Philosophy

Philosophy (the love of wisdom) is the systematic examination of essential questions. The course examines the following questions: What is Philosophy? What is real (Metaphysics)? How do we know (Epistemology)? What ought we to do (Ethics)? These questions are critically examined in the light of their formulation by influential thinkers and their relevance to contemporary issues. Addresses GLE Learning Outcomes Humanities (HM), Critical Reading (CR) and Critical Thinking (CT).

We take thinking for granted. We all think all the time, and, in general, we like the results of our thinking. We usually do not what to let others do our thinking for us. And yet, other people, organizations, advertisements, etc., are always trying to influence our thinking, telling us what to believe, who to vote for, what to purchase. Indeed, as a university student, you are currently actively engaged in the pursuit of knowledge, and the pursuit of knowledge is nothing more than figuring out what to think. This course will provide explanations and practices for developing our thinking skills - what is called critical thinking and logic - in ways that will be directly relevant to the course work you are currently taking and the world you are currently living in. Addresses GLE Learning Outcomes Humanities, Applied Learning, Critical Thinking and Teamwork.

This course seeks to deepen student engagement with ethical reasoning while developing skills in value identification and formation by providing critical engagement with ethical theory and critical analysis of contemporary ethical problems. Theories to be considered include Kantianism, Utilitarianism and Virtue Ethics. Topics to be considered included punishment, violence, justice, and the environment. Addresses GLE Learning Outcomes Humanities (HM), Critical Reading (CR), Critical Thinking (CT), and Ethical Reasoning (ER). Prerequisite: Sophomore status.

Major political philosophical systems with emphasis on the relationship of theory to practice in historical context. Important theories, such as the concept of natural law, traced from the Stoics to Karl Marx and beyond. Intensive review of other modern political concepts and experiments. Addresses GLE Learning Outcomes Humanities (HM), Critical Reading (CR) and Ethical Reasoning (ER).

Investigates the human relationship with nature: how humans define nature and how they interact with it. Examines the history of scientific understanding of this relationship, the ethical issues raised by this understanding, and a critical examination of new paradigms that might better explain this relationship (or not).