A major in philosophy provides students with new ways of seeing the world and its possibilities. The philosophy program at Suffolk teaches analytical and writing skills that provide a solid foundation for law school, graduate training, or professional school. Philosophy students complete their undergraduate training prepared, as well, to pursue careers in community and public service, in theology, in college and secondary teaching, in health services and medical ethics, in business and business management, in writing, and in journalism and communications. A minor in philosophy is also available.
Requirements for a major in philosophy are satisfied by successfully completing 36 credits of coursework in philosophy (ordinarily, 9 courses).
All majors in philosophy, Bachelors of Arts as well as Bachelors of Science, with the exception of those in the applied ethics track, are required to take the following core courses (6 courses, 24 credits):
4.00
An introduction to non-formal methods of analyzing and formulating arguments, including treatment of such concepts/topics as: the nature of argument, induction, deduction, validity, soundness, aspects of language which tend to interfere with logical thought, definition, role of emotion, types of disagreement, and fallacies. The course also emphasizes the practical application of sound reasoning in both evaluating arguments and making arguments of ones own about matters of issues facing society. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
A systematic introduction to the major thinkers and their positions on the main issues of ethics, such as: What is morality? What are moral values? How should we live our lives? Are there objective, universal, absolute moral standards? If so, what are they, and what is their basis? 1 term - credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
4.00
The study of philosophical thought from the period of the ancient Greek philosophers through the Medieval thinkers, including such philosophers as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Zeno, Parmenides, Pythagoras, Protagoras, Augustine, Aquinas, Anselm, and Abelard. An introductory course designed to equip the student with a well grounded understanding and appreciation of Philosophy. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Fall Term
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
A study of the prominent modern thinkers, such as Descartes, Leibniz, Spinoza, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant. The course is an historical survey of the key concepts, problems and developments in modern philosophy including rationalism, empiricism, and skepticism. The following themes central to Modern philosophy will be addressed: the nature of reality; the limits of human knowledge; self and self-identity; mind and body; freedom in theory and practice; reason vs. sentiment in ethics. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Spring Term
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
Prerequisite: PHIL 210 and 211 and consent of instructor.
4.00
This is a required course for all students in the major, to be taken in the Spring Semester of their senior year. Students will prepare a portfolio of their previous coursework, collaborate with the faculty symposium leader on a selection of texts to read in common with other seniors, and prepare one paper for delivery at the Senior Symposium, usually held in late April. Students seeking Honors in Philosophy must take this course to complete the senior thesis. PHIL 210 and 211 and consent of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered Spring Semester every year.
Offered Spring Term
In addition, students are required to take three additional courses selected with the help of an advisor. At least two of these additional courses should be at a 200-level or higher and one should be at the 300-level or higher. A detailed program suited to the needs of the individual student will be developed for each philosophy major.
The philosophy department at Suffolk University offers a major in applied ethics, either BS or BA. This track is intended to train students to think systematically and critically about the social, moral, and political intricacies of public policy. Areas of study include business ethics, environmental ethics, medical and bioethics, the philosophy of law, the philosophy of race and gender, moral questions in the conduct of war, democracy and the war on terrorism, and others.
In addition to a rigorous training in the history of ethics and social thought, students who choose this track will be required to take two applied ethics classes and complete an internship or residency. Possible internship sites include hospital ethics boards, the MA ethics commission, non-profits promoting equal access to housing and education, and many more placements. The internship requirement is meant to help students integrate their theoretical studies with real world experience, and will be closely supervised by the department’s faculty.
Graduates of the applied ethics program will be especially well prepared for careers in government, public policy, and non-profit organizations. They will also be in an excellent position to apply to law school, and to graduate programs in the humanities and social sciences.
4.00
An introduction to non-formal methods of analyzing and formulating arguments, including treatment of such concepts/topics as: the nature of argument, induction, deduction, validity, soundness, aspects of language which tend to interfere with logical thought, definition, role of emotion, types of disagreement, and fallacies. The course also emphasizes the practical application of sound reasoning in both evaluating arguments and making arguments of ones own about matters of issues facing society. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
An introduction to formal (or semi-formal) study of the basic types of deductive arguments (propositional and syllogistic logic). 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Occasional
Quantitative Reasoning
4.00
A systematic introduction to the major thinkers and their positions on the main issues of ethics, such as: What is morality? What are moral values? How should we live our lives? Are there objective, universal, absolute moral standards? If so, what are they, and what is their basis? 1 term - credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
4.00
The study of philosophical thought from the period of the ancient Greek philosophers through the Medieval thinkers, including such philosophers as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Zeno, Parmenides, Pythagoras, Protagoras, Augustine, Aquinas, Anselm, and Abelard. An introductory course designed to equip the student with a well grounded understanding and appreciation of Philosophy. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Fall Term
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
A study of the prominent modern thinkers, such as Descartes, Leibniz, Spinoza, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant. The course is an historical survey of the key concepts, problems and developments in modern philosophy including rationalism, empiricism, and skepticism. The following themes central to Modern philosophy will be addressed: the nature of reality; the limits of human knowledge; self and self-identity; mind and body; freedom in theory and practice; reason vs. sentiment in ethics. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Spring Term
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
Two courses in applied ethics, at least one of which must be 200-level or higher:
4.00
An examination of contemporary Western society, particularly in the United States, in relation to philosophical attempts to define the good life. Current books that exhibit a philosophical approach towards important contemporary social issues will be discussed, as well as classics in philosophy. Topics may include: civic virtue, consumerism, current events, economic justice, popular culture (film, music, television), religion and secularism, etc. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
4.00
A critical examination of a number of contemporary moral issues such as: abortion, affirmative action, animal rights, capital punishment, cloning, drug legalization, environmental ethics, euthanasia, genetic engineering, gun control, pornography, same-sex marriage, suicide, war and terrorism, etc. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: PHIL 119, or 123, or 127.
4.00
An examination of the moral issues involved in the interaction of humans with their natural environment. Topics include: the environmental crisis, human-centered vs. nature-centered ethics, intrinsic value in nature, obligations to future generations, the importance of preserving endangered species and wilderness, radical ecology, eco-feminism, and the role of social justice in environmental issues. Prerequisite: PHIL 119, or 123, or 127. 1 term -4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Occasional
Prerequisite: Phil 119, or 123, or 127.
4.00
An examination of the moral problems facing health-care practitioners, their patients, and others involved with the practice of medicine in todays society. Issues include euthanasia, the ethics of medical experimentation, the use of reproductive technologies, genetic counseling and genetic engineering, truth-telling and confidentiality in doctor-patient relationships, the cost and availability of medical care. Prerequisite: PHIL 119, or 123, or 127. 1 term -4 credits. Normally offered every third year.
Occasional
Prerequisite: Phil 119, or 123, or 127
4.00
An examination of the ethical questions in the working life and policies of the business and professional sectors of society. The focus will vary, but common themes will include: the role of commerce in civil society; the relation of business to conceptions of economic and social justice; the meaning and application of codes of ethics; obligations of corporations and professional organizations to shareholders and stakeholders; responsibilities to clients and colleagues; workplace conduct; the nature of success and conflicts between legal and moral obligations; the impact of globalization. The course will employ a variety of readings, including ethical theory and specific case studies. Prerequisite: PHIL 119, or 123, or 127. 1 term -4 credits. Normally offered every other year.
Occasional
4.00
Prejudice of many kinds, such as racism and sexism, is so embedded in our social institutions, and is so traditional and pervasive that we often fail to notice it. In this course, we will deal with the history and nature of racism and sexism, as well as with possible solutions to these problems, including affirmative action and busing. Also to be discussed will be homosexuality, pornography and sex roles. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered alternate years. C a
Occasional
Cultural Diversity Opt A
PHIL 119, or 123 or 127
4.00
This course will address in depth one or more specific issues in applied ethics. Topics will vary and may range from applied issues in political thought, such as just war theory or transitional justice, to specific questions in professional ethics or social policy, such as end-of-life care, economic justice, or the role of technology in the human future. Prerequisite: PHIL 119, or 123, or 127. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every other year.
Occasional
Cultural Diversity Opt B
One course in political or legal thought:
4.00
An examination of persistent debates in political and social philosophy, such as the meaning of property and welfare, the tensions between liberty and equality, censorship and freedom of expression, the relation of church and state, the possibility of political education and civic virtue, legitimacy of the state and revolution, war and problems of end and means, addressing historic injustice, such as racism, genocide, or sexism, among other topics. The class will focus on no more than two such themes. Students will read both classic and contemporary writings to address both the historical roots and the contemporary treatment of these questions. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Occasional
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
A systematic exploration of thinking of and about America, from the founding of the republic to American issues and traditions of thought that reflect upon the founding principles and the unfolding American experiment. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution will be studied with an eye to their philosophical content and sources. Other works, primary and secondary, that help to illuminate these documents and their philosophical significance will also be read. The course may also examine works of philosophers and other thinkers who address conflicts over the meaning of founding principles in the course of the nations history, from the struggle over slavery to Americas contemporary role in the world. In addition to the founding documents, authors and texts may include: Locke, The Federalist Papers, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Washington, de Tocqueville, Emerson, Douglass, Lincoln, Stanton, Thoreau, James, and Dewey, as well as contemporary authors. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every third year.
Occasional
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy or Instructors consent
4.00
Readings may include a range of classical authors, such as Plato and Aquinas, as well as the works of such 20th-century legal philosophers as H.L.A. Hart, Dworkin and Rawls. Also included may be leading jurists such as Oliver Wendell Holmes and Learned Hand. Issues discussed may include the nature of law, its relation to justice, and how the legal system should operate to arrive at just decisions. Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy or consent of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every third year.
Occasional
One Internship:
Prerequisite: PHIL 119 or 123 or 127 and consent of instructor
4.00
Students in this course will serve as interns in a department-approved position with a service provider, professional organization, government agency, or non-governmental organization whose work is relevant to issues in applied ethics. A faculty mentor will meet with students regularly to develop individually designed programs of readings and to discuss this material and its relation to the internship experience. In addition to the substantial time commitment to the internship, course requirements will usually include a journal and a research project. PHIL 119 or 123 or 127 and consent of instructor. 1 term -4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
Expanded Classroom Requirement
Prerequisite: PHIL 210 and 211 and consent of instructor.
4.00
This is a required course for all students in the major, to be taken in the Spring Semester of their senior year. Students will prepare a portfolio of their previous coursework, collaborate with the faculty symposium leader on a selection of texts to read in common with other seniors, and prepare one paper for delivery at the Senior Symposium, usually held in late April. Students seeking Honors in Philosophy must take this course to complete the senior thesis. PHIL 210 and 211 and consent of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered Spring Semester every year.
Offered Spring Term
Twenty credits (five courses) in philosophy are required of students who elect a minor in Philosophy. These must include PHIL 119 (Ethics) or 123 (Social Ethics) or 127 (Contemporary Moral Issues); either 210 (History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy) or 211 (History of Modern Philosophy); and three additional courses, two of which should be at a 200-level or higher.
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In order to be eligible for honors in philosophy a student must satisfy the following criteria:
Phi Sigma Tau Philosophy Honor Society
Phi Sigma Tau, the National Honor Society for Philosophy, established its Massachusetts Beta Chapter at Suffolk in 1965. Active membership is open to students who have reached junior standing, and who have completed at least six courses in philosophy at Suffolk with an average of 3.3, plus a cumulative average of 3.0.
Course descriptions may be updated periodically to reflect since the last published catalog.
4.00
An introduction to non-formal methods of analyzing and formulating arguments, including treatment of such concepts/topics as: the nature of argument, induction, deduction, validity, soundness, aspects of language which tend to interfere with logical thought, definition, role of emotion, types of disagreement, and fallacies. The course also emphasizes the practical application of sound reasoning in both evaluating arguments and making arguments of ones own about matters of issues facing society. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
A general introduction to the nature of philosophical analysis. Lectures, readings, and discussions will focus on representative issues and thinkers from the main areas of philosophy (such the nature of truth, reality, morality, politics, and religion). 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
A systematic introduction to the major thinkers and their positions on the main issues of ethics, such as: What is morality? What are moral values? How should we live our lives? Are there objective, universal, absolute moral standards? If so, what are they, and what is their basis? 1 term - credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
0.00
Service Learning Component
4.00
A systematic introduction to the major thinkers and their positions on the main issues of ethics, such as: What is morality? What are moral values? How should we live our lives? Are there objective, universal, absolute moral standards? If so, what are they, and what is their basis? Prerequisite: Philosophy majors, minors, or honor students only. 1 term -4 credits.
Occasional
4.00
An examination of contemporary Western society, particularly in the United States, in relation to philosophical attempts to define the good life. Current books that exhibit a philosophical approach towards important contemporary social issues will be discussed, as well as classics in philosophy. Topics may include: civic virtue, consumerism, current events, economic justice, popular culture (film, music, television), religion and secularism, etc. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
0.00
Service Learning Component
Expanded Classroom Requirement
4.00
An examination of contemporary Western society, particularly in the United States, in relation to philosophical attempts to define the good life. Current books that exhibit a philosophical approach towards important contemporary social issues will be discussed, as well as classics in philosophy. Topics may include: civic virtue, consumerism, current events, economic justice, popular culture (film, music, television), religion and secularism, etc. Prerequisite: Philosophy majors, minors, or honor students only. 1 term -4 credits.
Occasional
4.00
A critical examination of a number of contemporary moral issues such as: abortion, affirmative action, animal rights, capital punishment, cloning, drug legalization, environmental ethics, euthanasia, genetic engineering, gun control, pornography, same-sex marriage, suicide, war and terrorism, etc. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
0.00
Service Learning Component
Expanded Classroom Requirement
4.00
A critical examination of a number of contemporary moral issues such as: abortion, affirmative action, animal rights, capital punishment, cloning, drug legalization, environmental ethics, euthanasia, genetic engineering, gun control, pornography, same-sex marriage, suicide, war and terrorism, etc. 1 term - 4 credits. Prerequisite: Philosophy majors, minors, or honor students only. 1 term -4 credits.
Occasional
4.00
The study of philosophical thought from the period of the ancient Greek philosophers through the Medieval thinkers, including such philosophers as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Zeno, Parmenides, Pythagoras, Protagoras, Augustine, Aquinas, Anselm, and Abelard. An introductory course designed to equip the student with a well grounded understanding and appreciation of Philosophy. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Fall Term
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
A study of the prominent modern thinkers, such as Descartes, Leibniz, Spinoza, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant. The course is an historical survey of the key concepts, problems and developments in modern philosophy including rationalism, empiricism, and skepticism. The following themes central to Modern philosophy will be addressed: the nature of reality; the limits of human knowledge; self and self-identity; mind and body; freedom in theory and practice; reason vs. sentiment in ethics. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Spring Term
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
An introduction to formal (or semi-formal) study of the basic types of deductive arguments (propositional and syllogistic logic). 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Occasional
Quantitative Reasoning
4.00
What counts as art? What is beauty? Are there objective standards of beauty? This course examines the nature of aesthetic experience, art, beauty, and creativity. Through the classic and contemporary readings, the students will be introduced to philosophical issues concerning the meaning of art, artistic representation, perceptions of art, interpretation, and criticism. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own experience of art and explore the relationships among the artist, the audience, the artwork, and the world. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every third year.
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
This course is an introduction to the philosophy of feminist thought. Feminist theories of epistemology, metaphysics and morality will be examined as critiques of traditional philosophy,. Feminist perspectives and methodologies include radical, liberal, postmodern, as well as more recent trends in ecofeminism. Special emphasis will be placed on explicit and implicit practices of alienation and exclusion as they have unfolded in the gendering of thought, truth, and reality. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every third year. C b
Occasional
Cultural Diversity Opt A,Cultural Diversity BFA
4.00
Skepticism is an ancient philosophy with an influence that persists to this day. Versions of skepticism raise questions about our ability to know anything certain about ourselves, others, or the external world. This course will examine strands of the skeptical tradition, as well as some responses to it. Possible authors may include: Plato, Sextus Empiricus, Montaigne, Descartes, Hume, Moore, and Wittgenstein. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every third year.
Occasional
4.00
The question about the meaning of life is among the oldest and most perplexing questions of humanity. What do we live for? Which beliefs, values, and experiences sustain meaningful, fulfilling existence? Are we authors of our own destinies or powerless pawns in an unfathomable cosmic game? Does death render all our efforts superfluous? While our main focus will be philosophical, students will also explore the multiplicity of perspectives on life-meaning through the works of artists, poets, theologians, and psychologists. We will approach the question of the meaning of life both as an exciting intellectual endeavor and an existential challenge of great practical importance.
4.00
An examination of persistent debates in political and social philosophy, such as the meaning of property and welfare, the tensions between liberty and equality, censorship and freedom of expression, the relation of church and state, the possibility of political education and civic virtue, legitimacy of the state and revolution, war and problems of end and means, addressing historic injustice, such as racism, genocide, or sexism, among other topics. The class will focus on no more than two such themes. Students will read both classic and contemporary writings to address both the historical roots and the contemporary treatment of these questions. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Occasional
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
Prejudice of many kinds, such as racism and sexism, is so embedded in our social institutions, and is so traditional and pervasive that we often fail to notice it. In this course, we will deal with the history and nature of racism and sexism, as well as with possible solutions to these problems, including affirmative action and busing. Also to be discussed will be homosexuality, pornography and sex roles. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered alternate years. C a
Occasional
Cultural Diversity Opt A
4.00
A systematic exploration of thinking of and about America, from the founding of the republic to American issues and traditions of thought that reflect upon the founding principles and the unfolding American experiment. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution will be studied with an eye to their philosophical content and sources. Other works, primary and secondary, that help to illuminate these documents and their philosophical significance will also be read. The course may also examine works of philosophers and other thinkers who address conflicts over the meaning of founding principles in the course of the nations history, from the struggle over slavery to Americas contemporary role in the world. In addition to the founding documents, authors and texts may include: Locke, The Federalist Papers, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Washington, de Tocqueville, Emerson, Douglass, Lincoln, Stanton, Thoreau, James, and Dewey, as well as contemporary authors. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every third year.
Occasional
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
This course analyzes and interprets fundamental religious concepts and beliefs, examines the rational support for religious faith, and addresses the relation between religion and society. Fundamental questions concerning the nature and existence of God, salvation, and immortality will be explored, and for this the primary focus will be Western religious conceptions but may broaden to include other world religions. Other topics may include: whether all religions can be equally valid and true; the relation of religion and the state; the status of miracles; the history and psychology of religion; the conflict between religion and science. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered alternate years.
Occasional
Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement
4.00
The exposition and critical evaluation of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Islam. Special attention is given to foundation principles as well as to the similarities and differences of each of these philosophies to basic ideas in Western philosophy. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered alternate years. C b
Occasional
Cultural Diversity Opt B,Cultural Diversity BFA,Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requireme
4.00
An historical survey of Buddhist philosophy. We will explore Buddhist origins, central teachings, devotional and meditational practices, ritual and institutions as developed from classical to modern times. Special attention given to the philosophical diversity of the Buddhist world view. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered alternate years. C b
Occasional
Cultural Diversity Opt B,Cultural Diversity BFA,Asian Studies
4.00
This course is an examination of Native American (Indian) religious experience, both the similarities and differences among the myths and rituals of the major tribes which comprise the background of our nations history of Western migration and settlement. The emphasis will be on understanding how life was experienced by these peoples through a close look at the philosophical meanings of their mythology and ethics. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered alternate years. C a
Occasional
Cultural Diversity Opt A
4.00
An exploration into the various dimensions and ideologies concerning the role of the feminine in relation to the Divine. Belief systems, myths and archetypes from ancient Goddess worship to 20th century feminist theology will be examined in terms of the philosophical content and psychological consequences. Special emphasis will be placed on feminist metaphysical structures for understanding consciousness and Reality. Classes will be conducted by means of lectures, primary and secondary texts and class discussions. Normally offered alternate years. Cultural Diversity A
Occasional
Cultural Diversity BFA,Cultural Diversity Opt A
4.00
A survey of the main developments in Chinese Philosophy. The course begins with the early dynastic concept of humanism and then turns to Confucius and Mencius. Having developed the central Confucian doctrines, students next examine the Taoist response to Confucianism in the writings of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu. The course then considers Zen Buddhism, which is called Chan Buddhism in China, where it originated. In particular, students study the concept of sudden enlightenment before turning to the Neo-Confucian scholars.
Occasional
Cultural Diversity Opt B
Prerequisite: One Philosophy course or consent of instructor.
4.00
Focuses on the paradoxical relationship between freedom and responsibility and how that affects our thinking about freedom in the individual, social and political sphere. Both classical and contemporary thinkers will be considered. Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy or consent of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every other year.
Offered Spring Term
Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy or consent of instructor.
4.00
This course provides an opportunity to explore in depth a specific topic in the philosophy of religion. Subjects vary from specific authors or religious figures to particular issues in the philosophy of religion or to comparisons between Western and Eastern traditions. Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy or consent of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every third year.
Occasional
Prerequisite: PHIL 211 or consent of instructor.
4.00
Examines one or more of the following major philosophical movements of this century: Pragmatism, Phenomenology, Existentialism, Logical Positivism, Analytic (Linguistic) Philosophy, Postmodernism and Critical Theory (Post-Analytic Philosophy). Prerequisite: PHIL 211 or consent of instructor. 1 term -4 credits. Normally offered alternate years.
Occasional
Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy or consent of instructor.
4.00
An overview of the existentialist tradition. Primary focus on issues and problems arising from the existentialist reaction to classical philosophy. Topics include: paradoxes and contradictions of human nature and human condition; radical freedom, commitment, and responsibility; existential anxiety, meaninglessness and the rejection of God; authenticity and self-deception; individuality and community. Philosophers to be discussed will include Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, Camus, Dostoevsky, and Heidegger. Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy or consent of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every other year.
Occasional
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
1.00- 4.00
This course focuses on philosophical research and writing. It is designed as an independent research course to allow students the opportunity to focus on a topic of their choice and develop critical skills in writing and research methods. Students will be required to produce a research paper of a length commensurate with the number of credits in the course, complete with abstract, thesis, outline, bibliography, and primary and secondary sources. Students will be expected to follow MLA guidelines. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. 1 term -1-4 credits (variable). Normally offered on an as-needed basis.
Occasional
Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy or Instructors consent
4.00
Readings may include a range of classical authors, such as Plato and Aquinas, as well as the works of such 20th-century legal philosophers as H.L.A. Hart, Dworkin and Rawls. Also included may be leading jurists such as Oliver Wendell Holmes and Learned Hand. Issues discussed may include the nature of law, its relation to justice, and how the legal system should operate to arrive at just decisions. Prerequisite: One course in Philosophy or consent of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every third year.
Occasional
PHIL 119, or 123 or 127
4.00
This course will address in depth one or more specific issues in applied ethics. Topics will vary and may range from applied issues in political thought, such as just war theory or transitional justice, to specific questions in professional ethics or social policy, such as end-of-life care, economic justice, or the role of technology in the human future. Prerequisite: PHIL 119, or 123, or 127. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every other year.
Occasional
Cultural Diversity Opt B
One course in Philosophy or consent of instructor.
4.00
This course explores indigenous African systems of thought, modern academic African philosophy, African social and political theory, and contemporary debates centered on questions of identity, modernity, essentialism and historicity within the African context. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every third year. C b
Occasional
Cultural Diversity Opt B
Prerequisite: PHIL 119, or 123, or 127.
4.00
An examination of the moral issues involved in the interaction of humans with their natural environment. Topics include: the environmental crisis, human-centered vs. nature-centered ethics, intrinsic value in nature, obligations to future generations, the importance of preserving endangered species and wilderness, radical ecology, eco-feminism, and the role of social justice in environmental issues. Prerequisite: PHIL 119, or 123, or 127. 1 term -4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Occasional
Prerequisite: Phil 119, or 123, or 127.
4.00
An examination of the moral problems facing health-care practitioners, their patients, and others involved with the practice of medicine in todays society. Issues include euthanasia, the ethics of medical experimentation, the use of reproductive technologies, genetic counseling and genetic engineering, truth-telling and confidentiality in doctor-patient relationships, the cost and availability of medical care. Prerequisite: PHIL 119, or 123, or 127. 1 term -4 credits. Normally offered every third year.
Occasional
Prerequisite: Phil 119, or 123, or 127
4.00
An examination of the ethical questions in the working life and policies of the business and professional sectors of society. The focus will vary, but common themes will include: the role of commerce in civil society; the relation of business to conceptions of economic and social justice; the meaning and application of codes of ethics; obligations of corporations and professional organizations to shareholders and stakeholders; responsibilities to clients and colleagues; workplace conduct; the nature of success and conflicts between legal and moral obligations; the impact of globalization. The course will employ a variety of readings, including ethical theory and specific case studies. Prerequisite: PHIL 119, or 123, or 127. 1 term -4 credits. Normally offered every other year.
Occasional
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
4.00
A survey of major works and themes of moral and political philosophy from ancient Greece to the late medieval period. Topics covered will include the nature of moral duties, the connection between happiness and morality, citizenship and virtue, the meaning of a good life, the attractions and limitations of moral relativism, the foundations of legitimate government, arguments for and against democracy, realism and idealism in statecraft, and the relationship between law and ethics. Authors may include the Pre-Socratic thinkers, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, and Aquinas, among others. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. 1 term -4 credits. Normally offered every year in the fall.
Offered Fall Term
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
4.00
A continuation of PHIL 401, covering the early modern era to the dawn of the 20th century. Authors may include Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Mill, Marx, and Nietzsche, among others. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. 1 term -4 credits. Normally offered every year in the spring.
Offered Spring Term
Instructors Consent
4.00
This seminar will analyze and explore the universal human rights concept -- the idea that all human beings, by virtue of their humanity alone, have human rights that should be recognized by all nations. It will explore the concepts meaning; its theoretical underpinnings, critiques and defenses; and the kinds of specific rights suggested by the concept. The course will also provide an introduction to existing human rights law. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits.
Occasional
4.00
A detailed exposition and evaluation of a specific topic or of the views of one major philosophical thinker or group of thinkers. Readings from both primary and secondary sources. Prerequisite: PHIL 210 or 211 or consent of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: PHIL 210 or consent of instructor.
4.00
This course is an in-depth investigation into Aristotles writings, teachings, and central doctrines. Readings include a range of Aristotles work and treatises. Topics and texts may vary depending on the theme of exploration. Possible combinations of texts may include his works on Logic, Natural Philosophy, Metaphysics, Poetics, Politics or Ethics, among others. Students will be expected to critically examine textual readings. Classes will be conducted by means of lecture, class discussion, and primary text in translation. Prerequisite: PHIL 210 or consent of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every third year.
Occasional
Prerequisite: PHIL 210 or consent of instructor.
4.00
A detailed study of Platonic texts and issues. Works studied will vary but will often include dialogues such as the Apology, Euthyphro, Phaedo, Republic, and Symposium. Themes may include, among others: the nature of philosophy and its relation to society; the dialogue form and the character of Socrates; the difference between truth and opinion; the meaning of virtue; justice and the ideal regime; the theory of forms and the nature of reality; love, death, and transcendence. Prerequisite: PHIL 210 or consent of instructor. 1 term ? 4 credits. Normally offered every third year.
PHIL 211
4.00
An examination of Kants ethics and theory of knowledge, including the following topics: structures of our knowledge of nature and the empirical world; the limits of rationality; the possibility of any knowledge of God, the soul and other metaphysical entities; the antinomies (paradoxes) of pure reason; Kants theory of unconditional morality based on duty; the idea of the categorical imperative; autonomy and universal moral law; the problem of evil. Selections from Kants political writings will also be introduced. Prerequisite: PHIL 211 or consent of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every third year.
Occasional
Prerequisite: PHIL 212 or consent of instructor.
4.00
In this course, students will put to work the logical theory developed in Formal Logic (Phil 212). In particular, students will use First-Order Logic to investigate computability and computation theory. Goedels First and Second Incompleteness Theorems are a particular focus in the course. Prerequisite: PHIL 212 or consent of instructor. 1 term -4 credits. Normally offered alternate years.
Occasional
Take PHIL-119, PHIL-123, or PHIL-127; or Instructors consent
4.00
This course, co taught by Fred Marchant (English) and Nir Eisikovits (Philosophy) examines how literature, film, and other forms of cultural expression have made sense (or not) of war. Organized in an approximate chronological order, the works examined will be responses to ancient conflicts as well as to the wars of the last century (including the two World Wars, post-colonial struggles, and the contemporary war on terror.) Our goal in this endeavor will be broad cultural understanding of how we imagine, remember, forget, memorialize, and question the warfare of recent times.
Occasional
4.00
An interdisciplinary course examining the idea of law and its function in human society, with a special focus on issues of violence, war, peace, and justice. The course will examine law as it represented, enacted, and discussed in various literary and philosophical writings from the ancient world to the present, to include various Biblical texts, Sophocless Antigone, Aeschyluss Oresteia, Platos Apology, Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice, Melvilles Billy Budd, Toni Morrisons Beloved, among many others.
Occasional
Prerequisite: PHIL 210 and 211 and consent of instructor.
1.00- 4.00
Students meet with a department member to pursue advanced studies in areas of particular interest to them.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: PHIL 119 or 123 or 127 and consent of instructor
4.00
Students in this course will serve as interns in a department-approved position with a service provider, professional organization, government agency, or non-governmental organization whose work is relevant to issues in applied ethics. A faculty mentor will meet with students regularly to develop individually designed programs of readings and to discuss this material and its relation to the internship experience. In addition to the substantial time commitment to the internship, course requirements will usually include a journal and a research project. PHIL 119 or 123 or 127 and consent of instructor. 1 term -4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
Expanded Classroom Requirement
Prerequisite: PHIL 210 or PHIL 211 and consent of instructor.
4.00
Students with sufficient background in philosophy and a special interest in areas of philosophy which cannot be covered in regularly offered courses will be guided by senior members of the Department. Students working on Honors in Philosophy must take this course in the first semester of their senior year to prepare a thesis proposal. PHIL 210 or PHIL 211 and consent of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
Offered Fall Term
Prerequisite: PHIL 210 and 211 and consent of instructor.
4.00
This is a required course for all students in the major, to be taken in the Spring Semester of their senior year. Students will prepare a portfolio of their previous coursework, collaborate with the faculty symposium leader on a selection of texts to read in common with other seniors, and prepare one paper for delivery at the Senior Symposium, usually held in late April. Students seeking Honors in Philosophy must take this course to complete the senior thesis. PHIL 210 and 211 and consent of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered Spring Semester every year.
Offered Spring Term
0.00
Service Learning Component
Expanded Classroom Requirement
4.00
This course will explore the comparative history and structure of Western religious traditions, broadly understood, and their impact on other world religions, while attempting to recognize the similarities and the differences among them. Traditions to be studied include Greek and Roman religion, the monotheistic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as Zoroastrianism, Sikhism and Bahaism). We will also explore the impact of the Western religions on indigenous traditions, such as African religion, Native American religion, and Pacific Island religion. Attention will be given to the reading of original texts when available. Requiring students to observe religious ceremonies will enhance practical understanding of many of the above traditions. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered every year.
4.00
This course will examine a variety of Eastern religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism. Possible connections to be explored will be the impact of these traditions on others, such as Pacific Islands and African religion, as well as the growing place of Eastern religion in the West. This course will explore the history and structure of each tradition, while attempting to recognize the similarities and the differences among them. Attention will be given to the reading of original texts when available. Requiring students to observe religious ceremonies will enhance practical understanding of many of the above traditions. Normally offered every year. Cultural Diversity B
Cultural Diversity Opt B,Asian Studies
4.00
Traces the evolution of Judaism, Christianity and Islam to the High Middle Ages to explore the role of Neo-Platonism and Aristotelianism in clarifying and explaining dogma. Particular attention will be paid to ideas about the ways of knowing and rational proofs of Gods existence in Philo of Alexandria, Augustine, Anselm, Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Aquinas and Maimonides. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered in alternate years.
1.00- 4.00
Students meet with a department member to pursue advanced studies in areas of particular interest to them.
