Course Descriptions

Consideration of some main problems of philosophy concerning, for example, knowledge, God, mind and body, and human freedom. Course is identical to PHIL 101 except for the additional writing component. Credit is not given for both PHIL 100 and PHIL 101. Prerequisite: Completion of campus Composition I general education requirement.

[IAI Code: H4900] Consideration of some main problems of philosophy concerning, for example, knowledge, God, mind and body, and human freedom. Credit is not given toward graduation for: Credit is not given for both PHIL 101 and PHIL 100.

Practical study of logical reasoning; techniques for analyzing and criticizing arguments, with emphasis on assessing the logical coherence of what we read and write.

Practical study of logical reasoning; techniques for analyzing and criticizing arguments, with emphasis on assessing the logical coherence of what we read and write. Credit is not given for both PHIL 103 and PHIL 102.

Some basic questions of ethics, discussed in the light of influential ethical theories and with reference to specific moral problems, such as: What makes an action morally right? Are moral standards absolute or relative? What is relation between personal morality and social morality, and between social morality and law? Course is identical to PHIL 105 except for the additional writing component. Credit is not given for both PHIL 104 and either PHIL 105 or PHIL 106. Prerequisite: Completion of campus Composition I general education requirement.

Some basic questions of ethics, discussed in the light of influential ethical theories and with reference to specific moral problems, such as: what makes an action morally right? are moral standards absolute or relative? what is the relation between personal morality and social morality, and between social morality and law? Credit is not given for both PHIL 105 and either PHIL 104 or PHIL 106.

Examination of the moral aspects of social problems, and a survey of ethical principles formulated to validate social policy. Credit is not given for both PHIL 106 and either PHIL 104 or PHIL 105.

Introduction to core ideas in political and legal philosophy, for example, rights, equality, political obligations, legitimacy of states, nationalism, and oppression.

Same as ANTH 108, JS 108, and REL 108. See REL 108.

Same as REL 110. See REL 110.

Approved for letter and S/U grading. May be repeated.

Introduction to the techniques of formal logic, dealing primarily with truth-functional logic and quantification theory.

[IAI Code: H4901] Introduction to ancient philosophy, concentrating on Plato and Aristotle, dealing with such topics as metaphysics, ethics, and the theory of knowledge. Same as CLCV 203.

[IAI Code: H4902] The history of philosophy from Descartes to Kant, concentrating on such topics as metaphysics, ethics, and the theory of knowledge.

Introduction to philosophical discussion of class, gender, and race. Conversations will span class consciousness, contemporary unionizing, concepts of gender, orientation, defining race, and experiences of racial ambiguity. The course integrates reflections on intersectionality throughout to explore the congruence and dissimilarity of discourses on class, gender, and race.

Introduction to certain ideas and issues at the intersection of computer science and philosophy. Students will focus on foundational questions related to the birth of computer science as a discipline, philosophical issues regarding knowledge and reality that researchers face in the frontiers of contemporary computer science, and current ethical issues related to the uses of machines and computers in society.

Same as LING 307. See LING 307.

Same as ECE 316. See ECE 316.

Philosophical examination of positions taken on some issue of current concern, for example, human sexuality, death and dying, feminism, race, intelligence, war, sociobiology, and environmental ethics. See Class Schedule for current topics. May be repeated with approval.

Readings in selected philosophical topics. Course may be taken by honors students in partial fulfillment of department honors requirements. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours in separate terms. Prerequisite: Open to juniors and seniors with a grade-point average of 3.0 only by prior arrangement with a member of the faculty and with consent of the department director of undergraduate studies or the chair.

Same as PHYS 419. See PHYS 419.

Same as PHYS 420. See PHYS 420.

Systematic study of selected classics in moral philosophy by such philosophers as Aristotle, Hume, Mill, Kant, and Nietzsche. 3 undergraduate hours. 3 or 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy.

Investigation of various metaphysical issues concerning, for example, existence, particulars and universals, causation, laws of nature, time, personal identity, material objects, and modality. 3 undergraduate hours. 3 or 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy.

Investigation of issues concerning, for example, the nature and possibility of knowledge; its forms and limits; its relation to belief, truth, and justification; and the nature of truth. 3 undergraduate hours. 3 or 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy.

Same as IB 436, NEUR 433 and PSYC 433. See PSYC 433.

Selected topics from the nature of social organization, nature and convention, utility, justice, equality, liberty, rights, and duties. 3 undergraduate hours. 3 or 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy.

Examination of issues in the philosophy of law, such as the nature of law, law and morality, justice, liberty and authority, punishment, and legal responsibility. 3 undergraduate hours. 3 or 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy.

Discussion of ethical, societal, and political issues related to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Topics include responsible uses of AI, the effect of AI on automation and the future of human work, ethical questions about AI (such as whether AI has moral standing, should be given rights, or should have moral or legal duties), and implications of AI for truth, trust, democracy, surveillance, privacy, safety and security, and the future of humanity. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: Either one philosophy course or at least Junior standing.

We are in the midst of what many have called an “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Revolution.” This revolution is comparable in scope and impact to other major transformations in human history, such as the industrial revolution. The purpose of this course is to help students understand how and why recent developments in AI have begun to challenge traditional ways of thinking, while presenting novel and pressing ethical, social, interpretive, conceptual, technological, and existential questions. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: At least one philosophy course.

Same as BCOG 458. See BCOG 458.

Special training in philosophical investigation. Course may be taken by students pursuing graduation with distinction in partial fulfillment of those requirements. 2 to 4 undergraduate hours. No graduate credit. May be repeated to a maximum of 4 undergraduate hours. Prerequisite: Open to seniors with a grade-point average of 3.5 in all philosophy courses only by prior arrangement with a member of the faculty and with consent of the department director of undergraduate studies or the chair.

Capstone course required for all philosophy majors. Students will explore in depth a specific topic either in the history of philosophy or in contemporary practical or theoretical philosophy and will write a substantial original essay appropriate for a senior thesis. Topics will differ by section and semester. 3 undergraduate hours. No graduate credit. Prerequisite: PHIL 202, PHIL 203, PHIL 206, PHIL 222, PHIL 223. Restricted to Philosophy and CS + Philosophy majors with Senior Standing. Philosophy majors (and CS + Philosophy majors matriculated before Fall 2020) are required to have PHIL 202 (or equivalent), PHIL 203, and PHIL 206. CS + Philosophy majors (matriculated after Fall 2020) are required to have PHIL 202 (or equivalent), PHIL 222, and PHIL 223.

Study of selected major philosophers, movements, problems, or topics in the history of philosophy. Approved for Letter and S/U grading. May be repeated. Letter grading applies when offered for 4 hours of credit. For Stage 3 Philosophy PhD students this course is approved for S/U grading when offered for 2 hours of credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor for non-philosophy graduate students.

Same as LING 507. See LING 507.

Seminar designed to study special problems in social philosophy. See Schedule for current topics. Approved for letter and S/U grading. May be repeated. Letter grading applies when offered for 4 hours of credit. For Stage 3 Philosophy PhD students this course is approved for S/U grading when offered for 2 hours of credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor for non-philosophy graduate students.

Same as PSYC 514, ANTH 514, CS 549, EPSY 551, and LING 570. See PSYC 514.

Intensive study of selected problems or topics in contemporary philosophy. Approved for letter and S/U grading. May be repeated. Letter grading applies when offered for 4 hours of credit. For Stage 3 Philosophy PhD students this course is approved for S/U grading when offered for 2 hours of credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor for non-philosophy graduate students.

Individual study and oral and written reports on topics not covered in other courses. Topics and plan of study must be approved by the candidate's adviser and by the staff member who directs the work. May be repeated. (Summer session, 2 to 8 hours).

Restricted to students satisfying requirements for the master's degree by writing a substantial essay. Approved for letter and S/U grading. May be repeated. Normally taken for 8 hours credit but may be taken for 12 hours credit with consent of department chair.