Philosophy
Courses
Argument (ARG)
This course will examine complex types of reasoning, including statistical judgment, decision making, and causal and analogical thinking. Emphasis will be placed on the analysis of concrete examples of reasoning in various fields. Students will learn how to evaluate arguments, fallacies, common errors, and biases in reasoning and decision making. Identical with PHL 120. Credit cannot be received for both ARG 120 and PHL 120. Fulfills the General Education requirement.
Examines the role of argumentation in a democratic society and aims to develop critical thinking and reasoned advocacy. Course makes functional a knowledge of tests of evidence and the modes of logical reasoning. Students participate in various forms of argumentation and debating. Identical with ARG 210. Students cannot receive credit for both ARG 210 and CA 210.
A study of sentential and predicate logics and related topics. Identical with 321. Credit cannot be received for both ARG 321 and PHL 321.
A course designed primarily to help education majors translate between the languages of conventional grammar and the syntactical grammar relevant to the teaching of English at Precollege levels. Consideration will also be given to the rationales basic to the formation of different grammars and to methods of presenting grammatical material in a classroom situation. Non-education majors interested in a sophisticated approach to the study of grammar might also benefit from this course. Identical with EH 371. Credit cannot be received for both ARG 371 and EH 371.
Different figures, periods, or topics of significance in Argument will be studied as announced. May be repeated, when content varies, for a total of six hours. Requires Sophomore, Junior or Senior standing.
Readings in rhetorical theory, ancient and modern, are applied in specific writing assignments with encourage students to adopt a point of view and address a specific audience. Identical to EH 402. If credit for ARG 402 is received, then credit cannot be received for EH 402.
Seminar in specific topics dealing with writing, rhetoric, or language studies. May be repeated once for credit when course content varies. Identical with EH 481. Credit cannot be received for both ARG 481 and EH 481 when it is on the same specific topic. Junior standing required.
An investigation of issues and concepts in Argument for advanced undergraduate students. May be repeated, when content varies, for a total of six hours. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing.
Directed research in Argument under the guidance of a member of the department. Credit according to the magnitude of the individual project. May be repeated, if content varies, for a total of six hours. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing and approval of directing professor and department chair.
Classics (CLA)
A survey of art and architecture of Europe and the Near East from the prehistoric to the end of the Gothic era. Identical with ARH 103. Credit cannot be received for both CLA 103 and ARH 103. Core Course.
Introduction to the various disciplines within the humanities with emphasis on the role each plays in a liberal arts education. Identical with AIS 105. Credit cannot be received for both CLA 105 and AIS 105. Core Course.
A survey of the history, literature, philosophy, religion, art architecture, sociology, and political institutions of the Greek and Roman world with readings in translation from major Greek and Latin authors.
Survey of classical Greek philosophy. The philosophers surveyed may include Presocratic philosophers, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Hellenistic philosophers. Fulfills the General Education Requirement. Identical with PHL 240. Credit cannot be received for both CLA 240 and PHL 240.
Different figures, periods or topics of significance in Classics will be studied as announced. May be repeated, when content varies, for a total of six hours.
Architecture, sculpture, and painting in Ancient Greece and the expansion and influence of Greek culture in the Ancient World.
Roman Art: Architecture, sculpture, and painting in Ancient Rome and its empire.
Through the disciplines of English and Philosophy, this course will provide a introduction to myths and to the literature that recounts the myths and to the literature that recounts the myths, legends, and folktales of ancient Greece and Rome. This course will also look at how different writers treat the material and why their treatments vary. Cross-listed with PHL 310, REL 310, and EH 310. Credit cannot be received for both CLA 310 and either PHL 310 or REL 310 or EH 310.
Different figures, periods or topics of significance in Classics will be studied as announced. May be repeated, when content varies, for a total of six hours.
Readings in rhetorical theory, ancient and modern, are applied in specific writing assignments which encourage students to adopt a point of view and address a specific audience.
Through the disciplines of History and Philosophy, ancient Greek culture, including its history, literature, philosophy, art and architecture will be examined.
Through the disciplines of History and Philosophy, ancient Roman culture, including its history, literature, philosophy, art and architecture will be examined.
An in-depth investigation of figures, periods or topics in Classics for advanced undergraduates. May be repeated, when content varies, for a total of six hours.
Directed research in Classics under the guidance of a member of the department. Credit according to the magnitude of the individual project. May be repeated, if content varies, for a total of three hours. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and approval of directing professor and department chair.
Extended research paper prepared under the direction of thesis advisor plus two-person committee selected by advisor in consultation with student. Prerequisites: The student must have developed a proposal for the thesis in consultation with the advisor, and received permission for the work from the committee. In addition, the student must be a senior major or minor, have completed the common core, and have at least 3.3 GPA in the Classics concentration of the Philosophy major. Credit for this course is only given as an addition to the hours required for the major.
Directed research in philosophy under the guidance of a member of the department. May be repeated, if content varies, for a total of six hours. Prerequisite: Graduate Student in Department conferring a Graduate Degree (hence not open to Philosophy majors in any Concentration in Philosophy.)
Philosophy (PHL)
An introduction to philosophical analysis and criticism through a survey of the major branches of philosophy. Topics may include, but are not limited to: the mind/body problem, theory of knowledge, skepticism, ethics, political philosophy, aesthetics, and philosophy of religion. Fulfills the General Education Requirement.
This course will examine complex types of reasoning, including statistical judgment, decision making, and causal and analogical thinking. Emphasis will be placed on the analysis of concrete examples of reasoning in various fields, including science, religion and theology, politics, law as well as alternative medicine and other non-traditional disciplines. Students will be encouraged to improve their own judgment and decision making by learning how to evaluate arguments and by learning about fallacies, common errors and biases in reasoning and decision making. There will also be extensive discussion on the relation between how people do reason and how they ought to reason. Fulfils the General Education Requirement.
Studies arguments: what they are, how to identify them, and how to judge their quality; and examines inductive and deductive arguments in both their informal and formal aspects. Fulfills the General Education Requirement. MA 110 or equivalent is recommended.
Examines ideas about good and bad, right and wrong, and moral obligation through a survey of major ethical systems in western philosophy. The course includes consideration of how these ideas apply to moral problems and issues. Fulfills the General Education Requirement.
This course will examine complex types of reasoning, including statistical judgment, decision making and causal and analogical reasoning. Emphasis will be placed on the analysis of concrete examples of reasoning in the medical field. Students will learn how to evaluate arguments, fallacies, common errors, and biases in medical reasoning and decision making.
Readings and analyses of ethical issues in society. Topics may include euthanasia, sexual equality, sexual morality, censorship, world hunger, animal rights, the environment, and capital punishment. Fulfills the General Education Requirement.
Love and friendship are investigated by a philosophical analysis of concepts embraced by the terms. Examples of the concepts are drawn from common life, religion, history, and literature.
Survey of classical Greek philosophy. The philosophers surveyed may include Presocratic philosophers, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Hellenistic philosophers. Fulfills the General Education Requirement. Identical with CLA 240. Credit cannot be received for both PHL 240 and CLA 240.
A survey of Medieval Western Latin, Jewish and Islamic philosophers. Identical with REL 242. Credit cannot be received for both REL 242 and PHL 242.
Survey of Western philosophy from F. Bacon to Kant with emphasis on the empiricists, rationalists, and Kant.
A survey of central concepts and issues in cognitive science, including an informal introduction to automata theory, intelligent systems architecture, and the philosophical issues arising out of computational models of language and cognition.
Different themes and issues of philosophical significance will be studied as announced. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours.
This course examines some of the most fundamental questions about human knowledge, belief and rationality and compares the treatment of such issues in philosophical discussions and contemporary media, especially film. Identical with CA 301. Credit cannot be received for both CA 301 and PHL 301.
Through the disciplines of English and Philosophy, this course will provide an introduction to myths and to the literature that recounts the myths, legends, and folktales of ancient Greece and Rome. This course will also look at how different writers treat the material and why their treatments vary. Credit cannot be received for both PHL 310 and either EH 310 or REL 310 or CLA 310.
The course examines central themes of Renaissance and modern Western political philosophy through the reading and discussing of the primary works of such thinkers as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. (Cross-listed as PSC 312)
The course examines central themes of modern Western political philosophy through the reading and discussing of the primary works of such thinker as Hegel, Mill, Marx, and Nietzsche. (Cross-listed as PSC 313)
A study of sentential and predicate logics and related topics.
Studies such topics as method and explanation in the sciences; the demarcation between science and pseudoscience; realist and anti-realist views about scientific theories; the logic of scientific change; confirmation; reduction; laws of nature; underdetermination; and society, science, and values.
Ethical analyses of problems and issues in the biomedical and health-related fields. Topics may include genetic research and technology, abortion, health care, experimentation, and death and dying.
Examines the most common impacts that technology is envisioned to have on both the spirit of the human person and the environment in which that person lives. Both the technologist and anti-technologist arguments will be explored.
Explores theoretical issues and problems in the areas of law--especially criminal law --concerning liability and punishment. Topics to be examined include diminished capacity, theories of punishment, and capital punishment. (Cross-listed as PSC and CJ 337)
Acquaints students with Cassirer's philosophy of culture, with emphasis on the unity of human experience as ramified into myth, language, religion, art, history, science, and politico-social life.
An examination of selected themes and issues in Anglo- American philosophy since 1800. Topics may include pragmatism, ideal language philosophy, and ordinary language philosophy.
An examination of selected themes and issues in 19th Century Continental Philosophy and Literary Theory. Topics may include Idealism, Romanticism, Existentialism, Marxism, Freudianism. Identical with EG 348 and LG 348. Credit cannot be received for both PHL 348 and either EH 348 or LG 348. (For LG credit, students will be required to do some coursework in their language of concentration.)
An examination of selected themes and issues in 20th Century Continental Philosophy and Literary theory. Topics may include Phenomenology, Existentialism, Hermeneutics, Structuralism, and Post-Structuralism. Identical with EH 349. Credit cannot be received for both PHL 349 and either EH 349 or LG 349. (For LG credit, students will be required to do some coursework in their language of concentration.)
This course is an introduction to the religions of the world. It is divided into three basic units: Indigenous Religions (of Africa, North America, and Oceania); Eastern Religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Jainism) and Western Religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). The emphasis is on grasping the core principles of each tradition, seeing the ways in which religion meets basic human needs, and religion as a cultural artifact that borrows, adapts, and changes over time. Course is identical with REL 352 and SY 352. Credit cannot be received for both PHL 352 and REL 352 or SY 352.
Introduces the major religions and philosophies of India by way of the classical Realist/Anti-Realist debate in India. Study of the major religious doctrines of theistic and non-dualist Vedanta, Buddhism, and Jainism, and their philosophical articulation in the Nyaya, Advaita Vedanta, Madhyamaka, and other schools. Identical with REL 354. Credit cannot be received for both PHL 354 and REL 354.
Introduces the major classical religious and philosophical systems of China by way of an examination of early Confucianism, Mohism, Yangism, Legalism, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the role of these schools in the development of Chinese religion, morality, and political organization. Identical with REL 355. Credit cannot be received for both PHL 355 and REL 355.
A study of the concept of consciousness and related concepts (e.g., mind, self, thinking) as applied to man, other animals, non-terrestrials, and machines.
Acquaints students with main issues in aesthetics. Includes such issues as the nature and function of art and the criteria of aesthetic judgment. Identical with ARH 370. Credit cannot be received for both PHL 370 and ARH 370.
Different figures or topics of philosophical significance will be studied as announced. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours.
This course examines the central themes, issues, and evolution of American political thought, including how we understand our role and responsibilities in contemporary democracy.(Cross-listed as PSC 418)
Classical, Neoclassical, Romantic, and Victorian literary theory. Identical with EH 421. Credit cannot be received for both PHL 421 and EH 421.
Modern and Contemporary Literary Theory. Identical with EH 422.
Problems in traditional and recent value theory and ethics.
Examines knowledge, its scope and limits. Topics may include the conditions, criteria, and grounds for knowledge, and theories of truth and meaning.
Studies philosophical theories about the nature of reality, including such topics as what is real, change, the nature of things, universals, and such views as monism, materialism, realism, and idealism. Capstone course for all philosophy concentrations.
An introduction to formal first-order logic, first-order metatheory, and its extensions. Topics include axiom systems and their models, completeness, compactness, and recursive sets and functions. Identical with MA 467. Credit cannot be received for both PHL 467 and MA 467.
An investigation of issues and concepts in philosophy for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. May be repeated, when content varies, for a total of six hours. Prerequisites: junior, senior, or graduate standing.
An investigation of issues and concepts in philosophy for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. May be repeated, when content varies, for a total of 6 hours.
Directed research in philosophy under the guidance of a member of the department. Credit according to the magnitude of the individual project. May be repeated, if content varies, for a total of 6 hours. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and approval of directing professor and department chair. Prerequisites: Junior, senior, or graduate standing.
Extended research paper prepared under direction of thesis advisor plus two-person committee selected by advisor in consultation with student. Prerequisites: The student must have developed a proposal for the thesis in consultation with the advisor, and received permission for the work from the committee. In addition, the student must be a senior major or minor, have completed the logic and history of philosophy requirements, have at least two courses at the 300-level or higher, and have at least a 3.3 GPA in the Philosophy Concentration of the Philosophy major. Credit for this course is only given as an addition to the hours required for the major.
Study of individuals or topics of philosophical significance. May be repeated for credit when content varies. Enrollment is limited to students in disciplines other than philosophy. May be repeated, if content varies, for a total of 6 hours.
Directed research in philosophy under the guidance of a member of the department. May be repeated, if content varies, for a total of six hours. Prerequisite: Graduate Student in Department conferring a Graduate Degree (hence not open to Philosophy majors in any Concentration in Philosophy).
Religion (REL)
As a general introduction to the academic study of religion, REL 100 examines the function of religion in relation to human beliefs, social practices, and culture in general. The course surveys a broad number of important debates in the history of religious studies, such as the definition of religion, the insider/outsider problem, theories on the origins of religion, the comparison of religions, religion's psychological, sociological, and political functions, and the manner in which human communities authorize systems of behavior.
An introduction or survey of the literature and social world of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. As a way of further illuminating these materials, attention will also be given to the history and religion of Israel as well as the other peoples of the ancient Near East. Fulfills the General Education Requirement.
This course is an introductory survey of the New Testament, including the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, apostolic history, related Greco-Roman history and archeology, principal critical issues, and the unity and diversity of New Testament theology. Fulfils the General Education Requirement.
A survey of Medieval Western Latin, Jewish, and Islamic philosophers. Identical with PHL 242. Credit cannot be received for both REL 242 and PHL 242.
Different themes and issues of significance in religion will be studied as announced.
Through the disciplines of English and Philosophy, this course will provide an introduction to myths and to the literature that recounts the myths, legends, and folktales of ancient Greece and Rome. This course will also look at how different writers treat the material and why their treatments vary. Cross-listed with EH 310, PHL 310 and CLA 310. Credit cannot be received for both REL 310 and either EH 310 or PHL 310 or CLA 310.
The history of England from the Roman occupation to the Age of Tudors. Identical with HY 331. Credit cannot be received for both REL 331 and HY 331.
The history of beliefs and practices concerning witches, magic, and witch-hunting in Medieval and Early Modern Europe. Identical with HY 343. Credit cannot be received for both REL 343 and HY 343.
The history of the systematic mass murder of Europe's Jews and other groups by Nazi Germany during World War II. Cross-listed with HY 347. Credit cannot be received for both REL 347 and HY 347.
Investigates the nature of religion, including religious experience, religious language, arguments for the existence of God, and the problem of evil. Identical with PHL 351. Credit cannot be received for both REL 351 and PHL 351.
This course is an introduction to the religions of the world. It is divided into three basic units: Indigenous Religions (of Africa, North America, and Oceania); Eastern Religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Jainism) and Western Religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). The emphasis is on grasping the core principles of each tradition, seeing the ways in which religion meets basic human needs, and religion as a cultural artifact that borrows, adapts, and changes over time. Course is identical with PHL 352 and SY 352. Credit cannot be received for both REL 352 and PHL 352 or SY 352.
The role of religious change in the 16th and 17th centuries. Identical with HY 353. Credit cannot be received for both REL 353 and HY 353.
Introduces the major religions and philosophies of India by way of the classical Realist/Antirealist debate in India. Study of the major religious doctrines of theistic and non-dualist Vedanta, Buddhism, and Jainism, and their philosophical articulation in the Nyaya, Advaita Vedanta, Madhyamaka, and other schools. Identical with PHL 354. Credit cannot be received for both REL 354 and PHL 354.
Introduces the major classical religious and philosophical systems of China by way of an examination of early Confucianism, Mohism, Yangism, Legalism, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the role of these schools in the development of Chinese religion, morality, and political organization. Identical PHL 355. Credit cannot be received for both REL 355 and PHL 355.
This course will cover the political, economic, social, and cultural history of Islamic Civilization from its beginnings in the Arabian Peninsula in the sixth century to the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. Cross-listed with HY 364. Credit cannot be received for both REL 364 and HY 364.
This course will cover specific topics in the history of Islamic civilization. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior status. Cross-listed with REL 365. Credit cannot be received for both HY 365 and REL 365.
Examines the role of religion in United States history from the colonial era to the present. Identical with HY 373. Credit cannot be received for both REL 373 and HY 373.
Different figures or topics of significance in religion will be studied as announced. May be repeated, when content varies, for a total of six hours.
An analysis of religion as a social institution with emphasis on modern western societies. Topics include the functions of religion for society and individuals, changing patterns of religious belief and practice and the relationship between religion and other social institutions. Identical with SY 420. Credit cannot be received for both REL 420 and SY 420.
This course will cover specific topics in the history of Islamic civilization. May be repeated for credit when content varies. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior status. Cross-listed with HY 465. Credit cannot be received for both REL 465 and HY 465.
An investigation of issues and concepts in religion for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. May be repeated, when content varies, for a total of six hours.
Directed research in religion under the guidance of a member of the department. Credit according to the magnitude of the individual project. May be repeated, if content varies, for a total of three hours. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and approval of directing professor and department chair.
Extended research paper prepared under the direction of thesis advisor plus two-person committee selected by advisor in consultation with student. Prerequisites: The student must have developed a proposal for the thesis in consultation with the advisor, and received permission for the work from the committee. In addition, the student must be a senior major or minor, have completed the Common Core, and have at least a 3.3 GPA in the Religion Concentration of the Philosophy major. Credit for this course is only given as an addition to the hours required for the major.
Directed research in philosophy under the guidance of a member of the department. May be repeated, if content varies, for a total of six hours. Prerequisite: Graduate Student in Department conferring a Graduate Degree (hence not open to Philosophy majors in any Concentration in Philosophy.)
Faculty
Faculty Name | Faculty Department | Faculty Position | Degrees Held |
---|---|---|---|
Baggott, Allison | Philosophy | Assistant Professor | BA, Benedictine College MA, Baylor University PHD, Baylor University |
Baker, Samuel H | Philosophy | Associate Professor | BA, Yale University MPHIL, University of Cambridge UK PHD, Princeton University |
Hillman, Timothy A. | Philosophy | Associate Professor | BA, Millsaps College MA, University of Mississippi PHD, Purdue University-Main Campus |
Loomis, Eric J. | Philosophy | Associate Professor | BA, University of Wyoming PHD, University of Texas- Austin |
Meeker, Kevin M. | Philosophy | Professor | BA, Wheaton College MA, University of Notre Dame PHD, University of Notre Dame |
Whalen, Alexander Crutchfield | Philosophy | Part-Time Instructor | BA, University of South Alabama PHD, Univ of Edinburgh |