Philosophy (PHIL)

PHIL 100     Introduction to Philosophy     3 Credit Hours

An introduction to philosophical thinking through an examination of some timeless human problems such as the existence of God, the problem of freedom, and the attempt to find an ethical foundation for life. (F,W).

PHIL 120     Philosophy and Religion     3 Credit Hours

An examination of how basic concerns of philosophy impinge on questions of religious beliefs. Using philosophical texts, the course will explore such questions as the following: Does God exist? Does human life have a purpose? How can we know whether religious claims are true?

PHIL 200     The Human Condition     3 Credit Hours

The human condition as seen in selected works of philosophy and literature. Typical issues: the meaning of life, the existence of God, moral responsibility for human actions, and the role of society in promoting or hindering human excellence. (OC).

PHIL 233     Critical Thinking     3 Credit Hours

A study of the nature and justification of reasoned arguments, both deductive and inductive, as they occur in natural language. A consideration of topics in language that promote an understanding of ways of reasoning, including definitions and fallacies. (F,W).

PHIL 240     Ethics     3 Credit Hours

A study of ethical concepts and theories. Typical questions: Is the morality of an action based on its results or on the intent of the person acting? Is ethics purely rational? What makes a good person? Ethical principles may be applied to such issues as abortion, capitalism, war, and capital punishment. (F,W).

PHIL 253     Death and Dying     3 Credit Hours

An examination of the philosophical issues surrounding death and dying. Among the problems to be considered are: the reasons why we should talk about death; the nature of persons and personal identity; arguments for and against the existence of a soul; the nature of death and what it means to die; whether death is bad and what might make it so; the possibility and value of immortality; the nature and epistemic significance of near-death experiences; suicide; and what might make a life meaningful and valuable. (F, W).

PHIL 301     Ancient Philosophy     4 Credit Hours

An examination of the metaphysical, epistemological, ethical, and political theories of the ancient Greek philosophers with particular attention paid to Plato and Aristotle and to the influence of their ideas on Western culture. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 302     Modern Philosophy     4 Credit Hours

A study of 17th and 18th century European philosophers including such philosophers as Descartes, Spinoza, Hume, and Kant with emphasis on their metaphysical and epistemological theories and how those theories provided a foundation for science and a bedrock for modern thought. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 303     German Idealism     4 Credit Hours

The development of philosophical thought from Kant through the 19th century. In addition to Kant, figures discussed may include Fichte, Schelling, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Marx, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche. Readings in selected texts. (OC).

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 304     Twentieth-Century Philosophy     4 Credit Hours

A study of selected topics, movements, and figures in the philosophy of the twentieth century, including such representative subjects as continental philosophy, contemporary philosophy of mind, and analytic philosophy. Designed to meet the needs of students in literature and the history of ideas as well as philosophy students. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of the instructor.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 305     Marxism     4 Credit Hours

This course is an introduction to the philosophy of Marxism which emphasizes Marx's theories of human nature, alienation, class struggle, and revolution through readings of classical and contemporary texts. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor. (OC).

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 306     Islamic Philosophy     4 Credit Hours

The course covers the development of Islam, basic Islamic doctrine, and a selection of issues that have been debated within the Islamic philosophical tradition. Students read original texts by Muslim philosophers and think critically about the issues in them and the arguments raised about them. All readings in English; no knowledge of Arabic required.

PHIL 307     Medieval Philosophy     4 Credit Hours

This course is an introduction to Medieval Philosophy and is structured around the ideas and works of key philosophers in the Christian, Islamic and Jewish religious traditions. It attempts to answer the question of what ‘Medieval Philosophy’ is and how it fits into the larger context of the Western philosophical tradition. The course is roughly divided into four sections based on the chronological development of philosophy through the Middle Ages – (I) Early Medieval Christian Philosophy, (II) Islamic Philosophy, (III) Jewish Philosophy and (IV) Latin Christian Philosophy in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries. We will look at what some famous Christian, Muslim and Jewish philosophers, such as Augustine, Boethius, Anselm, Peter Abelard, Al-Ghazali, Ibn Rushd, Saadia, Maimonides, Aquinas, Scotus and Ockham had to say about a diverse range of philosophical issues and topics, including the existence and nature of God, free will, morality, reason and revelation, human nature and the problem of universals. (YR)

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 310     Darwinism and Philosophy     4 Credit Hours

Darwinism represents a challenge to the traditional view of human life as radically separate from the rest of the natural world. This course will examine the philosophical implications of this world view. It will address questions such as these: Is Darwinism compatible with traditional religion? Does Darwinism imply that human life and the cosmos are without purpose? Can human life be meaningful if it is the result of evolution and natural selection? Does Darwinism require us to change our view of nature? What are the ethical implications of a Darwinian view of life and the universe?

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

Restriction(s):
Cannot enroll if Class is

PHIL 312     Environmental Ethics     4 Credit Hours

The relationship of human beings to the non-human environment raises pressing moral and political issues. This course will use the theories and concepts of philosophical ethics to explore such questions as human obligations to non-human animals; the preservation of wilderness; balancing economic, aesthetic, and spiritual values; and the problems of pollution, urban sprawl, and ecological justice. Prerequisite or permission of instructor. (YR).

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442 or ENST 301

PHIL 315     Ethics of War & Peace     4 Credit Hours

A philosophical exploration of ethical issues underlying war and peace. The course will treat such questions as the following: what wars, if any, are just? Are there moral restrictions on the methods that may be used? What individuals are morally responsible for wartime decisions, and to what degree? Discussion of these issues will be used to elucidate larger problems in ethical theory. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 316     Philosophy of Mental Illness     4 Credit Hours

A critical introduction to mental illness through a philosophically informed multidisciplinary approach. The course will focus on the subjective lived experience corresponding to psychiatric diagnostic categories, relying on work from philosophy, psychiatry, psychology, social work and the neurosciences. Readings will relate topics from the philosophy of science and psychiatry, the philosophy of the mind, and medical ethics to the symptoms of a variety of conditions (including but not limited to depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, autistic spectrum disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer’s disease). Students will acquire a humanistic, community-based, empathic understanding of psychiatric conditions and the conceptual tools required for formulating and implementing mandates of mental health justice and social inclusivity in their communities. (YR).

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 320     The Problem of Human Freedom     4 Credit Hours

A critical examination of the idea of freedom: the free will/determinism debate, moral and legal responsibility, punishment, and the relationship between metaphysical and social freedom. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 327     Kierkegaard & Nietzsche     4 Credit Hours

This course will explore the philosophical views of Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, examining the interconnections and differences between these two thinkers as well as each one's contributions to philosophy and psychology. The course will focus on both philosophers' emphasis on the individual and how that emphasis arose as a response to the social, political and economic changes in the 19th century and anticipated and influenced philosophical developments in the 20th century, in particular existentialism.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 335     Philosophy of Law     4 Credit Hours

An examination of some of the important philosophical issues relevant to law and legal theory, including legal punishment, legal responsibility, and the relationship between law and morality. Both classical and contemporary writings will be studied. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 340     Analytic Philosophy     4 Credit Hours

An introduction to philosophy as the analysis and evaluation of fundamental concepts and principles occurring in ordinary life and in the sciences. While analytic philosophy in the twentieth century is emphasized, its antecedents in the history of western philosophy will be examined. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor. (OC).

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 350     Symbolic Logic     4 Credit Hours

This course will examine the central themes in modern symbolic logic including consistency, truth-functionality, sentential first-order predicate logic, and the logic of identity and possibility. These themes and their relation to the wider philosophical context will be discussed. (F).

PHIL 360     Philosophy of Technology     4 Credit Hours

A study of both the history of, and current issues in, the philosophy of technology. This course will examine the deeper meaning and implications of our modern technological society. Questions examined include: What is the definition and nature of technology? How did the concept originate in Western thought? What is the relationship between modern industrial technology and the 'mechanistic' worldview? How do Western religious beliefs influence our attitudes about technology? Is technological progress socially determined, or is it culturally independent? In what ways has our technological society been supportive of, or detrimental to, overall human well-being? Students will cover both classic and contemporary readings.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 365     Philosophy of Religion     3 Credit Hours

A philosophical examination of basic religious problems, such as the nature and grounds of religious belief, the existence and nature of God, human immortality, the relations of religion and science, and the nature of religious language. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 120 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 234 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 253 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 303 or PHIL 304 or PHIL 305 or PHIL 310 or PHIL 315 or PHIL 320 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 340 or PHIL 350 or PHIL 369 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 370 or PHIL 371 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 380 or PHIL 390 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442 or PHIL 445 or PHIL 485 or PHIL 490

PHIL 369     Philosophy of Art     4 Credit Hours

An examination and critique of both traditional and contemporary theories of art as well as an examination of theories of the aesthetic including theories of beauty, taste, and the aesthetic attitude. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor. (OC).

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 370     Philosophy of Mind     4 Credit Hours

A study of current philosophical work in the area of consciousness studies examining the nature and function of human consciousness and the problem of reconciling an objective, scientific view of consciousness with our subjective experience of it. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 371     Philosophy in Literature     4 Credit Hours

An exploration of philosophical problems as they are encountered in works of literature. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of the instructor. (OC).

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 375     Problems of Human Knowledge     4 Credit Hours

A study of issues and problems that arise in considering the nature of knowledge: an examination of traditional theories of knowledge and recent critiques of those theories. Readings of classical and contemporary texts. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 120 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 234 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 303 or PHIL 304 or PHIL 305 or PHIL 310 or PHIL 315 or PHIL 320 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 340 or PHIL 350 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 369 or PHIL 370 or PHIL 371 or PHIL 380 or PHIL 390 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442 or PHIL 445 or PHIL 485 or PHIL 490

PHIL 380     Theories of Reality     4 Credit Hours

A critical examination of philosophical positions that claim to distinguish between what is real and what is apparent; an evaluation of the basic principles of philosophy and of extra-philosophical disciplines. Readings of classical and contemporary texts. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 384     Feminist Philosophy     4 Credit Hours

Feminists working in philosophy, most notably in the 19th and 20th centuries, have altered the traditional philosophical canon by first, recovering women philosophers who were essentially erased from the history and secondly, by extending and contributing to the standard questions of philosophy. For example, one central question of philosophy; "What can we know with certainty?" has been transformed through a feminist lens and reinterpreted as "What does one's gender, social location, and cultural framework contribute to what one knows?" In this course we will look at the variety of feminist philosophical theories with a focus on epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or WGST 303 or HUM 303 or ANTH 303 or PSYC 303 or SOC 303 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 390     Topics in Philosophy     4 Credit Hours

Examination of problems and issues in selected areas of philosophy. Title as listed in Schedule of Classes will change according to content. Course may be repeated for credit when specific topics differ. Typical topics: Philosophy of Language, Minds and Machines, Moral Responsibility. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 390Q     Topics in Philosophy     4 Credit Hours

In this course students will explore the ways that cognitive and affective aspects of social identities (race, gender, socio-economic class, sexual orientation, dis/ability) intersect with issues of social power and privilege to make critical thinking and critical dialogue particularly challenging. We will consider how the history of ‘argument’ in Western philosophy has contributed to the challenges of social identity debates and we will explore a variety cognitive biases and logical fallacies as well as strategies for effectively countering these biases and fallacies.

PHIL 390R     Topics in Philosophy     3 Credit Hours

Topic Title: Eastern Philosophy: Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism- The purpose of this course is to examine the roots and development of the three main strands of thought in Eastern Philosophy: Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. We will do this by first working through the foundational ideas and arguments as they are found in the work Kogzi (Confucius) and Laozi, analyzing the basic arguments and disagreements, which pave the way for subsequent thinkers. We will then look at the development of these ideas in the followers of these two schools of thought. We end by examining the original development of Buddhism in India, and its subsequent transformation to Zen or Chan Buddhism as it encounters Daoism in China. Given the significant emphasis on praxis (as opposed to theory) in both Daoism and Zen tradition, it will often be the case that the distinction between philosophy and religion becomes blurred. Eastern Philosophy has a long and rich tradition, often beginning with radically different starting points and concerns from its Western counterpart (although there are certain overlaps and similarities). As such, this course will offer a window into a set of philosophical discourses that have only recently been seriously examined in the West.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 200 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 234 or PHIL 240

PHIL 390S     Topics in Philosophy     4 Credit Hours

Topic Title: Philosophy of Race- The concept of “race” remains controversial. The controversy concerns two broad issues: first, whether “race” is a legitimate way to demarcate human groups, as opposed to, say ethnicity, or simply seeing all persons as individuals; and, second, whether the continued use of the category of race exacerbates racism. Contemporary philosophers have been making important contributions to these issues, addressing such questions as: what is the true meaning of the concept of “race”? Is the concept of race a mere myth or fiction? Does the use of racial categories exacerbate racism? What race is a mixed race person? What is the race of Latinos or Arabs? How can racism best be reduced and resisted? This course will explore recent philosophical work on the concept of race and the political effects of racial identities. Students will gain an understanding of how philosophers analyze and use concepts, especially as they apply to the politics of race in the U.S. Students will also gain a better understanding of the underlining causes of the rash of police lynching that has galvanized the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 200 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240

PHIL 390T     Philosophy Of Horror     4 Credit Hours

This course will explore questions within the philosophy of horror as well as consider more general philosophical questions through horror. The former includes: What makes a film a horror film? The most obvious answer is that they have to be scary. But most classic horror films (e.g. Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), etc.) will not frighten modern audiences. This would mean that such films are not horror films, which is clearly false; these are quintessential horror films. Is it immoral to watch horror films? Either because we are taking pleasure in watching films that depict unethical actions or because watching such films may desensitize us and inhibit our capacity to respond to victimization with compassion. The latter includes exploring the topic of personal identity through horror examples: A body theorist may be committed to saying that a zombie is a person since the body is still functioning and conscious. A mind theorist may be committed to saying that a vampire is a person since vampires retain much of their psychological content. (OC).

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 120 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 234 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 253 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 303 or PHIL 304 or PHIL 305 or PHIL 310 or PHIL 315 or PHIL 320 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 340 or PHIL 350 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 369 or PHIL 370 or PHIL 371 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 380 or PHIL 390 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442 or PHIL 445 or PHIL 485 or PHIL 490

PHIL 399     Independent Studies     1 to 4 Credit Hours

Readings or analytical assignments in philosophy in accordance with the needs and interests of those enrolled and agreed upon by the student and instructor. (F,W).

PHIL 415     Existentialism and Its Sources     4 Credit Hours

An exploration of existentialism through the study of literary and philosophical texts. Particular themes such as freedom, commitment, alienation, and death will be considered in an attempt to formulate an existential conception of the human condition. (OC).

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 441     Social and Political Phil     4 Credit Hours

An analysis of some fundamental problems of political and social philosophy, with special attention to the way in which theory may function as a guide to specific policies. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 442

PHIL 442     Medical Ethics     4 Credit Hours

An examination of moral issues in medicine. Among the problems to be considered are truth-telling and paternalism in the doctor-patient relationship, psychosurgery and behavior control, death and euthanasia, the allocation of scarce resources, and genetic counseling and control. Specific attention will be given to ethical theories and to philosophical concepts such as rights, autonomy, and justice. Students cannot receive credit for both PHIL 442 and PHIL 542. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 120 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 234 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 303 or PHIL 304 or PHIL 305 or PHIL 310 or PHIL 315 or PHIL 320 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 340 or PHIL 350 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 369 or PHIL 370 or PHIL 371 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 380 or PHIL 390 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 445 or PHIL 490

PHIL 445     Contemporary Ethical Issues     4 Credit Hours

An intensive study of a topic in recent ethical theory. Topics will vary with each offering. Among the topics: ethics and law, utilitarianism, virtue theory, theories of justice, morality and emotion, ethics and partiality. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 485     Philosophy of Science     4 Credit Hours

A critical study of the foundations of the sciences, natural and social, with emphasis on the following topics: the nature of scientific method, theories and explanation, probability and determinism, the unity of the sciences. Students electing this course must have successfully completed a previous course in philosophy or have permission of instructor.

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442

PHIL 490     Studies in Philosophy     1 to 4 Credit Hours

Intensive study of a figure, movement, or issue in philosophy. Title as listed in Schedule of Classes will change according to content. Course may be repeated for credit when specific topics differ. Typical topics: Plato's dialogues, philosophical foundations of mathematics, minds and machines. (OC).

PHIL 495     Great Thinkers in Dialogue     3 Credit Hours

This course is designed to serve as a capstone experience for students in philosophy. Research in philosophy at all levels of inquiry, beginning with undergraduate and moving toward advanced senior scholars, focuses on increasingly more and more in-depth takes on specific thinkers and problems. That is, we begin with large surveys and progressively zero in, adding complexity and nuance all along. This course looks to do precisely that at the advanced undergraduate levels by looking at two thinkers in conversation with each other over specific perennial issues in philosophy. The thinkers and topics will shift depending on the faculty member teaching the course. (YR).

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 100 or PHIL 120 or PHIL 200 or PHIL 233 or PHIL 234 or PHIL 240 or PHIL 253 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 303 or PHIL 304 or PHIL 305 or PHIL 306 or PHIL 307 or PHIL 310 or PHIL 312 or PHIL 315 or PHIL 316 or PHIL 320 or PHIL 327 or PHIL 335 or PHIL 440 or PHIL 350 or PHIL 360 or PHIL 365 or PHIL 369 or PHIL 370 or PHIL 371 or PHIL 375 or PHIL 380 or PHIL 384 or PHIL 390 or PHIL 415 or PHIL 441 or PHIL 442 or PHIL 445 or PHIL 485 or PHIL 490

PHIL 496     Independent Studies     1 to 3 Credit Hours

Topics in philosophy not ordinarily included in other courses in philosophy. Selected in accordance with needs and interests of those enrolled.

PHIL 497     Independent Studies     1 to 3 Credit Hours

Topics in philosophy not ordinarily included in other courses in philosophy, selected in accordance with the needs and interests of those enrolled.

PHIL 498     Independent Studies     1 to 4 Credit Hours

Topics in philosophy not ordinarily included in other courses in philosophy, selected in accordance with the needs and interests of those enrolled. Credit hours will vary. (F,W).

PHIL 499     Independent Studies     1 to 4 Credit Hours

Topics in philosophy not ordinarily included in other courses in philosophy, selected in accordance with the needs and interests of those enrolled. Credit hours will vary. (F,W).