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Programs: Minor in Philosophy

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Minor in Philosophy (18 Credits)

Course Descriptions (click on highlighted courses to view syllabi)

• PHIL 110 (3-3-0) Critical Thinking. An introduction to the basic elements of argumentation, focusing on the analysis, evaluation, and development of claims and arguments in the sciences, the humanities, the social sciences, the applied sciences, and everyday life experiences.
• PHIL 210 (3-3-0) Introduction to Philosophy. An analytical study of ancient and modern philosophical problems in metaphysics, the philosophy of religion, epistemology, ethics, and political philosophy, with emphasis on encouraging critical approaches to theoretical and practical issues. Pre- or Corequisite: PHIL 110.
• PHIL 211 (3-3-0) Introduction to World Religions. An examination of the religions of the world, including the nature of religious beliefs, spiritual beings and powers, myths, rituals, ethics, religious claims and arguments, and the impact of religions on culture, politics, society, and the daily lives of believers. Traditional African religions, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, religions of Meso America, religions of Native Americans, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Judaism, and Sikhism will be addressed. 
• PHIL 212 (3-3-0) African-American Philosophy. This course is a critical examination of the following concepts and issues pertaining to the African-American experience in historical and contemporary periods: oppression, resistance, justice, liberation, separatism, integration, affirmative action, identity, self-respect, race, class, gender, the universality of Western Philosophy, and cultural features of philosophy. These concepts and issues will be addressed through an analysis of writings by major figures such as: Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. DuBois, Alain Locke, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, William Jones, Cornel West, Angela Davis, Leonard Harris, Lucius Outlaw, and Bernard Boxill. Prerequisite: PHIL 110.
• PHIL 220 (3-3-0) Introduction to Logic. An introduction to techniques of correct reasoning in informal contexts, to Aristotelian and mathematical logic, and to practical applications of logic, for example, in addressing contemporary issues and in completing logic sections of national examinations such as the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, NTE, MCAT, etc. Prerequisite: PHIL 110.
• PHIL 230 (3-3-0) Political and Social Philosophy. Why should we obey the state? Should our obedience to the state be unconditional or conditional? This course is designed to discuss these and similar issues regarding the moral authority or legitimacy of the state. We will also discuss specific topics and issues pertaining to democracy in relation to socialism/communism, military dictatorships, and theocracies. Other issues include racial and gender equality, human rights, civil disobedience, Affirmative Action, non-violence, and just war theories. We will discuss diverse views from classical, modern, and contemporary philosophers, including Plato, John Locke, Karl Marx, Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, John Rawls John Hospers, Abu'l A'la Mawdudi, Cornel West, and Susan Orkin. Prerequisite: One of the following: PHIL 110, PHIL 210, or PHIL 220.
• PHIL 310 (3-3-0) Philosophy of Religion. A course examining the claims of religion from a logical point of view and covering such topics as traditional arguments for the existence of God, the problem of evil, evolution, knowledge and belief, religion and morality, religious experience and verification, and existentialism. Prerequisite: At least one of the following: PHIL 110, PHIL 210, or PHIL 220.
• PHIL 320 (3-3-0) Introduction to Ethics. A philosophical exploration of the basis of the good life, involving approaches to the problems of moral belief and practices. Prerequisite: At least one of the following: PHIL 110, PHIL 210, or PHIL 220.
• PHIL 330 (3-3-0) Ancient & Medieval Philosophy. A study of major philosophical developments from the ancient Greeks through the medieval period, emphasizing Plato, Aristotle, and Aquinas. Students will develop skills in the analysis, development, and evaluation of claims and arguments connected with the ancient and medieval periods. Prerequisite: One of the following: PHIL 110, PHIL 210, or PHIL 220.
• PHIL 340 (3-3-0) Modern Philosophy. This course provides a study of major philosophical developments of the modern period, with emphasis on the arguments of the rationalists and empiricists. Students will develop skills in the analysis, development, and evaluation of claims and arguments of the modern period. Prerequisite: At least one of the following: PHIL 110, PHIL
  210, or PHIL 220.
• PHIL 360 (3-3-0) Existentialism. This seminar in philosophy provides a study of Existentialism as a response to the philosophical problems unique to the post-industrial societies as articulated by Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, Camus, et al. Focusing primarily on such major existential themes as choice, responsibility, identity, freedom, and alienation, the students will explore the common concern of these thinkers about human existence and the conditions and quality of the life of the individual. Prerequisite: At least one of the following: PHIL 110, PHIL 210, or PHIL 220.
• PHIL 370 (3-3-0) Philosophy of Science. This course provides a philosophical exploration of issues in the philosophy of science and technology, and of problems of scientific belief and practice. Topic areas include the value of science; the nature of scientific activities; science and myth; generalization and related inductive reasoning; causal reasoning; scientific theories; science and society; change in science; and, scientific explanation. Students will develop skills in the analysis, development, and evaluation of scientific claims and scientific arguments. Prerequisite: At least one of the following: PHIL 110, PHIL 210, or PHIL 220.
• PHIL 430 (3-3-0) Seminar in Philosophy. Individual or group study and critical discussion of selected philosophical issues. Prerequisite: At least one of the following: PHIL 110, PHIL 210, or PHIL 220.