Fall 2026 Philosophy Courses

IMPORTANT NOTICE: 100 and 200-level courses are without prerequisites and open to first year students. 300-level courses presume some previous exposure to philosophy or a related field of study. If there is any question in your mind about whether you have the right background for any particular philosophy course, talk to the instructor before you enroll.

PHIL 101 – Introduction to Philosophical Problems and Arguments
Three sections: MW 1:30-2:45 pm; TR 9:00-10:15 am; 1:30-2:45 pm – Welchance
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to philosophical problems and arguments. But what makes a problem or an argument “philosophical”? That is by no means a simple question, because there has always been widespread, and often deep, disagreement about what philosophy is and about how it should be done. Moreover, this disagreement about what counts as philosophy has historically been infected by ideology and by biases of various kinds. As such, this course proposes to introduce philosophical problems and arguments not by taking a conception of philosophy for granted, but by studying a wide range of ideas about and approaches to philosophy, beginning with Plato and extending to the present day, but with a special emphasis on underrepresented and non- or counter-canonical figures and methods. Coursework will focus on the careful interpretation, analysis, and comparison of primary texts, as well as on the ability to extract and probe arguments and theories from these texts. Potential topics include: the nature of justice, the "mind/body problem", the existence and nature of God, Marxism, racial equality, feminism, and the meaning of life.
Satisfies the IF-Written Communication (IFWC), and AI-Literary & Textual Analysis (AILT) requirements. (1 unit)

PHIL 120 – Contemporary Moral Issues
Three sections: MW 10:30-11:45 am – Welchance; MW 12:00-1:15 pm; 3:00-4:15 pm – Canfield
This is an introductory level course concerned with contemporary, controversial, moral issues. We will examine and evaluate a variety of views about such issues as global poverty, immigration, hate speech, affirmative action and reparations. No previous background in philosophy is required, but participants should have an interest in thinking critically about how we live. 
Satisfies the IF-Power/Equity/Identity/Cult (IFPE) requirement. (1 unit)

PHIL 239 – Existentialism
Two sections: MW 9:00-10:15 am; 10:30-11:45 am – Englert
An exploration of existentialist philosophy arising (mostly) from 20th-century Europe. Key themes will include explorations of the human condition, the nature of being, commitments to morality and life. Students will read works by thinkers like Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Jaspers, Arendt, Sartre, and Camus (amongst others). Satisfies the IF-Written Communication (IFWC) requirement. (1 unit)

PHIL 251 – Elementary Symbolic Logic
Four sections: MWF 9:00-9:50 am; 10:30-11:20 am – Goddu; TR 9:00-10:15 am; 1:30-2:45 pm – McDaniel
A non-mathematical introduction to symbolic reasoning: translating arguments from English into a symbolic language and demonstrating which ones are good (valid) and which ones are bad (invalid). Working with truth tables, formal rules of substitution and inference, and simple quantifiers, the course covers both sentence logic (If P then Q, etc.) and class logic (All S are P, etc.). There is frequent written homework, at least two midterm tests and a final examination. Grades will be based on performance. The techniques learned transfer readily to technical tasks such as programming, analyzing contracts, getting ready for the LSAT and debating, and also to everyday tasks such as understanding what one reads, arguing with authority figures, and evaluating editorials, sermons, advertisements and political speeches. Satisfies the AI-Symbolic Reasoning requirement. (AISR).
(1 unit)

PHIL 271 – Ancient Greek Philosophy
Two sections: TR 10:30-11:45 am; 12:00-1:15 pm – Schauber
An introduction to ancient Western philosophy, with special attention to Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Our aim will be to understand some of the key views and arguments of these philosophers, and to engage critically with them and their historical context. This will require close reading of the ancient texts, and discussion of the issues they raise. Topics may include questions about the nature of knowledge and reality, and about the nature of human action, such as: What is the difference between knowledge and belief? What are definitions? Must someone who understands a notion be able to define it? What sorts of things is it possible for a person to know? What is the connection between virtue and knowledge? How is morality connected to being human? 
Satisfies the AI-Literary & Textual Analysis (AILT) requirement. (1 unit)

PHIL 314 – Philosophy of Science
TR 10:30-11:45 am – McDaniel
This is an introductory level course concerned with contemporary, controversial, moral issues. We will examine and evaluate a variety of views about such issues as global poverty, immigration, hate speech, affirmative action and reparations. No previous background in philosophy is required, but participants should have an interest in thinking critically about how we live. Prerequisite: One previous philosophy course or permission of instructor. Satisfies the IF-Written Communication (IFWC) requirement. (1 unit)

PHIL 369 – Economic Justice
MW 1:30-2:45 pm – Platz
Some of the most vexing political questions of our time are questions of economic justice: Is economic inequality unjust? How should we think about poverty? Should the state regulate the market? Should we tax the rich? To what extent, why, and how? In this course we focus on the philosophical dimensions of these questions and investigate and discuss some of the answers that philosophers have proposed. Prerequisite(s): One previous philosophy course, PPEL 261 or 262, or permission of instructor. (1 unit)

PHIL 382 – Morality of Obedience & Disobedience to Law
MW 3:00-4:15 pm – Lefkowitz
This course will begin with a critical examination of competing accounts of law’s moral authority, and legal subjects’ corresponding duty to obey the law.  These include consent, considerations of fair play, the nature and value of political association, and the necessity of deference to a common law in conditions of reasonable disagreement over the demands of justice.  We will then examine competing accounts of the grounds of justifiable civil disobedience; conditions on its permissibility (e.g., must it be non-violent?); and justifiable responses to it (e.g., holding civil disobedients criminally or civilly liable).  We will also compare civil disobedience to several forms of uncivil disobedience, such as political vandalism, riots, and boycotts.  The class will conclude with a consideration of competing analyses of conscientious objection (is it the assertion of a right, the offering of an excuse, or a plea for mercy?); the bases for accommodating conscientious objectors (respect for autonomy, preserving integrity, epistemic humility); and conditions or limitations on accommodating conscientious objectors. Prerequisite(s): One previous philosophy course, PPEL 261 or 262, or permission of instructor. (1 unit)

PHIL 390 – Independent Study
TBD
Limited to philosophy majors and minors. Departmental approval required. (1 unit)