2008–09 Undergraduate Catalog
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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

PHI 1001 | PHI 1002 | PHI 1004 | PHI 2001 | PHI 2500 | PHI 2801 | PHI 2999 | PHI 3601 | PHI 3602 | PHI 3606 | PHI 3633 | PHI 3651 | PHI 3770 | PHI 3801 | PHI 3999 | PHI 4652 | PHI 4653 | PHI 4661 | PHI 4898 | PHI 4899 | PHI 4900 | PHI 4920 | PHI 4921 | PHI 4930 | PHI 4940 | PHI 4950 | PHI 4970 | VIEW ALL

PHI 1001: () Offerings
An introductory course in logic that covers the following topics: the basic concepts of logic (such as validity and soundness), argument forms, identifying arguments, logic and language, categorical syllogisms and Venn diagrams, informal fallacies, truth tables and natural deduction (for statement logic).
Attributes:Arts and Humanities B
PHI 1002: () Offerings
A survey of major philosophical ethicists emphasizing the works of Plato, Aquinas, Kant and Mill.
Attributes:Arts and Humanities B
PHI 1004: () Offerings
This course surveys the main ideas, movements and figures in the history of western philosophy from Socrates to Wittgenstein.
Attributes:Arts and Humanities B
PHI 2001: () Offerings
Prerequisite: PHI 1001. Covers these topics: predicate logic with identity and modal logic.
PHI 2500: () Offerings
The course will examine philosophical issues raised by modern physics, biology, and psychology (among other sciences). It will address questions such as the following. What distinguishes science from pseudo-science? Does science differ from philosophy and theology? Can scientific hypotheses be conclusively established through observation and experiment? What makes for a good scientific explanation? Does science converge on the truth about nature or provide merely useful predictive tools? What are the consequences of historical change in science for the rationality of science? Offered alternate years.
Attributes:Arts and Humanities B
PHI 2801: () Offerings
Examines Lewis's insights into the nature of humanness, the meaning of life and the possibility of other worlds; evaluates Lewis's position on selected value issues, e.g., marriage, divorce and friendship.
PHI 2999: () Offerings
Is beauty an objective quality that a thing either has or does not have, or are aesthetic judgments merely expressions of personal taste? What sorts of things should we take into account in evaluating art? What is the proper function of art, and of the art critic? Offered alternate years.
Attributes:Arts and Humanities B
PHI 3601: () Offerings
Surveys the work of principally Greek philosophers emphasizing Plato and Aristotle. Some consideration may be given to pre-Socratics and post-Aristotelian developments, such as stoicism and Neoplatonism.
Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
PHI 3602: () Offerings
Surveys the thought of some main medieval philosophers, such as Augustine, Boethius, Anselm, Aquinas, Duns Scotus, and William of Ockham. Attention will be mainly given to their metaphysical, epistemological and ethical theories.
Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
PHI 3606: () Offerings
Prerequisite: PHI 3601 or 3633. Surveys major philosophical figures in the continental tradition such as Hegel, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Gadamer, Derrida and Rorty. Offered alternate years.
Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
PHI 3633: () Offerings
Surveys the thought of main figures in the early modern period such as Descartes, Locke, Leibniz, Hume and Kant.
Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
PHI 3651: () Offerings
Prerequisite: PHI 1002 is recommended. An in-depth examination of the main philosophical theories of ethics such as cultural relativism, subjectivism, the divine command theory, ethical egoism, consequentialist views, deontological views and virtue ethics. Contemporary versions of these theories will be emphasized. Selected topics in metaethics will also be included, such as moral realism, morality and self-interest, moral knowledge.
Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
PHI 3770: () Offerings
An In-depth study of a crucial topic in political philosophy. Examples include philosophical implications of the French Revolution, the rule of law, political obligation, Aristotle's politics and democracy. Offered alternate years. May be repeated for credit up to 6 credits.
Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
PHI 3801: () Offerings
Examines Lewis's insights into the nature of humanness, the meaning of life and the possibility of other worlds; evaluates Lewis's position on selected value issues such as marriage, divorce and friendship.
Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
PHI 3999: () Offerings
An in-depth examination of the naturalistic program in understanding the human mind. Topics covered include dualism versus physicalism, behaviorism, mind-brain identity theory, functionalism, mental causation, consciousness, reductive and nonreductive physicalism, and the Christian doctrine of the resurrection of the body.
Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
PHI 4652: () Offerings
Prerequisite: PHI 1001. An in-depth examination of classic metaphysical issues focusing on more recent contributions to the debates. Topics include free will, ontology, realism and essentialism.
Attributes:Upper-Division, Writing "W" Course
PHI 4653: () Offerings
Prerequisite: PHI 1001. An in-depth examination of classic epistemological issues focusing on more recent contributions to the debates. Topics include the analysis of knowledge, the Gettier problem, the structure and sources of justification, skepticism, a priori knowledge, and naturalized and feminist epistemology.
Attributes:Upper-Division
PHI 4661: () Offerings
Identifies basic literary, philosophical and theological categories of Lewis's work. Evaluates the insights in the great themes that permeate Lewis's literature through examining his major works, including Mere Christianity, Screwtape Letters, Great Divorce, Last Battle and The Four Loves. Incorporates lecture series.
Attributes:Upper-Division
PHI 4898: () Offerings
Explores issues relevant to the existence of God, such as, religious experience, the problem of evil, theistic arguments (e.g. the cosmological argument, the design argument, the ontological argument, the moral argument), religious pluralism, and the merits of philosophical naturalism. Can fulfill the senior capstone requirement in philosophy.
Attributes:Upper-Division
PHI 4899: () Offerings
Explores philosophical questions arising from topics in theology, including the divine attributes (e.g. omnipotence, omniscience, perfect goodness), divine revelation, the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Atonement. Can fulfill the senior capstone requirement in philosophy.
Attributes:Upper-Division Restrictions:Senior students only.
PHI 4900: () Offerings
Student works independently with a faculty member on a mutually agreed upon topic. May be repeated for credit up to 15 credits.
Attributes:Upper-Division
PHI 4920: () Offerings
Directed Readings May be repeated for credit up to 9 credits.
Attributes:Upper-Division Restrictions:Junior, Senior students only.
PHI 4921: () Offerings
Offers directed study in the explicitly philosophical writings of Lewis, e.g., The Abolition of Man, The Problem of Pain, Miracles, The Four Loves, The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses, and God in the Dock. May be repeated for credit up to 5 credits.
Attributes:Upper-Division
PHI 4930: () Offerings
For advanced students who wish to assist as discussion leaders and readers in lower-division philosophy classes. May be repeated for credit up to 5 credits.
Attributes:Upper-Division Restrictions:Philosophy Majors only. Freshman, Sophomore students are excluded.
PHI 4940: () Offerings
Prerequisite: 30 credits of philosopy. Practical application of philosophical skills. (See philosophy Web-site for illustrative possibilities.) May be repeated for credit up to 5 credits.
Attributes:Upper-Division Restrictions:Philosophy Majors only. Freshman, Sophomore students are excluded.
PHI 4950: () Offerings
An in-depth exploration of a specific philosophical topic chosen by the instructor. Recent topics include the problem of evil, the doctrines of the trinity and incarnation, political philosophy and C.S. Lewis on the quest for the permanent things. May be repeated for credit up to 10 credits.
Attributes:Upper-Division Restrictions:Junior, Senior students only.
PHI 4970: () Offerings
Independent Research
Attributes:Upper-Division



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