Philosophy (PHL)                        Course Schedules

The complete description of the Department of Philosophy and Religion is found in the College of Humanities and Social & Behavioral Sciences.

Descriptions of courses approved for the University Program appear in italic type.

Distance Learning Courses: Courses in the department approved for offering in a distance learning format include: PHL 318.

PHL 100 Introduction to Philosophy 3(3-0) F, Sp
Study of the basic issues and methods of philosophy. Depending on instructor, it may have either a problem or a historical orientation. (Group I-A)

PHL 105 Language and Reasoning 3(3-0) F, Sp
Designed to help the student think clearly, evaluate arguments, and develop a sensitivity to language. Emphasis is on the development of skills rather than theories.

PHL 118 Moral Problems 3(3-0) F, Sp
Study of basic moral problems and proposed solutions to problems associated with violence, oppression, prejudice, and sex. (Group I-A)

PHL 140 Introduction to Logic 3(3-0) F, Sp
A study of modern formal logic, with the emphasis of the development of general procedures for deciding whether any argument is correct. (Group II-B)

PHL 190 The Nature of Science 3(3-0) D
A study of the nature of science and the philosophical problems which arise in connection with the natural and/or social sciences.

PHL 200 History of Philosophy: Classical Period 3(3-0) F
Survey of ancient Greek philosophy, with emphasis on Plato and Aristotle.

PHL 205 American Philosophy 3(3-0) D
Historical study of the development and distinctive themes of American philosophy from colonial times to the present. Emphasis on Pierce, William James, and John Dewey.

PHL 218 Ethical Theory 3(3-0) F, Sp
The following problems will be discussed: What is the good life? Is there any such thing as right and wrong? Can we justify our moral beliefs? (Group I-A)

PHL 225 Foundations of Cognitive Science 3(3-0)
Introduction to cognitive science, the problems it addresses, its evolving models of the mind, its interdisciplinary nature, and its broader ramifications. Identical to PSY 225. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (Group IV-A)

PHL 230 Philosophy of Religion 3(3-0) F, Sp
God, immortality, and human destiny from the philosophical point of view. (Group I - A)

PHL 286 Philosophy In Literature 3(3-0) D
Philosophical themes in selected literary works from ancient, medieval, modern, or contemporary sources.

PHL 297 Special Topics In Philosophy 1-12(Spec) D
Study of areas in philosophy not included in courses currently listed in catalog.

PHL 300 History of Philosophy: Medieval Period 3(3-0) D
Faith, reason and logic in the Moslem, Jewish, and Christian perspectives during the Middle Ages.

PHL 302 History of Philosophy: Modern Period 3(3-0) Sp
Rationalism: Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz. Empiricism: Locke, Berkeley, and Hume. The Kantian Synthesis.

PHL 305 Chinese Philosophy 3(3-0) D
A survey of Chinese philosophy from the earliest times to the modern period, with emphasis on major thinkers and schools. (Group IV-B)

PHL 307 Existentialism: From Kierkegaard to Sartre 3(3-0) D
Introduction to the problems, methods, and history of existential thinking through the main texts of contemporary existentialism.

PHL 318 Business Ethics 3(3-0) F, Sp
Application of the general principles of ethics to typical problems in business such as individual and corporate rights, responsibilities, and duties.

PHL 320 Theory of Knowledge 3(3-0) F
Study of skepticism, the justification of beliefs, and theories of truth. Prerequisites: PHL 100 or PHL 140.

PHL 325 Philosophy of Mind 3(3-0) Sp
An attempt to explain the nature of the mind, by examining philosophical works on the mind-body problem and by surveying empirical results. Prerequisite: one course in University Program Group III-A. (Group IV-A)

PHL 340 Intermediate Logic 3(3-0) D
First order quantificational theory is presented as a paradigm of formal theories. In terms of this, some metatheoretic notions are introduced. Prerequisite: PHL 140.

PHL 345 The Civil Rights Movement 3(3-0) S
Examines the civil rights movement from 1954 to 1980s; based on PBS series: Eyes on the Prize; identical to SOC 345, PSC 325, REL 345. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: introductory history, political science or sociology course, or permission of instructor. (Group IV-C) 

PHL 375 Philosophy of Social Science 3(3-0) D
Comparison and analysis of the methods used in the social and natural sciences paying particular attention to the underlying philosophical assumptions. Prerequisites: one course in Group II or Group III in the University Program; or permission of instructor.

PHL 390 Philosophy of Science 3(3-0) D
Study of problems that arise in a critical examination of science: explanation, theory, confirmation, law, measurement, scientific change. Prerequisites: PHL 140; one other course in Group II of the University Program; or permission of instructor.

PHL 397 Special Topics In Philosophy 1-12(Spec) D
Study of areas of philosophy not included in courses currently listed in catalog. Prerequisite: 3 hours of philosophy or permission of instructor.

PHL 403 History of Philosophy: Nineteenth Century 3(3-0) D
Analysis of philosophical texts selected from the work of thinkers such as Hegel, Marx, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche. Prerequisites: at least three (3) credit hours in the history of philosophy, or permission of instructor.

PHL 404 History of Philosophy: Contemporary Period 3(3-0) D
A study of some of the important philosophical trends since 1900. Prerequisite: at least three (3) credit hours in the history of philosophy, or permission of instructor.

PHL 410 Philosophy of Law 3(3-0) D
Consideration of such questions as: What is a legal system, a law, a legal right? What is the relation among law, morality, and custom?

PHL 421 Philosophy of Language 3(3-0) D
Study of structure of language, relations between language and reality, and interrelations among language, thought, and culture. Prerequisite: PHL 100, PHL 140; or permission of instructor.

PHL 422 Political and Social Philosophy 3(3-0) D
Study of the ethical and political problems confronting the individual and society.

PHL 426 Feminist Theory 3(3-0) F
Examines the way women have been described by the Western philosophical tradition from its beginnings to the present and offers alternative analyses to this tradition.  Identical to WST 426 and PSC 426.  Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.  Prerequisites:  permission of instructor, or at least junior standing and either one course in philosophy or one of the following courses:  PSC 275, PSC 326, PSC 371, PSC 373, PSC 378.

PHL 450 Phenomenology a Survey 3(3-0) D
The study of the phenomenological method, its origin in the works of Brentano and Husserl, and its application in the physical and social sciences. Prerequisite: PHL 100 or permission of instructor.

PHL 480 Philosophy of the Arts 3(3-0) D
Studies in the experience of arts and discussion of traditional and contemporary esthetics.

PHL 490 Senior Seminar 3(3-0) S
A senior seminar for philosophy majors. Prerequisites: senior status; or junior status with permission of instructor; at least 21 hours in philosophy.

PHL 497 Special Topics in Philosophy 1-12(Spec) D
Study of areas in philosophy not included in courses currently listed in catalog. Prerequisite: at least 3 credits in philosophy; permission of instructor.

PHL 498 Independent Research 1-6(Spec) D
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

PHL 518 Professional Ethics 3(3-0) D
An examination of the theories and methods used in ethical decision-making, with application to common issues in law, journalism, technology, research, education, and the health professions. Prerequisites: junior status or permission of instructor.

PHL 525 Philosophical Problems of the Self 3(3-0)
Advanced study of central philosophical questions about persons, such as mind-body problem, the nature of personal identity, and the freedom of the will. Prerequisites: PHL 100 or permission of the instructor.

PHL 590 Ethics in Health Professions 3(3-0)
The course introduces biomedical ethics principles to students in physical therapy education programs. Students are instructed in ethical theories and decision-making strategies. Identical to PTH 590. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: admission to the physical therapy program or permission of instructor.

PHL 597 Special Topics In Philosophy 1-12(Spec)
Study of areas in philosophy not included in courses currently listed in catalog. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

PHL 598 Readings in Philosophy 1-6(Spec) D
Selected studies of one or more philosophic works. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Credit Limitation. PHL 597, 598 are subject to graduate credit limitation under the policy covering unspecified content or variable credit.

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