Course Descriptions
Core 42 approved
PHI 150: Introduction to Philosophy 3-0-3 (MOTR PHIL100)
This course will familiarize the student with the major categories of classic, Western philosophical tradition, ranging from antiquity to the modern era. Students will explore the positions of major philosophical thinkers as they comment on the categories under discussion. Interpretation and communication of the philosophical works of each writer are analyzed. (FA, SP, SU)
PHI 150H: Introduction to Philosophy (Honors) 3-0-3 (MOTR PHIL100)
This course will familiarize the student with the major categories of classic, Western philosophical tradition, ranging from antiquity to the modern era. Students will explore the positions of major philosophical thinkers as they comment on the categories under discussion. Interpretation and communication of the philosophical works of each writer are analyzed. Honors sections of Introduction to Philosophy stress critical thinking and requires completion of an additional significant project beyond non-honors sections of the course. (FA, SP)
PHI 151: Introduction to Logic 3-0-3 (MOTR PHIL101)
PHI 151 is an introduction to the principles and methods of logic. Deduction, induction, informal fallacies, and other means of valid reasoning are emphasized. (FA, SP)
PHI 152: Introduction to Ethics 3-0-3 (MOTR PHIL102)
Students will examine various moral philosophers’ attempts to prescribe ethical norms applicable to humanity. This course also focuses on the fundamental principles of moral right and wrong and their applications. (FA, SP, SU)
PHI153: Bioethics 3-0-3
This course will philosophically investigate issues arising in the field of bioethics. Theoretical issues will include basic ethical theory, focusing especially on autonomy, justice, beneficence, and nonmaleficence. Topics may include reproduction, euthanasia, informed consent, medical experimentation on human beings, genetic engineering, cloning, stem cell research. (FA,SP,SU,IN)
PHI 155: Introduction to the Bible 3-0-3
Critically examines the Bible both as a literary and cultural object and as a sacred text. Explores the development of the text over time with an emphasis upon the genre, narrative, and theological synthesis as well as the canonization process. Surveys how the text is used in prior and contemporary theo-political settings.
PHI 157: War, Peace, and Religion 3-0-3
This course examines the religious philosophies of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism concerning the issues of war and peace, including the concepts of just war theory and pacifism. (FA)
PHI 251: Religions of the World 3-0-3 (MOTR RELG100)
This course focuses on the impact that religions have had on history and humanity. The basic beliefs and lifestyles of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are presented. (FA, SP)
PHI 252: Hebrew Bible 3-0-3 (MOTR RELG1010)
This course introduces the Hebrew Bible, used as a sacred text in several religious traditions. Through the course, students will become familiar with the Tanakh, how it has formed and been used by various religious and cultural traditions. Emphasis is placed on using historical, genre, and narrative criticism as means to encounter the text.
PHI 253: Early Christian Sacred Texts 3-0-3 (MOTR RELG 101N)
Christians wrote and wrestled over many texts in the first 300 years of the religion. We will explore these texts as well as the conversations around them, leading up their adoption into or exclusion from what is known today as the New Testament. Emphasis will be upon the social and theological problems in these early communities that occasioned the crafting of the texts.