|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Course Criteria
Add courses to your favorites to save, share, and find your best transfer school.
-
4.00 Credits
Two hundred years ago, scientists did not have a clear conception of the difference between the organic (living) and the inorganic (non-living.) This course explores the philosophical assumptions underlying attempts to understand the nature of life and of living organisms and what constitutes the differences, if any, between the living and the non-living. What is Life? Students examine issues of contemporary interests, such as evolution, the importance of biodiversity and genetic determinism.
-
4.00 Credits
Do traditional answers to philosophical questions reflect male viewpoints and ways of thinking? Are there alternative philosophical positions that reflect female ways of thinking? To answer these questions, this course will include: an examination of some philosophers' views of women; an assessment of feminist and feminine critiques of the philosophy of knowledge and of the nature of morality; and a consideration of contemporary moral problems concerned with women's issues, such as pornography and reproductive technologies.
-
4.00 Credits
Philosophy and law are intimately connected, and many of the fundamental questions about the law are philosophical questions. Specific topics include the nature of law and crime; the relationship between law and morality; liability and responsibility (including insanity and the law); punishment and capital punishment; civil rights and preferential treatment; and alternative theories of justice. A combination of readings, case studies and discussion.
-
4.00 Credits
This course examines the history of conceptions of nature expressed by philosophers and scientists from antiquity to the 20th century. It begins with the construction of Aristotle's theoretical framework and its final overthrow by Newton during scientific revolution. It then examines how Newton's framework was modified and challenged by the development of modern ideas of nature, including those of Darwin and Einstein. Issues covered in the course include: whether nature operates according to the laws of blind necessity; whether it reveals evidence of purposeful or divine action; and whether or not chance plays a role in the appearance and operation of natural phenomena.
-
4.00 Credits
This course gives students a concise background in ethical reasoning and ethical theories and applies these theories to specific moral issues in business, using current cases and practices. The following general considerations will guide the class: What is the relationship between property and one's ethical rights and responsibilities? What is the relationship between the most profitable and the moral? What is the social purpose and justification for business, if any? We will approach these questions by looking at current issues, including the role of the free market, business liability and consumer protection, business and the environment, and ethical considerations in employee relations. The course is a combination of lecture and discussion, with an active emphasis on critical thinking and analytical writing.
-
4.00 Credits
The course covers the history of Buddhist thought and practice as it evolved in India and then migrated to Southeast Asia, China, Tibet, Korea, Japan, and most recently to Europe and the United States. It begins with the historical Buddha's life, his teachings and the competing schools of thought that dominated Northeastern India during his time. It continues through the study of Indian Buddhism after the Buddha's death, including the early Buddhist schools, the development of the Mahayana, the great philosophers Nagarjuna and Vasubandu, and the emergence of Tantric forms of Buddhism. From the foundations of Indian Buddhism, students examine how the religion was interpreted and expressed in its many cultural forms, such as Thervavada, Dzogchen, Zen, T'ien Tai and Pureland.
-
4.00 Credits
Biomedical ethics seeks to help students become familiar with the ethical theories that philosophers, physicians, biomedical researchers, and other thinking people have used in coming to understand themselves and their world. Students have the opportunity to apply these theories to some of the most important moral problems in medicine and the biomedical sciences. The course emphasizes critical reasoning and analysis, with the goal of developing students' ability to distinguish well-supported from poorly supported positions. As the life and death issues of biomedicine are explored, students should begin to understand the complexity of our moral problems and the need for a careful, rigorous and sensitive approach to these problems.
-
4.00 Credits
Human activities have changed conditions on earth on a massive scale and threaten to cause the greatest mass extinctions since the end of the dinosaur age. The world population continues to grow, resulting in the degradation of air, water and land and the depletion of natural resources. However, people need to be fed and sheltered and our demand for energy continues to grow. Such environmental problems raise important questions on how we should live. What obligations do we have concerning the environment? What justifications can we give for the protection of wildlife, land and water? Does nature have value apart from human needs? What do we owe future human beings? Are some parts of nature more valuable than others? This course examines and assesses critically various responses to these and other questions.
-
4.00 Credits
An in-depth study of some great philosopher, historical movement, or period in philosophy, such as Plato, Marx, Wittgenstein, medieval philosophy, Darwin's century or linguistic philosophy. May be repeated, with a new topic. Fulfills philosophy seminar requirement. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy or permission of the instructor
-
4.00 Credits
An independent research project directed by a faculty member resulting in a substantial thesis (25-30 pages), which may be a reworking and deepening of a paper written for a seminar or as part of an independent study.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Privacy Statement
|
Terms of Use
|
Institutional Membership Information
|
About AcademyOne
Copyright 2006 - 2024 AcademyOne, Inc.
|
|
|