UG Course Descriptions
Philosophy is the “love of wisdom”, and it begins with the act of wondering, of asking questions that matter for your life. In this course, you will wonder actively as did the great philosophers of ancient and medieval times. You will examine key themes that provide a firm foundation for further philosophical and professional studies – and for life! (Students who have taken PHI100 may not take PHI 101.)
How great it is to stand on the shoulders of giants of the past as we navigate the 21st century! An exploration of the great minds and the great ideas of thinkers from Descartes to Derrida expand our thoughts and provide inspiration. In this course, you will study (and match wits!) with great thinkers in the Western philosophical tradition from the early modern through post-contemporary periods.
Selected topics in philosophy. Topics will rotate based on student and faculty interest.
As one of the most widely read authors of all time, C.S. Lewis’ influence and readership continue to grow. An Oxford-Cambridge don, literary critic, philosopher, theologian, and agnostic who reluctantly turned Christian, Lewis wrote short stories and novels (fantasy, science fiction, mythology, children’s books), poetry, theology, philosophy, biblical commentary, and social criticism, among others. He wrote in the most rational, clear, vivid, and even exciting manner by weaving together the rational and imaginative. Lewis displays profound insights into the human psyche, the world, God, suffering and evil, happiness, the meaning of life, and how to live as authentic human beings. The course explores the timeless truths in Lewis’ writings that we urgently need to survive and flourish as we navigate our modern cultural milieu.
What is the relationship between the Liberal Arts and an individual’s pursuit of career and professional planning? The Liberal Studies Colloquium enables students to see how skills needed for the 21st century job market are developed in the Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines. While examining approaches to knowledge and intellectual inquiry through selected texts, students will create an electronic portfolio with written assignments and projects that will support their academic and career development. (Prerequisite for PHI 400 Capstone Project)
How do we distinguish good from bad reasoning; sound and cogent arguments from fallacious ones? How can we construct logically compelling arguments and avoid erroneous ones? This is the domain of logic, the study of reasoning and arguments. This course cultivates thinking skills useful for any area that values careful analysis to assess truth, value, practicality, and efficiency. You will become familiar with basic formal and informal logical concepts, as well as with common logical fallacies. As you become adept at these concepts, you will engage in logically consistent and coherent reasoning, as reflected by the clear and rational arguments that you construct.
An in-depth analysis of the life and work of Edith Stein, a German philosopher who studied under Edmund Husserl. Stein’s German, Jewish, feminist, Catholic, and Carmelite experiences are woven into the fabric of her philosophy. In this course, students are introduced to phenomenology and to Edith Stein. The life and works of Edith Stein are explored.
As world citizens in the 21st century, how can we think ethically about the environment and its impact on global economics? What are the environmental and cultural ramifications involving world energy and its economic influences? In this course, you will examine environmental and global economic issues, apply ethical paradigms, and propose positive actions and solutions as you navigate reality.
Distinct from Western Philosophy, Asian Philosophy is immersed in the lived experience of the people, their customs, and their culture. In this course, you will study the major themes and texts that form the basis for an introduction to Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. You will explore the rich practices and traditions that reflect Asian thought and that influence our global society today.
What does it mean to live as a human being? You will investigate some of the most fundamental questions about our human nature, the world that we are placed in, and how to live in it successfully. The representative issues you will explore include: Can you really know anything? Are we essentially material organisms or is there something more like soul? How do we make sense of death? What does it mean to live a good life? Does God exist? How do we explain evil and suffering in the world? Is there meaning to life? If so, what is it? As you analyze these issues, you will develop critical and debating skills that are essential for both academic and personal life.
UG Catalog
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