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Courses - Summer 2024
PHIL
Philosophy Department Site
Open Seats as of
05/17/2024 at 10:30 PM
PHIL100
Introduction to Philosophy
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHU
An introduction to the literature, problems, and methods of philosophy either through a study of some of the main figures in philosophic thought or through an examination of some of the central and recurring problems of philosophy.
An introduction to philosophy that focuses on three central themes in Western philosophy: the nature of death and the possibility of an afterlife (e.g. would immortality in paradise be desirable?), the nature of minds and artificial intelligence (e.g. is the rise of artificial intelligence an existential threat to humankind?), and finally, the ethics of life and death (e.g. is it wrong to have children?)
PHIL140
Contemporary Moral Issues
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHU
The uses of philosophical analysis in thinking clearly about such widely debated moral issues as abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, pornography, reverse discrimination, the death penalty, business ethics, sexual equality, and economic justice.
An introduction to the tools and concepts of ethics (and ethical argumentation) through a survey of three topics of current relevance: (i) our relation to the environment; (ii) communities and migration; (iii) technology and privacy.
PHIL203
The Rights and Wrongs of Killing People
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHU, SCIS
Credit only granted for: PHIL209J or PHIL203.
Formerly: PHIL209J.
Virtually everyone thinks it's permissible to kill people only in special circumstances. But why is killing usually wrong? Is it ever acceptable to kill an innocent human being intentionally? This course raises these and related questions and examines cases such as terrorism, suicide, abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, war. Except for a brief discussion of animals, all the controversies considered deal with killing and causing death to human beings.
PHIL204
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHU, SCIS
Credit only granted for: PHIL209E or PHIL204.
Formerly: PHIL209E.
What does the discipline of philosophy teach us about happiness? This course explores how philosophers have addressed questions about the nature of happiness and its role in the good human life. Questions to be addressed include: what is it to be happy? What social, economic, and political institutions foster and support human happiness? Can an immoral person be happy? And is a happy life the same as a meaningful life?
PHIL209T
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHU, SCIS
Do moments cease to exist when they recede into the past? Does time actually pass, or is it just a psychological illusion? Using time travelas our central example, we'll examine these questions through the lens of philosophy, science fiction, and physics
PHIL245
Political and Social Philosophy I
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHU
A critical examination of such classical political theories as those of Plato, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, Marx, and such contemporary theories as those of Hayek, Rawls, and recent Marxist thinkers.
PHIL344
Philosophy of Race
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DVUP
Credit only granted for: PHIL344 or PHIL308Y.
Formerly: PHIL308Y.
A survey of philosophical arguments involving race and racism. Guiding questions will include: How have philosophers and scientists conceived of the concept of race? Is race a coherent concept? Does it help us explain differences in performance and behavior? What makes racism, racial prejudice, and discrimination wrong? What is the point of equality? Do we owe reparations to victims of racism?
PHIL498
(Perm Req)
Topical Investigations
Credits: 1 - 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Contact department for information to register for this course.
PHIL688
(Perm Req)
Selected Problems in Philosophy
Credits: 1 - 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Contact department for information to register for this course.
PHIL788
(Perm Req)
Research in Philosophy
Credits: 1 - 6
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
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PHIL799
Master's Thesis Research
Credits: 1 - 6
Grad Meth: S-F
Contact department to make arrangements.
Contact department for information to register for this course.
PHIL898
Pre-Candidacy Research
Credits: 1 - 8
Grad Meth: Reg
Contact department for information to register for this course.
PHIL899
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Credits: 1 - 8
Grad Meth: S-F
Contact department to make arrangements.
Contact department for information to register for this course.