PHIL 101-1 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY ----MWF 9:00-9:50----Dr. Westmoreland
This course will introduce students to basic issues in philosophy: Is belief in God rational? Are rationality and
religious faith consistent? What is knowledge, and are we capable of it? What is the relationship of mind to body?
What is free will, and do we have it? The class will include lecture and discussion. Several in-class tests as
well as a final exam.
PHIL 101-2 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY----TTH 1:00-2:15---- Dr. Barnard
This course offers an introductory survey of major themes in philosophy though a selection of important texts;
it presumes no special knowledge on the part of the student, therefore it must be rigorous. Considering perennial
philosophical questions such as the nature of knowledge and existence allows us to train our intellect and promotes
clear and precise reasoning and communication. We will read short works by several significant historical and contemporary
thinkers. Evaluation will primarily be made by in class examination.
PHIL 101-3 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY----TTH 8:00-9:15---- Dr. Barnard
(See Phil 101-2)
PHIL 103-1 LOGIC: CRITICAL THINKING (Same as LING 203-1)----MWF 9:00-9:50----Dr.
Manson
Students will develop the abilities to uncover the logical structure
of ordinary language, to recognize, represent, and assess everyday
arguments (including statistical and probabilistic arguments), and to
work competently within formal logical systems.
The main text will be Introduction to Logic by Irving Copi and Carl
Cohen. The grade will be determined by performance on two midterm
examinations (each worth 20% of the final grade), a final exam (40% of
the final grade), and homework (20%).
PHIL 103-2 LOGIC: CRITICAL THINKING (Same as LING 203-2)----MWF 10:00-10:50----Dr.
Manson
(See Phil 103-1)
PHIL 301 HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY I----TTH 1:00-2:15----Dr. Lawhead
This course is a survey of the significant thinkers, movements, and ideas in Greek, Hellenistic, Medieval, and
Renaissance philosophy. We will focus on how philosophical ideas develop, how they can be criticized, and how they
become modified. Evaluation will be based upon several tests and a research paper.
PHIL 307 MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY----TTH 8:00-9:15----Dr. Harrington
From Augustine to Cusanus, an investigation into how Western theism used the principles and methods of classical
philosophy to develop a new worldview whose unforeseen consequence would be the rise of Western science. Homework/quiz
options, three midterm exams (the last is a non-cumulative final), and a term paper.
PHIL 309 ASIAN PHILOSOPHY (Same as REL 309)----TTH 8:00-9:15----Dr. Cozad
(See course content under REL 309)
PHIL 321 ETHICS----MWF 11:00-11:50----Dr. Westmoreland
This is an exciting time in ethical theory. Traditional questions about (e.g.) whether there are moral values,
and about what they must be like if there are any (presumably they're very different from desks, chairs, and rainbows)
are being explored with more rigor and subtlety than ever. In addition to reading contemporary views on these questions,
we will also examine (among other things) the roles of emotion and reason in morality, various concepts of the
person and the moral theories of which they're parts, the place of rights on the moral map, and even recent excursions
into what you might call "untheory" (which say that moral theory is either of limited usefulness or even
downright distorting). Class participation, one short paper (4-5 pages), one longer paper (7-8 pages), a mid-term,
and a final exam will be required.
PHIL 322 EPISTEMOLOGY: THEORIES OF KNOWLEDGE----W 2:00-4:30----Dr. Barnard
This will be a topical survey of major themes in epistemology. In this course we will consider several traditional
and contemporary themes in the theory of knowledge. Specific topics will include: the nature of knowledge, the
nature of epistemic justification, the structure of epistemic justification, the nature of a priori knowledge,
naturalized epistemology, feminist epistemology, and skepticism.
PHIL 328 BIOMEDICAL ETHICS----TTH 9:30-10:45----Dr. Manson
(Restricted to students in the Honors College) The
central goal of the course is to provide students with an overview of central issues
in contemporary biomedical ethics. The course will begin with a brief survey of the
methods of ethical inquiry, along with a discussion of the two most general ethical
theories--utilitarianism and deontology. Next will be an examination of the central
principles at work in making ethical decisions in biomedicine: autonomy;
nonmalifecence; beneficence; justice; veracity; privacy; confidentiality; and
fidelity. The rest of the class will be spent covering particular issues in
biomedical ethics. Available topics include (but are not limited to) abortion,
reproductive technology, DNA testing, infanticide and newborn intensive care,
euthanasia and terminal care, professional/client relationships (including the issues
of disclosure and informed consent), psychiatric care, rationing of care and cost
containment, and medical experimentation.
There will be a strong emphasis on student writing throughout the course.
Written homework and/or short papers will be required on a regular basis, and a
research paper will be due as the final project. There will also be a midterm
examination and a final examination.
PHIL 331 POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY----TTH 11:00-12:15----Dr. Westmoreland
We will begin with the anarchist's claim that there should be no state at all. Then we will proceed to the libertarian
claim that there should be only a minimal state--police to protect us from force and fraud, and national defense.
Next comes the classical (right-wing) liberal view that the state may provide other goods besides protection from
force and fraud, but still must be severely limited--e.g., little or no affirmative action. After that we consider
the contemporary (left-wing) liberal view that the state may be active in many ways--e.g., affirmative action--to
enhance individual autonomy, especially the autonomy of minorities. Finally, we will consider certain socialist
views, according to which the economic system must be subject to more political direction than even left-wing liberals
often think. Two short papers, one in-class test, occasional journal entries, a final exam.
REL 101-1 INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION----MWF 11:00-11:505----Prof. O'Sullivan
This course provides a survey of major world
religions originating in Europe, India, Asia, and the Middle
East. Material will be presented chronologically and will
cover basic beliefs, deities, personalities, life rituals,
and holy days. Students are expected to identify these
aspects of each religion and also to discover common themes
among the religions. Assessment will be based on three
exams, several quizzes, and class participation. The texts will be:
Huston Smith, The World's Religions,
Philip Novak, The World's Wisdom,
Marianne Fergusson, Women and Religion.
REL 101-2 INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION----MWF 12:00-12:50----Prof. O'Sullivan
(See Rel 101-1)
REL 101-3 INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION----TTH 1:00-2:15----Dr. Cozad
This course operates as an introduction to the religious traditions of the world. We will focus on key concepts,
divine figures, myths, and rituals as they are reflected in the Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist, Jewish, Christian,
Islamic, and selected African traditions. While the first half of the course will examine the particular elements
that make each of these traditions unique, the second half will examine the structure of these traditions in order
to compare and contrast their respective forms and functions. During the last unit of the course, we will also
look at the intersection of religion and politics. Most class periods will be split between lectures and discussions
supplemented by videos, recordings and various forms of interactive learning. Evaluation will consist of a mid-term,
a final exam, attendance, and a short presentation. Readings are to be
completed for the day they are listed. No prerequisites
required.
REL 101-4 INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION----MWF 12:00-12:50----Dr. Thurlkill
(Restricted to students in the Honors College) This course provides a survey
of major world religions originating in India, Asia, and the Middle East. It emphasizes aspects of myth (sacred
stories within religious tradition) and ritual (sacred actions related to myth). Students are required to complete
one group project (create-a-ritual) and three exams.
REL 101 (Web Course) INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION----Prof. O'Sullivan
This is a survey of 8 religions originating in
Europe, India, China, and Arabia. Material is presented
chronologically and will include basic beliefs, deities,
personalities, life rituals, and holy days. Students will
be expected to identify these aspects of each religion and
also discover common themes among the religions. Assessment
is based on essays, quizzes, and class discussion. The texts will be:
Huston Smith, The World's Religions,
Philip Novak, The World's Wisdom,
Marianne Fergusson, Women and Religion.
REL 303 RELIGION IN THE SOUTH (Same as HIS 337)-----TTH 9:30-10:45----Dr.
Ownby
This class will survey
religion in the American South from the colonial period to the
present. Through lectures, readings, research and discussion,
students will gain a better understanding of the general
characteristics of southern religion and how those characteristics
have changed. The class will spend considerable time and effort
discussing both the nature of different church groups, how they have
changed and how they differ from each other, and it will also examine
the relationships between religion and issues of power. We will study
the large groups but also the smaller groups, and we will spend at
least a third of the class on the South since the 1960s. Assignments
will include book reviews, at least two exams, and a research project
in which students will have a choice of either an extended analysis of
the religious aspects of one topic, or a comparison, based on personal
experience, of the services of four different religious groups.
REL 309 ASIAN RELIGION----TTH 8:00-9:15----Dr. Cozad
This course operates as an introduction to the religious traditions of Asia. We will focus on sacred texts, divine
figures, myths, and rituals of the Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist, and Shinto traditions. While we will be
looking at common themes that structure these traditions, we will be particularly focused on their diversity and
the diverse ways in which various social groups (i.e. women, indigenous peoples) express themselves within the
parameters of these traditions. Throughout this course one recurrent question will be asked: What complexities
arise from viewing non-western religious traditions from the confines of a western class-room setting? Most class
periods will be split between lectures and discussions supplemented by videos, recordings and various forms of
interactive learning. Evaluation will consist of a mid-term, a final exam, five short
quizzes, and class participation.
Readings are to be completed for the day they are listed. No prerequisites required.
REL 310 THE OLD TESTAMENT AND EARLY JUDAISM----TTH 9:30-10:45----Dr. Harrington
Click here for the course poster
REL 311 WOMEN AND THE GODDESS IN EASTERN RELIGION----TTH 11:00-12:15----Dr.
Cozad
This course has three goals: first, to explore the wide variety of Goddess figures within the Hindu, Buddhist,
and Taoist traditions through myths, rituals, theological texts, and iconography; second, to examine the social
experiences of women within these religious traditions and the ways in which these women have articulated their
own personal and religious identities; and third, to question the impact of various representations of the divine
upon our own personal, social, and religious identities. Class discussions will be supplemented by films, recordings,
a divination demonstration, and other forms of experiential learning. Evaluation will consist of a
final exam, a paper, and five short quizzes. Optional extra credit
assignments will also be offered.
REL 326 SAINTS AND SEXUALITY----MWF 10:00-10:50----Dr. Thurlkill
This course examines the evolving
notion of sanctity within Christian and Muslim tradition and
questions how holiness relates particularly to gender and
sexuality. Topics of focus include women in hagiography;
asceticism; 'spiritual' transvestism; and cross-gendering.
The course relies heavily upon primary texts including
miracle narratives and spiritual autobiographies.
PHIL 607-1 MAJOR WESTERN PHILOSOPHERS: MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY---TTH
8:00-9:15
Dr. Harrington
PHIL 607-2 MAJOR WESTERN PHILOSOPHERS: DAVID HUME---MWF 12:00-12:50----Dr.
Lawhead
This seminar on Scotland's greatest philosopher will focus on his Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding
and Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals with attention paid to the additions, deletions, and modifications
made since his earlier work, Treatise of Human Nature. To get a grasp of the latest
issues, problems, and controversies in Hume scholarship,
our study of Hume's work will be supplemented by the text
Reading Hume on Human Understanding, ed. Peter Milligan (Oxford: Oxford University
Press, 2002).
PHIL 613-1 PROBLEMS IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION: ASIAN PHILOSOPHY----TTH
8:00-9:15
Dr. Cozad
PHIL 613-2 PROBLEMS IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION: WOMEN AND THE GODDESS IN EASTERN RELIGION----TTH 11:00-12:15----Dr. Cozad
PHIL 613-3 PROBLEMS IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION: SAINTS AND SEXUALITY
MWF 10:00-10:50----Dr. Thurlkill
PHIL 617 PROBLEMS IN EPISTEMOLOGY----W 2:00-4:30----Dr. Barnard
PHIL 619-1 VALUE THEORY----MWF 11:00-11:50----Dr. Westmoreland
A graduate level study of ethical theory.
PHIL 619-2 VALUE THEORY----TTH 11:00-12:15----Dr. Westmoreland
A graduate level study of political philosophy.
PHIL 697 THESIS----TBA
REL 613-1 PROBLEMS IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION: ASIAN RELIGION
TTH 8:00-9:15----Dr. Cozad
REL 613-2 PROBLEMS IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION:
WOMEN AND THE GODDESS IN EASTERN RELIGION----TTH 11:00-12:15----Dr. Cozad
REL 613-3 PROBLEMS IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION: SAINTS AND SEXUALITY
MWF 10:00-10:50----Dr. Thurlkill