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 Spring 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.

3 Sections Currently Scheduled

PHIL 100 - 001: Introduction to Philosophy — Christian Carrozzo — 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM MW - Horizon Hall 4014
PHIL 100 - 002: Introduction to Philosophy — Christian Carrozzo — 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM MW - Horizon Hall 4014
PHIL 100 - DL2: Introduction to Philosophy — Robert Luzecky - Online

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.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

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.

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PHIL 156 - 004: What is Art? — Christopher Venner — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM TR - Innovation Hall 136
PHIL 156 - 005: What is Art? — Christopher Venner — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM TR - Innovation Hall 137

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.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 173 - DL1: Logic and Critical Thinking — Davis Kuykendall - 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 - 002: Foundations of Ethics and AI — Jesse Kirkpatrick — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM TR - Horizon Hall 1011

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.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

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.

8 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 - Thompson Hall 1018
PHIL 271 - 002: How Science Works — Daniel J Nicholson — 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM MW - Thompson Hall 1018

300-Level Courses in PHIL

PHIL 303: History of Western Philosophy: Modern (3 Credits)

Figures and problems of modern philosophy. Study of philosophers such as Descartes, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Kant, and Hegel. 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 303 - 001: Hist West Phil: Modern — Ted Kinnaman — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM TR - Nguyen Engineering Building 1109

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.

7 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 — Christopher Torres — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM MW - Innovation Hall 131

PHIL 324: Modern Western Political Theory (3 Credits)

Exploration through lecture and discussion of developments in the Western tradition of political thought from the Renaissance to the middle of the 19th century, focusing on such topics as the rise of individualism in political theory, early developments in social contact theory, theories of radical popular sovereignty, and early criticisms of liberal theory. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to GOVT 324.

Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 101 or three credits of philosophy.

Schedule Type: Lecture

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

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 324 - 001: Modern Western Pol Thry — Kurt Brandhorst — 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM MW - Aquia Building 213

PHIL 335: Nineteenth-Century Philosophy (3 Credits)

Examines nineteenth-century responses to and developments of the Kantian revolution in philosophy. Key themes such as Idealism, Romanticism, Naturphilosophie, Perspectivalism or Critical Anthropology will be explored through thinkers such as Fichte, Schopenhauer, Hegel, Feuerbach, Schelling, Kierkegaard or Nietzsche. 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 335 - 001: 19th Century Philosophy — Rachel Jones — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM MW - Music Theater Building 1002

PHIL 336: Twentieth-Century Continental Thought: Existentialism (3 Credits)

Examines existential philosophy from its nineteenth-century origins to its twentieth-century expressions. Key themes will be explored through philosophical and literary works of thinkers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Unamuno, Buber, Heidegger, Sartre, Camus, De Beauvoir, or Fanon. May also explore the influence of existentialist thought on social and political philosophy, including philosophies of race and gender and decolonial thought, and/or existentialism’s relation to non-Western philosophical traditions. 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 336 - 001: 20th Cent Contin Thgt:Existent — Kurt Brandhorst — 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM TR - David J. King Hall 2053

PHIL 344: Ethical Issues in Global Health (3 Credits)

This course will consider ethical questions that arise in global health policy, practice and research. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or higher.

Schedule Type: Lecture

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

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 344 - DL1: Ethical Issues Global Health — Lisa Eckenwiler — 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM MW - Online

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.

2 Sections Currently Scheduled

PHIL 371 - 001: Philosophy of Natural Sciences — Brandon A Conley — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM TR - Exploratory Hall (formerly Science and Tech II) L111
PHIL 371 - 002: Philosophy of Natural Sciences — Brandon A Conley — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM TR - East Building 201

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: Consciousness — Andrew H Peterson — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Horizon Hall 4014

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: Consciousness — Andrew H Peterson — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Horizon Hall 4014

PHIL 441: Ethics and AI: Practice and Projects (3 Credits)

Integrates knowledge of ethical theories with ethical AI principles, ethical AI frameworks, and national strategies for ethical AI. Employs integrated knowledge to identify, analyze, and troubleshoot ethical issues in the research, design, development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Applies computational and humanistic thinking to case studies so as to identify, select, use, and appraise several methods and tools related to ethical AI, thereby generating probable solutions to theoretical and practical problems. Students design and execute a hands-on collaborative project that explores an original question, seeks a creative solution to a problem, applies knowledge to a professional challenge, or offers a unique perspective. Students will present their project to a public audience. Offered by Philosophy. Limited to three attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisite: PHIL 241^C.
^C Requires minimum grade of C.

Schedule Type: Seminar

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

1 Section Currently Scheduled

PHIL 441 - 001: Ethics & AI: Practice Projects — Jesse Kirkpatrick — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R - Horizon Hall 1011

Topics in PHIL

Graduate

600-Level Courses in PHIL

PHIL 603: Aristotle: Selected Works (3 Credits)

Close study of Aristotle's work and its place and future in history of philosophy. Topics vary by semester and include Aristotle's metaphysics, natural sciences, ethics, political thought, logic, epistemology, and psychology. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Offered by Philosophy. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.

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 603 - DL2: Aristotle Selected Works — Rose M Cherubin — 04:30 PM to 05:45 PM MW - Online

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: Consciousness — Andrew H Peterson — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Horizon Hall 4014

700-Level Courses in PHIL

Topics in PHIL

PHIL 603: Aristotle: Selected Works (3 Credits)

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 603 - DL2: Aristotle Selected Works — Rose M Cherubin — 04:30 PM to 05:45 PM MW - Online

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: Consciousness — Andrew H Peterson — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Horizon Hall 4014

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 - 002: Heidegger — Christopher D Merwin — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R - Peterson Hall - Hybrid