PHL 101L - Introduction to Philosophy. 3 Credits.

Offered yearly. An introduction to philosophy through examination of the thought of selected great philosophers or traditional positions on classical philosophical problems.

Gen Ed Attributes: Literary & Artistic Studies

PHL 102L - Introduction to Existentialism. 3 Credits.

Offered yearly. An introduction to the philosophical writings of the major existentialists. Topics include the nature of the self, freedom, personal responsibility, authenticity, and moral value.

Gen Ed Attributes: Literary & Artistic Studies

PHL 110E - Introduction to Ethics. 3 Credits.

Offered every term. An examination of the Western vision of morality through the careful study of selected writings from Aristotle, Kant and Mill. Additional works in ethics may supplement primary readings.

Gen Ed Attributes: Ethical & Human Values

PHL 112E - Intro Ethics and Environment. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. An introductory-level ethics course with a special interest in the natural environment. The course will (a) introduce students to the three classical traditions in ethics - virtue, Kantianism, and utilitarianism, (b) ground these theories in questions about the moral status of non-humans and our moral duties to non-humans, (c) include an applied section that covers animal welfare, biotechnology, and other current topics.

Gen Ed Attributes: Ethical & Human Values

PHL 114E - Intro to Political Ethics. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. An examination of justice and the role it plays in constitutional democratic societies. Three basic approaches to political philosophy will be considered: libertarianism, liberal egalitarianism, and communitarianism.

Gen Ed Attributes: Ethical & Human Values, Democracy and Citizenship

PHL 191 - Special Topics. 1-6 Credits.

(R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

PHL 198 - Internship. 1-6 Credits.

(R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of faculty supervisor and the Internship Services Office. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation. Offered CR/NCR only.

PHL 210E - Moral Philosophy. 3 Credits.

Offered yearly. Prereq., philosophy major or minor, WRIT 101 (or higher) or equivalent or consent of instr. An examination of leading approaches to moral philosophy through a careful reading of classical texts in the Western tradition. A more thorough treatment of the material offered in PHL 110E. Intended primarily for philosophy majors and minors.

Gen Ed Attributes: Ethical & Human Values, Writing Across the Curriculum

PHL 233 - Intro to Logic: Deduction. 3 Credits.

Offered yearly. Understanding general principles of reasoning and the habits of clear and correct thinking. Emphasis on the analysis of the logical structure of claims in natural language and the skills of elementary deductive inference.

PHL 241N - Hist & Philosophy of Science. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. The epistemological and metaphysical developments of natural philosophy or science. The origins of science in ancient Greece, and its subsequent developments during the scientific revolution. Developments in biology, especially Darwinism and genetics, and developments in physics.

Gen Ed Attributes: Historical Studies, Natural Science

PHL 261Y - History of Ancient Philosophy. 3 Credits.

Offered autumn. Introduction to the central works of Plato and Aristotle, with an overview of Presocratic philosophy.

Gen Ed Attributes: Democracy and Citizenship

PHL 262Y - History of Modern Philosophy. 3 Credits.

Offered spring. A survey of the history of philosophy from Descartes to Kant, which includes other continental rationalists and the British Empiricists.

Gen Ed Attributes: Democracy and Citizenship

PHL 291 - Special Topics. 1-6 Credits.

(R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

PHL 292 - Independent Study. 1-6 Credits.

(R-6) Offered intermittently. Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student.

PHL 298 - Internship. 1-6 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation. Offered CR/NCR only.

PHL 309E - The Art of Living. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. This course examines the ancient Greek conception of philosophy as a way of life and explores some of the following ethical questions: What is happiness? What is a good life? How should I live? Should I fear death? What role should reason play in my life? What role should the emotions play? What is friendship? What is love? What is marriage? Course materials will be drawn from a mixture of traditional philosophical works (including works by Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Seneca) together with some philosophically challenging works of literature, film, and music. Students will be expected not only to examine these materials closely but also to reflect upon their own convictions about these matters and to try to adhere to the Delphic injunction to know thyself.

Gen Ed Attributes: Ethical & Human Values

PHL 316 - Historical Figures in Phil. 3 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Study of one or more historically significant philosophers. Intended primarily for non-majors.

PHL 317E - Law and Morality. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. An examination of moral issues that arise in legal contexts, such as: justifications of state power to punish wrong doing, justifications for rights to private property or privacy, the nature of human rights.

Gen Ed Attributes: Ethical & Human Values, Democracy and Citizenship

PHL 318 - Applied Logic. 3 Credits.

Offered Spring. The course focuses on analytical thinking skills and covers basic elements of both deductive and inductive logic. Analytical thinking skills involve the ability to assess reasons, arguments, and evidence provided in support of a claim. Students will develop their analytical thinking skills in logically assessing various forms of reasoning in various contexts: logic games, short arguments, and more developed reading excerpts -- independently of subject matter.

PHL 319E - Law and Discrimination. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. An examination of the philosophical analyses of discrimination and how these analyses apply to discriminatory practices in the US legal system, including an investigation of which of these discriminatory practices are morally and legally wrong and why. The course may focus on one or more of the following: racism, sexism, ableism, and speciesism.

Gen Ed Attributes: Ethical & Human Values, Cultural & International Diversity, Democracy and Citizenship

PHL 321E - Philosophy & Biomedical Ethics. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. An examination of ethical problems raised by the practice of medicine and by recent developments in medically-related biological sciences.

Gen Ed Attributes: Ethical & Human Values

PHL 323 - Ethics of Climate Change. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. This course examines some of the fundamental issues raised by global climate change and considers how environmental ethics might help to address these issues. Students will become acquainted with the essential elements of climate change science and be provided with an introduction to contemporary approaches to environmental ethics that have developed out of the primary ethical traditions of western thought: deontological (Kantian) ethics, utilitarian ethics, and virtue ethics. In addition, the course examines alternative understandings of the appropriate relationship between humans and the natural world including: “Deep Ecology” and Native American perspectives.

PHL 327L - Aesthetics and the Arts. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. This course provides a broad overview of aesthetics, otherwise known as the philosophy of art. It is appropriate for students with no prior background in philosophy. Artists and students who study art are encouraged to enroll. The primary goal will be to give students the conceptual tools to reflect more deeply on art and their relationship with it in a way that will make an impact on their daily lives going forward.

Gen Ed Attributes: Literary & Artistic Studies

PHL 365 - Philosophy of Mind and Consciousness. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. Examination of philosophical issues concerning the relation between mind and body.

PHL 390 - Research. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Directed individual research and study appropriate to the background and objectives of the student.

PHL 391 - Special Topics. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently.  Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

PHL 392 - Independent Study. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student.

PHL 394 - Seminar. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. A review and discussion of current research. Topics vary.

PHL 398 - Internship. 1-6 Credits.

(R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation. Offered CR/NCR only.

PHL 400 - Advanced Writing in Philosophy. 1 Credit.

Offered intermittently. Coreq., any 400-level philosophy course (except PHL 498). Registration requires consent of the instructor. Capstone writing course intended for senior philosophy majors. Level: Undergraduate

Gen Ed Attributes: Writing in the Disciplines

PHL 403 - Wittgenstein. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. Prereq., upper-division standing and PHL 233, or consent of instructor. Reading and interpretation of selected works of Wittgenstein. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 407 - Epistemology. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. Prereq., PHL 210E. Examination of philosophical issues involving knowledge and justified belief. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 415 - Issues in the Anthropocene. 3 Credits.

Prereq., consent of instructor. Reading and interpretation of selected works on the epoch of the Anthropocene. This course co-convenes with PHL 515. Level: Undergraduate.

PHL 422 - Environmental Philosophy. 3 Credits.

Offered spring. Prereq., consent of instructor. Critical exploration of selected philosophical and literary texts pertinent to the ethics of human relationships with the natural environment. Level: Undergraduate. Course co-convenes with PHL 522.

PHL 423 - Science and the Environment. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instructor. This course aims to equip environmentalists, or those with environmentalist leanings with some useful knowledge about how science works, its relation to values, modeling in science, and then foundational issues in ecology and climate science. Reading and interpretation of selected works. This course co-convenes with PHL 523. Level: Undergraduate

PHL 424 - Environmental Aesthetics. 3 Credits.

Prereq., consent of instructor. Reading and interpretation of selected works on environmental aesthetics. This course co-convenes with PHL 524. Level: Undergraduate.

PHL 427 - Topics in Philosophy of Art. 3-4 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., upper-division or consent of instr. Examination of philosophical problems related to particular arts and discussion of the nature of the arts. Topics considered may include music, visual arts, literature, and film. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 429 - Philosophy and Literature. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. Prereq., upper-division standing and PHL 110E or PHL 112E or PHL 114E or PHL 210E, or consent of instr. Examination of philosophical problems related to literature. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 445 - Central Issues in Philosophy of Science. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. Prereq., PHL 210E. A consideration of philosophical issues relating to the nature of modern physical science: method, explanation, theory, progress, space/time, causality, relation of science to philosophy. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 448 - Philosophy and Animals. 3 Credits.

Prereq., consent of instructor. In this course, we investigate the moral justification(s) of differential treatment between human and non-human animals (or the lack thereof). We first survey various animal ethics theories and theories of animal cognition. We then investigate the ethical implications of such theories regarding our treatment of nonhuman animals in various current practices and policies, including some of the following: eating habits, scientific experimentation, animal captivity (zoos and aquariums), as well as hunting/fishing and other human practices regarding wildlife. Finally, we investigate issues of intersectionality between race, gender, and nonhuman animals. This course co-convenes with PHL 548. Level: Undergraduate

PHL 449 - History of Moral and Political Philosophy. 3 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., PHL 210E. Reading and interpretation of selected writings in the history of moral philosophy and/or political philosophy. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 450 - Contemporary Moral/Political Theory. 3 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., PHL 210E. Recent theories in ethics and their implications; recent work in political theory, emphasizing contemporary liberalism and its critics. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 451 - Justice. 3 Credits.

Prereq., PHL 210E. A close reading and analysis of selected works underpinning the major positions in contemporary political philosophy, including liberal egalitarianism (Rawls), libertarianism (Nozick), communitarianism (MacIntyre, Taylor, Sandel), and the capabilities approach (Sen). Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 456 - Iris Murdoch's Ethics. 3 Credits.

Prereq., upper-division standing and PHL 210E, or consent of instr. An examination of Iris Murdoch's groundbreaking writings on ethics, focusing on her papers from the 1950s and 1960s. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 462 - Early Modern Philosophy. 3 Credits.

(R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., PHL 210E and PHL 262Y. Intensive study of the work of one or more of the major philosophers from the early modern period (Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume). Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 465 - Plato. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. Prereq., PHL 210E and PHL 261Y. Reading and interpretation of selected works. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 466 - Aristotle. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. Prereq., PHL 210E and PHL 261Y. Reading and interpretation of selected works. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 467 - 19th Century Continental Philosophy. 3 Credits.

(R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., PHL 210E and PHL 262Y. Intensive study of the work of one or more 19th century continental philosophers (such as Hegel, Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, Marx, Nietzsche). Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 468 - 20th Century Continental Philosophy. 3 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., PHL 210E and PHL 262Y. Intensive study of the work of one or more 20th century continental philosophers (such as Heidegger, Husserl, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Ricoeur, Derrida) or several texts representing a major movement in 20th century continental thought (such as Phenomenology, Existentialism, Hermeneutics, Post-structuralism). Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 469 - Rousseau. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. Prereq., upper-division standing and PHL 210E, or consent of instr. Reading and interpretation of selected works. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 470 - Hegel. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. Prereq., PHL 210E and PHL 262Y. Reading and interpretation of selected works. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 471 - Kierkegaard. 3 Credits.

Prereq., upper-division standing or consent of instr. Reading and interpretation of selected works. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 472 - Thoreau. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instructor. Reading and interpretation of selected works. This course co-convenes with PHL 572. Level: Undergraduate

PHL 473 - Nietzsche. 3 Credits.

Prereq., PHL 210E and PHL 262Y. Reading and interpretation of selected works. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 478 - Critical Theory. 3 Credits.

Prereq., PHL 210E and PHL 262Y. A close reading and analysis of selected works by Horkheimer, Adorno, Marcuse, and Habermas, as well as contemporary philosophers working within the tradition. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 490 - Undergraduate Research. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Directed individual research and study appropriate to the background and objectives of the student. Level: Undergraduate

PHL 491 - Special Topics. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 492 - Independent Study. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 494 - Seminar. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. A review and discussion of current research. Topics vary. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 498 - Internship. 1-6 Credits.

(R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation. Offered CR/NCR only. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate

PHL 502 - Topics in Value Theory. 3 Credits.

Offered once every two years. Reading and interpretation of selected writings in value theory. Level: Graduate

PHL 506 - Philosophy of Law. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. Reading and interpretation of selected writings in philosophy of law. Level: Graduate

PHL 510 - Philosophy Colloquium. 1 Credit.

(R-4) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., graduate standing. Discussion of issues related to environmental philosophy and the profession. Graded credit/no credit. Level: Graduate

PHL 515 - Issues in the Anthropocene. 3 Credits.

Reading and interpretation of selected works on the epoch of the Anthropocene. This course co-convenes with PHL 415. Level: Graduate.

PHL 522 - Environmental Philosophy. 3 Credits.

Offered fall and spring. This course looks in-depth at topics prominent in the first forty-five years of professional environmental philosophy. These include the intrinsic value debates, ecological feminism, environmental virtue ethics, environmental justice, indigenous perspectives, the wilderness debates, and climate ethics. Students with some background in environmental ethics will develop a sophisticated understanding of existing work in the field appropriate for a graduate degree. The work students will read appeared in English language journals and came out of university systems, professional associations, and a particular understanding of what philosophy looks like. We should be aware this gives it a distinctive bias. We will give regular consideration to this bias and consider what environmental ethics might look like without it. Although environmental philosophy is clearly connected to the practical goal of living justly within a healthy and sustainable environment, the discipline is also a serious theoretical endeavor in its own right. Students should be prepared to delve deeply into the theoretical aspects while staying alert to how they might tie these discussions back into practice. Course co-convenes with PHL 422.

PHL 523 - Science and the Environment. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. This course aims to equip environmentalists, or those with environmentalist leanings, with some useful knowledge about how science works, its relation to values, modeling in science, and then foundational issues in ecology and climate science. Reading and interpretation of selected works. This course co-convenes with PHL 423. Graduate students taking PHL 523 will complete additional requirements and their work will be of a more advanced nature. Level: Graduate.

PHL 524 - Environmental Aesthetics. 3 Credits.

Reading and interpretation of selected works on environmental aesthetics. This course co-convenes with PHL 424. Graduate students taking PHL 524 will complete additional requirements and their work will be of a more advanced nature. Level: Graduate

PHL 548 - Philosophy and Animals. 3 Credits.

In this course, we investigate the moral justification(s) of differential treatment between human and non-human animals (or the lack thereof). We first survey various animal ethics theories and theories of animal cognition. We then investigate the ethical implications of such theories regarding our treatment of nonhuman animals in various current practices and policies, including some of the following: eating habits, scientific experimentation, animal captivity (zoos and aquariums), as well as hunting/fishing and other human practices regarding wildlife. Finally, we investigate issues of intersectionality between race, gender, and nonhuman animals. This course co-convenes with PHL 448. Graduate students taking PHL 548 will complete additional requirements and their work will be of a more advanced nature. Level: Graduate

PHL 572 - Thoreau. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. Reading and interpretation of selected works. This course co-convenes with PHL 472. Graduate students taking PHL 572 will complete additional requirements and their work will be of a more advanced nature. Level: Graduate

PHL 590 - Research. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Directed individual research and study appropriate to the background and objectives of the student. Graded credit/no credit. Level: Graduate

PHL 591 - Special Topics. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics. Level: Graduate

PHL 592 - Independent Study. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student. Level: Graduate

PHL 594 - Seminar. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. A review and discussion of current research. Topics vary. Level: Graduate

PHL 598 - Internship. 1-12 Credits.

(R-12) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Offered CR/NCR only. Level: Graduate

PHL 599 - Thesis/Professional Paper. 1-10 Credits.

(R-10) Offered every semester. Requires consent of instructor. Preparation of a thesis, manuscript, or professional paper based on research for presentation and/or publication. Level: Graduate