Intro Philos of Law

This is an introductory course to the field of philosophy of law. This course introduces students to both contemporary legal theory and a critical philosophical approach to the law from a decolonial and critical race theory. The course is structured into three parts: investigating the nature of law; studying the connection of normative notions (e.g., "authority," "rights," and "powers") with the realm of morality; and focusing on issues of race and the law, and alternative conceptions of property rights. 

Medical Ethics

An exploration of key issues in the area of medical ethics. Following the consideration of relevant philosophical background, discussions include patient autonomy and medical paternalism, informed consent, resource allocation and social justice, reproductive technologies and genetic screening, euthanasia and the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, and the experimental use of human subjects. Prerequisite: one course in philosophy or health studies.

Aesthetics&Philosophy of Art

This course focuses on two overlapping clusters of philosophical questions. The course considers aesthetic problems like: What is beauty? How does one experience it, and where—in nature, in art, in ordinary objects and activities? Are there objective standards for aesthetic judgments? In philosophy of art, the course considers problems like: What makes something a work of art? What is art for? Do artists have moral responsibilities, and can art cultivate our moral sensibilities? Readings are from worldwide philosophical traditions.

Intro Latin American PHI

This course provides a survey of different Latin American philosophical traditions and figures. Against some regimes of knowledge that doubt whether or not such philosophy does exist or could have its own status, the course considers from the very beginning the existence of a Latin American philosophy in its own right and its contributions to theorizing about the very idea of philosophy.

Ethics

An examination of the works of some major moral theorists of the Western philosophical tradition and their implications for understanding the nature of the good life and the sources and scope of moral responsibilities. Enrollment limited to 30.

Colq: Language Acquisition

Offered as PSY 213 and PHI 213. A detailed examination of how children learn their language. Theories of acquisition of word meaning, syntax and pragmatics are examined, as well as methodology for assessment of children’s knowledge. Cross-linguistic and cross-cultural data and perspectives are considered, as well as applications in language therapy and education. Students undertake an original research project using transcript analysis, and read original research literature. Background in linguistics or child development is necessary. Prerequisites: PHI 236 or EDC 235.

Modal Logic

This course provides an in-depth exploration of modal logic, a type of formal logic that extends classical logic to include operators of necessity, possibility, knowledge, belief, time, and obligation. The course covers the syntax and semantics of various modal systems, including propositional (normal and non-normal) and quantified modal logic. Additionally, the course explores philosophical questions regarding modality, including (but not limited to) the ontological status of possible worlds. Prerequisite: PHI 102 or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 40. (E)

Colq: Philosophy

Intensive practice in writing and discussing philosophy and in applying philosophical methods to key problems raised in essays written by members of the philosophy department. The spring semester course must be taken by the end of the student's sophomore year unless the department grants a deferral or the student declares the major itself during the spring of their sophomore year. Minors are encouraged but not required to take the class. Prerequisite: Two college courses in philosophy, one of which may be taken concurrently, or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 20.

The Meaning of Life

Offered as REL 108 and PHI 108. This course asks the big question, "What is the Meaning of Life?" and explores a range of answers offered by philosophers and religious thinkers from a host of different traditions in different eras of human history. It explores a variety of forms of philosophical and religious thinking and considers the ways in which philosophical and religious thinking can be directly relevant to students' lives.
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