PHIL 240 Philosophy of Art
An examination of the fundamental philosophical questions about the arts, including: What is art? Are there standards in the evaluation of artworks? Do the arts require or convey knowledge, and if so, what kind? What is the connection between art and emotion? What are the possible relationships between art and morality? Readings are drawn from both classical and contemporary philosophical writings.
Giovannelli
This course concerns the moral and social controversies arising in medicine, biomedical research, and the life sciences. Topics may include: human cloning, genetic engineering, stem-cell research, reproductive technology, surrogate motherhood, euthanasia, informed consent, etc.
Staff
A critical investigation of some of the main theories of morally right action, with special emphasis on Mill’s utilitarianism, Kant’s categorical imperative, and W.D. Ross’s moral pluralism. Other topics usually include the nature of justice, value, and moral worth. Readings are drawn mostly from original sources.
McLeod
A critical examination of the traditional theories of liberty, equality, justice, and the social good found in philosophers such as Plato, Hobbes, Locke, Marx, and Rawls.
Prerequisite: Philosophy 101, or 102, or 250, or permission of instructor
Offered: Alternate years
Panichas
An examination of issues in feminist philosophy including its critique of traditional Western philosophy and its contribution to major areas of philosophy such as ethics, social and political philosophy, theories of knowledge and reality.
Masto
PHIL 340 Philosophy of Literature
An examination of fundamental philosophical questions on literature as an art form: its nature, interpretation, and evaluation. Topics may include: the ontological status of works of literature; the role of intentionality in literary meaning; the nature of metaphor; the readers’ emotional engagement with characters; the role of literature in moral and emotional development; the relationships among the sorts of values literature may have (aesthetic, moral, cognitive, etc.).
Prerequisite: One course in philosophy or permission of instructor
Giovannelli
An examination of philosophical questions on the nature, interpretation, and evaluation of film. Topics may include: the distinctive nature of the moving image compared to other forms of representation; the issue of whether film is an art form; film authorship; the essence of film narrative; the role of the imagination in understanding and appreciating film; identification and emotional engagement with characters; film and morality; film and knowledge.
Prerequisite: One course in philosophy or permission of instructor
Giovannelli
This advanced course in the philosophical study of moral properties, moral motivation, moral reasons, and moral knowledge considers questions such as: whether moral properties exist and, if so, whether they are natural or non-natural properties; whether contemporary accounts of supereminence or explanation can provide the foundations for moral realism; the relationship, if any, between moral judgment and moral motivation; whether moral requirements supply reasons for action; and whether moral knowledge is possible.
Prerequisite: Phil 250 and at least one other course in Philosophy, or permission of instructor
McLeod
An examination of conceptual and normative issues related to law and the legal system. The nature of law and of the legal systems, liberty and the limits of law, causation in the law, responsibility, strict liability, and punishment are studied. [W]
Prerequisite: Philosophy 102, 250, or permission of instructor
Offered: Alternate years
Panichas