in Western cultures, with emphasis on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
199r Special Projects (1-4)
Individual or group projects. On demand. Maximum credit 4 hours. Prerequisite: approval of department head.
211 Religions of the East (3)
An introduction to major world religious traditions of Asia, with emphasis on Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Every semester.
213 A History of Judaism (3)
Examination of enduring themes or concepts in Jewish tradition from antiquity to the modern era. Particular attention to the emergence of normative Judaism and its later challengers: Hasidism, Reform, and Zionism. Fall semester.
221, 222 Biblical Literature (3,3)
First semester: the Old Testament and the history and religion of Israel against the background of the ancient Near East. Second semester: the New Testament documents in relation to Judaism and the environment of the Hellenistic world. 221 fall semester/222 spring semester.
236 Religion in American Life (3)
Attention to distinctly American phenomena, with the intention of assessing the present role and status of religion; consideration of such topics as separation of church and state, revivalism, the influence of immigration, sects, and cults. Fall semester.
314 Primitive Religion (3)
The place of religion in the social and cultural settings of selected peoples as evidenced through magic, myth, totemism, fetish, sacrifice, shamanism, and initiatory rites; an attempt to delineate the common elements of primitive religion. On demand.
315 Islam (3)
An examination of the history, teachings and practices of Islam. Attention will also be paid to the interaction between Islam and the West, and to the various issues facing Islam in the modern world.
317 Buddhism (3)
This course examines the history, teachings and practices of Buddhism in India, China, Japan and Tibet. Major scriptures of the Theravada, Mahayana and Tantric traditions are studied in depth.
318 Modern Judaism (3)
Exploration of religious, social, and political developments in modern Judaism, including the appearance of Zionism, the impact of the Holocaust, and efforts to overcome the tension between Zionism and the religious culture of contemporary Jews. Alternate years.
319 Taoism (3)
This course examines the history, teachings and practices of Taoism, from China’s Warring States Period (403-222 B.C.E.) up to the present. The philosophy of the Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu will be studied in depth, along with the beliefs, practices and rituals of the Taoist religion.
