PHL Course Descriptions

PHL1001 Introduction to Philosophy (3)
Introduces some of the major figures and doctrines in the history of philosophy and to some enduring and contemporary philosophical questions.

PHL1100 Ancient Philosophy (3)
Examines the origins of philosophical inquiry in the ancient world. Figures to be discussed may range from Confucius and Lao-Tzu to Plotinus and the Neo-Platonists. There is special emphasis on the writings of Plato and Aristotle and their continued influence.

PHL1105 Modern Philosophy (3)

The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were marked by the intellectual turmoil produced by the scientific revolution.  This course introduces students to the ideas of some of the major philosophers of this period, from Descartes to Kant, and their efforts to come to terms with developments that remain crucial for us today.  Topics to be discussed include the nature and limits of knowledge, science and religion, and freedom and determinism.

PHL1200 Moral Problems (3)
After a brief introduction to some basic ideas in ethical theory, this course allows students to examine and discuss critically various contemporary moral problems, such as abortion, the death penalty, affirmative action, free speech, and civil disobedience.

PHL1205 Law, Morality, and Society (3)
Introduces a variety of urgent moral, political, and social controversies that are closely connected with the law. There will be special emphasis on issues of race, gender, and class.

PHL1210 Political and Social Philosophy (3)
Reading important historical philosophers from Plato to Marx, and examining how Eastern philosophers from Confucius to Ibn Khaldun have answered the question of "what is good government?", this course raises basic questions about politics, society, and social change. Why is government necessary? What are the limits of government action? When is revolution justified? Why is democracy a good thing? When are human beings genuinely free? Does capitalism promote or undermine democracy and freedom? Are there feasible alternatives to capitalism? The course will include contemporary problems and questions about government and society.

PHL1215 Theories of the Good Life (3)
What constitutes a good life for a human being? Where, if anywhere, is human happiness to be found? What makes a human life worth living? What gives meaning or purpose to a human life? Beginning with Plato and Aristotle and continuing into modern philosophy we will examine what makes a life worth living.

PHL1300 Logic and Critical Thinking (3)
An introduction to the analysis and evaluation of arguments using both formal and informal methods. Recommended for everyone who wants to improve their critical thinking and reading skills. Especially useful for anyone planning to take a graduate school admissions test, including the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

PHL1400 Philosophy of Science (3)

Prerequisite: A previous course in Philosophy or Natural Science, or permission of the instructor.
The philosophy of science addresses questions about the nature and methods of science, about conceptual and foundational issues within the various sciences, and about the broader implications of scientific research. Specific topics may vary, but students will be introduced to competing views of the nature of scientific reasoning, learn to think critically about important scientific developments, and consider some of the ethical, social, political, and religious questions which they raise.

PHL1405 Philosophy of Mind (3)
Prerequisite: A previous course in Philosophy or Psychology, or permission of the instructor
The nature of mind and its relation to the physical world has been a perennial philosophical question. Can modern science offer a solution to this problem? This course examines both traditional issues (such as the mind-body problem, personal identity, and free will) and contemporary variants of these issues raised by research into artificial intelligence and work in cognitive science.

PHL2105 Modern Philosophy (3)

The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were marked by the intellectual turmoil produced by the scientific revolution.  This course introduces students to the ideas of some of the major philosophers of this period, from Descartes to Kant, and their efforts to come to terms with developments that remain crucial for us today.  Topics to be discussed include the nature and limits of knowledge, science and religion, and freedom and determinism. The amount of work required for upper-division credit will differ in both quantity and quality from that required for lower-division credit.

PHL2110 Nineteenth Century Philosophy (3)
Offers detailed discussions of the philosophical work of such figures as Hegel, Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, Marx, and Nietzsche. This course is essential background for anyone who wants to understand the contemporary intellectual scene.

PHL2200 Moral Problems (3)
After a brief introduction to some basic ideas in ethical theory, this course allows students to examine and discuss critically various contemporary moral problems, such as abortion, the death penalty, affirmative action, free speech, and civil disobedience. The amount of work required for upper-division credit will differ in both quantity and quality from that required for lower-division credit.

PHL2205 Law, Morality, and Society (3)
Introduces a variety of urgent moral, political, and social controversies that are closely connected with the law. There will be special emphasis on issues of race, gender, and class. The amount of work required for upper-division credit will differ in both quantity and quality from that required for lower-division credit.

PHL2210 Political and Social Philosophy (3)
This course raises basic questions about politics, society, and social change. Why is government necessary? What are the limits of government action? When is it permissible to disobey the law? When is revolution justified? Why is democracy a good thing? When are human beings genuinely free? Does capitalism promote or undermine democracy and freedom? Are there feasible alternatives to capitalism? Readings may be from historical figures (e.g., Plato, Hobbes, Locke, Marx, Mill) or contemporary sources or both.

PHL2220 Philosophy and the Environment (3)
Offers a philosophical examination of a variety of key environmental issues. Topics to be discussed include the value of nature, property rights, world hunger, and the moral status of animals.

PHL2225 Business Ethics (3)
This course introduces students to competing ethical theories and conceptions of economic justice, and applies them to specific moral and social issues raised by contemporary business practices.

PHL2230 Ethics and Professional Responsibility (3)
This course is open only to students admitted to the Intensive Evening Degree Program. Examines major ethical theories and explores the application of those theories to current business, moral, and social issues. Illustrative case studies are used as well as other group exercises to enable the student to identify justice issues involved in specific problem areas of the work environment.

PHL2235 Bioethics (3)
This course considers some of the many ethical issues arising from the biological and medical sciences. Topics may include: reproductive rights, genetic research and engineering, ethical, social, and legal implications of the Human Genome Project, euthanasia and assisted suicide, resource allocation, organ donation, experimentation with humans and non-humans, and ethical issues in health care.

PHL2300 Logic and Critical Thinking (3)
An introduction to the analysis and evaluation of arguments using both formal and informal methods. Recommended for everyone who wants to improve their critical thinking and reading skills. Especially useful for anyone planning to take a graduate school admissions test, including the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The amount of work required for upper-division credit will differ in both quantity and quality from that required for lower-division credit.

PHL2400 Philosophy of Science (3)

Prerequisite: A previous course in Philosophy or Natural Science, or permission of the instructor
The philosophy of science addresses questions about the nature and methods of science, about conceptual and foundational issues within the various sciences, and about the broader implications of scientific research. Specific topics may vary, but students will be introduced to competing views of the nature of scientific reasoning, learn to think critically about important scientific developments, and consider some of the ethical, social, political, and religious questions which they raise. The amount of work required for upper-division credit will differ in both quantity and quality from that required for lower-division credit.

PHL2405 Philosophy of Mind (3)
Prerequisite: A previous course in Philosophy or Psychology, or permission of the instructor
The nature of mind and its relation to the physical world has been a perennial philosophical question. Can modern science offer a solution to this problem? This course examines both traditional issues (such as the mind-body problem, personal identity, and free will) and contemporary variants of these issues raised by research into artificial intelligence and work in cognitive science. The amount of work required for upper-division credit will differ in both quantity and quality from that required for lower-division credit.

PHL2410 Woman and Philosophy [CDiv] (3)
Examines philosophical questions related, or of special concern, to women. Topics include the nature, status and role of women in influential religious, philosophical and cultural contexts, and theoretical and practical feminist issues addressed by traditional and contemporary philosophers. Emphasis is placed on ethical and political problems facing women today.

PHL2415 Philosophy of Religion (3)

Surveys traditional and modern problems associated with religion. Topics may include the nature of God, arguments for theism, the problem of evil, foreknowledge and freedom, science and religion, faith and the nature of religious belief, myths, symbols, and rituals, and spirituality. Fulfills three units of the Religion and Spirituality requirement.

PHL2994 Teaching Assistant (1-3)
Philosophy majors are required to earn at least one unit of credit as a teaching assistant to an instructor. Satisfies one unit of Career Development Requirement.

PHL2997 Senior Thesis (3)

Taken by majors in their senior year.  Students write a 15-25 page paper on a topic of their choice in conjunction with an upper-division Philosophy course being offered in the same semester.

PHL2999 Independent Study in Philosophy (1-3)
Provides an opportunity for independent study or research in Philosophy under the direction of the instructor. See Undergraduate Policies and Procedures section on Independent Study.