Undergraduate Bulletin

Fall 2024

PHI: Philosophy

PHI 100: Concepts of the Person (II)

An introduction to philosophy through readings and discussion on topics such as human identity, human understanding, and human values.

DEC:     B
SBC:     CER, HUM

3 credits

PHI 101: Historical Introduction to Western Philosophy (I)

An introduction to pivotal theories of the Western philosophic tradition. Readings are drawn from ancient Greek, medieval, and modern classics of philosophy. Topics may include philosophic theories of politics, morality, logic, metaphysics, knowledge, anthropology, art, and religion.

DEC:     G
SBC:     HUM

3 credits

PHI 102: Introduction to Philosophical Psychology

An introduction to topics in philosophical psychology, including the nature of perception, emotion, and cognition, theories of mind and other minds, the unconscious and its role in human behavior, animal consciousness, and machine intelligence.

DEC:     G
SBC:     HUM, SBS

3 credits

PHI 103: Philosophic Problems (II)

An introduction to philosophy through the analysis of one or more aspects of contemporary life such as technology, war, international relations, families and friendships, or race, class and gender. A variety of texts are used.

DEC:     B
SBC:     HUM, SBS

3 credits

PHI 104: Moral Reasoning (II)

An introduction to philosophy through inquiry into the formation, justification, and evaluation of moral judgments. Students are introduced to the major theories and problems of ethics, such as utilitarianism, Kant's categorical imperative, ethical relativism, egoism, and classical conceptions of the good and virtue. Against this background students engage in discussions of contemporary moral issues.

DEC:     B
SBC:     CER, HUM

3 credits

PHI 105: Politics and Society (II)

An historical introduction to philosophy through an analysis of political theories, theories of action, and styles of political life. Main themes include the relation of the individual to the state, the scope of social responsibility, and the nature of human freedom.

DEC:     G
SBC:     CER, HUM

3 credits

PHI 108: Logical and Critical Reasoning (II)

The principal aim of this course is to help a student acquire the skills of thinking, reading, and writing critically. The student develops a sensitivity to language and argumentation that is applicable to a wide range of situations and subject matters. Material is intended for freshmen and sophomores.

DEC:     B
SBC:     ESI, HUM

3 credits

PHI 109: Philosophy and Literature in Social Context (III)

The role of literature and philosophy in understanding and critically assessing personal experience and social life. The links among literary texts, philosophical issues, and political and social commitments are explored. Topics include the relations between language and experience, the role of philosophical thinking through literary texts, and the significance of literary expression in different cultural and historical situations. This course is offered as both CLT 109 and PHI 109.

DEC:     B
SBC:     CER, HUM

3 credits

PHI 110: Arts and Ideas (III)

An introduction to the historical and comparative study of the various arts in relation to the philosophical ideas that prevailed at the same time. At least four significantly different historical periods of intense creative activity - such as ancient Greece, the Renaissance, the 18th or 19th century in the West, ancient China, T'ang or Sung dynasty China, Heian or Muromachi period Japan, and the contemporary age - are studied in terms of the interconnections between philosophical theorizing and artistic practice.

DEC:     B
SBC:     HUM

3 credits

PHI 111: Introduction to Eastern Philosophy (I)

An introduction to different systems of Eastern philosophy and the main classical texts drawn from Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Neo-Confucianism Efforts are made to recover the different modes of knowledge, language, identification, and liberation dealt with in these texts.

DEC:     B
SBC:     GLO, HUM

3 credits

PHI 112: Technology and Modern Life

Investigates the history as well as the present and potential future impact of technology and artifacts not only on material human life but also on the human experience of the world. It addresses ethical questions concerning the uses and abuses of technology as well as asking such questions as whether technology is neutral and merely instrumental or should be seen as having a more profound impact on human life.

DEC:     H
SBC:     STAS

3 credits

PHI 113: Philosophical Engineering

We all apply specialized knowledge and tools to solve practical problems. Engineers do it in a special way, using a particular kind of technical knowledge, and particular kinds of tools, to solve society's problems. This course, accessible to the non-engineering major, is an introduction to what makes engineering similar to and different from other kinds of problem-solving. Students discuss the social and humanistic contexts of engineering, its implications for human identity and experience, and its political and ethical implications. For their final projects, students work individually or in teams in a simple engineering project.

DEC:     B
SBC:     HUM, TECH

3 credits

PHI 116: Philosophy of America's Founding

Study of philosophical ideas and authors that influenced and composed the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Understanding how the concepts in these documents connect to such thinkers and philosophers as Locke, Montesquieu, Hume and appear again in the writings of Jefferson, Paine, Madison and the Federalist Papers.

DEC:     G
SBC:     HUM, USA

3 credits

PHI 200: Introduction to Ancient Philosophy (I)

Readings and discussion of the major Greek and Roman thinkers, e.g., the pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, and Plotinus, who had a worldview very different from our own, but also laid part of the foundation for much of the philosophy, theology, science, law, and politics of our own age.

Advisory Prerequisite: U2 standing or one course in philosophy

DEC:     I
SBC:     GLO, HUM

3 credits

PHI 201: Demons to Think With

For hundreds of years, demons have proven useful thinking tools in the humanities as well as the sciences. The course requires reading about demons and learning to code them, but does not require advance knowledge of either demons or coding. Students will learn about demons in art, literature, and life - and to confront them in computing, where they are subversive and destructive, or useful and constructive. Among other things, this course introduces humanists and scientists, and their work, to each other.

SBC:     HUM, TECH

3 credits

PHI 204: Ethics in Artificial Intelligence and Data

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes more pervasive in our world, we confront new questions about how we lead our lives. This course considers ethical problems that AI raises, for instance, surveillance, automated decision-making, bias, alignment with human values, AI and personhood, feminist approaches, race and racism, global approaches, the "black box" problem, transparency and explainability, and superintelligence. In addition to reading classic and contemporary texts, students will generate projects to understand AI technology and its multifaceted role in our lives.

SBC:     CER, TECH

3 credits

PHI 206: Introduction to Modern Philosophy (17th and 18th century) (I)

Readings and discussion of the major thinkers of the 17th and 18th centuries, e.g., Descartes, Leibniz, Spinoza, Hobbes, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant, who all reflect the scientific, philosophical and political revolutions that would lay part of the foundation of our own age.

Advisory Prerequisite: U2 standing or one course in philosophy

DEC:     I
SBC:     GLO, HUM

3 credits

PHI 220: Introduction to Symbolic Logic (II)

This first course in symbolic logic emphasizes the development of systematic techniques for assessing the validity of arguments: truth tables and truth values analysis, Venn diagrams, elementary quantification theory, and deduction in both the propositional calculus and quantification theory.

Prerequisite: satisfaction of entry skill in mathematics requirement or level 2+ on the mathematics placement examination

Advisory Prerequisite: U2 standing or one course in philosophy

DEC:     C
SBC:     QPS

3 credits

PHI 247: Existentialism (I)

Readings in existential philosophy and literature with special emphasis on such themes as alienation, anxiety, nihilism, absurdity, the self, value, death, and immediacy. Existentialist categories are used to interpret contemporary lifestyles and culture.

Advisory Prerequisite: one course in philosophy

DEC:     G
SBC:     CER, HUM

3 credits

PHI 264: Philosophy and the Arts (III)

A study of the arts focusing on the nature of the creative process, methods of interpretation, essential differences among the various arts, and the relation of performance to text.

Advisory Prerequisite: U2 standing or one PHI, ARH, MUS, or THR course

DEC:     D
SBC:     ARTS, HUM

3 credits

PHI 268: Science, Technology, and Society

Examines different topics involving current science and technology issues from different philosophical perspectives. Topics include questions such as what is the nature of inquiry?, what is the nature of discovery?, what is the role of instruments and perception?, what is the nature and role of laboratories?, what are the practical, conceptual, and cultural underpinnings of scientific activity?, what are the possibilities and dangers of research?, what is pseudoscience?, what philosophical, ethical and political issues are raised by current events in science?, and how do science and technology affect our society?

DEC:     H
SBC:     STAS

3 credits

PHI 277: Political Philosophy (II)

An inquiry into the function of philosophic principles in political thought and action, with readings drawn from such authors as Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Spinoza, Hobbes, Locke, Kant, Hegel, Mill, and Dewey.

Prerequisite: one course in philosophy or permission of the department

Advisory Prerequisite: PHI 105

DEC:     G
SBC:     CER, HUM

3 credits

PHI 284: Introduction to Feminist Theory (III)

The social construction of gender and how this construction affects philosophical thought and practice. The course provides an introductory survey of current feminist issues and analyses. It also examines the meaning of feminism for philosophy by examining the effect of introducing a political analysis of gender into a discipline that is supposedly universal and neutral. This course is offered as both PHI 284 and WST 284.

Advisory Prerequisite: U2 standing or one PHI or WST course

DEC:     G
SBC:     CER, HUM

3 credits

PHI 300: Ancient Philosophy (I)

Advanced studies in selected Greek thinkers from the pre-Socratics to the classical Athenian philosophers and the Hellenistic schools.

Prerequisite: two PHI courses or permission of the department

DEC:     I
SBC:     CER, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 304: Medieval Philosophy (I)

Study of the writings of major thinkers from Augustine to William of Ockham.

Prerequisite: two PHI courses or permission of the department

DEC:     I
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

PHI 306: Modern Philosophy (I)

Advanced studies in selected thinkers such as Descartes, Vico, Spinoza, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant.

Prerequisite: two PHI courses or permission of the department

DEC:     I
SBC:     CER, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 308: 19th-Century Philosophy (I)

Study of major figures in 19th-century thought, such as Hegel, Schopenhauer, Marx, Mill, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Spencer, and Comte.

Prerequisite: two PHI courses or permission of the department

DEC:     I
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

PHI 309: 20th-Century Philosophy (I)

A study of selected major philosophical problems and movements during the 20th century, e.g., logical positivism, the problem of induction, incommensurability meta-ethics, the linguistic turn, deconstruction, foundationalism and anti-foundationalism.

Prerequisite: two PHI courses or permission of the department

DEC:     I
SBC:     CER, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 310: American Philosophy (I)

A study of selected major figures in the history of American philosophy, e.g., Jefferson, Emerson, Edwards, James, Peirce, Dewey, Whitehead, and Santayana. American history is viewed through the lens of American philosophies such as pragmatism and transcendentalism.

Prerequisite: two PHI courses or permission of the department

DEC:     K
SBC:     HFA+, USA

3 credits

PHI 312: Phenomenology

This course will explore phenomenology, the globally influential 20th century Continental European philosophical movement devoted to understanding the study of intentionality, its most basic invariant structures, and their relation to time and space, embodiment and embeddedness, and other people. The ways this tradition has been productively taken up by recent cognitive science may be considered. Readings will include such authors as Franz Brentano, Edmund Husserl, Jean Paul Sartre, Martin Heidegger, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and Emanuel Levinas. Not for credit in addition to PHI 312 when offered as Topics in Contemporary European Thought.

Prerequisites: two courses in philosophy or permission of the department

Advisory Prerequisite: One of the following: PHI 200, 206, 247, 300, 304, 306, 309, or 310

DEC:     I
SBC:     GLO, HFA+, SBS+

3 credits

PHI 320: Metaphysics (II)

An inquiry into the first principles of science, art, and action as these are treated by representative classical and modern authors.

Prerequisite: two PHI courses or permission of the department

DEC:     G
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

PHI 325: Contemporary Philosophies of Language (II)

A discussion of current topics in the philosophy of language, semiotics, and literary theory.

Prerequisite: two PHI courses or permission of the department

DEC:     G
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

PHI 330: Topics in Advanced Symbolic Logic (II)

A study of such topics as a natural deduction system of quantification theory including consistency and completeness proofs; axiomatic formal systems and associated concepts of consistency, completeness, and decidability; elementary modal logic; and introductory set theory. With instructor approval, may be repeated as the topic changes.

Prerequisite: PHI 220 or instructor permission

SBC:     STEM+

3 credits

PHI 332: Theories of Knowledge (II)

A study of a variety of conceptions of the structure and content of knowledge as found in classical and contemporary epistemologies. Fundamental methods and principles of philosophical inquiry are applied to questions about the ways in which concepts and theories are generated in the physical and social sciences and to questions about knowledge of what is of value, knowledge in philosophy, and knowledge in the arts.

Prerequisite: two PHI courses or permission of the department

DEC:     G
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

PHI 335: Philosophy of Time (II)

An inquiry into the nature of time as it is treated by philosophers of classical and modern times.

Prerequisite: one course in philosophy and a second course in either philosophy or physics, or permission of the department

DEC:     G
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

PHI 336: Philosophy of Religion (II)

A philosophical analysis of basic concepts, principles, and problems of religious thought. Topics may include faith and knowledge, religion and morality, divine attributes, arguments for and against the existence of God, and the problem of evil.

Prerequisite: one course in philosophy or one course in religious studies; or permission of the department

DEC:     G
SBC:     CER, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 340: Philosophical Traditions of East Asia (I)

A study of influences and confluences among major currents of thought in East Asia, surveying the major debates that shaped the great intellectual traditions of China and their transformation as they were assimilated in Korea and Japan. Particular attention is given to the rise of Neo-Confucian orthodoxy in East Asia and the philosophical and political reasons its basic concepts were challenged during the Ming, late Choson and Tokugawa periods.

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 standing

Advisory Prerequisite: PHI 111 or RLS 240 or RLS 246 or RLS 260

DEC:     J
SBC:     CER, GLO, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 344: Japanese Thought and Philosophy (I)

An examination of major texts in Japan's religious, poetic-artistic, and philosophical traditions down to modern times. Topics may include Tendai, Shingon, Pure Land, and Zen Buddhism; the cultural forms of Shinto religiosity; aesthetic concepts such as miyabi; Tokugawa Neo-Confucianism and its impact on modern Japan; philosophical aspects of the modern Japanese novel; the Kyoto school of Buddhism.

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 standing

Advisory Prerequisite: PHI 111 or RLS 240 or RLS 246 or RLS 260

DEC:     J
SBC:     CER, GLO, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 347: Hermeneutics and Deconstruction (II)

An exploration of the major assumptions, commitments, methods, and strategies of hermeneutics and deconstruction. The course examines how these two recent schools of thought have developed out of the contemporary philosophical scene and how they have had such a significant impact on literary theory, art criticism, text theory, social theory, and the history of philosophy. Readings include selections from the writing of Heidegger, Gadamer, Jauss, Ricoeur, Derrida, Kristeva, Lyotard, Kofman, Irigaray, and others.

Prerequisite: two PHI courses or permission of the department

Advisory Prerequisite: PHI 206, 247, 264, 306, 308, 309, or 312

DEC:     G
SBC:     ESI, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 353: Philosophy of Mind (II)

Analysis of the major problems in the philosophy of mind, e.g., the mind-body problem, the problem of identity through time, the relation between thoughts and sensations, the problem of the knowledge of other minds.

Prerequisite: two courses in philosophy or one in philosophy and one in psychology; or permission of the department

DEC:     G
SBC:     ESI, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 362: Philosophy of Biology

This course will consider the historical origin of biology in philosophical questions about human nature and its relation to nonhuman nature. It will also examine a range of philosophical issues still under investigation in biology and contemporary philosophy. Topics will include such issues as evidence for the theory of evolution, the debate between evolutionary biology and creationism or intelligent design, adaptive fitness, adaptationism, units of selection, systematics, phylogenetic inference, the existence of laws in evolutionary biology, and whether biology is "reducible" to physics. Typically the class will also consider contemporary uses of evolutionary theory to explain features of human mind, behavior, culture, morality, and politics. The latter discussions may feature special attention to "race" and gender and their role in biological science.

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. E or SNW course

DEC:     H
SBC:     STAS

3 credits

PHI 363: Philosophy of the Social Sciences (III)

A study of the philosophical foundations of the social sciences, applying principles and methods of philosophical analysis to questions concerning the structures of social reality, the methodological and epistemological status of the social sciences, and the criteria for evidence and theory formation in the social sciences.

Prerequisite: one course in philosophy and completion of one D.E.C. category F or SBS course; or permission of the department

Advisory Prerequisite: PHI 105, 206, 249, or 277

DEC:     G
SBC:     HFA+, SBS+

3 credits

PHI 364: Philosophy of Technology (III)

A systematic study of the interrelations of human beings and their social institutions with the surrounding world of nature and of technological artifacts. The impact of technological culture on human beliefs and perceptions of the world is explored. This course is interdisciplinary in scope, with readings from philosophy, anthropology, literature, history, environmental studies, and other areas where technology is of concern.

Prerequisite: one course in philosophy; one D.E.C. E or SNW course; or permission of the department

DEC:     H
SBC:     STAS

3 credits

PHI 365: Philosophy and Computers (III)

An investigation of topics at the interface between philosophy and computation drawing on classical and contemporary sources. Philosophical questions about computers, computation, information, logic, language, and mind, and the prospects for computer modeling as a tool in philosophical investigation.

Prerequisite: one PHI or CSE course

Advisory Prerequisite: PHI 220

DEC:     H
SBC:     TECH

3 credits

PHI 366: Philosophy of the Environment (III)

Philosophical questions raised by human relations with the natural world, ranging from basic concepts such as nature, ecology, the earth, and wilderness, to the ethical, economic, political, and religious dimensions of current environmental problems, including the question of whether there are values inherent in nature itself beyond those determined by human interests alone. This course is offered as both PHI 366 and SUS 366.

Prerequisite: PHI 104 or PHI 105

DEC:     G
SBC:     CER, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 367: Philosophy of War and Peace (III)

An investigation into the philosophical issues raised by war and peace. Topics may include theories of just war, the relationship between authority, state power and war, and the relationship between reason and the violent nature of history. The question of the origins, perseverance, and need of war, as well as what is peace and how it may be attained will be considered through the study of philosophers such as Plato, Aquinas, Kant, Hegel, Marx, William James, Hannah Arendt, and contemporary thinkers.

Prerequisite: one PHI course or permission of the department

Advisory Prerequisite: PHI 104 and 105

DEC:     G
SBC:     CER, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 368: Philosophy of Science (III)

A course in the philosophy of science using both historical and contemporary materials. Methodological issues discussed include scientific explanation and prediction, the structure of theories, the nature of scientific revolutions, and the role of laws in science. Philosophic problems in understanding specific sciences and their relation to each other are also considered, as are their relations to other areas of philosophic concern, such as metaphysics.

Prerequisite: one PHI course and one D.E.C. E or SNW course; or permission of the department

Advisory Prerequisites: PHI 206

DEC:     H
SBC:     STAS

3 credits

PHI 369: Philosophy of Mathematics (III)

An investigation of philosophical issues that arise in mathematics. Topics include foundational issues within mathematics (logicism, formalism, intuitionism, and platonism, as well as recent theories of mathematical naturalism); the nature and existence of mathematical objects; the nature of mathematical truth; the concept of set; reinterpretations of the history of mathematics.

Prerequisite: PHI 220 or permission of the instructor

SBC:     STEM+

3 credits

PHI 370: Philosophical Psychology (III)

An examination of philosophical issues and some psychological theories concerning the nature of the person and the sources of the self. The course includes such topics as the dimensions of the person, the nature of conscious life, the scope of human cognition, and gender identity.

Prerequisite: one PHI course and PSY course; or permission of the department

Advisory Prerequisite: PHI 100 or 104

DEC:     G
SBC:     HFA+, SBS+

3 credits

PHI 371: Literature and Justice (III)

This course focuses on the theme of justice in literature and investigates the relation of literature to the law and to philosophical accounts of justice. Readings include literary texts centered on questions of justice, fairness, and moral agency, as well as theoretical works that analyze the role of literature in legal education and judicial decision-making. This course is offered as both CLT 371 and PHI 371.

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. B or HUM course; U3 or U4 status

DEC:     G
SBC:     CER, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 372: Ethical Inquiry (II)

An intensive study of the methodological principles governing the formation of ethical theories and ethical judgments through an investigation of selected ethical problems.

Prerequisite: PHI 104 or two courses in Philosophy; or permission of the department

Advisory Prerequisites: PHI 108, 200, 206, 300, 304, 306, 308, 309, or 366

DEC:     G
SBC:     CER, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 373: Philosophy in Relation to Other Disciplines (III)

The study of philosophy as it affects and is affected by other disciplines such as anthropology, science, sociology, the history of ideas, theology, and psychology. May be repeated as the topic changes.

Prerequisite: two PHI courses or permission of the department

DEC:     G
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

PHI 374: Bioethics

Provides students with the opportunity to conduct research and pursue advanced readings in the field of bioethics. Readings may include foundational articles in bioethics, recent work in feminist bioethics, as well as narratives of illness. The class will analyze one or more contemporary issues in bioethics, such as experimentation with human subjects, migration of care workers, medical tourism or disability. The course will also include attention to the connection between health and social justice, considering problems such as hunger, obesity, and food justice or the just allocation of health care resources.

Prerequisite: two PHI courses or permission of the department

DEC:     G
SBC:     CER, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 375: Philosophy of Law (III)

An examination of the concept of law and the nature of legal reasoning. The course explores the relationship of law to other central philosophical and social ideas such as freedom, rights, morality, authority, welfare, property, justice, equality, and constitutionalism.

Prerequisite: PHI 104 or PHI 105 or two courses in philosophy; or permission of the department

DEC:     G
SBC:     CER, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 376: Philosophy and Medicine (III)

Focuses on such topics as the philosophical foundations of concepts of health and disease; concepts of right, responsibility, and justice relevant to medical practice; promise-keeping and truth-telling in the doctor-patient relationship.

Prerequisite: two PHI courses or permission of the department

DEC:     G
SBC:     CER, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 377: Contemporary Political Philosophy (II)

A critical examination of selected issues in contemporary political philosophy, for example, the nature and justification of basic rights, the legitimization of political authority, and the various relations between ideals of social justice and democratic rule. Readings represent contemporary views such as libertarianism, liberalism, socialism, communitarianism, and feminism, and include selections by authors such as Arendt, Dworkin, Foucault, Habermas, Pateman and Rawls. Not for additional credit if POL 377 was completed previously.

Prerequisite: PHI 105 or PHI 277; or two courses in philosophy; or one course in philosophy and one in political science; or permission of the department

SBC:     CER, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 378: Philosophical Topics in Asian American History (III)

Analysis and interpretation of Asian and American literature, film, law, and history to understand the experiences of Asians in the Americas and to reconceptualize the concepts of power, race, class, gender, and ethnicity from the era of the early immigration period through the present day, placed within a broad historical context, including consideration of social, political, economic, and cultural history and institutions. Semester supplements to this Bulletin contain specific description when course is offered. May be repeated as the topic changes.

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 standing

Advisory Prerequisite: One course in philosophy

DEC:     K
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

PHI 379: Philosophy of Race (III)

Examination of our assumptions about race and the impact of those assumptions on issues concerning gender, class, and sexuality throughout American history. Readings include critical race theory, feminist theory, and critical legal theory. Students examine racial issues from a philosophical perspective and consider the ways in which representations of race may reinforce patterns of power and privilege. This course is offered as both AFH 379 and PHI 379.

Prerequisite: one PHI course

DEC:     K
SBC:     CER, HFA+, USA

3 credits

PHI 380: Literature and Philosophy (III)

An intensive study of the methods and principles of the philosophical analysis of literature and the relations between literature and philosophy. Primary texts are selected to demonstrate the precise nature of the relationship. Semester Supplements to this Bulletin contain description when course is offered. May be repeated as the topic changes.

Prerequisite: one PHI course

DEC:     G
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

PHI 381: Aesthetics (II)

An intensive study of methods and principles specific to the philosophical analysis of art through selected classical texts in aesthetics (e.g., Plato's Phaedrus, Aristotle's Poetics, Kant's Critique of Judgment, and Nietzsche's The Birth of Tragedy). Discussions focus on such problems as the ontology of the work of art, its epistemological significance, the relation between fact and fiction, criteria of interpretation, or the political import of art. Readings in the classical texts may be supplemented by selections from contemporary authors.

Prerequisite: one PHI course and one course in D.E.C. D or ARTS; or permission of the department

Advisory Prerequisite: PHI 109 or PHI 110; PHI 264

DEC:     G
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

PHI 382: The Quantum Moment: Quantum Mechanics in Philosophy, Culture, and Life (III)

This course explores the implications and influence, real and alleged, of quantum mechanics on fields other than physics. What does quantum mechanics mean, if anything, for philosophy, ethics, and social behavior? At the same time, we shall look into how social and cultural influences may have affected the way that quantum mechanics was formulated, and how it has evolved. We shall review the early history of quantum mechanics, and discuss some of the important debates at the founding of quantum mechanics. Students will not be expected to learn the mathematics in depth, only the introduction provided by the instructors aimed at non-science students. Besides readings, the course will also involve plays, films, and guest speakers. Students will be expected to work on a final project, to be presented in class. This course is offered as both PHI 382 and PHY 382.

Prerequisite: one Physics or Philosophy course and U3 or U4 standing

DEC:     H
SBC:     STAS

3 credits

PHI 384: Advanced Topics in Feminist Philosophy (III)

An intensive philosophical study of selected topics of feminist concern. Topics are selected to further the understanding of what effect feminism has upon traditional areas of philosophy as well as providing a detailed understanding of particular feminist theories. Semester supplements to this Bulletin contain specific description when course is offered. May be repeated as the topic changes. This course is offered as both PHI 384 and WST 384.

Prerequisite: one PHI course or one WST course

Advisory Prerequisite: PHI/WST 284

DEC:     G
SBC:     CER, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 390: Topics in Philosophy (either I, II, or III)

May be repeated as the topic changes.

Prerequisites: Two courses in philosophy

1-3 credits

PHI 395: Junior Seminar

An intensive study of an issue, topic, figure, or historical period in philosophy intended to provide an induction into the method and techniques of scholarly philosophy for junior philosophy majors. This seminar emphasizes careful reading, rigorous discussion, and extensive writing at an advanced level. The content of the seminar is announced before the start of the term, and students are consulted on the content as it proceeds.

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 standing; declared PHI major

SBC:     ESI

3 credits

PHI 400: Advanced Seminar on Ancient Western Philosophy

An in-depth reading of a few but fundamental texts of classical antiquity covering Greek, Roman, and Late Antiquity philosophers, such as the pre-Socratics, the classical Athenian philosophers, the Hellenistic schools, and Academic, Middle or Neo-Platonism.

Prerequisite: PHI 300 or PHI 395

3 credits

PHI 401: Individual Systems of the Great Philosophers (I)

A detailed study of the works of a single great philosopher. May be repeated as the topic changes.

Prerequisite: one of the following: PHI 300, 304, 306, 308, 309, 310, or 312

DEC:     G
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

PHI 402: Analysis of Philosophic Texts (I)

Detailed analysis of a major philosophic text. May be repeated as the topic changes.

Prerequisite: one of the following: PHI 300, 304, 306, 308, 309, 310, or 312

DEC:     G
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

PHI 406: Advanced Seminar on Modern Western Philosophy

Advanced Seminar on key texts in Modern Philosophy beginning in the 17th century through the 18th century from philosophers such as Descartes, Hobbes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Malebranche, Hume, Kant, and Thomas Reid.

Prerequisite: PHI 306 or PHI 395

3 credits

PHI 420: Advanced Topics in Philosophy (either I, II, or III)

An advanced course treating a specialized issue or topic in philosophy or in philosophy and another discipline. The content of the course is announced before the start of the term. May be repeated as the topic changes.

Prerequisite: U4 standing or five courses in philosophy

3 credits

PHI 444: Experiential Learning

This course is designed for students who engage in a substantial, structured experiential learning activity in conjunction with another class. Experiential learning occurs when knowledge acquired through formal learning and past experience are applied to a "real-world" setting or problem to create new knowledge through a process of reflection, critical analysis, feedback and synthesis. Beyond-the-classroom experiences that support experiential learning may include: service learning, mentored research, field work, or an internship.

Prerequisite: WRT 102 or equivalent; permission of the instructor and approval of the EXP+ contract (http://sb.cc.stonybrook.edu/bulletin/current/policiesandregulations/degree_requirements/EXPplus.php)

SBC:     EXP+

0 credit, S/U grading

PHI 458: Speak Effectively Before an Audience

A zero credit course that may be taken in conjunction with any PHI course that provides opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes of the Stony Brook Curriculum's SPK learning objective.

Pre- or corequisite: WRT 102 or equivalent; permission of the instructor

SBC:     SPK

0 credit, S/U grading

PHI 459: Write Effectively in Philosophy

A zero credit course that may be taken in conjunction with any 300- or 400-level PHI course, with permission of the instructor. The course provides opportunity to practice the skills and techniques of effective academic writing and satisfies the learning outcomes of the Stony Brook Curriculum's WRTD learning objective.

Prerequisite: WRT 102; permission of the instructor

SBC:     WRTD

0 credit, S/U grading

PHI 472: Topics in Asian Philosophy (I)

Designed for upper-division students, this course presents in-depth study of a specific topic in an Asian philosophical tradition. Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge through mastery of native terms and concepts from that tradition. May be repeated as the topic changes. This course is offered as both AAS 472 and PHI 472.

Advisory Prerequisite: two courses in PHI, in AAS or one in each

DEC:     J
SBC:     ESI, HFA+

3 credits

PHI 473: Orientalism

Investigation of the history and theory of Western engagement with Asian cultures. Following from Edward Said's influential book Orientalism, we examine the alleged imperialism inherent in the study of the Orient, also considering some opponents of Said's thesis. Special attention is paid to the history of interpretation of Asian philosophies in the West, and of Asian postcolonial responses to such portrayals. We conclude by exploring the possibilities for post-orientalist approaches to the study of Asia. This course is offered as both AAS 473 and PHI 473.

Advisory Prerequisite: two courses in PHI, in AAS or one in each

DEC:     J
SBC:     HFA+

3 credits

PHI 475: Undergraduate Teaching Practicum I

Work with a faculty member as an assistant in one of the faculty member's regularly scheduled courses. The student is required to attend all the classes, do all the regularly assigned work, and meet with the faculty member at regularly scheduled times to discuss the intellectual and pedagogical matters relating to the course.

Prerequisites: Prior preparation in subject field; need to have already taken the course for a letter grade with the faculty member; no more than one undergraduate teaching practicum course per semester; permission of instructor and director

SBC:     EXP+

3 credits, S/U grading

PHI 476: Undergraduate Teaching Practicum II

Work with a faculty member as an assistant in one of the faculty member's regularly scheduled courses. Students assume greater responsibility in such areas as leading discussions and analyzing results of tests that have already been graded. Students may not serve as teaching assistants in the same course twice.

Prerequisites: PHI 475; prior preparation in subject field; need to have already taken the course for a letter grade with the faculty member; no more than one undergraduate teaching practicum course per semester; permission of instructor and director

SBC:     EXP+

3 credits, S/U grading

PHI 487: Readings and Research in Philosophy (II)

Advanced-level inquiry with individualized instruction in one particular philosophical style of reasoning. Consult undergraduate advisor for specific details. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: U4 standing in philosophy major; need to have already taken a regular course prior with the faculty member; no more than one independent study/directed readings in philosophy course per semester; permission of department

0-6 credits

PHI 489: Readings and Research in the History of Philosophy (I)

Advanced-level inquiry with individualized instruction in the great philosophies of the past. Consult undergraduate advisor for specific details. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: U4 standing in philosophy major; permission of department

0-6 credits

PHI 490: Readings and Research in Philosophical Investigations of Other Disciplines (III)

Advanced-level inquiry with individualized instruction in the application of philosophical tools to one of the special disciplines. Consult undergraduate advisor for specific details. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: U4 standing in philosophy major; permission of department

0-6 credits

PHI 495: Philosophy Honors Thesis

A one-semester project for philosophy majors who are candidates for the degree with honors. The project involves independent study and the writing of a senior thesis under the close supervision of an appropriate faculty member in conjunction with two other courses at the 300 level or higher, concentrated on related aspects of a central problem. The project must be approved before the start of the student's senior year. On completion, the thesis is reviewed by the advisor and one other member of the Philosophy faculty and by a faculty member from outside the Department. The honors thesis is then the focus of an oral examination. Honors are awarded upon passage of the examination.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

3 credits