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Philosophy
Study
in philosophy is an essential ingredient of a liberal arts
education. The Department of Philosophy offers a full curriculum
on four levels: introductory courses (101-110), history
of philosophy courses (125-150, 245, 250), intermediate
and advanced courses with concentration on particular sub-fields
of philosophy (200-250), and topical and historical seminars
(301-370). The philosophy major meets the needs and interests
of the following students: a) those who plan graduate study
and teaching in the field; b) those who intend to go to
law school; c) those who seek preparation for work in government,
business, social service, journalism, or any field in which
critical thinking is valued; and d) those who wish to approach
a liberal arts education through a concentrated study of
philosophy. The major also combines easily with other majors.
Introductory Courses. Courses 101-110 offer the student
a choice of emphases in an initial study of methods, problems,
and theories in philosophy. None of these courses duplicates
courses of higher number; and with the exception of 106
no student may receive College credit for more than one
of them. Some other courses are also open to students
with no previous work in philosophy. These other courses
are not intended to serve as introductory courses in philosophy,
but they may still be taken by students without previous
philosophical training who have a special interest in their
topics. These include two survey courses in the history
of philosophy (Ancient Philosophy, 125, and Modern Philosophy,
135), the course in Deductive Logic, 200, and Analysis of
Reasoning, 201, as well as certain other advanced courses.
Entry-Level Course Sequence Suggestions. The Department
suggests any of its introductory courses as an appropriate
first course in philosophy. (Other philosophy courses that
are open without prerequisite may also serve this purpose,
though they are not intended as introductory courses.) From
any of these first courses, students may, with occasional
exceptions, proceed to any of the Department's advanced
offerings. For purposes of the major it is desirable, though
not mandatory, that the course in deductive logic, 200,
or that in the analysis of reasoning, 201, should be completed
early in one's philosophical studies. Students interested
in majoring in philosophy should consult with the chairperson,
or any member of the Department, concerning course sequence
planning. It is possible to complete the philosophy major
even though it is not started until the junior year.
Major. When declaring a major in philosophy a student
may choose any faculty member in the Department to serve
as major advisor. The selection of courses for the major
is to be made in consultation with the major advisor.
The
major consists of at least thirty credit hours of course
work in the Department of Philosophy, including the following
course requirements:
1.
Three courses in the history of philosophy, including at
least one Philosophical Classics course.
2.
Deductive Logic (200) or the Analysis of Reasoning (201).
(Equivalent course work may substitute for this, with the
approval of the major advisor.) (Students intending graduate
study in philosophy are advised to take Deductive Logic
(200).
3.
Ethics (204) or Social and Political Philosophy (226). (A
relevant Philosophical Classics course or Seminar may substitute
for this, with the approval of the major advisor,
4.
Theory of Knowledge (206) or Philosophy of Science (222).
(A relevant Philosophical Classics course or Seminar may
substitute for this, with the approval of the major advisor.)
5.
Metaphysics (208) or Philosophy of Mind (228). (A relevant
Philosophical Classics course or Seminar may substitute
for this, with the approval of the major advisor.)
6.
The balance of the thirty credit hours of work in the Department
of Philosophy consists of electives chosen by the student
in consultation with the major advisor.
Minor. Students may earn a minor in philosophy upon
completion of a program of study approved by a minor advisor
in the Department. A minor involves fifteen credit hours
of work in philosophy. No more than one of these courses
may be from the introductory courses, 101-110. Each student's
program is developed individually in consultation with their
minor advisor. Examples of subject-areas appropriate for
a minor in philosophy are (i) Logic and Language, (ii) Theory
of Value, (iii) History of Philosophy, (iv) Metaphysics
and Theory of Knowledge, and (v)
Philosophy
and Science. Students majoring in philosophy may not minor
in philosophy.Courses in philosophy also count toward
the Cognitive Sciences Concentration.
Honors. The Department offers an honors program to
qualified senior majors. The Program involves intensive
study and writing under faculty supervision for an academic
year. It culminates in the preparation of a lengthy written
thesis, and a defense of the thesis before departmental
faculty and, typically, an external examiner from another
college or university. Questions should be directed to
the Department's Director of the Honors Program.
Winter Term. The following faculty are willing to
sponsor Winter Term projects as indicated. Mr. Ganson:
history of philosophy, history and philosophy of psychology,
metaphysics, theory of knowledge. Ms. Ganson: theory
of knowledge, philosophy of science, philosophy of language,
logic. Mr. MacKay: 20th Century analytical philosophy,
history of ethics, contemporary ethical theory, philosophy
of language, social choice theory. Mr. McInerney:
philosophy of mind and philosophical issues in cognitive
science; Metaphysics; 19th and 20th Century Philosophers,
e.g., Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, Foucault.
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Introductory
Courses
No
student may receive college credit for more than one Introductory
Course
101. Problems of Philosophy 3 hours
3HU
An
introduction to philosophy through study and discussion
of topics such as the nature and existence of God, the grounds
and limits of human knowledge, minds and their place in
nature, freedom and determinism, and the nature of morality.
Enrollment Limit: 30.
| Sem
1 |
PHIL-101-01 |
MWF
1:30-2:20 |
Ms.
Ganson |
|
PHIL-101-02 |
MWF
3:30-4:20 |
Ms.
Ganson |
|
PHIL-101.03 |
TuTh
3:00-4:15 |
Ms.
Ganson |
102. Introduction to Philosophy 3 hours
3HU
An
introduction to philosophy through the study of some important
philosophical works. Examples of such works are: Plato's
Republic, Descartes' Meditations, Hume's Enquiry
Concerning Human Understanding and Dialogues Concerning
Natural Religion, and Kant's Prolegomena to Any Future
Metaphysics and Grounding for the Metaphysics of
Morals. Exams and papers required.
| Sem
1 |
PHIL-102-01 |
MWF
11:00-11:50 |
Mr.
MacKay |
Limit:
33 |
| Sem
2 |
PHIL-102-01 |
MWF
12:00-12:50 |
Mr.
Ganson |
Limit:
30 |
|
PHIL-102-02 |
MWF
3:30-4:20 |
Mr.
Ganson |
Limit:
30 |
105. Philosophy and Values
3HU, WR
This
course introduces students to basic views of the nature
of persons and the meaning of human life, explores their
bearing on our ideas of human knowledge and conceptions
of value in moral and other contexts, and provides an opportunity
for students to develop and cultivate the forms of critical
thought required for the rational appraisal of human beliefs.
Classical and contemporary readings.
| Sem
1 |
PHIL-105-01 |
MWF
2:30-3:20 |
Staff |
Limit:
30 |
|
PHIL-105-02 |
MWF
4:30-5:20 |
Staff |
Limit:
30 |
| Sem
2 |
PHIL-105-01 |
TuTh
9:35-10:50 |
Staff |
Limit:
30 |
109. Morality, Meaningful Life, Problematic Self 3 hours
3HU,WR
An
inquiry into the meaning of life from consideration of basic
accounts of moral value. The inquiry will explore constitutional
and circumstantial differences in the makeup of the self
from person to person, and consider how these differences
bear on issues of meaningful life.
Alternative basic
attitudes (e.g., pessimism, optimism, resignation, nihilism)
characterizing different accounts of the meaning of life
will be assessed. The inquiry will be supported by readings
(classical and contemporary) from philosophy, literature,
and drama. Discussion and writing emphasized. No prerequisite.
Enrollment Limit: 15 first-year students.
Sem
1 PHIL-109-01 TuTh 11:00-12:15 Mr. Care
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Historical
Courses
125. Ancient
Philosophy 3 hours
3HU
A
study of Ancient Greek philosophy, including the thought of
Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Hellenistic and Medieval philosophers
may also be included. Texts include primary sources in translation.
This is not an introductory course, but it may be taken without
previous study in philosophy by those with special interest
in the topic.
Enrollment
Limit: 30.
Sem
1 PHIL-125-01 MWF 10:00-10:50 Mr. Ganson
135. Modern Philosophy 3 hours
3HU
A
study of philosophy in the 17th and 18th centuries, concentrating
on Descartes, Hobbes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume,
and Kant. Texts include primary sources, with translations
as required. This course is not an introductory course, but
may be taken by students without previous study in philosophy
with a special interest in the topic. Exams and papers required.
Enrollment Limit: 33.
Sem
2 PHIL-135-01 MWF 11:00-11:50 Mr. MacKay
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Advanced
Courses
200. Deductive
Logic 3 hours
3HU
A
study of symbolic logic, understood primarily as a formal
tool for exploring the structure of valid reasoning in a natural
language such as English. The course will cover both sentential
and predicate logic, and will include a brush with metatheory.
Strongly recommended for students considering graduate work
in philosophy. Enrollment Limit: 30.
Sem
1 PHIL-200-01 MWF 1:30-2:20 Mr. Jones
201. The Analysis of Reasoning 3 hours
3HU
A
study of methods for analyzing and evaluating arguments as
they appear in legal, scientific, and moral contexts, as well
as everyday life. The course will include an introduction
to the formal study of logic, and inductive and probabilistic
reasoning.
Sem
2 PHIL-201-01 MWF 10:00-10:50 Ms. Ganson
204. Ethics 3 hours
3HU
A
study of some of the main issues in moral philosophy, emphasizing
ethical theory rather than applied ethics. Writings from among
the following thinkers will be included: Plato, Aristotle,
Hobbes, Butler, Hume, Kant, Sidgwick Mill, G.E. Moore, and
Charles Stevenson. Papers required. Prerequisites:
Three hours in Philosophy. Enrollment Limit: 30.
Sem
1 PHIL-204-01 TuTh 9:35-10:50 Mr. MacKay
206. Theory of Knowledge 3 hours
3HU,
WR
In
this course we will be addressing questions concerning the
nature of knowledge, rationality, justification, and truth.
Special topics include skepticism, relativism and feminist
epistemology. Prerequisites: Three hours in Philosophy.
Enrollment Limit: 30.
Sem
2 PHIL-206-01 TuTh 3:00-4:15 Ms. Ganson
208. Metaphysics 3 hours
3HU,
WR
A
survey of some central issues in metaphysics, such as: Is
truth always relative to a conceptual scheme? Are there such
things as numbers, and if so, what sorts of things are they?
What does it mean to say that something is possible, or is
necessarily so? How is it that objects persist over time and
through changes? Do objects have their parts necessarily?
Readings will be from a variety of sources; requirements will
be in the form of papers. Prerequisite: three hours
in philosophy.
Sem
1 PHIL-208-01 TuTh 7:00-8:15 pm Mr. Jones
210. Existentialism 3 hours
3HU,
WR
The
course will investigate certain issues that are distinctive
of existentialist philosophers. The meaning of life, the relevance
of death and of being finite, the relation of reflection to
immediate involvement in the world, the nature of the self
and of individual freedom, and the nature and possibilities
of relations with other people (such as love, sex, and friendship)
will all be considered. Prerequisites: Three hours
in Philosophy. Enrollment Limit: 30.
Sem 2 PHIL-210-01 MWF 2:30-3:20 Mr. McInerney
220. Philosophy of Language 3 hours
3HU
A
philosophical study of language. Topics include: theories
of meaning, problems of reference, the theory of speech acts,
conversational implicatures, the nature of language. Offered
in alternate years. Papers required. Prerequisites:
Three hours in Philosophy. Enrollment Limit: 30.
Sem
2 PHIL-220-01 TuTh 1:30-2:45 Mr. MacKay
222. Philosophy of Science 3 hours
3HU,
WR
Next
offered 2002-2003.
223. Topics in the Philosophy of Science: Philosophy
of Biology 3 hours
3HU,
WR
Next
offered 2002-2003.
226. Social and Political Philosophy 3 hours
3HU
An
examination of normative concepts that pertain to the nature
of political authority and the political obligations of citizens.
Topics include conceptions of justice, liberty, equality,
rights, utility, social contract, rule of law. Classical and
contemporary readings. Prerequisites: Three hours in
Philosophy. Enrollment Limit: 30.
Sem2 PHIL-226-01 MWF
1:30-2:20 Staff
228. Philosophy of Mind 3 hours
3HU,
WR
Next
offered 2002-2003.
234. Topics In Applied Ethics 3 hours
3HU
Sem
1 PHIL-234-01 TuTh 3:00-4:15 Staff
245. Nineteenth-Century Philosophy 3 hours
3HU,
WR
A
study of major themes and figures in philosophy from Kant
to Nietzsche, based on primary sources in translation. Special
attention will be devoted to Hegel, Marx, Kierkegaard, Mill,
and Nietzsche, and to the question of the relative priority
of individuality and sociality. Prerequisites: Three
hours in Philosophy. Enrollment Limit: 30.
Sem
1 PHIL-245-01 MWF 2:30-3:20 Mr. McInerney
250. Twentieth-Century Continental Philosophy 3
hours
3HU,
WR
Next
offered 2002-2003.
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Special
Topics Courses
302. Philosophical
Classics: Aristotle 3 hours
3HU
A
examination of Aristotle's philosophy, with special emphasis
on his views concerning the nature of reality, the soul,
and morality. Texts include Aristotle's works in translation,
as well as interpretative and critical commentaries. Papers
and presentations. Enrollment Limit: 15.
Sem
2 PHIL-302-01 TuTh 7:00-8:15 pm Mr. Ganson
348. Seminar: Naturalism, Rationality, and Morality 3
hours
3HU,WR
Starting
with Nietzsche's writings, widely shared societal standards
of rationality and morality have been challenged by natural
and social scientific claims about the makeup and workings
of people. This course examines the relevance of current
information from scientific psychology, neuroscience, biology,
and social science for various accounts of rationality and
morality. Prerequisites: Three hours in Philosophy.
Enrollment Limit: 15.
Sem
2 PHIL-348-01 TuTh 9:35-10:50 Mr. McInerney
Private Reading and Independent Research
Any
student who is interested in undertaking a Private Reading
course or an Independent Research course (401) with a
member of the Department should make arrangements with
the departmental member prior to registering for the course.
401. Independent
Research 2-5 hours
2-5HU
Consent of instructor required. Projects sponsored
by Ms. Ganson, Mr. Ganson, Mr. Jones, Mr. Love, Mr. MacKay,
and Mr. McInerney.
411. Honors
Research 3-6 hours
3-6HU
Consent
of instructor required. Projects sponsored by Ms.
Ganson, Mr. Ganson, Mr. Jones, Mr. MacKay, and Mr. McInerney.
995. Private
Reading 1-3 hours
1-3HU
Consent
of instructor required. Projects sponsored by Ms. Ganson,
Mr. Ganson, Mr. Jones, Mr. Love, Mr. MacKay, and Mr. McInerney.
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