This course provides an introduction to critical thinking by emphasizing analytical reasoning. The course examines inductive and deductive reasoning as well as other forms of persuasion. Topics include analysis of arguments, explanations, and informal fallacies that occur in the natural sciences, social sciences (including applied ethics), the humanities, (such as philosophy or art criticism), as well as everyday discourse. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to be developed include identifying and evaluating arguments; recognizing and correcting reasoning errors; constructing arguments based on sound methods of reasoning; and assessing subjects from multiple theoretical points of view.

This course introduces core concepts and methods in philosophy. Topics explored include: reality, knowledge, value/s, truth, self, religion, science, mind, language, beauty, art, and political theory. An effort is made to relate philosophical subjects to the life and experience of college students. Credit will not be awarded for both the honors and regular versions of a course. Credit will be awarded only for the first course completed with a grade of C or better or “P.".

This course introduces core concepts and methods in philosophy. Topics explored include: reality, knowledge, value/s, truth, self, religion, science, mind, language, beauty, art, and political theory. An effort is made to relate philosophical subjects to life and experience of college students. The honors component requires students to engage these subjects with a greater degree of intellectual depth and rigor. Honors work challenges students to be more analytical and creative through expanded assignments, real-world applications and enrichment opportunities. Credit will not be awarded for both the honors and regular versions of a course. Credit will be awarded only for the first course completed with a grade of C or better or “P.”.

This course provides an introduction to ethical theory. Topics include: key ethical terminology, relativism, egoism, utilitarianism, duty theory, virtue ethics, feminist theory, religion and values. In addition, one or more specific contemporary moral issue will be explored such as abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia, discrimination, environmental ethics, war and terrorism. Students will be encouraged to develop a better understanding of themselves as well as to develop a tolerance for differences in societies and culture.

This course provides an introduction to ethical theory. Topics include: key ethical terminology, relativism, egoism, utilitarianism, duty theory, virtue ethics, feminist theory, religion and values. In addition, one or more specific contemporary moral issue will be explored such as abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia, discrimination, environmental ethics, war and terrorism. Students will be encouraged to develop a better understanding of themselves as well as to develop a tolerance for differences in societies and culture. The honors component requires students to engage these subjects with a greater degree of intellectual depth and rigor. Honors work challenges students to be more analytical and creative through expanded assignments, real-world applications and enrichment opportunities. Credit will not be awarded for both the honors and regular versions of a course. Credit will be awarded only for the first course completed with a grade of C or better or “P.”.

This course explores the origins, core concepts and philosophical development of the major religions of Asia. The religions studied include Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto and Zen. Emphasis and analysis is placed upon major figures, sacred texts, and forms of life and worship emanating from these traditions. Students will discuss contemporary applications of the metaphysical, ethical and social ideas found in Eastern religions.

This course explores the origins, core concepts and philosophical development of the major religions of the Near East, Europe and North and South America. The religions studied include Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Baha’i and post Columbian Native American religions. Discussion of contemporary applications of the metaphysical, ethical and social ideas found in western religions is encouraged.

This historical introduction to philosophy traces the development of Western philosophy from early Greece through the Middle Ages, with emphasis upon works of Plato and Aristotle. In addition, philosophical ideas which influenced the Roman Empire and helped shape the rise and development of Christianity and Medieval Europe will be explored.

This course emphasizes the broad epistemological and metaphysical developments in Western philosophy from the 16th century through the 18th-century philosophy. Primary topics and texts include those of Descartes, Leibniz, Spinoza, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant. Immediate predecessors and successors, including Renaissance philosophers, will be examined.

This course studies the elements, principles and methods of formal deductive reasoning. Topics include: basic analysis of arguments, traditional categorical logic, modern propositional logic, and formal and informal fallacies.

This course explores myths, legends and traditional stories from worldwide sources, including: African, Asian, European, Meso-American, Middle Eastern, Native American, and South American among others. Recurring symbols, themes, and concepts will be examined, both independently and cross-culturally, in terms of their appearance in folklore, ritual, religion, literature and the arts.

This course provides an introduction to fundamental concepts exhibited in the world's religions, as well as a critical exploration of reasons for and against widely held religious doctrines. Topics include: the attributes of God, arguments for and against God’s existence, the nature of religious experience, mysticism and miracles, the problem of evil, the possibility of life after death, the contrast between faith and reason, and religious pluralism.

This course provides an introduction to critical thinking by emphasizing logical analysis and analytical writing. The course primarily examines inductive reasoning and its relation to deductive reasoning and other forms of persuasion. Topics include analysis of arguments, explanations, and informal fallacies that occur in the natural sciences, social sciences (including applied ethics), the humanities, (such as philosophy or art criticism), as well as everyday discourse. Critical thinking, writing and problem-solving skills to be developed include identifying and evaluating arguments; recognizing and correcting reasoning errors; constructing arguments based on sound methods of reasoning; assessing subjects from multiple theoretical points of view; composing original work of varying lengths, reflective of course elements.

This course provides an introduction to the concepts and methods of modern symbolic logic. Emphasis is placed on problems of translating English expressions into logical symbols and on the development of skills in using the formal proof procedures of sentential and predicate logic.

Social philosophy studies humans in society from the standpoint of metaphysical and ethical principles and presuppositions of human nature. This course highlights major historical and contemporary perspectives in the history of philosophy and focuses on prominent social philosophers for detailed study. Questions concerning legal and social relationships, purpose in social order, and ethical values in human institutions are explored.

This course explores and compares the origins, beliefs, rituals, and ideals of the major world religions. Religions discussed include: Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Further, one or more of the following traditions may also be examined: Shinto, Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Greek, Roman, as well as indigenous traditions. Credit will not be awarded for both the honors and regular versions of a course. Credit will be awarded only for the first course completed with a grade of C or better or “P.” This course is not available for credit for students who have already received credit in PHIL R103 and R104.

This course explores and compares the origins, beliefs, rituals, and ideals of the major world religions. Religions discussed include: Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Further, one or more of the following traditions may also be examined: Shinto, Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Greek, Roman, as well as indigenous traditions. Honors work challenges students to be more analytical and creative through expanded assignments, real-world applications and enrichment opportunities. Credit will not be awarded for both the honors and regular versions of a course. Credit will be awarded only for the first course completed with a grade of C or better or “P.” This course is not available for credit for students who have already received credit in PHIL R103 and R104.

This course provides an overview of recent and historical ethics, theory and practice, as well as methods of reasoning about values. Typical topics include abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, affirmative action, gender relationships, privacy, animal rights, the environment, war, world hunger, censorship, cloning, and the like. Interdisciplinary and global perspectives will be emphasized.

This course is intended for students interested in furthering their knowledge of philosophy on an independent-study basis. The student and instructor will work together to design course content and/or research. Meeting times and requirements will be determined by the instructor.