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Courses

A summary of each course to help with your selection.

Academic Year

Programs

Course ID

Course ID	Course
PHIL 382	PHIL 382 Cognitive Science of Religion Course Credits: 3 An historical and thematic overview of the cognitive science of religion, introducing students to major figures, themes, methods, models, and results from the discipline. A major emphasis is understanding cognitive processes important for sustaining belief in supernatural agents, afterlife beliefs, prayer, and rituals. Students will also investigate the philosophical implications of the scientific data, connecting the cognitive science of religion to issues such as the rationality of religious belief and the lived experience of religious believers. Cross-listed: PSYC 382 Prerequisite(s): 3 sem. hrs. of PHIL or PSYC
PHIL 383	PHIL 383 Reason & Belief in God Course Credits: 3 A survey of central issues arising from the question, Is belief in God rational? Topics include arguments concerning the existence of God, religious pluralism, natural science and religious belief, religious language, and critiques of natural theology from Kierkegaard and Reformed Epistemology. Cross-listed: RELS 383 Prerequisite(s): 3 sem. hrs. of Philosophy or third-year standing
PHIL 384	PHIL 384 Suffering & Belief in God Course Credits: 3 An examination of key issues pertaining to suffering and belief in God. Topics include the problem of evil, arguments from suffering, original sin, everlasting suffering, and providence. Cross-listed: RELS 385 Prerequisite(s): 3 sem. hrs. of Philosophy or third-year standing
PHIL 390	PHIL 390 Existentialism Course Credits: 3 Through the profound questions they ask about human life, we explore the verities of human embodiment from the theist (Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky, Heschel, and Percy) and from the non-theist (Nietzsche, Hesse, Heidegger, Camus, and Sartre) existentialist perspectives: Are there invariants within the human condition? Is human identity essentially tied to its historical-cultural embodiment? Do humans have an essence or nature? Are humans fundamentally different from all other animals? Is there meaning to human life? Are human relationships doomed to failure? Are humans capable of authentic lives? Is the notion of God merely a comforting projection arising out of human weakness? Etc. Prerequisite(s): Second-year standing or 3 sem. hrs. of Philosophy NB: Not offered every year. See department chair.
PHIL 412	PHIL 412 Issues in Contemporary Philosophy Course Credits: 3 Central issues arising in twentieth century philosophy, particularly within the Anglo-American analytic movement. Recent topics have included the rise and demise of logical positivism, the philosophy of Wittgenstein, Rorty's attack on the Mirror of Nature, and issues raised by continental European philosophy. Prerequisite(s): 9 sem. hrs. of Philosophy and third-year standing NB: Not offered every year. See department chair.
PHIL 415	PHIL 415 Contemporary Political Philosophy Course Credits: 3 This course examines the political thought of twentieth century political philosophers, primarily from the Western political tradition. Attention is given to selected primary and secondary literature of contemporary political theorists. Systematic examination of different theorists encourages a broader understanding of the rich tradition of political philosophy in the twentieth century. Cross-listed: POLS 415 Prerequisite(s): 6 sem. hrs. of Political Studies including POLS 101
PHIL 418	PHIL 418 Social & Political Concepts of Community in Contemporary Political Theory Course Credits: 3 Provides the student with an in-depth study of the social and political concepts of community. Attention is focused on how recognition of community brings into play the tension between individual and collective/group rights. Course lectures, reading assignments, and in class discussion provide an overview of the following topics: interpretation/hermeneutics of community, roots of community theory, myth of community, quest for community, Christian community, recognition of minority communities in politics, problems associated with the concept of community, recognition of group rights, the liberal-communitarian debate over community, and the problems associated with communitarian theory. Cross-listed: POLS 418/SOCI 418 Prerequisite(s): 6 sem. hrs. of Philosophy and third-year standing
PHIL 420	PHIL 420 Authors Course Credits: 3 A study of a major philosopher or philosophical system. Involving substantial reading and the writing of a major paper, the course is available by special request to students who already have at least a minor in Philosophy, on a directed study basis. Prerequisite(s): Philosophy major or instructor's consent NB: Not offered every year. See department chair.
PHIL 421	PHIL 421 Postmodern Philosophy Course Credits: 3 An in-depth investigation into major postmodern texts. Authors considered include Nietzsche, Foucault, Derrida, and their critics. Both the philosophical and historical foundations of modernism and postmodernism will be explored. The historicist focus on the origins and contexts of these ideas will receive considerable attention. Prerequisite(s): 6 sem. hrs. of Philosophy NB: Not offered every year. See department chair.

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