Courses and Syllabi

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.

Philosophy Fall 2026

Undergraduate

100-Level Courses in PHIL

PHIL 100: Introduction to Philosophy (3 Credits)

Introduction to the nature of philosophical reasoning and some of the main problems of philosophy. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to PHIL 100T.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

8 Sections Currently Scheduled »

PHIL 112: Ethics and the Cybersociety (1 Credit)

Examines ethical issues associated with new developments in information technology, including privacy rights, intellectual property rights, and the effect of information technology on society. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PHIL 112 - DL1: Ethics and Cybersociety — Joseph Farruggia - Online
PHIL 112 - DL2: Ethics and Cybersociety — Joseph Farruggia - Online

PHIL 151: Introduction to Ethics (3 Credits)

Considers some perennial issues in ethical theory. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PHIL 151 - 001: Introduction to Ethics — 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM TR - Lecture Hall 3
PHIL 151 - DL1: Introduction to Ethics — Sophia C Pavlos — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM TR - Online

PHIL 156: What Is Art? (3 Credits)

Introduction to philosophical reflection on the arts by looking at the critical issues in the history of aesthetics. Applies considerations to specific works and explores these works in terms of their historical contexts and influences. Concentrates on one form of art or one period and always emphasizes questions of critical evaluation and art historical analysis. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

4 Sections Currently Scheduled »

PHIL 173: Logic and Critical Thinking (3 Credits)

Basic concepts and techniques of deduction, emphasizing the modern treatment of such topics as quantification and rules of inference, with study of the classical treatment. Basic principles of induction, informal fallacies, and uses of logic in everyday life. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to PHIL 173T.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PHIL 173 - DL2: Logic and Critical Thinking — Brandon A Conley - Online
PHIL 173 - DL1: Logic and Critical Thinking — Brandon A Conley - Online

200-Level Courses in PHIL

PHIL 241: Foundations of Ethics and AI (3 Credits)

Examines the relationship between ethics and Artificial Intelligence. Introduces several philosophical approaches, ethical theories, and methods for analyzing the stakes of Artificial Intelligence. Explores the foundations of Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and big data, a range of AI applications and their attendant ethical concerns, and potential avenues towards resolving ethical dilemmas in Artificial Intelligence, while harnessing its potential benefits. Equips students to more effectively navigate the evolving AI-enabled technological landscape in our increasingly digital society. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 241 - 001: Foundations of Ethics and AI — Dasha Pruss — 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM TR - Music Theater Building 1002

PHIL 243: Global Environmental Ethics (3 Credits)

Examines the global dimensions of environmental problems. Although environmental problems are global in reach, because different societies make different philosophical and ethical assumptions, they are understood in different ways. Examines several environmental problems, including climate change, population growth, and resource depletion, from a variety of scientific, policy, and cross-cultural perspectives. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Mason Core, Global Understanding, Encore: Sustainability, Encore: Well-Being

Specialized Designation: Green Leaf Related Course, Mason Impact.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 243 - DL1: Global Environmental Ethics — Jared Opoien - Online

PHIL 251: Happiness and the Good Life (3 Credits)

Addresses the question "How do I live a happy life?" by drawing on 2,500 years of philosophy as well as the much more recent science of happiness. Encourages students to develop and live their own answer in light of some of the best available science and philosophy. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PHIL 251 - 001: Happiness and the Good Life — 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM TR - Planetary Hall 212
PHIL 251 - DL1: Happiness and the Good Life — Sophia C Pavlos — 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM TR - Online

PHIL 253: Philosophy and Literature (3 Credits)

Examines differences and relations between literary and philosophical texts. Examines texts from a given period in the history of literature and philosophy. Topics include the presence of common issues in literary and philosophical writings, the influence of philosophical ideas on the production of literary texts and literary theory, and the development in literary texts of issues that are possible objects of philosophical inquiry. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Mason Core, Literature

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

11 Sections Currently Scheduled »

PHIL 271: How Science Works (3 Credits)

Introduction to the philosophy of science that examines a range of questions about what science is, how it works, and how it manages to be as successful as it is. Explores the goals, methods, principles and practices that characterize scientific enquiry. Surveys major milestones in the philosophy of science, and addresses such questions as: How are scientific claims justified? What constitutes a good explanation? How do we know if our scientific theories are true? How does scientific understanding change over time? What roles do social, political, and cultural factors play in the generation of scientific knowledge? Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Mason Core, Natural Science Overview

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PHIL 271 - 001: How Science Works — Daniel J Nicholson — 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM MW - Planetary Hall 120
PHIL 271 - 002: How Science Works — Daniel J Nicholson — 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM MW - Music Theater Building 1007

300-Level Courses in PHIL

PHIL 301: History of Western Philosophy: Ancient (3 Credits)

Classical Greek philosophy, including pre-Socratics, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 301 - DL1: Hist West Phil: Ancient — Rose M Cherubin — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM MW - Online

PHIL 309: Bioethics (3 Credits)

Examines some major moral issues involved in practice and research in medicine and health care. Topics to be chosen from medical experimentation, definition of death, physician-assisted dying, genetics and human reproduction, distribution of scarce resources, fertility, and organ transplants. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Mason Core, Mason Apex

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

8 Sections Currently Scheduled »

PHIL 311: Philosophy of Law (3 Credits)

Investigation of theories of natural law, legal positivism, and legal realism as they pertain to some of the central philosophical questions about law. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: 3 hours of PHIL or permission of instructor.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 311 - 001: Philosophy of Law — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM MW - Krug Hall 253

PHIL 337: Twentieth-Century Continental Thought: Phenomenology (3 Credits)

Examines the phenomenological movement in philosophy from its origins in Husserl through developments of twentieth-century practitioners such as Ingarden, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, de Beauvoir, or Schutz. May also examine contemporary developments and influences of the phenomenological tradition, such as critical phenomenology. Attends to the value of phenomenology for engaging in social analysis. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: 3 credits of philosophy, or permission of instructor.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PHIL 337 - 001: Cont Continent Thgt: Phenomen — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM TR - Planetary Hall 122
PHIL 337 - DL1: Cont Continent Thgt: Phenomen — Christopher D Merwin — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM TR - Online

PHIL 338: Philosophy, Race, and Gender (3 Credits)

Examines how concepts of gender, sexual difference, and race structure key philosophical ideas and put such ideas into question. Analyzes the ways in which patriarchal, colonial and racialized structures intersect to produce concepts of the human, the subject, and the ‘Other’. Explores alternative approaches to subjectivity, sexuality, the body, and knowledge drawn from feminist philosophy, queer theory, and philosophies of race and decoloniality. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: 3 hours of PHIL or Permission of Instructor.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 338 - 001: Philosophy, Race, and Gender — Rachel Jones — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM MW - Music Theater Building 1002

PHIL 353: Theories of Justice (3 Credits)

A critical analysis of classical and contemporary theories of justice, with discussion of present-day applications, that develops an understanding of how philosophers approach questions related to justice, how they reach conclusions about justice within and outside of formal institutions, and how they argue for them. Examines questions about justice as a basic virtue of legal, political, and social institutions and invites students to critically examine their own views on controversies related to such issues as the distribution of economic resources, oppression, criminal justice reform, freedom, conflict, equality, democracy, and rights. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: Three credits of philosophy or permission of the instructor.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PHIL 353 - 001: Theories of Justice — 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM MW - Planetary Hall 224
PHIL 353 - DL1: Theories of Justice — Robert Luzecky — 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM MW - Online

PHIL 355: Theories of Ethics (3 Credits)

A critical examination of a variety of different types of classical, modern, and contemporary ethical theories, including consequentialist theories, deontological theories, and virtue theories. Offered by Philosophy. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.

Recommended Prerequisite: 3 credits in PHIL or permission of instructor.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 355 - 001: Theories of Ethics — Ted Kinnaman — 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM TR - Planetary Hall 122

PHIL 371: Philosophy of the Natural Sciences (3 Credits)

In-depth examination of selected topics and debates in contemporary philosophy of science. Studies the aims and methodology of science through the work of key thinkers in the field. Questions of concern may include: the demarcation of science from pseudo-science; the rationality of scientific change; problems of induction, prediction and evidence; objectivity, values and scientific practice; the unity of science; and the relation between scientific knowledge and truth. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: PHIL 271 or permission of instructor.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

3 Sections Currently Scheduled

PHIL 371 - 001: Philosophy of Natural Sciences — Brandon A Conley — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM TR - Peterson Hall 1111
PHIL 371 - 002: Philosophy of Natural Sciences — Brandon A Conley — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM TR - Peterson Hall 1111
PHIL 371 - DL1: Philosophy of Natural Sciences — Wesley Buckwalter - Online

PHIL 393: Humanities College to Career (1 Credit)

Focuses on career choices and effective self-presentation for soon-to-be graduating students with majors in the humanities. Explores how skills typically learned In humanities majors can be leveraged for a successful transition to post-graduation employment. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to ENGH 303, FRLN 309, HIST 385, UNIV 420.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 393 - DL1: Humanities College to Career — Lisa Koch — 04:30 PM to 05:45 PM R - Online

400-Level Courses in PHIL

PHIL 421: Seminar (3 Credits)

Explores topics in current philosophical research in a seminar format. Topics vary. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Offered by Philosophy. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 18 credits.

Mason Core: Mason Core, Mason Apex, Writing Intensive in Major

Specialized Designation: Mason Impact.

Recommended Prerequisite: Nine credits in philosophy.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 421 - 001: Values in Science — Dasha Pruss — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R - Planetary Hall 122

PHIL 422: Honors Seminar (3 Credits)

Seminar for students enrolled in the honors program in philosophy. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Offered by Philosophy. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 18 credits.

Mason Core: Mason Core, Mason Apex, Writing Intensive in Major

Specialized Designation: Mason Impact., Topic Varies

Recommended Prerequisite: 9 credits in philosophy and acceptance to the honors program in philosophy.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 422 - 001: Values in Science — Dasha Pruss — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R - Planetary Hall 122

PHIL 429: Advanced Topics in Social and Political Philosophy (3 Credits)

Examines key social and political issues drawing on a range of philosophical thinkers, texts and approaches. Possible topics include: migration and immigration, biopolitics, climate change, health inequity, decision theory, democracy and citizenship, slavery and reparations, mass incarceration, or human rights. Emphasizes the ability to put philosophical concepts and theories to work to address questions and problems of social, political or global significance. Offered by Philosophy. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 9 credits.

Specialized Designation: Topic Varies

Recommended Prerequisite: PHIL/GOVT 323, or PHIL/GOVT 324, or PHIL/GOVT 327, or permission of the instructor.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 429 - 001: Ethics of War in the Age of AI — Jesse Kirkpatrick — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM TR - East Building 122

Topics in PHIL

Graduate

600-Level Courses in PHIL

PHIL 600: Proseminar in Philosophy (1 Credit)

Introduces MA students to the areas and methods of philosophical scholarship. Notes: Graduate students outside of the philosophy program may take this course with permission of the department. Offered by Philosophy. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment limited to students in the LA-MA-PHIL program.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 600 - DL1: Proseminar in Philosophy — Andrew H Peterson — 07:20 PM to 08:50 PM T - Online

PHIL 682: Figures and Topics in Early Modern Philosophy (3 Credits)

Examines major philosophical authors, texts, and topics of the early modern period and their influence on philosophical thought. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Offered by Philosophy. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 12 credits.

Specialized Designation: Topic Varies

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 682 - 001: Leibniz — Davis Kuykendall — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Angel Cabrera Global Center 1320B

PHIL 694: Special Topics in Contemporary Philosophy (3 Credits)

Topics vary. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Offered by Philosophy. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 18 credits.

Specialized Designation: Topic Varies

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 694 - 001: Values in Science — Dasha Pruss — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R - Planetary Hall 122

700-Level Courses in PHIL

Topics in PHIL

PHIL 682: Figures and Topics in Early Modern Philosophy (3 Credits)

Specialized Designation: Topic Varies

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 682 - 001: Leibniz — Davis Kuykendall — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Angel Cabrera Global Center 1320B

PHIL 694: Special Topics in Contemporary Philosophy (3 Credits)

Topics vary. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Offered by Philosophy. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 18 credits.

Specialized Designation: Topic Varies

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 694 - 001: Values in Science — Dasha Pruss — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R - Planetary Hall 122

PHIL 721: Advanced Seminar in Philosophy (3 Credits)

Close study of selected topics in current philosophical discourse. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Offered by Philosophy. May be repeated within the term.

Specialized Designation: Topic Varies

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 721 - 001: Decolonial Philosophy — Claudia Cabello Hutt — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM M - Thompson Hall 2022