Philosophy Courses

Lower-Division

PHL 201 (3) INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY–GE

A historical survey of selected philosophical ideas, systems, and methods, especially as these have developed in Western civilization.

PHL 211 (3) ETHICS–GE

The study of right and wrong in principle, character, and conduct; practical moral issues analyzed from the basis of sound moral theory; characteristics of an adequate, consistent code of ethics.

PHL 277 (3) LOGIC

A study of the logical appraisal of arguments with attention given to formal and informal fallacies.

Upper-Division

PHL 301 (3) HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY I

This course is designed to examine developments in Western philosophy with an emphasis on ancient Greek and medieval philosophies utilizing readings from significant and representative texts of the historical eras.
Prerequisite: Philosophy 201.

PHL 302 (3) HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY II

This course examines developments in Western philosophy with an emphasis on modern philosophy from Descartes through Kant utilizing readings from significant and representative texts of the modern historical period.
Prerequisite: Philosophy 201.

PHL 303 (3) HISTORY OF Western PHILOSOPHY III

An examination of developments in Western philosophy with an emphasis on 19th century thought utilizing readings from significant and representative texts of that century.
Prerequisite: Philosophy 201.

PHL 304 (3) History of Western Philosophy IV

This course examines developments in Western philosophy with an emphasis on contemporary thought since Kierkegaard with readings from significant and representative texts of the contemporary period.
Prerequisite: Philosophy 201.

PHL 311 (4) EUROPEAN INTELLECTUAL HISTORY

A seminar-style study of the intellectual history of Europe from the 1780’s through the end of the 19th century. Readings analyze the rise of the national intellectual traditions in England and on the Continent, including Rosseau, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Mill, Nietzsche, Freud and others. Emphasis is placed on the rise of philosophical irrationalism within the context of post-Enlightenment thought. Also offered as History 311.
Prerequisite: Philosophy 201.

PHL 321 (3) SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY

The emergence and development of social philosophy, with consideration given to Critical Theory, Heidegger, Post-Structuralism, and feminist thought.  Also offered as Sociology 321.
Prerequisite: Philosophy 201.

PHl 331 (3) Existentialism

A philosophical and historical examination of themes within existentialist literature and philosophy. This course includes such figures as Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Sartre, de Beauvoir, Dostoevsky, and Camus.

PHL 341 (3) PHILOSOPHY OF ART

Classical and recent theories of beauty and art, with selected coverage of such concepts as aesthetics, expression, representation and criticism.
Prerequisite: Philosophy 201.

PHL 351 (3) ASIAN PHILOSOPHIES AND RELIGIONS

Treatment of the leading ideas and philosophical developments of Asian philosophies and of the beliefs and practices of Asian religious traditions.
Prerequisite: Philosophy 201.

PHL 371 (3) PHILOSOPHY AND EDUCATION

An examination of significant works in the philosophical tradition from ancient Greek to contemporary texts that deal explicitly with the topics of education and pedagogy.
Prerequisite: Philosophy 201.

PHl 381 (3) Ethics, Responsibility, and Love

This course examines the ethical implications of love. The course includes such figures as Plato, St. Augustine, Kierkegaard, Buber, and Irigaray.

PHL 411 (3) Being and Truth

An examination of the nature of reality and of knowledge and what constitutes knowledge. Possible topics include space, time, causation, realism, nominalism, freedom, God, skepticism, belief, truth, and justification.

PHL 451 (3) Philosophy of Science

A philosophical and historical examination of the nature and epistemological foundations of science, the scientific method, and the relationship between science and such areas as religion, morality, and culture.
Prerequisites: History 110 and 111, and Philosophy 201.

PHL 461 (3) PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

A philosophical examination of the nature of religion, the existence of God, faith and reason, religious experience, evil, and religious language.
Prerequisite: Philosophy 201.

PHL 490 (1-3) SPECIAL STUDIES IN PHILOSOPHY

An investigation of a topic in philosophy not otherwise covered in the curriculum. May be repeated to a total of six units.
Prerequisite: Consent of the dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry.