Philosophy (PY)

PY 1001  Developing a Resilient Mindset  (2)  

Students explore what resilience means in theory and in practice. By understanding how resilience involves critical thinking and practicing skills aligned with a resilient mindset, successful completion of the course offers a toolkit for overcoming hardship and assessing challenges as transient and manageable. Topics include building self-confidence, growth mindset, responsible risk-taking, exercise, meditation, compassion, gratitude, and strategies for managing stress. Springs and Falls.

PY 1010  Ultimate Questions  (3)  

Explores some of humanity's biggest questions, such as: Does God exist? What are we, and do we survive the death of our bodies? Are right and wrong mere matters of social convention? What's the basis of a government's authority, and could a world government solve humanity's biggest challenges such as war, global inequality and environmental degradation? Students become aware of a rich diversity of philosophical opinion among some major thinkers in the Western tradition, and they too try to work out for themselves some answers to some of our ultimate questions. Falls. (GACO)

PY 2310  Elements of Logic  (3)  

An introduction to the structure of correct reasoning, the problems of language, informal fallacies and the need for systematic and critical thinking. Includes both traditional logic and the methods of modern symbolic logic. Falls. (QRCO)

PY 2650  Mind and Machine  (3)  

Discussion and critical examination of philosophical issues relating to the nature of the mind and to the possibility of artificial minds and artificial persons. Topics to be covered include thought, perception and intentionality, consciousness, the nature and theoretical limits of computation, animal minds, affect and emotion, freedom and mechanism, personal identity, function, teleology and the nature of interpersonal relationships. Readings will include both philosophical writings and fictional explorations of some of the philosophical themes covered. Springs. (TECO)

PY 3010  Topics in Philosophy  (3)  

Explores in-depth some philosophical topic of the instructor's choosing. May be repeated for credit with a different topic. Unscheduled.

PY 3050  Ethical Theories  (3)  

Provides in-depth analysis of ethical theories, methods, and problems from perspectives within various sub-cultures within US and world-wide. From classical, enlightenment, modern, and postmodern perspectives, explores the nature of moral reasoning, conceptions of the good life, free will determinism, and moral responsibility toward the other. Perspectives include philosophers, psychologists, legal analysts, and criminal justice experts. Fall of odd years. (GACO)

PY 3110  History of Ancient Philosophy  (3)  

Explores the origin and development of Western philosophy from 6th century B.C.E. to 3rd century A.D., surveying historically relevant ideas from the ancient Greek philosophers to Hellenistic and Roman philosophers. Includes philosophical interpretations of mathematics, sciences, cosmology, medicine, rhetorical theory, aesthetics, and psychology. Emphasis written analysis of the nature and limits of knowledge, language, perception, reality, and the good life. Falls Odd. (INCO) (INCP)

PY 3111  History of Medieval Philosophy  (3)  

Uses philosophy, theology, and science to explore the origin and development of medieval philosophy from the 4th century to 16th century, surveying historically relevant ideas from the Middle Ages through Medieval Scholasticism and Pre-Enlightenment. Includes philosophical interpretations of religion, politics, science, and mathematics. Emphasizes written analysis of theology, metaphysics, natural philosophy, logic, philosophy of mind, and ethics. Fall of even years. (INCO) (INCP)

Prerequisite(s): Junior status.

PY 3112  History of Modern Philosophy  (3)  

Explores the origin and development of modern Western philosophy arising out of an intense struggle between medieval Scholastic thought and the emerging modern science. Includes historically relevant ideas from the 17th and 18th centuries. Emphasizes written analysis of knowledge, mind/body interaction, causation, God, and reality, incorporating philosophical interpretations from mathematics, science, cosmology, medicine, rhetorical theory, aesthetics, and psychology. Spring of odd years. (INCO) (INCP)

Prerequisite(s): Junior status.

PY 3113  History of Contemporary Philosophy  (3)  

Explores the origin and development of contemporary philosophy from 19th to 21st century, surveying historically relevant ideas from moral philosophers, social and political philosophers, phenomenologists, existentialists, pragmatists, linguists, technologists, and postmodernists. Includes philosophical interpretations of science, sociology, politics, computer science, and linguistics. Emphasizes written analysis of the nature and limits of knowledge, language, technology, reality, consciousness, and the good life. Spring of even years. (INCO) (INCP)

Prerequisite(s): Junior status.

PY 3157  Society, Ethics, and the Law  (4)  

Students are tasked with analyzing how ethics and morality intersect with the criminal justice system and in turn effect society. Explores ethical theories and legal concepts, with particular attention to legal issues connected to race, class, and gender. Students are expected to apply interdisciplinary concepts in order to demonstrate their mastery of general education skills. Not open to students who have earned credit for CJ/PY 3155. Offered as PY or CJ 3157. Falls. (DICO)

Prerequisite(s): Junior Status.

PY 3310  Environmental Ethics  (3)  

Uses philosophy and science to study moral relationships between humans and the environment, and considers how to ethically defend our actions on the environment and its nonhuman contents. Explores population growth, resource usage, sustainability, biodiversity loss, nonhuman animal welfare, environmental justice, and global climate change from interdisciplinary perspectives, and encourages awareness of the impact environmentally-based choices have upon mind/body wellness. Spring of odd years. (INCO) (INCP) (WECO)

Prerequisite(s): Junior status.

PY 3325  Medical Ethics  (3)  

Uses philosophy and medical science to analyze moral and legal relationships of practitioners and patients from interdisciplinary perspectives, while examining social, political, and ethical issues arising from medical and technological advancements including topics of confidentiality, truth-telling, responsibility, reproductive technologies, end of life issues, genetic engineering and enhancement, involuntary psychosurgery, and medical experimentation. Fall of even years. (INCO) (INCP) (WECO)

Prerequisite(s): Junior status.

PY 3330  Business Ethics  (3)  

Uses philosophy and business to investigate ethical issues in business, as a central feature for society and culture. Explores economic, social, legal, political, and environmental interests impacted by business ethics, from the perspectives of the employer, employee, local community, and global community. Topics include social and corporate responsibility, consumer rights, integrity, transparency, fairness, corruption, ecological sustainability, and other environmental responsibilities. Fall of odd years. (DICO) (INCO) (INCP)

Prerequisite(s): Junior status.

PY 3345  Military Ethics  (3)  

Explores historically relevant ethical theories and principles pertaining to military decision-making and action. Topics include courage, integrity, confidentiality, justice, and human rights. Investigates ethical issues and the global impact pertaining to wars, military conflicts, and humanitarian rescue efforts conducted by the US military. Spring of even years. (GACO)

PY 3365  Research Ethics: Human and Animal Experimentation  (4)  

Introduces ethics concepts as they apply to questions and challenges in conducting human and animal subject research. The aim is to increase students' awareness of and ability to reason through ethical issues arising from research. Topics include obedience, conformity, confidentiality, vulnerable populations, dual relationships, informed consent, autonomy, and regulatory requirements relevant to human and animal research. Springs. (WECO)

PY 3370  Ethics and Communication  (3)  

Uses philosophy and communication to examine the ethical responsibilities we have as participants in diverse communication contexts; includes reading primary philosophical texts on virtue ethics, deontology, consequentialisms, and dialogic lenses. Introduces perspectives from contemporary philosophers, communication ethicists, and rhetoricians. Students are exposed to traditional philosophical theories and contemporary applications of communication ethics from political, social, and philosophical perspectives. Fall of even years. (DICO) (INCO) (INCP)

Prerequisite(s): Junior status.

PY 3380  Humans and Humanoids: Ethics in Technology  (3)  

Students use technology to explore ethical considerations pertaining to robotic technologies, communicative technologies, and computer networks. Topics include social and legal implications from humanoid production; impact portable technologies, i.e., cell phones, ipads, ipods, e-readers, etc., have upon consciousness and social relationships; user/programmer/hosting site responsibilities, confidentiality, cyber-bullying, storage/sharing of personal information, honesty, fairness, plagiarism, and harmful practices. Special focus on sustainability. Fall of even years. (TECO)

PY 3540  Philosophy of Religion  (3)  

A critical analysis of the traditional and contemporary religious concepts and values that underlie the basic doctrines of the major religious faiths. Examines some contemporary religious and quasi-religious movements. Unscheduled. (INCO) (INCP)

Prerequisite(s): Junior status.

PY 3560  Philosophical Perspectives on War and Peace  (3)  

Offers an integrated look at the problem of war and violence in the nuclear age, including historical, religious, psychological, political, economic and technological aspects. Helps students see the interrelationships among the many causal factors of war as well as to help them think philosophically about the problems of war and peace as global issues facing virtually all nations and, indeed, raising the most serious questions about the continued existence of life on earth. Readings are based on texts, handouts and web sites to ensure that students have information on current developments regarding arms trade, military budgets, United Nations activity, etc. May be taken as IS 3560. Unscheduled. (GACO) (INCO) (INCP)

Prerequisite(s): Junior status.

PY 3610  Philosophy of Technology  (3)  

Uses philosophy and computer science to explore the relationship between technology and the ideal life. Investigates social and ethical impacts of emerging technologies such as nanotechnology, drones, brain-computer interface systems, robo-sapiens, and biotechnologies utilized for cloning and genetic manipulation, paying particular attention to ways technology works to shape human experience. Includes perspectives from philosophers, computer scientists, engineers, and legal analysts. Spring of even years. (INCO) (INCP) (TECO)

Prerequisite(s): Junior status.

PY 3720  Philosophy of Law  (3)  

Uses philosophy and law to analyze what the law is and ought to be . Explores contemporary debates about the nature, scope, and requirements of justice, recognizing different American viewpoints. Explores how different sub-cultures in America are impacted by issues of equity, opportunity, and justice. Includes readings from philosophers, political theorists, and legal practitioners. Spring of odd years. (DICO) (INCO) (INCP)

Prerequisite(s): Junior status.

PY 3725  Lizzie Borden Took an Axe  (4)  

Uses the Lizzie Borden Murder Trial to analyze what the law is and ought to be. Explores traditional and contemporary debates about the nature, scope, and requirements of justice, recognizing different American viewpoints. Explores how different sub-cultures in America are impacted by issues of equity, opportunity, and justice, with a particular focus on female voices in the Lizzie Borden Trial. Springs Odd. (DICO)

PY 3820  Existentialism  (3)  

An examination of the historical development and basic themes of existentialism such as existence, anxiety, absurdity, nothingness, death, and alienation/estrangement. Particular attention is given to the historical period and distinguishing between various existential positions/sentiments worldwide. Identifies ways existentialism has shaped peoples, cultures, and regions of the world. Spring of odd years. (GACO)

PY 3825  Understanding Existentialism  (4)  

An examination of the historical development and basic themes of existentialism such as existence, anxiety, absurdity, nothingness, death, and alienation/estrangement. Particular attention is given to the historical period and distinguishing between various existential positions/sentiments worldwide. Identifies ways existentialism has shaped peoples, cultures, and regions of the world. Springs. (GACO)

PY 4910  Independent Study  (1-3)  

Limited to students who have demonstrated their ability to do superior work in philosophy and who are able to do independent work. Before registering for independent study, students should consult with a member of the Department concerning a program of study. Students are expected to work independently with tutorial guidance. Evidence of progress is demonstrated by papers and discussion. Offered by arrangement. Consent required of the instructor who will supervise the independent study and the Department Chair.

PY 4920  Internship in Philosophy and Applied Ethics  (3)  

Students gain real world experience and reflect upon those experiences through philosophical and ethical studies in the Philosophy major. Students reflect upon their internship experience through various ethical lenses as they consider how their critical thinking skills, analytical skills, and problem solving skills shaped their engagement with others. Includes 120 hours of supervised work.

Prerequisite(s): approval of Chair and advisor.