Detailed course offerings (Time Schedule) are available for
To see the detailed Instructor Class Description, click on the underlined instructor name following the course description.
PHIL 100 Introduction to Philosophy (5) I&S Baker, A. Moore
Major philosophical questions relating to such matters as the existence of God, the foundations of knowledge, the nature of reality, and the nature of morality. Approach may be either historical or topical. Offered: AWSpS.
Instructor Course Description:
Aaron F. Hebble
Ann Michelle Baker
Brian Lars Enden
Elizabeth E. Goodnick
Jonathan W. Rosenberg
Jonathan D. Peeters
Karen Mazner
Adam Daniel Moore
Michael Rosenthal
Walter S. Clifton
PHIL 101 Philosophical Classics (5) I&S
Selected works of some of the major philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Kant. The philosophers studied vary.
PHIL 102 Contemporary Moral Problems (5) I&S/VLPA Blake, A. Moore
Philosophical consideration of some of the main moral problems of modern society and civilization, such as abortion, euthanasia, war, and capital punishment. Topics vary.
Instructor Course Description:
Asia Ferrin
Jason D. Benchimol
Janice E. Moskalik
Jeramy S. Gee
Karen Mazner
Elizabeth A. Scarbrough
Michael I. Blake
Adam Daniel Moore
Patrick T. Smith
Rachel L. Fredericks
Walter S. Clifton
Sara L. Goering
PHIL 110 Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy (5) I&S Clatterbaugh
An introduction to political theories such as conservatism, liberalism, and socialism and their treatment of select social issues.
Instructor Course Description:
Fareed A. Awan
J Bradley Mchose
Patrick T. Smith
PHIL 114 Philosophical Issues in the Law (5) I&S R. Moore
Analysis and critical assessment of various philosophical issues in law and legal reasoning. Material drawn from actual law cases, as well as writings by contemporary philosophers of law and lawyers. Topics include criminal responsibility, civil disobedience, abortion, enforcement of morals. Special legal or philosophical training not required.
Instructor Course Description:
Elizabeth A. Scarbrough
Ronald M Moore
PHIL 115 Practical Reasoning (5) I&S, QSR Lee
Introduction to logic emphasizing concepts and methods useful for practical analysis of arguments in everyday contexts; meaning, syllogisms, logical diagrams, inductive and statistical inference, informal fallacies, argument structure, perhaps some beginning symbolic logic. Offered: AWSpS.
Instructor Course Description:
Fareed A. Awan
Carole J Lee
Brian Lars Enden
Joseph T. Ricci
Jeramy S. Gee
Mitchell T. Kaufman
Walter S. Clifton
Andrea Sullivan-Clarke
PHIL 120 Introduction to Logic (5) I&S/NW, QSR Fine,Hankinson, Nelson, Manchak, Weller
Elementary symbolic logic. The development, application, and theoretical properties of an artificial symbolic language designed to provide a clear representation of the logical structure of deductive arguments.
Instructor Course Description:
Arthur I Fine
Laurence A Bonjour
Cass J Weller
Brian Lars Enden
Joseph T. Ricci
Jonathan D. Peeters
Jeramy S. Gee
Lynn Hankinson Nelson
John B. Manchak
Mitchell T. Kaufman
Olin M. Robus
PHIL 160 Why Do We Believe in Quarks, Evolution, and Other Crazy Things? Perspectives on Science, Reason, and Reality (5) I&S Hankinson Nelson
Study of how scientific theories are justified and why they are accepted, using selected examples from the history of science.
Instructor Course Description:
Lynn Hankinson Nelson
PHIL 199 New Majors Seminar (2) I&S/VLPA
Introduces undergraduates to the field and to the interests of various faculty. Credit/no-credit only. Prerequisite: one previous PHIL course.
Instructor Course Description:
Laurence A Bonjour
Cass J Weller
Kenneth C. Clatterbaugh
Michael Rosenthal
Stephen M. Gardiner
PHIL 200 Topics in Philosophy (3-5, max. 10) I&S
A study of philosophical topics at the introductory level. The content of the course is entirely at the discretion of the instructor.
Instructor Course Description:
Brian Lars Enden
Joseph T. Ricci
Elizabeth A. Scarbrough
Ronald M Moore
Walter S. Clifton
PHIL 205 Philosophy for Children (5) I&S
Introduction to the methods of "doing" philosophy with young people. Stresses the development of a community of inquiry in which budding philosophers are encouraged to ask their own relevant questions, develop views and articulate reasons for them, and to listen and learn from one another. Credit/no credit only.
Instructor Course Description:
David A. Shapiro
PHIL 206 Philosophy of Feminism (5) I&S Wylie
Philosophical analysis of the concepts and assumptions central to feminism. Theoretical positions within the feminist movement; view of the ideal society, goals and strategies of the movement, intersections of the sex-gender system with other systems of oppression. Offered: jointly with POL S 212/GWSS 206.
Instructor Course Description:
Margaret Alison Wylie
Christine Di Stefano
Rebecca Aanerud
PHIL 240 Introduction to Ethics (5) I&S/VLPA Gardiner, Roberts, Talbott
Critical introduction to various philosophical views of the basis and presuppositions of morality and moral knowledge. Critical introduction to various types of normative ethical theory, including utilitarian, deontological, and virtue theories.
Instructor Course Description:
Benjamin V. Hole
Jason D. Benchimol
Jean Valerie Roberts
Elizabeth A. Scarbrough
Rachel L. Fredericks
Stephen M. Gardiner
William J. Talbott
PHIL 241 Topics in Ethics (5, max. 10) I&S/VLPA
Introduction to ethics through in-depth study of one or more selected topics (e.g., limits of moral community, animal rights, moral education, and freedom). Topics vary.
Instructor Course Description:
Ann Michelle Baker
Jeremy M. Fischer
Jason D. Benchimol
Janice E. Moskalik
Elizabeth A. Scarbrough
Patrick T. Smith
PHIL 242 Introduction to Medical Ethics (5) I&S/VLPA Goering, Schellenberg
Introduction to ethics, primarily for first- and second-year students. Emphasizes philosophical thinking and writing through an in-depth study of philosophical issues arising in the practice of medicine. Examines the issues of medical ethics from a patient' s point of view.
Instructor Course Description:
Amy J. Reed-Sandoval
Fareed A. Awan
Karen Emmerman Mazner
Ingra R. Schellenberg
Jason D. Benchimol
Walter S. Clifton
Sara L. Goering
PHIL 243 Environmental Ethics (5) I&S
Focuses on some of the philosophical questions that arise in connection with environmental studies. Topics to be considered include: the ideological roots of current issues, values and the natural world, public policy and risk assessment, intergenerational justice, and social change. Offered: jointly with ENVIR 243.
Instructor Course Description:
Lauren C. Hartzell
Joseph T. Ricci
PHIL 267 Introduction to Philosophy of Religion (5) I&S Clatterbaugh
Consideration of the sources of religious ideas and practices, the main kinds of religious views and the problems they raise, and the different forms that spirituality can take. Issues concerning the relations of religion to science and morality also treated.
Instructor Course Description:
Kenneth C. Clatterbaugh
Brian Lars Enden
Jonathan D. Peeters
PHIL 301 Intermediate Topics in Philosophy (3-5, max. 10) I&S
Philosophical topics at the intermediate level. Content varies each quarter, depending on instructor.
Instructor Course Description:
Benjamin S. P. Almassi
Jeremy M. Fischer
Jason D. Benchimol
Mary H. Berk
Walter S. Clifton
Stephen M. Gardiner
PHIL 314 Philosophy of Crime and Punishment (5) I&S R. Moore
Examination of philosophical theories regarding criminal habits and punishment and the philosophical problems connected with specific topics in criminal law. Examines proper subject matter of criminal law (drug use, pornography, euthanasia); limits of criminal sanctions; crime and privilege (corporate crime, white-collar crime, blackmail); justifications for punishment; mercy; and execution.
Instructor Course Description:
Janice E. Moskalik
Ronald M Moore
PHIL 320 Ancient Philosophy (5) I&S Roberts, Weller
Survey of ancient Greek philosophy, beginning with the pre-Socratics and proceeding on through Plato to Aristotle.
Instructor Course Description:
Cass J Weller
Jean Valerie Roberts
PHIL 322 Modern Philosophy (5) I&S Baker, BonJour, Clatterbaugh, Rosenthal, Weller
Examination of metaphysical and epistemological problems from the works of Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant.
Instructor Course Description:
Ann Michelle Baker
Cass J Weller
Kenneth C. Clatterbaugh
Brian Lars Enden
Elizabeth E. Goodnick
Jonathan D. Peeters
Michael Rosenthal
PHIL 330 History of Ancient Political Philosophy (5) I&S Roberts
Political philosophy of fourth- and fifth-century Greece, especially the Sophists, Plato, and Aristotle, stressing the connection between the political philosophy and the underlying philosophical system of each philosopher.
Instructor Course Description:
Jean Valerie Roberts
PHIL 332 History of Modern Political Philosophy (5) I&S Blake, BonJour, Clatterbaugh, A. Moore, Talbott
Examination of major political philosophies from the sixteenth century to the nineteenth century, with attention to the underlying philosophical methods and foundations.
Instructor Course Description:
Laurence A Bonjour
Michael I. Blake
Adam Daniel Moore
William J. Talbott
PHIL 334 Philosophy of Marxism (3) I&S Clatterbaugh
Philosophy of Marx and the Marxist tradition with attention to key Marxist concepts such as exploitation, alienation, and historical materialism.
Instructor Course Description:
Kenneth C. Clatterbaugh
PHIL 335 Plato' s Republic (5) I&S/VLPA Keyt
Designed especially for philosophy majors, but open to non-majors. Intensive study of Plato' s masterpiece. Prerequisite: one PHIL course.
Instructor Course Description:
Jeremy M. Fischer
David Keyt
PHIL 338 Philosophy of Human Rights (5) I&S Talbott
Theories of human rights and the bearing of these theories on issues of public policy such as legitimacy of war and terrorism, economic justice, and whether future generations have rights.
Instructor Course Description:
William J. Talbott
PHIL 340 History of Ancient Ethics (5) I&S/VLPA Roberts, Weller
Development of moral thought from Socrates through the Stoics. Particular emphasis on the ethical writings of Plato and Aristotle.
Instructor Course Description:
Benjamin V. Hole
Cass J Weller
Jean Valerie Roberts
PHIL 342 History of Modern Ethics (5) I&S/VLPA Rosenthal, Weller
Development of moral thought from Hobbes through Nietzsche, with particular emphasis on the ethical writings of Hume, Kant, and John Stuart Mill.
Instructor Course Description:
Cass J Weller
Nancy A.S. Jecker
Michael Rosenthal
PHIL 344 History of Recent Ethics (5) I&S/VLPA
Study of major ethical writings in the twentieth century, with principal emphasis on the Anglo-American tradition.
Instructor Course Description:
Andrea I. Woody
Nancy A.s. Jecker
PHIL 345 Moral Issues of Life and Death (5) I&S/VLPA Goering
Examination of such topics as war and murder, famine relief, capital punishment, high-risk technologies, abortion, suicide, and the rights of future generations.
Instructor Course Description:
Ingra R. Schellenberg
Karen Emmerman Mazner
Sara L. Goering
PHIL 346 Personal Values and Human Good (3) I&S Baker, Goering
Examination of the idea of a good human life. Emphases differ from year to year. Typical topics include happiness and prudence, rationality and life plans, personal values and the meaning of life, autonomy and false consciousness, self-respect and self-esteem, honesty and self-deception, faith and "vital lies."
Instructor Course Description:
Ann Michelle Baker
PHIL 347 Philosophy in Literature (5) I&S/VLPA
Study of philosophical ideas expressed in works of literature.
PHIL 350 Introduction to Epistemology (5) I&S Baker, BonJour, Talbott
Nature, definition, and possibility of knowledge.
Instructor Course Description:
Arthur I Fine
William J. Talbott
PHIL 356 Introduction to Metaphysics (5) I&S Baker
Introductory examination of some of the main problems in metaphysics, such as the nature of truth and reality, the metaphysical status of properties, the existence of free will.
PHIL 360 Introductory Topics in Philosophy of Science (5, max. 10) I&S Fine, Hankinson Nelson, Manchak, Woody
Study of one or more current topics in philosophy of science such as scientific realism, explanation, confirmation, causation. Prerequisite: one PHIL course; recommended: PHIL 120; PHIL 160.
Instructor Course Description:
Arthur I Fine
Andrea I. Woody
Lynn Hankinson Nelson
John B. Manchak
PHIL 363 Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind (5) I&S
Various theories of the nature of mind, the relationship between mind and body, the self, introspection, and knowledge of other minds.
Instructor Course Description:
Rachel L. Fredericks
Walter S. Clifton
PHIL 399 Foreign Study (2-5, max. 10)
Upper-division philosophy studies with no direct UW equivalents, taken through UW foreign study programs.
PHIL 401 Advanced Topics in Philosophy (3-5, max 10) I&S
A study of philosophical topics at the advanced level. Topics vary.
Instructor Course Description:
Ann Michelle Baker
Margaret Alison Wylie
Andrea I. Woody
Kenneth C. Clatterbaugh
Bob Alan Dumas
Jeremy M. Fischer
Ingra R. Schellenberg
Michael I. Blake
Adam Daniel Moore
Ronald M Moore
Michael Rosenthal
Stephen M. Gardiner
PHIL 406 Philosophical Topics in Feminism (5) I&S Goering, Hankinson Nelson, Woody
Detailed examination of questions raised by recent feminist scholarship in particular areas of philosophy, such as political theory, ethics, epistemology, or philosophy of science. Emphasis varies.
Instructor Course Description:
Andrea I. Woody
Lynn Hankinson Nelson
Sara L. Goering
PHIL 407 International Justice (5) I&S Blake, Gardiner
Examines issues through investigation of the moral foundations of international politics. Issues include: What moral duties constrain the relationships between states? Is international poverty a matter of moral concern? Are we justified in preferring the interest of our fellow nations? Prerequisite: one course in philosophy.
Instructor Course Description:
J Bradley Mchose
Michael I. Blake
Stephen M. Gardiner
PHIL 408 Philosophy of Diversity (5) I&S Blake
Must a liberal political community respect all claims made on behalf of minority cultural groups? Are there moral limits to the forms of diversity compatible with just governance? Examines modern philosophical writings on these topics. Prerequisite: One philosophy course.
PHIL 409 Philosophy of Disability (3) I&S Goering
Rethinks the non-disabled assumption at the heart of much of western moral and political philosophy. Explores concepts of autonomy, opportunity, personhood, and dependence in regard to disability. Issues may include prenatal testing and reproduction, special education, requirements of accommodation, and social and legal interpretations of disability. Prerequisite: one philosophy course or LSJ/CHID 332, LSJ/CHID 433, or LSJ/CHID or 434.
Instructor Course Description:
Sara L. Goering
PHIL 410 Social Philosophy (5) I&S Clatterbaugh, Talbott,
An examination of topics pertaining to social structures and institutions such as liberty, distributive justice, and human rights.
Instructor Course Description:
Laurence A Bonjour
Kenneth C. Clatterbaugh
J Bradley Mchose
Stephen M. Gardiner
Harald Stelzer
William J. Talbott
PHIL 411 Justice in Health Care (5) I&S/VLPA Jecker
Examination of the ethical problem of allocating scarce medical resources. Emphasizes the fundamental principles of justice that support alternative health policies. Recommended: prior courses in philosophy or ethics. Offered: jointly with B H 474.
Instructor Course Description:
Nancy A.S. Jecker
PHIL 412 Ethical Theory (5) I&S Jecker
Studies the major normative ethical theories, including both teleological and deontological approaches. Emphasizes moral philosophy during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, as well as contemporary commentary. Recommended: one basic course in ethics. Offered: jointly with B H 402.
Instructor Course Description:
Nancy A.S. Jecker
PHIL 413 Metaethical Theory (5) I&S Jecker
Studies the major metaethical theories, including both cognitivist and noncognitivist approaches. Emphasizes moral philosophy during the twentieth century, as well as contemporary commentary. Recommended: one introductory philosophy course. Offered: jointly with B H 404.
Instructor Course Description:
Nancy A.S. Jecker
PHIL 414 Philosophy of Law (3) I&S BonJour, A. Moore, R. Moore
Nature and function of law. Relation of law to morality. Legal rights, judicial reasoning.
Instructor Course Description:
Laurence A Bonjour
Ronald M Moore
PHIL 415 Advanced Topics in Animal Welfare (5) I&S
Critical examination of issues in the philosophy of animal welfare and animal rights. Prerequisite: One philosophy course.
Instructor Course Description:
Lauren C. Hartzell
PHIL 416 Ethics and Climate Change (5) I&S Gardiner
Critical examination of the ethical issues surrounding climate change. Prerequisite: either one philosophy or one environmental studies course. Offered: jointly with ENVIR 416.
Instructor Course Description:
Lauren Hartzell Nichols
Stephen M. Gardiner
PHIL 417 Advanced Topics in Environmental Philosophy (5) I&S Gardiner
Critical examination of issues in environmental philosophy. Topics vary. Prerequisite: one philosophy course. Offered: jointly with ENVIR 417.
PHIL 418 Jewish Philosophy (5) I&S Rosenthal
Introduces the central concepts and themes of Jewish philosophy. Focuses either on debates within a particular historical period - e.g., medieval or modern; or on a topic - e.g., reactions to the Enlightenment or to the Holocaust. Prerequisite: at least one previous course in philosophy. Offered: jointly with JSIS B 418.
PHIL 422 Studies in Continental Rationalism (3, max. 9) I&S Clatterbaugh, Rosenthal
Study of one or more of the major continental Rationalists: Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz.
Instructor Course Description:
Jonathan D. Peeters
Michael Rosenthal
PHIL 426 Twentieth-Century Philosophy (5) I&S Baker, Weller
A study of development of contemporary analytic philosophy, the revolt against idealism, and the linguistic turn in philosophy.
Instructor Course Description:
Cass J Weller
PHIL 430 Hellenistic Philosophy (3) I&S Roberts
Survey of the Epicurean, Stoic, and Skeptic philosophy of the Hellenistic period. Emphasis may vary.
Instructor Course Description:
Jean Valerie Roberts
PHIL 431 Philosophy of Plato (3, max. 6) I&S Keyt, Roberts, Weller
Study of selected middle and late dialogues.
Instructor Course Description:
Jean Valerie Roberts
David Keyt
PHIL 433 Philosophy of Aristotle (3, max. 6) I&S Keyt, Roberts, Weller
Study of several major Aristotelian treatises.
Instructor Course Description:
Cass J Weller
Jean Valerie Roberts
David Keyt
PHIL 436 British Empiricism (3) I&S Baker, BonJour, Weller
Examination of the metaphysical and epistemological views of Locke and Berkeley, with perhaps some attention also to Hume. Prerequisite: either PHIL 322 or PHIL 350.
Instructor Course Description:
Ann Michelle Baker
Cass J Weller
Lynn Hankinson Nelson
PHIL 437 Philosophy of Hume (3) I&S Talbott, Weller
Study Hume' s analyses of knowledge, the passions, and morals.
Instructor Course Description:
Cass J Weller
William J. Talbott
PHIL 438 Philosophy of Kant (5) I&S BonJour, Weller
Systematic study of The Critique of Pure Reason.
Instructor Course Description:
Laurence A Bonjour
Cass J Weller
PHIL 440 Ethics (5) I&S Roberts, Talbott
Critical examination of the concepts and judgments of value, including an analytical treatment of the notions of good and bad, right and wrong, and obligation. Emphasis varies from quarter to quarter.
Instructor Course Description:
Jason D. Benchimol
J Bradley Mchose
Jean Valerie Roberts
William J. Talbott
PHIL 445 Philosophy of Art (5) I&S/VLPA R. Moore
Critical examination of various accounts of the nature of art, artistic activity, the aesthetic experience. Problems in interpretation and evaluation of works of art.
Instructor Course Description:
Ronald M Moore
PHIL 446 Development of Aesthetic Theory (5) I&S/VLPA R. Moore,
Historical development of aesthetics, emphasizing such major figures as Plato, Aristotle, Hume, Kant, Hegel, and Goodman.
Instructor Course Description:
Ronald M Moore
PHIL 450 Epistemology (5) I&S Baker, BonJour, Talbott
Systematic study of some of the main problems of the theory of knowledge, such as: the definition of "knowledge"; a priori knowledge; perception and knowledge of the external world; and whether knowledge has or requires a foundation. Emphasis varies from quarter to quarter.
Instructor Course Description:
Ann Michelle Baker
Laurence A Bonjour
William J. Talbott
PHIL 453 Philosophy of Language (5) I&S/VLPA
Current theories of meaning, reference, predication, and related concepts. Offered: jointly with LING 476.
Instructor Course Description:
Ann Michelle Baker
PHIL 456 Metaphysics (5) I&S Baker, Bonjour
Examination of such topics as freedom of the will, the nature of persons and personal identity, the existence of God, time, necessary truth, and universals. The emphases vary from year to year.
Instructor Course Description:
Ann Michelle Baker
Laurence A Bonjour
PHIL 459 Philosophy of Medicine (5) I&S Jecker , Schellenberg
Familiarizes students with central issues in the philosophy of medicine. Focuses on the nature of medical knowledge, the connection between theory and observation, the meaning of medical concepts, and the relationship between theories and the world. Recommended: prior courses in philosophy, history of science, or history of medicine. Offered: jointly with B H 440.
Instructor Course Description:
Ingra R. Schellenberg
Sara L. Goering
PHIL 460 Philosophy of Science (5) I&S/NW Hankinson Nelson, Manchak, Woody
Critical study of the nature of scientific knowledge. Topics include the relation of theory to observation, the use of mathematics, how theories change, the requirements for the meaningfulness of a theory, and nature of confirmation. Recommended: PHIL 120 or PHIL 160. Prerequisite: one PHIL course.
Instructor Course Description:
Andrea I. Woody
Lynn Hankinson Nelson
John B. Manchak
PHIL 461 Philosophical Anthropology (5) I&S
Investigation of the question, "What is human reality?" Philosophical significance of this question and its relation to the human sciences. Typical answers. Implications of those answers for culture, religion, morals, and politics.
PHIL 463 Philosophy of Mind (5) I&S BonJour, Lee
Examination of current theories of the nature of the mind and mental processes.
Instructor Course Description:
Laurence A Bonjour
Carole J Lee
PHIL 464 Philosophical Issues in the Cognitive Sciences (5) I&S/NW
Philosophical problems connected with research in psychology, artificial intelligence, and other cognitive sciences. Topics vary. Readings from both philosophical and scientific literature. Accessible to nonphilosophers with suitable interests and backgrounds.
Instructor Course Description:
Carole J Lee
PHIL 465 Philosophy of History (3) I&S Baker
Analyses of basic concepts employed in historical interpretation, and study of some of the principal philosophers of history, such as Plato, Saint Augustine, Hegel, Marx, Spengler, Toynbee.
Instructor Course Description:
Ann Michelle Baker
Margaret Alison Wylie
PHIL 466 Philosophy of the Social Sciences (5) I&S Hankinson Nelson, Talbott
Examination of fundamental issues in the foundations, methodology, and interpretation of the social sciences. Topics include value orientation and objectivity, methodological individualism, functionalism, reductionism, and the status of idealized models, including models involving idealized conceptions of individual rationality. Emphasis varies from quarter to quarter.
Instructor Course Description:
Lynn Hankinson Nelson
PHIL 467 Philosophy of Religion (5) I&S Clatterbaugh, Rosenthal
Study of selected topics and problems in the philosophy of religion, such as: arguments for the existence of God; the problem of evil; atheism; faith; religious experience and revelation; the attributes of God; miracles; immortality; and the relation between religion and morality. Readings from historical and contemporary authors.
Instructor Course Description:
Kenneth C. Clatterbaugh
Elizabeth E. Goodnick
Jonathan D. Peeters
Michael Rosenthal
PHIL 470 Intermediate Logic (5) I&S/NW, QSR Fine, Keyt
An introduction to the concepts and methods of metatheory and their application to the sentential calculus.
Instructor Course Description:
Arthur I Fine
David Keyt
PHIL 471 Advanced Logic (5) I&S/NW Keyt
Study of the first-order predicate calculus with identity and function symbols. Consistency, soundness, completeness, compactness. Skolem-Lowenheim theorem. Formalized theories. Prerequisite: PHIL 470.
Instructor Course Description:
David Keyt
PHIL 472 Axiomatic Set Theory (5) I&S/NW Keyt, Townsend
Development of axiomatic set theory up to and including the consistency of the Axiom of Choice and Continuum Hypothesis with the Zermelo-Fraenkel Axioms.
Instructor Course Description:
Bob Alan Dumas
John B. Manchak
Michael E. Townsend
PHIL 473 Philosophy of Mathematics (5) I&S/NW Fine
Study of the traditional accounts of the nature of mathematical entities and mathematical truth given by logicism, intuitionism, and formalism, and the impact of Godel' s incompleteness theorems on these accounts.
Instructor Course Description:
Arthur I Fine
Bob Alan Dumas
PHIL 474 Modal Logic (5) I&S/NW
Notions of necessity and possibility, using the classical systems T, S4, and S5, and the syntax and the semantics (Kripke models) of these systems.
Instructor Course Description:
Bob Alan Dumas
PHIL 479 Semantics II (3) I&S/NW/VLPA Ogihara
Formal characterization of linguistic meaning. Emphasis on nature and purpose of formal semantics and on its relation to formal syntax. Prerequisite: LING 442. Offered: jointly with LING 479.
PHIL 481 Philosophy of Biology (5) I&S/NW Hankinson Nelson
Study of several current topics in philosophy of biology, which may include the logical structure of evolutionary theory, fitness, taxonomy, the concept of a living thing, reductionism, the concept of a biological species, evolutionary explanations, and philosophical consequences of sociology. Recommended: college-level course in biological science. Prerequisite: one PHIL course.
Instructor Course Description:
Lynn Hankinson Nelson
PHIL 482 Philosophy of Physical Science (5, max. 10) I&S/NW Fine, Woody
Study of philosophical issues raised by theories in physics or chemistry, such as whether space (time) is a substance, how causation and locality are treated in quantum mechanics, temporal anistropy and time travel, the nature of a field of force, the reduction of chemistry to physics. Prerequisite: one PHIL course.
Instructor Course Description:
Arthur I Fine
Andrea I. Woody
Lynn Hankinson Nelson
John B. Manchak
PHIL 483 Induction and Probability (5) I&S/NW Manchak
Introduction to current accounts of evidence and observation, the confirmation of scientific theories, the logic of inductive reasoning, and the metaphysics and epistemology of chance. High school-level math used. Specific topics vary from year to year. Prerequisite: PHIL 120.
Instructor Course Description:
John B. Manchak
PHIL 484 Reading in Philosophy (1-5, max. 15)
Individual study of selected philosophical works.
Instructor Course Description:
John B. Manchak
PHIL 490 Advanced Topics in Epistemology (5, max. 15) I&S BonJour, Talbott
Intensive study of a particular topic or area in epistemology. Prerequisite: either PHIL 350 or PHIL 450.
Instructor Course Description:
Laurence A Bonjour
William J. Talbott
PHIL 498 Undergraduate Internship (1-5, max. 10) Baker, Clatterbaugh
Independent fieldwork under the supervision of a faculty member. Individual experiences vary but could include an off-campus practicum or being trained as study group leader or tutor. Offered: AWSp.
PHIL 500 Proseminar in Philosophy (5)
Introduces incoming graduate students to topics representative of the field and the faculty' s interest. Each class session is devoted to a separate topic taught by a different member of the faculty. In addition to reading and short written assignments, students prepare a term paper on a topic presented. Offered: A.
Instructor Course Description:
Andrea I. Woody
Sara L. Goering
PHIL 505 Seminar in Teaching Philosophy (1, max. 10) Baker
First quarter: seminar on topics of importance to a graduate student teaching two quiz sections of a large lecture course. Second quarter: focus on helping student prepare to teach own course. Prerequisite: graduate standing in philosophy. Offered: AW.
Instructor Course Description:
Ann Michelle Baker
PHIL 510 Seminar in Social Philosophy (5, max. 20) Talbott
Instructor Course Description:
Michael I. Blake
Stephen M. Gardiner
William J. Talbott
PHIL 514 Seminar in Legal Philosophy (5, max. 20) R. Moore
Instructor Course Description:
Adam Daniel Moore
Ronald M Moore
PHIL 520 Seminar in Ancient Philosophy (5, max. 20) Keyt, Roberts, Weller
Instructor Course Description:
Cass J Weller
Jean Valerie Roberts
David Keyt
PHIL 522 Seminar in Modern Philosophy (5, max. 20) Clatterbaugh, Osenthal, Weller
Instructor Course Description:
Michael Rosenthal
PHIL 526 Seminar in Recent Philosophy (5, max. 20) Weller
Instructor Course Description:
Cass J Weller
PHIL 538 Philosophy of Human Rights (5, max. 20) Talbott
Instructor Course Description:
William J. Talbott
PHIL 540 Seminar in Ethics (5, max. 20) Goering, Roberts, Schellenberg, Talbott
Instructor Course Description:
Ingra R. Schellenberg
Sara L. Goering
Stephen M. Gardiner
William J. Talbott
PHIL 545 Seminar in the Philosophy of Art (5, max. 20) R. Moore
Instructor Course Description:
Ronald M Moore
PHIL 550 Seminar in Epistemology (5, max. 20) BonJour, Talbott
Instructor Course Description:
Laurence A Bonjour
William J. Talbott
PHIL 556 Seminar in Metaphysics (5, max. 20) Baker, BonJour
Instructor Course Description:
Laurence A Bonjour
PHIL 560 Seminar in the Philosophy of Science (5, max. 20) Fine,Hankinson Nelson, Manchak, Woody
Instructor Course Description:
Arthur I Fine
Margaret Alison Wylie
Andrea I. Woody
Lynn Hankinson Nelson
John B. Manchak
PHIL 563 Seminar in the Philosophy of Mind (5, max. 20) BonJour, Lee
Instructor Course Description:
Carole J Lee
PHIL 564 Seminar in Philosophy of the Cognitive Sciences (5)
Examines philosophical questions raised in and by cognitive sciences, including the nature of explanation, the role of models in explanation, and debates about reductionism versus pluralism in the face of diverse research paradigms.
Instructor Course Description:
Carole J Lee
PHIL 565 Seminar in the Philosophy of History (5, max. 20)
PHIL 566 Seminar in Philosophy of the Social Sciences (5, max. 20) Lee
Instructor Course Description:
Margaret Alison Wylie
Carole J Lee
PHIL 570 Seminar in Logic (5, max. 20) Keyt
Prerequisite: PHIL 470.
Instructor Course Description:
David Keyt
PHIL 574 Meta-archaeology: Philosophy and Archaeology (4) Wylie
Examines philosophical issues raised in and by archaeology, including theories of explanation and model building, analyses of evidential reasoning and hermeneutic interpretation, debates about ideals of objectivity and about science and values. Recommended: ARCHY 570. Offered: jointly with ARCHY 574.
Instructor Course Description:
Margaret Alison Wylie
PHIL 584 Reading in Philosophy (1-5, max. 12)
Intensive reading in philosophical literature. Prerequisite: permission of Graduate Program Coordinator.
PHIL 587 Contemporary Analytic Philosophy (5, max. 20) Baker
PHIL 600 Independent Study or Research (*)
Prerequisite: permission of graduate program coordinator.
PHIL 800 Doctoral Dissertation (*)