ADVANCED PHILOSOPHY

Take two of the following courses:

PL-304  Existentialism

Philosophers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger and Sartre are studied as an introduction to existentialist thought. Theistic and atheistic types are considered, as is significance of existentialism as a contemporary philosophy. 

4 CreditsH,CW,WK-HTPrerequisite: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109

PL-308  End of History, Death of God

Formerly titled "Hegel to Nietzsche." This course provides an introduction to important philosophical discussions in nineteenth-century philosophy and political thought centered aroundthe Hegelian/Marxist themes of history's end and Nietzsche's attempt to grapple with the implications of what he called "the death of God."

4 CreditsH,WK-HTPrerequisite: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109

PL-310  Contemporary Political Philosophy

This course will focus on important political orientations and figures in the twentieth/early twenty-first century. Instructors may also focus on specific topics which have driven recent debates in contemporary political philosophy, including distributive justice, the normative foundations of liberalism/democracy or the tension between state sovereignty and international law (among others).

4 CreditsS,H,CWPrerequisites: Take 1 course from the PL department or permission of the instructor. 

PL-318  Knowledge, Truth and Skepticism

The course is a study of the nature of human knowledge and justification of beliefs with special attention to three conceptually related topics: the nature and value of knowledge and the nature and structure of epistemic justification, the nature of truth, and the challenges from skepticism and influential responses to it. 

4 CreditsHPrerequisites: Take any 1 Philosophy course, or by instructor consent.

PL-340  Philosophy of Art

A study of the main theories about art in the western tradition, with particular attention to classical views as well as modernist conceptions and post-modern critical reactions. 

4 CreditsF,HPrerequisite: AR-110 or permission of instructor.


PHILOSOPHY LOGIC

Take one of the following courses:

PL-105  Introduction to Logic

An analysis of practical reasoning skills, including a systematic approach to informal arguments and the meaning of everyday claims. Aristotelian logic, Venn Diagrams, propositional logic and symbolic logic are included.

4 CreditsH,WK-FR 

PL-208  Symbolic Logic

An introduction to the basics of first-order logic: the concept of artificial language, techniques for symbolizing ordinary languages and arguments, formal inference systems (either truth- free method or natural deduction), and other advanced topics in first-order logic. It has no prerequisites beyond high school algebra.

3 CreditsN,H,WK-FR 


PHILOSOPHY HISTORY

Take one of the following courses:

PL-205  Ancient Philosophy

This course is a historical survey of ancient Greek philosophy which will cover representative figures (including the major pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle and important authors/movements from the Hellenistic period, such as Epicurus, Stoicism and Skepticism).

4 CreditsH,CW 

PL-308  End of History, Death of God

Formerly titled "Hegel to Nietzsche." This course provides an introduction to important philosophical discussions in nineteenth-century philosophy and political thought centered aroundthe Hegelian/Marxist themes of history's end and Nietzsche's attempt to grapple with the implications of what he called "the death of God."

4 CreditsH,WK-HTPrerequisite: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109


PHILOSOPHY ELECTIVES

Complete an additional 1-2 Philosophy courses to reach a minimum of 18 credits in the Secondary Emphasis.


Secondary Emphasis Credit Total = 18

Six credits must be at the 300/400-level.  Any course exception must be approved by the advisor and/or department chair.