Courses in the Philosophical Inquiry domain address conceptual issues fundamental to reflection on such philosophical topics as metaphysics (e.g., being and nonbeing, the one and the many, the nature of reality, same and other, self and other); epistemology (e.g., the nature and possibility of knowledge, different ways of knowing, knowledge vs. opinion, truth and falsity); ethics (e.g., right and wrong action, good and bad, objectivism and relativism in ethics, social and political philosophies, the idea of value, the problem of evil); and aesthetics (e.g., the nature of beauty, aesthetic value, the possibility of aesthetic valuation). Courses address questions of how such topics impinge upon, shape, and challenge student lives.
Courses
Below please find examples of courses previously offered for philosophical inquiry credit. For information on current offerings, please consult campus connection.
African & Black Diaspora Studies
Catholic Studies
Computer Game Development
Computer Science
Digital Cinema
Geography
Information Technology
Islamic World Studies
Liberal Studies in Education
Management
Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
School for New Learning
Women’s and Gender Studies
ABD 234
SURVEY OF BLACK AESTHETIC THOUGHT
This survey course examines the history of the aesthetic thought that has emerged from the minds of Black creative intellectuals in the United States and globally. Figures to be examined might include: Du Bois, Locke, Hughes, Johnson, Hurston, James, Baraka, Piper, hooks, Julien, Mercer, and Wallace.
CTH 338
EARLY MODERN PHILOSOPHY
A study of some of the main philosophers and philosophical movements from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Cross-listed as PHL 295.
CTH 339
PHILOSOPHY SINCE KANT
A study of some of the most influential thinkers of the last 150 years.
GAM 228
ETHICS IN COMPUTER GAMES AND CINEMA
Societies function based on normative ethics utilizing commons sense to distinguish between ethical and unethical behavior. Most of us are not aware of the underlying theories when arriving at ethical judgments about right and wrong. However, the fast pace of progress in information technologies and digital entertainment creates an environment, in which ethical challenges are particularly complex. In the eyes of many, games and movies are violent, offensive and immoral. This course will concentrate on analyzing the impact of digital entertainment on an individual and society. Implications of certain values embedded games and movies will be discussed. Elements of the ethical code of conduct for a game or movie creator will be formulated. The issue of balancing individual creativity vs. cultural impact particularly on children will be discussed.
CSC 208
ETHICS IN TECHNOLOGY
Information Technology and the rapid pace in which it has advanced have had a tremendous impact on our lives. Changes have been swift and the human capacity to deal with them is limited. It has been said that our technology has outpaced our humanity. This course will research the new responsibilities technology presents and our ability to deal with these changes in an ethical manner. Students will employ ethical frameworks, which integrate computer science and ethics, to develop the skills required to examine different sets of assumptions and question them. Case studies will provide a historical perspective for analysis.
DC 227
FILM PHILOSOPHY
This course is a seminar on the philosophical analysis of film art, with an emphasis on the ways in which it creates meaning through techniques that define a formal structure. There is a particular focus on aesthetic problems about appearance and reality, literacy and visual effects, communication and alienation through film technology.
DC 228
ETHICS IN COMPUTER GAMES AND CINEMA
Societies function based on normative ethics utilizing commons sense to distinguish between ethical and unethical behavior. Most of us are not aware of the underlying theories when arriving at ethical judgments about right and wrong. However, the fast pace of progress in information technologies and digital entertainment creates an environment, in which ethical challenges are particularly complex. In the eyes of many, games and movies are violent, offensive and immoral. This course will concentrate on analyzing the impact of digital entertainment on an individual and society. Implications of certain values embedded games and movies will be discussed. Elements of the ethical code of conduct for a game or movie creator will be formulated. The issue of balancing individual creativity vs. cultural impact particularly on children will be discussed.
GEO 299
THE NATURE OF GEOGRAPHY
An introduction to the epistemology of geographic thought, and the methodologies of the discipline of geography. Formerly GEO 100.
IT 228
ETHICS IN COMPUTER GAMES AND CINEMA
Societies function based on normative ethics utilizing commons sense to distinguish between ethical and unethical behavior. Most of us are not aware of the underlying theories when arriving at ethical judgments about right and wrong. However, the fast pace of progress in information technologies and digital entertainment creates an environment, in which ethical challenges are particularly complex. In the eyes of many, games and movies are violent, offensive and immoral. This course will concentrate on analyzing the impact of digital entertainment on an individual and society. Implications of certain values embedded games and movies will be discussed. Elements of the ethical code of conduct for a game or movie creator will be formulated. The issue of balancing individual creativity vs. cultural impact particularly on children will be discussed.
IWS 299
HISTORY OF ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY
This course looks at one of the main intellectual outgrowths of the Islamic tradition: Falsafa (Philosophy), the translation movement it spawned, and its interaction with Greek and Hellenistic philosophy. As we look at this historical development we will read important Islamic philosophers both in the medieval and modern period, such as: al-Kindi, al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, Ghazali, Ibn Rushd, Ibn Hazm, Ibn Tufayl, Ibn Bajjah, Suhrawardi, Nasir al-Din Tusi and Mulla Sadra.
LSE 380
PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES IN EDUCATION
This course is a critical inquiry to major philisophical writings in education. This course satisfies the philosophical inquiry requirement. PREREQUISITE(S): PHL 100; SCU 207 highly recommended.
MGT 248
BUSINESS ETHICS (CROSS-LISTED WITH PHL 248)
An examination of various ethical and moral issues arising in contemporary business and its activities which affect our society and the world. Cross-listed with PHL 248.
PAX 218
HUMAN RIGHTS: PROMISE AND PROBLEMATICS
This course will explore the historical origins, foundational principles, and socio-political efficacy of human rights discourse in contemporary international relations, domestic politics, and ethical thought. It consider issues such as the religious and/or secular foundation of human rights; their universality in relation to particular cultural customs and norms; the relative priority of individual and collective rights; and the legitimacy of international humanitarian intervention in sovereign nations.
PHL 100
PHILOSOPHY AND ITS ISSUES
An introduction to basic philosophical concepts, methods, and problems.
PHL 200
ETHICAL THEORIES
Selected readings to acquaint students with different approaches to ethics.
PHL 202
PHILOSOPHY OF GOD
An investigation of the ways in which philosophers have talked about, and argued for or against, God.
PHL 204
PHILOSOPHY AND EXISTENTIAL THEMES
A study of the principal ideas regarding the human condition developed in existential literature: death, absurdity, alienation, freedom, God, authenticity.
PHL 206
TOPICS AND CONTROVERSIES
A study of selected topics and controversies.
PHL 208
VALUES AND PERSONS
A study of the connections between different conceptions of selfhood and different ethical, political and aesthetic values.
PHL 229
BIOMEDICAL ETHICS (CROSS-LISTED AS REL 229)
Moral and ethical issues arising in contemporary biomedical advances and in health care from the perspective of Religious Studies and Philosophy.
PHL 230
CONTEMPORARY TOPICS IN ETHICS
This course will examine a range of ethical issues of contemporary concern, such as abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment.
PHL 231
PHILOSOPHY AND THE QUESTION OF RACE
A philosophical inquiry into such issues as racism, anti-Semitism, genocide.
PHL 232
WHAT IS FREEDOM?
This course will investigate various conceptions of freedom, and will consider in particular the difference between freedom and "doing or saying whatever you wish.''
PHL 233
ISSUES IN SEX AND GENDER
A philosophical investigation into the nature of sex and gender and the role they play in defining human identity.
PHL 234
PHILOSOPHY AND MODERN SOCIETY
This course will consider such issues as the relation between society and the state, the connections between work, leisure and poverty, and the social effects of prejudice and resentment.
PHL 235
PHILOSOPHY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
A philosophical study of our environment, the nature of nature, the ecosystem, and the planet.
PHL 236
PHILOSOPHY AND THE CITY
This course examines the meaning of the city for philosophy and the meaning of urbanization for the formation of values.
PHL 237
PHILOSOPHY, CONFLICT AND PEACE
A philosophical reflection upon the causes of war and the possibilities for peace.
PHL 238
PHILOSOPHY AND WOMEN
An examination of the unique contribution which women have made, and can make, to philosophy and the study of values.
ABD 239
PHILOSOPHIES OF AFRICA (CROSS-LISTED WITH PHL 239)
A study of the patterns of philosophical thinking form the African continent. Cross-listed with PHL 239.
PHL 240
LOVE, HATRED AND RESENTMENT
A phenomenological inquiry into these three powerful emotional states.
PHL 241
ETHICS AND PUBLIC POLICY
A study of the ways in which ethics can assist us in thinking about matters of public policy.
PHL 242
PHILOSOPHY AND TECHNOLOGY
Philosophy And Technology
PHL 243
PHILOSOPHY AND FILM
A study of philosophical themes that arise in films.
PHL 245
REASON AND SOCIETY
A study not aimed at the production of particular skills but at understanding of the proper role of reason in social institutions and the formation of public opinion.
PHL 246
SURVEY OF BLACK AESTHETIC THOUGHT (CROSS-LISTED WITH ABD 234)
This course examines the history of the aesthetic thought that has emerged from the minds of Black creative intellectuals in the United States and globally.
PHL 248
BUSINESS ETHICS (CROSS-LISTED WITH MGT 248)
An examination of various ethical and moral issues arising in contemporary business and its activities which affect our society and the world.
PHL 262
BLACK FEMINIST THEORIES
A study of the issues raised by black feminist and womanist writers both in the United States and globally.
PHL 263
PHILOSOPHY AND WOMEN OF COLOR
An examination of the philosophical work of women of color, from a variety of ethnic, national, and global contexts.
PHL 264
PHILOSOPHY AND POSTCOLONIALITY
An investigation of the central issues in the work that protests the colonial conditions in the United States and globally.
PHL 280
CRITICAL THINKING
A study of argumentation as it occurs in everyday life, the media, etc.
PHL 287
INTRODUCTION TO ASIAN PHILOSOPHIES
An introduction to Asian Philosophy, examining some of the central philosophical issues and movements in Asian thought, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism.
PHL 315
SURVEY OF POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
An intensive study of the broad range of the history of and approaches to political philosophy.
PHL 381
DRAMATIC THEORY: TRAGEDY (CROSS-LISTED AS THE 224)
A study of some of the main philosophical theories of tragedy together with readings of some of the most important ancient and modern tragedies.
PHL 382
DRAMATIC THEORY: COMEDY (CROSS-LISTED AS THE 225)
A study of some of the main philosophical theories of comedy together with readings of some of the most important ancient and modern comedies.
PHL 390
SELECTED TOPICS AND CONTROVERSIES
SELECTED TOPICS AND CONTROVERSIES
PSC 230
CLASSICAL POLITICAL THOUGHT
Political thought of the ancient, medieval and early modern period including Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, St. Thomas, and Machiavelli.
PSC 231
MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT
Political thought of the modern period including Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hume, Burke, Mill, and Marx.
SNC 188
PROBLEMS AND ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY ETHICS
An introduction to moral philosophy with emphasis on the conflict between "moral relativism" (or "subjective" ethics) on the one hand and "moral realism" (or "objective" ethics) on the other. During the course you will be introduced to classic theories and leading figures in the history of ethics, from Plato and Aristotle to Kant and Nietzsche. Course content will focus on issues (e.g., poverty, drug use, capital punishment, sexual behavior, euthanasia, biomedical research, animal rights, political violence) at the center of contemporary ethical debate in the United States and throughout the world. Philosophical Inquiry.
WGS 388
QUEER THEORY: AN INTRODUCTION (FORMERLY WMS 284)
This course examines some of the central texts of queer theory in order to contextualize and historicize the notion of homosexuality as a primary category of identity. The issue of sexual normativity as it relates to gay and lesbian assimilation will also be discussed. Because of the significant relationship of gender and sexuality, we will also examine theories of embodiment and take up the debates around the politics of intersex and transgender identities.
PHL 239
PHILOSOPHIES OF AFRICA
Philosophies Of Africa
PHL 295
EARLY MODERN PHILOSOPHY
A study of some of the main philosophers and philosophical movements from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Prerequisites:
PHL 100 is a prerequisite for this course.
PSC 234
FREEDOM AND EMPOWERMENT
Considers different models for the distribution of power including forms of classic and modern elitism and representative and democratic theories. Explores issues of citizenship, community, participation, representation and constitutionalism. The dynamic of inclusion and exclusion within society are addressed as well as theories that point to political, economic, and cultural liberation.
PSC 235
EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Considers how societies distribute social goods of power, status, wealth, and informal resources and models of just distribution utilized in classic and modern political theory. Shifts in the meaning of social justice over the course of history and the critical contests over this issue are addressed, as well as the emergence of new models focusing on regional and global concerns. The major concepts including capitalism, socialism and meritocracy are considered.
PSC 236
LEGITIMACY AND CRISIS
Considers how states achieve validation with their members and maintain that validation through such mechanisms as socialization, education, information flow, civil religion, and war. Theories of social crisis that challenge regime legitimacy are considered as well as issues of revolution, counterrevolution, and regime stabilization.