Interim 2008 Courses

PHI105N Philosophic Quest: The Good Life (3 credits)

Dr. Dan Yim

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.

PHI210L The Modern Mind (3 credits)

Dr. Sara Shady

Why is community declining in contemporary culture and individualism is on the rise? How do race, gender, and class affect one's social status in contemporary culture? In an era when we have a great deal of political liberty, why are so many people politically apathetic? How has the fast food industry changed our lives for better and for worse? In this course we will seek to understand major trends in contemporary American culture, by exploring answers to these (and other) questions. We will study philosophy, social theory, literature, and film to gain a broad overview of what has happened in Western culture during the last 200 years.

PHI335K Environmental Ethics (3 credits)

Dr. Ray VanArragon

Have you ever worried about global warming, wondered whether animals have rights, thought about the importance of preserving nearly-extinct animal species, or pondered the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers? Have you wondered how economic and technological advances should be regulated by ethical concerns? In this course, we will look at questions like these, with an eye to discerning our duty to the world God has given us. The course will involve study of ethical theory and application of the theory to current issues relating to the environment. Requirements include a major research project on an applied issue in environmental ethics involving scientific data and technological choice. Prerequisites: Laboratory Science (D) course and Mathematics (M) course, or permission of the instructor. (Carries cross-credit in environmental studies.)