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 2018
Undergraduate
100-Level Courses in PHIL
Introduction to the nature of philosophical reasoning and some of the main problems of philosophy. May not be repeated for credit.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
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Section 004
— Davis Kuykendall — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM TR —
Krug Hall 210
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Section 002
— Kurt Brandhorst — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM MW —
Krug Hall 210
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Section 001
— 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM MW —
Lecture Hall 3
Examines ethical issues associated with new developments in information technology, including privacy rights, intellectual property rights, and the effect of information technology on society. May not be repeated for credit.
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4 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Considers some perennial issues in ethical theory. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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Section 001
— 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM MW —
Mason Global Center (formerly Mason Inn Hotel) 1320D
Introduction to philosophical reflection on the arts by looking at the critical issues in the history of aesthetics. Applies considerations to specific works and exploring 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. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
200-Level Courses in PHIL
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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9 Sections Currently Scheduled »
300-Level Courses in PHIL
Classical Greek philosophy, including pre-Socratics, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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6 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Investigation of theories of natural law, legal positivism, and legal realism as they pertain to some of the central philosophical questions about law. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Exploration through lecture and discussion of recent developments in the Western tradition of political thought from the middle of the 19th century to today. Different sections focus on one or another of the various political theories that have been influential during this period such as liberal, libertarian, conservative, communitarian, Marxist, feminist, and postmodern thought. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Equivalent to GOVT 327.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Development of German Romanticism and Idealism during a brilliant period in the history of the West rivaled only by ancient Greece. Kant, Fichte, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche mount a revolt against the rationalism and scientism of the modern world. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
An exploration of how concepts of sex and gender both structure key philosophical ideas and put such ideas into question. The course examines the ways patriarchal structures situate woman as the 'other' as well as alternative feminist approaches to sexuality, subjectivity, the body, and language. An overriding theme is the relationship between questions of sexual difference and other key issues in contemporary philosophy. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
This course will consider ethical questions that arise in global health policy, practice and research. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Basic problems that arise from an inquiry into meaning and value of art and our response to art. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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Section 001
— Wayne J Froman — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W —
Krug Hall 19
Discussion of basic problems concerning the nature of knowledge, with study of the relation of knowledge to perception, belief, and language. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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Section 001
— Ted Kinnaman — 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM TR —
Robinson B368
Examines topics of current interest such as death and dying, rights of children, and philosophical controversies in modern physics. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. Equivalent to ENGH 303, FRLN 309, HIST 385, UNIV 420.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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Section 001
— Lisa Koch — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM M —
Buchanan Hall (formerly Mason Hall) D001
400-Level Courses in PHIL
Explores topics in current philosophical research in a seminar format. Topics vary. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 18 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Seminar for students enrolled in the honors program in philosophy. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 18 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Topics in PHIL
Exploration through lecture and discussion of recent developments in the Western tradition of political thought from the middle of the 19th century to today. Different sections focus on one or another of the various political theories that have been influential during this period such as liberal, libertarian, conservative, communitarian, Marxist, feminist, and postmodern thought. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Equivalent to GOVT 327.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examines topics of current interest such as death and dying, rights of children, and philosophical controversies in modern physics. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Seminar for students enrolled in the honors program in philosophy. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 18 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Graduate
600-Level Courses in PHIL
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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Section 001
— Rachel Jones — 07:20 PM to 10:00 PM T —
Robinson B205
Examines history of Western ethical theory from ancient Greece to the present day, including virtue theory, consequentialism, deontological theory and contemporary feminism. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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Section 001
— Derek William Boyd — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM M —
Innovation Hall 131
Analysis of the critique of patriarchy offered by contemporary continental feminist philosophers. Examines contemporary moral, political, and epistemological issues in feminist theory. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Topics vary. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
700-Level Courses in PHIL
Close study of selected topics in current philosophical discourse. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Topics in PHIL
Topics vary. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Close study of selected topics in current philosophical discourse. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
