PHIL 103R - Introduction to Ethics - (4 credits) - Staff
An introductory study of the nature of morality and of the philosophical bases for the assessment of actions, agents and institutions. Special attention will be placed on the relevance and application of the views of such important moral philosophers as Plato, Aristotle, Hume, Kant and Mill.
PHIL 110R - Logic and Critical Reasoning - (4 Credits) - Martinez-Saenz
This course is divided in two parts. The first part of course considers important aspects of philosophical reasoning in relation to the Aristotelian tradition by way of the study of categorical logic, the analytic tradition by way of the study of prepositional/predicate logic and its different applications. Students will take three exams and weekly quizzes to determine their competency during this part of the semester. The second part of the course helps students develop their critical thinking skills. Students will engage in exercises evaluating landmark Supreme Court decisions. Students, for example, will evaluate Dred Scott v. Sanford, Marbury v. Madison, Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade, and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. These are just a few examples of landmark cases that not only had undeniable political implications, but forced us to question our willingness to accept others. The second part of the class will be evaluated by weekly quizzes, in-class exercises and one final paper. Math reasoning intensive.
PHIL 200R - Knowledge and Social Change - (4 Credits) - McHugh
Knowledge and Social change is an introductory level course in theories of knowledge, i.e., epistemology, and their relation to ethics. The goal of the course is to help students understand that the epistemologies we hold have a substantial bearing upon how we live and that certain kinds of epistemologies are more conducive to more meaningful and ethical lives for individuals and for the flourishing of groups and communities. We will work to critically assess the merits of different epistemologies and their applicability to life. Weekly quizzes, exams, project, and a journal.
PHIL 200R - Philosophy of Women's Lives - (4 credits) - McHugh (Two sections)
In this course we will survey contemporary feminist theory across cultures. Because we will be doing readings across cultures, we will seek to question if there is one standard feminist view that encompasses all of feminist theory. We will be reading feminist perspectives from Islamic women, African women, African-American women, Latinas, Chicanas, Indian women, and Euro-American women. We will be covering a wide array of topics and a diversity of approaches. Weekly quizzes, exams, project, and a journal.
PHIL 210R - Ancient & Medieval Philosophy - (4 credits) - Staff
A chronological introduction to the issues and methods of western philosophy from 600 B.C. to 1350 A.D. focusing on primary texts by authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Augustine and Aquinas. The topics to be considered are of interest to all peoples of all eras and include the existence and nature of God, the origins and development of the world, how we ought to behave toward one another, what is the best form of government, etc. Writing intensive.
PHIL 312 - 20th Century Philosophy - (4 credits) - Martinez-Saenz
While the focus of this class will not be all movements in the 20th century, the student will become acquainted with two traditions, namely "continental tradition" and the "pragmatist tradition." We will be asking questions related to but not limited to the following: How does Marx influence philosophy, most specifically the Frankfurt School, in the 20th century? What is the relation between philosophical positions and social change? Can we identify the ills of society? If so, how do we go about critiquing social movements and social institutions? Do human beings have the power to change the world or does the world exert so much power over human beings that we are at the whim of social (and natural) forces? What constitutes a philosophical solution both to a philosophical problem and a social-political problem? Students will be expected to write two 8-10 page papers and will be required to take two in-class exams. In addition, students will have weekly quizzes. Writing intensive.
