Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024

PHIL 300 Topics in Philosophy

Offerings under this heading will focus on areas of philosophical interest not regularly covered at the 300 level (e.g., Philosophy of Mind).
3

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

ST - Repeatable under different subtitles with no limits on the number of times it can be repeated

PHIL 311 Environmental Ethics

Explore theories of environmental value; understand and evaluate the ethical implications of environmental choices and policies.
3

PHIL 321 Formal Logic I

A first course in formal logic. Topics include calculi and artificial languages, the logistic method, truth functions, propositional calculi, calculi for first order logic, and a semantics for first order logic.
3

PHIL 322 Formal Logic II

Topics could include modal logic; logical metatheory; axiomatic approaches to formal logic; identity, terms, and formalized theories; or higher-order logics.
3

Prerequisites

PHIL 321 with a minimum grade of D-

PHIL 350 Ethical Theory

In-depth examination of selected topics in normative ethics and meta-ethics (e.g., the nature of moral values, the possibility of moral knowledge, the structure of moral reasoning).
3

PHIL 355 Social and Political Philosophy

In-depth examination of selected topics in social and political philosophy (e.g. the concept of political obligation, freedom and dissent, equality and justice, human rights).
3

PHIL 360 Feminist Theories

This course offers a survey of competing philosophical, political, and epistemological feminist frameworks for understanding gender inequality, examining how feminist theories both build on and critique Western philosophical traditions.
3

Mutually Exclusive Course

Credit allowed for only one of these courses: PHIL 360 and GNDR 350

PHIL 365 Topics in Value Theory and Public Policy

This course provides opportunities to explore specific topics within value theory or public policy (e.g., aesthetics, bioethics, environmental policy, or professional ethics).
3

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

ST - Repeatable under different subtitles with no limits on the number of times it can be repeated

PHIL 366 Philosophy of Law

Explores the philosophical problems generated by thinking about law (e.g., the nature of law, the relationship between law and morality, the normative justifications for criminal and tort law, etc.).
3

PHIL 371 Topics in Metaphysics and Epistemology

This course provides opportunities to explore specific topics within metaphysics and epistemology (e.g., causation, epistemic injustice, modality, or social epistemology).
3

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

ST - Repeatable under different subtitles with no limits on the number of times it can be repeated

PHIL 372 Philosophy of Race

Explores metaphysical and epistemological questions that arise in contexts involving race. In what sense is race real? Is the race of a person epistemologically significant?
3

PHIL 373 Personal Identity

Explores metaphysical and epistemological issues surrounding the topic of personal identity, and may consider questions raised by cloning, artificial intelligence, disability, death, race and gender among others.
3

PHIL 375 Science Fiction and Philosophy

This course will use the medium of science fiction (both literature and film) to provide a foundational understanding of several main topics in Metaphysics and Epistemology, including Time, Persistence and Identity, Time Travel, Causation, Free Will, Modality/Possible Worlds, and Skepticism.

3

Special Notes

PHIL 375 cannot be retaken for credit if PHIL 371 “Science Fiction and Philosophy” title was taken in Spring 2021.

Offered

Generally offered Spring Even Years

Mutually Exclusive Course

Credit allowed for only one of these courses: PHIL 375 and PHIL 371

PHIL 377 Philosophy of Mind

Philosophical exploration of the nature of the mind, including questions of the mind-body relationship, mental states, consciousness, non-human animal intelligence, and artificial intelligence.

3

Offered

Generally offered Fall and Spring - Check with department/school for next offering

PHIL 385 Epistemology

In-depth examination of selected topics in theory of knowledge (e.g., the nature and limits of human knowledge, knowledge and belief, doubt and certainty, perception and intuition, faith and justification).
3

PHIL 390 Metaphysics

In-depth examination of selected topics in metaphysics (e.g., the nature of space and time, particulars and universals, the different senses of 'being,' substance, causality, identity and difference).
3