Philosophy (PHI)

Explores fundamental issues such as the meaning of life, whether God exists, what is ultimately real, who we are as human beings, whether we have free will, what is the nature of justice and the good life, and if it is possible to have knowledge about such issues. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Explores ethical theories including utilitarian ethics, duty-based ethics, and virtue ethics. Considers how to apply ethical thinking to everyday situations, political issues, and workplace dilemmas. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Explores the two basic kinds of arguments (deductive and non-deductive) and basic techniques for analyzing and evaluating them. Possible course units include truth tables, logical proofs, fallacies, and conspiracy theories. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Introduces some of the main philosophies of the Chinese tradition. This course includes study of the history and culture of China, especially the Classical Period, with a focus on philosophical perspectives. The majority of time will be spent studying classical Chinese Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism and Legalism, with some emphasis on Chinese Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Explores issues related to diversity, such as war, immigration, refugee crises, differences of race, class, gender and sexual orientation, human rights, and moral relativism. Introduces core aspects of non-Western views of morality, such as Confucian, Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, and African ethics. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Examines contemporary environmental issues in light of traditional and contemporary ethical thought. Explores concerns such as species extinction, global climate change, ecosystemic degradation, animal rights, and unequal effects of environmental harm on humans. Ethical perspectives include duty ethics, utilitarianism, ethics of care, virtue ethics, deep ecology, ecological feminism, the land ethic, and social ecology. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

Allows a qualified honors student to pursue a special concentration of study under the guidance of a faculty member. Requires completion of an honors project contract. May be taken more than once. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A; Comments: Requires approval of supervising professor and dean

Provides readings, papers, study and/or research under the guidance of a faculty member. Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A; Comments: Permission of instructor, dean