2007-2008 Academic Catalog

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• Course Descriptions

Philosophy

PHIL 210 Introduction to Philosophy
3 hours. This introduction to philosophical issues encompasses study of the human quest to understand the meaning of knowledge, art, nature, God, values, and other vital interests. Lectures and reading will introduce the student to the major systems of philosophy developed by thoughtful people over the centuries.

PHIL 230 Ethics
3 hours. Ethics consists of an analysis of the ethical theories and systems by which persons make judgments and choices, with special attention to contemporary moral issues and the modern revival of virtue theory.

PHIL 260 Social Theory
3 hours. A critical study of some major social philosophers from Comte to the present. (Identical to SOCI 260, SWRK 260.)
Prerequisites: SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology or PHIL 210 Introduction to Philosophy, or instructor's permission.

PHIL 270 Philosophy of the Arts
3 hours. Offered 2008-09. An introduction to philosophical issues in the arts, such as art and morality, the nature of creativity, aesthetics, and the relation of the arts to worldviews.

PHIL 280 Introduction to Political Philosophy
3 hours. A study of great political thinkers and issues from Socrates to the present. Students are encouraged to understand and evaluate these thinkers in their historical contexts, and to consider them as philosophers whose insights are relevant for contemporary debates. (Identical to HIST 280 and PSCI 280.)

PHIL 285/485 Selected Topics
1-3 hours. A seminar on a topic chosen by the professor. Recent topics have been apologetics; postmodern philosophy and Christian thought; philosophy of science; philosophy of E. Levinas; and philosophy of sex, singleness, and marriage. Open to upper-division majors and others by permission.

PHIL 300 American Political Theory
3 hours. A survey of the major developments in U.S. political theory from the Puritans to the present. The relationship between Christianity and American political theory is given special attention. (Identical to HIST 300 and PSCI 300.)

PHIL 310 Christian Apologetics
3 hours. Offered 2008-09. A study of classic and contemporary theistic/atheistic arguments including postmodern assessments of religious belief. (Identical to RELI 310.)

PHIL 330 Philosophy of Religion
3 hours. Examines classic topics in the field, including theistic arguments, the problem of evil, miracles, religious language, and divine attributes.

PHIL 340 Logic
3 hours. Offered 2009-10. Logic involves a study of Aristotelian forms of deductive reasoning, including the syllogism, inductive reasoning, fallacies, and some aspect of symbolic logic, including Venn diagrams, and truth tables. Its goal is to facilitate sound thinking that is both creative and critical.

PHIL 380 History of Philosophy Survey
3 hours. Offered 2008-09. A one-semester survey of the history of Western philosophy. Emphasizes the connections and contrasts between historical periods.

PHIL 382 History of Philosophy Seminar
3 hours. Offered 2007-08. Examines a particular period in the history of philosophy (e.g. Ancient, Medieval, Enlightenment, 19th Century). Choice of period determined by student interest and professorial competence.
Prerequisite: a philosophy course other than PHIL 340 Logic or instructor's permission.

PHIL 415 Contemporary Philosophers and Problems
3 hours. A study of significant 20th-century philosophers and selected philosophical issues in recent literature. Recent topics have been Alvin Plantinga, Wendell Berry, Nelson Goodman, and Karl Popper.
Prerequisite: a philosophy course other than PHIL 340 Logic or instructor's permission.

PHIL 495 Special Study
1-3 hours. Individual research. Open to qualified students upon application.