Courses

PHIL 101

Introduction to Philosophy

Selected problems of philosophy and some alternative solutions. Readings from contemporary and historical philosophers. Seniors admitted only by permission of instructor.

Distribution Area	Prerequisites	Credits
Arts and Humanities		1 course

Fall Semester information

Jeremy Anderson

101A: Intro to Philosophy: Big Questions

Does God exist, and can we prove it? What can we know about the world outside our minds? Are we free? How should we live? We will read, discuss, and critique philosophical works on these questions from ancient times to the present. Requirements will include written responses to readings, short papers, exams, and participation.

Erik Wielenberg

101B: Intro to Philosophy: Big Questions

This course introduces students to some of the central topics and methods of philosophy. The course will focus on these questions: What should we do about injustice? How well do we know ourselves? Where does consciousness come from? Does God exist? The readings for the course are drawn from a bewildering variety of classic and contemporary sources. Requirements include tests, papers, and several unannounced quizzes.

Jennifer Everett

101C: Intro to Philosophy: Get it, Girl

This course aims to introduce the field of philosophy in a way that's explicitly attuned to voices that have been missing or marginalized in the Western canon. This class is for students of any race, gender, culture, etc. who are curious about philosophy. You must be willing to study challenging texts - including but not limited to works considered part of the Western canon - and to think hard, discuss collegially, and write extensively about the difficult questions they raise concerning knowledge, reality, ethics, and society. The relevance of social identities, structures, and power relations to such questions will be a consistent theme.

David Holiday

101D: Intro to Philosophy: Big Questions in Practical Philosophy

This course provides an accessible introduction to philosophy through a survey of some classic and contemporary philosophical perspectives on perennial questions relating to life and action. Topics covered will include: the objectivity of ethical values; the relationship between religion and morality; how best to determine "the right thing to do"; what kind of person we should strive to be; and the role of friendships, care, and community in a good life. Emphasis will be placed on the development of philosophical skills, such as argument analysis and evaluation, critical reasoning, clear expression, and productive dialogue.