Special Course Descriptions
Philosophy


PHL 111-10 Intro. to Comparative Religion: Western MWF 9:30am-10:20am Prof Weigel


This course introduces the three great monotheist religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam, by way of examining the human experience of God recorded in their primary texts. The course concludes with the philosophical consideration of this experience.

PHL 210-10/POL 294-10 Problems in Political Philosophy TTH 11:30am-12:45pm Prof. Benson


In this course, we will examine the theoretical foundations of the modern democratic state as well as critics of this foundation. Such an examination will involve inspection of such concepts as personhood, citizenship, political power, justice, and the possibility of individual and social resistance to injustice.

Prerequisite: PHL 100, or permission of the instructor.


PHL 294-10/GEN 294-10 SpTp: Feminist Philosophy TTH 2:30pm-3:45pm Prof. Benson


For feminists and others interested in progressive social change it is important that we are creative in our resistant strategies and that we avoid reinventing the wheel. In this course we will examine major branches of North American feminist theory, including liberal feminism, radical feminism, feminist anarchism, and multicultural feminism. We will seek to borrow on these traditions and use our own creative ideas in order to address contemporary forms of gender oppression and social injustice.

Prerequisite: PHL 100, or permission of the instructor.


PHL 294-12/GEN 294-11/BUS 294-12 SpTp: Global Ethics TTH 1:00pm .2:15pm Prof. McCabe


As we become a global community, the need for secular ethical discourse becomes increasingly important. This course will explore how international culture, policy and standards impact ethical practices around the world. Current events, anecdotes, and personal experiences will be brought together to highlight ethical theory in action in today.s global environment. General topics include: the Absolutism-Relativism debate, The Ethics of Globalization, Global Business Ethics, Global Bioethics with emphasis on Feminist issues, Global Environmental Ethics, and the Ethics of Warfare and Terrorism.

Prerequisite: PHL 100, or permission of the instructor.


PHL 394-10 Chinese Philosophy MWF 2:30pm-3:30pm Prof Brien


This course will explore some of the great positions and figures of the Chinese philosophical traditions. Among other perspectives we will explore Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.

Prerequisite: Two courses in philosophy, or permission of the instructor.


HMN 394-10/PHL 394-11/ILC 394-10 SpTp: Renaissance Humanists and the Rise of the Humanities TTH 10:00am-11:15am Prof J. Scholz


In the humanities we study the finest accomplishments humans have achieved in the pursuit of public excellence and private fulfillment. Such studies have not been an ageless preoccupation.

On the contrary, interest in the systematic exploration of the finest accomplishments of the human mind and the human imagination arose as the result of an educational, philosophical, and artistic revolution that occurred during the Renaissance. This revolution is still reflected in why and how we study the humanities. Its impact continues to influence many of our culture's most vital perceptions and values.

This course is designed to focus on the historical context, the philosophical ideals, and the artistic visions that shaped humanism from its confident beginnings in the Renaissance to its embattled status of today. The analysis of primary texts will include works by Renaissance humanists like Niccolo Machiavelli, Michel de Montaigne, and Erasmus of Rotterdam as well as the analysis of modern challenges to the humanist perspective and its canons of excellence.