College of Arts and Sciences
221 Introduction to Ethics (3)
An examination of classical and modern theories of the foundations of morality. Selections from such philosophers as Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Butler, Hume, Kant, Bentham, Sidgwick, and Mill. Every semester.
322 Ethical Theory (3)
A critical analysis of contemporary ethical theories. Emphasis on the writings of philosophers such as Moore, Stevenson, Dewey, Rawls, Baier, Hare, and Searle. Alternate years.
325 Biomedical Ethics (3)
An examination of moral and ethical issues that arise in both the practice of medicine and in medical research.
333 Philosophy of Religion (3)
A philosophical examination of religion, including traditional and modern arguments for the existence and nature of God, the nature of religious experience and belief, and the functions of religious language. Alternate years.
336 Aesthetics (3)
A study of the nature and value of art, of human creativity, and of aesthetic response. Close attention to theoretical analysis and to the interpretation and critique of important artistic achievements. On demand.
341 Metaphysics (3)
A study of classical and contemporary approaches to the question of what is ultimately real; consideration of modern challenges to the legitimacy of metaphysics. Alternate years.
345 Epistemology (3)
A critical examination of the nature of knowledge and the philosophical problems concerning skepticism; knowledge of the self, material objects, other minds; the past, present, and future; universal and necessary truth. Selections from both historical and recent writings. Alternate years.
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.
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.
491r Studies in Philosophy (3)
A seminar or tutorial for the intensive consideration of one philosophical problem, movement, or figure. On demand.
495r Departmental Honors (1-3 hours per term, 4 hours for the two terms)
Every semester. See Departmental Honors.
497r Research (1-4)
On demand. Prerequisite: approval of department head.
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.
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.
210 Western Christianity Since 1000 (3)
See History 210.
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.
