Philosophy Department
Fall 2009 Courses
PHI105N The Philosophic Quest (3 credits), MWF 9:00 – 9:50 amPaul Reasoner |
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Many of us have questions like these: What am I? How do I come to know anything? Can I be mistaken in what I think I know? What does it mean to be a good person? How should I act? Do I just have a brain or do I have a mind also? What is the relationship between philosophy and religious faith? How much of my thinking is culturally conditioned? In this course we will think about these (and other questions) using writings from thinkers around the world including from Plato, Descartes, Wolterstorff, Buddha, and Confucius. |
PHI105N The Philosophic Quest (3 credits), MWF 2:50 – 3:40 pmDan Yim |
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Philosophers through the centuries have been obsessed with the question, “What does it mean to live a good life?” In this course, we’ll investigate this question from several philosophical perspectives, ranging from the ancient philosophers (such as Plato, Aristotle, and Emperor Marcus Aurelius), medieval Christian philosophers (such as Boethius, Peter Abelard, and Thomas Aquinas), Modern Period thinkers (such as René Descartes, John Locke, John Stuart Mill, and Immanuel Kant), and contemporary philosophers (such as Peter Singer). We’ll address big themes such as (a) the relationship between knowledge and the good life, (b) moral objectivity versus moral relativism, and (c) the way that the Christian religion has been shaped by these philosophical discussions. We’ll also use films as part of our course material. |
PHI110N Contemporary Moral Issues (3 credits), Tu Th 2:25 – 3:40 pmCarrie Peffley |
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We’ll study and debate some contemporary ethical issues that impact society (topics might include cloning, euthanasia, capital punishment, Palestine/Israel conflict), solutions and proposals offered for them, and how major philosophical theories might address them. We’ll consider how Christians might think and act about these issues. Assignments include reading, quizzes, tests (objective and essay), and a short paper. |
PHI110N Contemporary Moral Issues (3 credits), MWF 8:00 – 8:50 amEric Snider |
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A critical analysis of some moral issues, such as cloning, euthanasia, capital punishment, and the environment; an introduction to the moral philosophies of Mill, Kant, and Aristotle; reflection on thinking Christianly about moral issues facing our society. Assignments include in-class small group discussions, quizzes, tests, and a four page moral justification paper. Satisfies the N (human nature) requirement. |
PHI210L The Modern Mind (3 credits), MWF 1:50 – 2:40 pmDon Postema |
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Marx, Nietzsche, Freud, Kierkegaard. Classism, racism, feminism, liberation theology. Annie Dillard, Barbara Ehrenreich, Joseph Conrad, Kate Chopin. How would you relate all these in a coherent pattern, framing the ways in which you today think about yourself and your world? By reading philosophical and literary texts, considering contemporary events, and critically reflecting on your own beliefs and values. This cross-disciplinary course will guide you in this process through discussion, reflection, short quizzes, and writing (three short papers and a final integrative essay). This could be the mind-expanding experience you’re looking for! |
PHI251 History of Philosophy I (4 credits), Tu Th 12:35 – 2:15 pmCarrie Peffley |
| How are Judaic, Christian and Muslim philosophy a response to Greek and Roman thought? In this course we will study the development of Western philosophy from its origin in the ancient Greeks to the time of the Renaissance. We’ll emphasize the works of Plato, Aristotle, Augustine and Aquinas, and take a fascinating look at the transmission of Greek thought to the West through Islamic philosophy. Assignments will include four exams, a handful of short essays and two long papers. |
PHI310 Aesthetics (3 credits), MWF 2:50 – 3:50 pmDon Postema |
| What is art? What is good art? What good is art? These seemingly simple questions provide the structure for an exploration of classic and contemporary views of the nature, meaning, and value of art and the aesthetic. Laced with examples from painting, music, literature, and film, this course moves beyond the textual to test art theories in practice. You’ll compare your views with those of students majoring in art, music, writing, and philosophy, a rich and stimulating mix of ideas and experience. You’ll develop your own perspectives through quizzes and three papers. You may know what art you like, but do you know why it’s good? Here’s your chance to find out. |
PHI375G Asian Thought (3 credits), MWF 11:10 – 12:00 pmPaul Reasoner |
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Just how different are philosophical frameworks in Asia when compared to the West? How similar are they to each other? This class tracks philosophical/religious positions in India, China, and Japan by examining various schools of Hindu thought, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shinto. Readings will be taken from philosophical writings, religious treatises, and literature. Special attention will be paid to the nature of persons (including karma and reincarnation), ethics, and aesthetics. |
GES420P Bioethics (3 credits), MWF 11:10 – 12:00 pmDon Postema |
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Beginning with a short review of ethical frameworks and principles, the course is structured around issues chosen by the students. Typically, these are ethical issues in health care provider-patient relations, end-of-life situations, the use of reproductive technologies, advances in human genetics, using human research subjects, allocating scarce health care resources, and health disparities. This quasi-seminar course offers maximum student involvement through reading responses, case discussions, group presentations, two case position papers, and a final paper developing your position on a contemporary issue in bioethics. If you haven’t had to face these issues yet, be assured you will – and this course will help you deal with them in a reflective, reasoned manner as a person of faith. |
PHI499 Senior Seminar: Plato's Early Dialogues (4 credits), Monday 6:00 – 10 pmEric Snider |
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What we know about Socrates is based on what others said about him, or represented him as saying. We do not have any writings by Socrates himself, explaining his own views or defending himself. Plato is our chief source on the thought of Socrates. In this course we will examine several of the early “Socratic” dialogues of Plato, which mostly treat ethical topics. Along side that, we will examine some of the recent scholarly controversies over the interpretation of Plato’s writings. What might we think about the ethical topics, and about the controversies? |