Philosophy Undergraduate Courses
Philosophy Senior/Graduate Courses
Religious Studies Undergraduate Courses
Religious Studies Senior/Graduate Courses
PHL 1000. Introduction to Philosophy/(3).F;S. A general introduction to the basic patterns and methods of philosophy as presented through representative thinkers. (CORE: HUMANITIES)
PHL 1040. Critical Thinking Skills/(3).F;S. An introduction to the art of critical thinking, including identifying problems, locating assumptions and analyzing their impact on the products of thought, assessing causal claims, learning problem solving strategies, and examining creativity. (WRITING) (CORE: HUMANITIES)
PHL 1100. Logic I/(3).F;S. 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. (CORE: HUMANITIES)
PHL 1530 - 1549. Selected Topics/(1-4).F;S. On Demand.
PHL 2000. Philosophy, Society, and Ethics/(3).F;S. An introduction to ethical reasoning and an examination of moral problems in contemporary social issues. (CORE: HUMANITIES)
PHL 2013. Humanities: Arts and Ideas/(3).S. A course which concentrates on the interplay of art and philosophy in the ancient through contemporary cultures. Lecture three hours. (Same as ART/MUS/THR 2013.) (WRITING; MULTI-CULTURAL; CROSS-DISCIPLINARY) (CORE: HUMANITIES)
PHL 2015. Environmental Ethics/(3).F. This course is an introduction to the ethical dimensions of enviromental 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. (WRITING; MULTI-CULTURAL; CROSS-DISCIPLINARY) (CORE: HUMANITIES)
PHL 2100. Logic II/(3).S. A study of some major systems of logic, including a formal study of truth functions and quantification. The notions of proof, theorem and axiom are defined and some theory of logic is included. At the discretion of the instructor, additional topics may be included (for example, the Logic of Relations, Boolean Algebra Systems, Modal Logic, the Logic of Probability or Inductive Logic). Prerequisite: PHL 1100 or permission of the instructor.
PHL 2500 Independent Study/(1-4).F;S.
PHL 2530 - 2549. Selected Topics/(1-4). On Demand.
PHL 2800 Library and Information Research in Philosophy/(1).F. This course focuses on developing skills in information-finding and other research techniques. These skills will be used to conduct research and to build a foundation for life-long learning. Students will become familiar with the scholarly and professional resources for philosophical research, both traditional and electronic. (COMPUTER)
PHL 3000. Ancient Philosophy/(3).F. A study of the major philosophers of Greece and Rome including the pre-Socratics, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, the Epicureans, and the sceptics. Prerequisite: one course in philosophy or consent of the instructor. (WRITING; MULTI-CULTURAL)
PHL 3013. Philosophy of Art and Beauty/(3).S. A study of the nature and value of beauty, uniqueness, and creativity in art, nature and human affairs. (WRITING; CROSS-DISCIPLINARY) (CORE: HUMANITIES)
PHL 3030. Feminist Philosophy/(3).S. This course examines conceptual and normative issues in contemporary feminist theory. Issues to be discussed include power and the production of knowledge, resistance, violence against women, sex and gender, the interrelatedness of gender, race, class, and sexuality, body image, the personal as political, and the relation between feminist theory and activism. The class also considers western and non-western feminist discussion of these themes. The goal is for each student to gain an appreciation of the diversity and complexity of feminist thought, as well as insight concerning the relation between women's experiences and feminist theorizing. (WRITING; MULTI-CULTURAL)
PHL 3200. Modern Philosophy/(3).S. A study of views of eminent philosophers of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, including Descartes, Hume, and Kant. Prerequisite: one course in philosophy or consent of the instructor. (WRITING; MULTI-CULTURAL)
PHL 3300. Recent Anglo/American Philosophy/(3).S. This course is a study of recent American Philosophical Thought beginning with recent Anglo/European Philosophical movements which have led to American Philosophical movements including: pragmatism, philosophical analysis, behaviorism, scientific realism, and relativism. Philosophical writing may be drawn from such philosophers as: Carnap, Russell, Wittgenstein, Moore, Ayer, Ryle, Austin, Dewey, James, Quine, Goodman, Putnam, and Rorty. (WRITING)
PHL 3400. Contemporary Continental Philosophy/(3).F. 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. (WRITING; MULTI-CULTURAL)
PHL 3500. Independent Study/(1-4).F;S
PHL 3520. Instructional Assistance/(1).F;S. A supervised experience in the instructional process on the university level through direct participation in a classroom situation. Graded on an S/U basis. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing. May be repeated for a total credit of three semester hours.
PHL 3530-3549. Selected Topics/(1-4). On Demand.
PHL 3550. Philosophy of Mind/(3).S. This course will examine some fundamental questions that arise in the philosophy of mind: What does it mean to say that a person has a mind? Are mental states (such as beliefs and desires) nothing but brain states, or are they states of a different kind? Do robots or animals have minds? The course will also provide a historical survey of various philosophical theories of mind, including substance dualism, philosophical and methodological behaviorism, identity theories, functionalism and connectionism. (WRITING; CROSS-DISCIPLINARY)
PHL 3600. Philosophy of Science/(3).S. An investigation of the foundations, structure, actual attainments, and ideals of the sciences. Prerequisite: one course in science or science education or philosophy or consent of instructor. (WRITING) (CORE: HUMANITIES)
PHL 4000. Nature of Knowledge/(3).S. A study of the traditional problems of the origin, nature, and limitations of knowledge. What do we know and how do we know it? Prerequisites: PHL 2800 and one additional course in philosophy or consent of the instructor. (WRITING)
PHL 4300. Ethical Theory/(3).F. 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. Prerequisites: PHL 1000, 2000, and PHL 2800, or consent of instructor. (WRITING)
PHL 4510. Senior Honors Thesis: Philosophy/(3).On Demand. Independent study and research, directed by a member of the Philosophy faculty in the Department of Philosophy and Religion and a member of another department appropriate to the topic selected by the student. Prerequisites: PHL 2800 and completion of six semester hours of Honors work below the 4000 level. (WRITING)
PHL 4549. Philosophy Seminar/(3).F. An intensive study of special problems, topics, or issues related to the study of philosophy. The subject matter of this course will vary and barring duplication of subject matter, a student may repeat the course for credit. Prerequisites: PHL 2800 and one course in philosophy or consent of the instructor. (WRITING; SPEAKING ) [Dual-listed with PHL 5649.]
PHL 4700. Senior Research: Philosophy/(3).S. Designed for majors in Philosophy. Development and completion of an independent research project in the context of a seminar in which the student's ideas, drafts and thesis are questioned and defended. In addition to the discussion of each student's work, issues regarding the nature of philosophy will be discussed. This course provides an opportunity to utilize philosophical skills in a systematic analysis of a philosophical problem. Each student will develop a thesis to be presented and defended in a public forum. Prerequisites: PHL 2800 and one additional course in philosophy. (WRITING; SPEAKING)
PHL 4900. Internship: Philosophy/(3-6). On Demand. Field work in applied philosophy. Proposal must be approved by the philosophy faculty. Graded on an S/U basis. Prerequisite: PHL 2800
For graduate courses (5000 and above) refer to the Graduate Bulletin.
Religious Studies Undergraduate Courses
REL 1010. Introduction to Religion and Literature/(3).F. This course introduces the sacred texts and other writings of religious significance that contribute to the major religions of the world. (MULTI-CULTURAL) (CORE: HUMANITIES/LITERATURE)
REL 1110. Religions of the World/(3).F;S. This course introduces the major living religions of the world. (MULTI-CULTURAL) (CORE: HUMANITIES)
REL 1530 - 1549. Selected Topics/(1-4). On Demand.
REL 2010. Biblical Literature: The Hebrew Scriptures/(3).F;S. An analysis of Old Testament literature as the product of the Hebrew people, students will have the opportunity to examine selected documents in terms of their literary structure, historical context, and religious perspective. (WRITING; MULTI-CULTURAL) (CORE: HUMANITIES/LITERATURE)
REL 2020. Biblical Literature: The New Testament/(3).F;S. An analysis of early Christian literature as the product of the lives of the first followers of Jesus Christ. Students will have the opportunity to examine selected documents in terms of their literary structure, audience, historical context, religious perspective, and their relation to the broader Christian community and Western culture. (WRITING; MULTI-CULTURAL) (CORE: HUMANITIES/LITERATURE)
REL 2030. Islamic Literature/(3).S. An exploration of the Qur'an and of works that have shaped, illustrated, or supplemented Islamic beliefs and practices. (MULTI-CULTURAL) (CORE: HUMANITIES/LITERATURE)
REL 2040. Asian Religious Literature/(3).F. A study of some of the great writings from the Hindu, Buddhist, Confucianist, Daoist, and some select other Asian Religions from the ancient time until the present. (MULTI-CULTURAL) (CORE: HUMANITIES/LITERATURE)
REL 2110. Judaism/(3).F. An examination of the history, literature, and faith of post-exilic Judaism, with concentration on selected topics and periods. (MULTI-CULTURAL; WRITING) (CORE: HUMANITIES)
REL 2120 . Christianity/(3).S. An exploration of Christianity from the early period through the Enlightenment and rise of contemporary Christian movements, students will explore the history of the church, its doctrinal emphases, and its practice in a variety of locations and time periods. (WRITING; MULTI-CULTURAL) (CORE: HUMANITIES)
REL 2130. Islamic Religion and Culture/(3).F. A selective survey of the religion and its expression in Islamic civilization from the time of the prophet Muhammad to the contemporary Islamic revival. (MULTI-CULTURAL) (CORE: HUMANITIES)
REL 2140. Hinduism/(3).F. An interdisciplinary examination of complex Hindu religious and philosophical traditions from Vedic culutre to the contemporary period, covering such topics as deity, guru, cosmos, body, ritual, karma, dharma, and yoga. (WRITING; MULTI-CULTURAL) (CORE: HUMANITIES)
REL 2150. Buddhism/(3).S. An interdisciplinary examination of the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana systems of Buddhist thought and practice, charting their development on the South Asian subcontinent and eventual emergence as a religio-cultural force in East Asia, Europe, and North America. (WRITING; MULTI-CULTURAL) (CORE: HUMANITIES)
REL 2500 Independent Study/(1-4).F;S.
REL 2530 - 2549. Selected Topics/(1-4). On Demand.
REL 3000 . Minds, Brain, and Religion/(3).S. An introduction to the psychological study of religious belief, experience, and behavior through a survey of various sub-disciplines within psychology: e.g., Freudian psychoanalysis, existential psychology, object relations theory, attachement theory, cognitive psychology, and evolutionary psychology. Prerequisite: REL 1110 or permission of the instructor. (CROSS-DISCIPLINARY)
REL 3010. Prophecy in Ancient Israelite Literature/(3).S. A study of the prophetic movement and its literature in the Hebrew Scriptures. Prerequisite: REL 2010 or permission of the instructor. (WRITING; MULTI-CULTURAL)
REL 3020. The Life and Letters of Paul/(3).F. A study of Paul's life and his role in shaping early Christianity. Prerequisite: REL 2020 or permission of the instructor. (WRITING; MULTI-CULTURAL)
REL 3030. Women in the Biblical Tradition/(3).F. This course provides an extensive inquiry into women's stories and images in the Hebrew Bible, New Testament and Apocrypha. Feminist biblical criticism will be emphasized along with a careful study of what we can know about the lives of women in the periods in which these texts were composed. Prerequisite: REL 2010 or REL 2020 or permission of the instructor. (WRITING; CROSS-DISCIPLINARY)
REL 3110. Religion in America/(3).F. An examination of religious beliefs and practice in the United States. Prerequisite: REL 1110 or permission of the instructor. (WRITING)
REL 3120. African Thought/(3).S. A selective survey of insights, systems of thought, and cosmologies of traditional folk religions, of African versions of global religions and of contemporary intellectuals. Prerequisite: REL 1110 or permission of the instructor. (MULTI-CULTURAL)
REL 3130. Zen Buddhism/(3).S. An exploration of the impact of Zen Buddhism upon Western cultures through materials drawn from Zen literatures, Western writings about Zen, and paintings. Prerequisite: REL 2040 or REL 2140 or permission of the instructor. (WRITING; MULTI-CULTURAL)
REL 3500. Independent Study/(1-4).F;S
REL 3520. Instructional Assistance/(1).F;S. A supervised experience in the instructional process on the university level through direct participation in a classroom situation. Grading will be on a S/U basis. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing. May be repeated for a total credit of three semester hours.
REL 3530-3549. Selected Topics/(1-4). On Demand.
REL 3700. Research and Methods in Religious Studies/(3).S. An introduction to major issues and the methods employed in the academic study of religion. Students will focus on acquiring the skills necessary to accomplish research in the field of religous studies. Prerequisite: REL 1010 or REL 1110. (WRITING)
REL 3720. Study Tour Abroad/(3-6).S;SS. On Demand. An intensive course exploring religious ideas and expression at a remote site. Locations have included, but are not limited to, Israel, Jordan, Greece, France, and Italy.
REL 4015. Biblical Interpretation/(3).S. An intensive examination of methods and issues in biblical interpretation, with extensive experience in the interpretation of specific biblical texts from both testaments. Major issues in the history of interpretation will be discussed, with emphasis on contemporary methods. Prerequisites: REL 2010 or REL 2020 and junior or senior status, or permission of the instructor. (WRITING)
REL 4115. Religion and Cultural Forms/(3).S. An examination of the way religious themes and issues have found expression in various types of cultural forms such as literature, art, myth, ritual, etc. (WRITING; CROSS-DISCIPLINARY)
REL 4510. Senior Honors Thesis/(3).On Demand. Independent study and research. Honors thesis directed by a faculty member in Religious Studies and a member of an affiliated department appropriate to the topic selected by the student. Prerequisite: completion of six semester hours of Honors work below the 4000 level. (WRITING)
REL 4700. Senior Seminar/(3).F;S. An intensive study of special problems, topics, or issues related to the study of religion. The subjet matter of this course will vary with the topic selected being focused on literature in the fall and culture in the spring. Prerequisite: completion of at least six semester hours of religious studies (REL) course work on the 3000 or 4000 level including REL 3700. (WRITING; SPEAKING)
REL 4900. Internship/(3-6). On Demand. Graded on an S/U basis.
For graduate courses (5000 and above) refer to the Graduate Bulletin.