The following courses will be offered by the Philosophy Faculty for Fall 2013.  Sign up now!

Introduction to Philosophy (1000): A general introduction to the basic patterns and methods of philosophy as presented through representative thinkers. Instructors: Dr. Rardin.

Logic I (1100): This course is an introduction to logical reasoning. It will include the study of truth-functions, translations of English sentences into logical notation, truth-tables, deductions, and some fallacy identification. The concepts of validity, consistency, tautology, contradiction, and logical equivalence are introduced. Additional topics, such as category syllogisms, inductive reasoning, and quantification may be included at the discretion of the instructor. Instructors: Dr. Kwong and Dr. Rardin.

Everyday Philosophy: Historical and Social (1501): An introduction to the special problems, topics or issues in philosophy from historical and social perspectives.  Instructors: Dr. Kwong.

Everyday Philosophy: Aesthetics (1502): An introductory examination of the special problems, topics or issues in philosophy through comic books, works of literature and films.  Instructors: Dr. Bartel.

Everyday Philosophy: Local to Global (1503): An introduction to the special problems, topics or issues in philosophy from local to global perspectives.  Instructors: Dr. Rardin.

Philosophy, Society and Ethics (2000): An introduction to ethical reasoning and an examination of moral problems in contemporary social issues. Instructors: Dr. Lanoix and Dr. Taylor.

Philosophy of Art (2013):  This course offers an introductory examination of contemporary philosophical debates about the nature of art.  We will pay special attention to the definition of 'art', the theory of art criticism, and the role (if any) of moral judgment in the critique and understanding of works of art.  Instructor:  Dr. Bartel.

Environmental Ethics (2015): This course is an introduction to the ethical dimensions of environmental issues. Students will have the opportunity to study theoretical perspectives such as deep ecology, ecofeminism, Native American views of the land, and social ecology. The course will also consider environmental ethical issues such as the moral status of nature, pesticide use, environmental racism, the treatment of animals, deforestation, world population growth, and what it means to live an ecologically responsible life. Instructor:  Dr. Cremaldi.

Ancient Philosophy (3000): A study of the major philosophers of Greece and Rome including the pre-Socratics, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, the Epicureans, and the skeptics. Instructor: Dr. Cremaldi.

Metaphysics (3020):  This course will provide an advanced introduction to metaphysics, a branch of philosophy concerned with questions and issues that arise out of the study of the nature of reality.  Issues discussed in this course may include:  What kinds of things exist in the world?  How is metaphysics related to the sciences, and other branches of philosophy?  What is the ontology of numbers and abstract entities?  What is the nature of the self?  How do we reconcile between free will and determinism?  We will draw on readings from both historical and contemporary sources in Western philosophy. Instructor:  Dr. Kwong.

Philosophy of Race (3050):  What is race?  What is the relationship between the category of race and racism?  What is the relationship between race and personal identity?  How do multiracial identities raise questions about the meaning of race and its relationship to identity?  What is the relationship between racialization and society?  What can philosophy help us to understand about race?  What are the relationships between race, gender, class, and sexuality?  How has the idea of race influenced the discipline and practice of philosophy?  This course will examine the metaphysical, epistemological, social, political, and ethical dimensions of race.  Class readings will include both historical and contemporary philosophical approaches to race and racism. Instructor:  Dr. Hall.

Contemporary Continental Philosophy (3400):  This course examines some important philosophers and movements in continental philosophy. Philosophical movements such as Phenomenology, Existentialism, Critical Theory, Feminism, Postcolonial Theory, and Poststructuralism will be discussed. Instructor:  Dr. Hall.

Ethical Theory (4300):  An examination of some major ethical theories and issues raised in relation to epistemology and language, such as the status of knowledge in ethics and the function of ethical language. Instructor:  Dr. Taylor.

Truth and Metaphilosophy -- Philosophy Senior Seminar (4549):  We will examine what is the purpose and value of the study of philosophy itself, and will ask whether its purpose and value is dependent on how we understand the nature of truth.  As this course is a seminar, students will be partly graded on their contributions to discussion.  Instructor:  Dr. Bartel.