History & Philosophy Courses
Philosophy Courses
PHI 1010 Introduction to Philosophy
This course examines traditional philosophical problems arising in
epistemology, religion, ethics, political theory, metaphysics, and the
philosophy of mind. Emphasis is on theoretical understanding, argument
evaluation, and explication. Students demonstrate college-level writing skills
through multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a grade of "C"
or higher for the A.A. Degree.
HUM 1020 Humanities: Philosophy
This course examines traditional philosophical problems in applied contexts such as the arts, religion, ethics, histroy, education, and the natural and social sciences. For example, it studies theories of truth in the context of artistic expression, and the problem of evil in the context of religious worship. Students demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a grade
of "C" or higher for the A.A. Degree.
PHI 1103 Critical and Creative Thinking
This course is an introduction to logic, which stresses practice and
application. The course provides practice in recognizing and avoiding inaccurate
or fallacious thinking and promotes correct and creative thinking. Theory and
theoretical principles are kept to a minimum. Students demonstrate college-level
writing skills through multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve
a grade of ''C'' or higher for the A.A. Degree.
PHI 2100 Introduction to Logic (Sample Syllabus)
This course studies formal, deductive logic including the logic of
syllogism and truth functions. Emphasis is placed on developing techniques for
distinguishing valid arguments from invalid ones, such as hypothetical and
categorical arguments, natural deduction, and truth table construction.
PHI 2630 Introduction to Ethics
This course teaches ethical theories and methods of analysis and
applies these to contemporary ethical problems such as those of human cloning,
euthanasia, capital punishment, welfare and social justice, job discrimination,
animal rights, and environmental ethics. Students demonstrate college-level
writing skills through multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a
grade of "C" or higher for the A.A. Degree
PHI 2620 Environmental Ethics
This course teaches standard theoretical and practical issues in
environmental ethics, the historical roots of environmental problems, and the
philosophical ground of environmental thought, including non-western approaches.
Theories covered include the nature of intrinsic value, the value of natural
objects, the rights of animals, the value of endangered species, and the
obligations we have to future generations. Practical problems covered include
climate change, overpopulation, food shortage, pollution, globalization,
environmental justice, and maintaining a sustainable, ecologically responsibl society.
PHI 2623 Journalism Ethics
This course examines ethical issues related to the practice of
journalism and mass communications. Topics covered include objectivity and news
bias, the free press and democracy, morality and professionalism, and news
sources and deception. Relevant court cases as well as codes of journalism
ethics are also examined.
PHI 1801 Philosophy of Art
This course teaches an introduction to aesthetics. Students study a
variety of historically significant contemporary philosophies of art, including
these central issues: the definition of art, beauty, aesthetic experience,
meaning and interpretation, creativity, art and other values, and critical
judgment. The course employs a case-based approach in which students consider
real and fictional puzzles that present theoretical and practical challenges to
the views discussed. Students demonstrate college-level writing skills through
multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a grade of "C" or higher
for the A.A. Degree.
PHI 1002 Philosophical Practice
This course teaches the application of philosophical theories and
concepts to confronting problems of everyday living. It shows how such
philosophical theories as those of Nietzsche, Sartre, Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas,
Spinoza, Descartes, Kant, and many other classical thinkers can provide useful
antidotes to overcoming commonplace irrational thinking errors that frequently
lead to behavioral and emotional problems. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a
grade of "C" or higher for the A.A. Degree.
PHI 1113 Reason and Emotion
This course examines the nature of reason and its relationship to
human emotion and action, and provides a philosophical overview of different
types of emotion and reasoning. Topics discussed include philosophical views of
what a human emotion is, emotional reasoning, illogical thinking, and types of
logical refutation.
PHI 1401 Science and Society
This course examines the relationship between science and society
with an eye toward improving scientific reasoning skills and promoting an
understanding of the nature and value of science. It explores such questions as
"What is science?" "How does science affect society?" "How does society affect
science?" "What are the ethical implications of scientific practices?" and "What
are the ethical implications of scientific conclusions?"
PHI 1639 Ethics in the Electronic Frontier
This course teaches an in-depth exploration and analysis of a broad
range of topics concerning the ethical implications of the widespread use of
computer technology. Topics include the immediate and future implications of the
growth and integration of the Internet. Additional topics include the
relationship between technology and social change, and values and technology.
The theory and practice of computer ethics is studied for ethical decision
making and the methodology for reaching ethical decisions concerning computing
matters.
PHI 1635 Ethical Issues in Health Care
This course teaches ethical analysis and decision-making in health
care. It addresses moral and legal aspects of confidentiality and informed
consent, codes of ethics, end of life decisions, living wills, euthanasia,
assisted suicide, resource allocation, reproductive ethics, and abortion. Gordon
Rule course - must achieve a grade of ''C'' or higher for the A.A.
Degree.
PHI 1930 Eastern Philosophies
This course examines the history, practices, and basic tenets of the
three major Eastern philosophies. This course addresses the interesting exchange
of ideas between Jewish, Christian, and Buddhist leaders and their
philosophies.
PHH 2060 History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval
This course surveys the history of western philosophy from Greco-Roman to
medieval philosophy. Students examine, analyze, and critically evaluate the
philosophical concepts and theories of philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle,
Epicurus, Epictetus, Augustine, and Aquinas. Students demonstrate college-level
writing skills through multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a
grade of "C" or higher for the A.A. Degree.
PHH 2403 History of Philosophy: Modern
This course surveys the history of modern philosophy beginning with the 17th
century. Students examine, analyze, and critically evaluate the philosophical
concepts and theories of philosophers such as Hobbes, Descartes, Locke,
Berkeley, Hume, and Kant. Students demonstrate college-level writing skills
through multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a grade of "C"
or higher for the A.A. Degree.
PHH 2603 History of Philosophy: Contemporary
This course surveys major currents in contemporary philosophy such as
Pragmatism, Phenomenology, Logical Positivism, Existentialism, and
Functionalism. Students demonstrate college-level writing skills through
multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a grade of "C" or higher
for the A.A. Degree.
PHP 1791 Existentialism
This course introduces students to the philosophical and literary
movement known as "Existentialism" that came to prominence in post-WWII France.
It examines questions concerning human freedom and responsibility, the problem
of self-deception, and the meaning of existence. These questions include the
following: Are we free? Do we bear responsibility not only for our own lives,
but for the lives of others and the world in which we live? Do we create meaning
and value? Do we desire to be God? Why do we deceive ourselves? How can we live
more authentically?
History Courses
AMH 2010 American History: Discovery through Reconstruction
This course examines the political, economic, social, cultural, and
intellectual development of the United States from the discovery of the Americas
through Reconstruction
AMH 2020 American History: Reconstruction to the Present
This course examines the political, economic, social, cultural, and
intellectual development of the United States from Reconstruction to the
present.
EUH 2000 Western Civilization: Origins to 1485
This course teaches how the first Western Civilization rose from the
Greek peninsula, creating a 'classical' era which set the European stage for a
Roman Empire and a Medieval Culture to follow.
EUH 2001 Western Civilization: 1485 to 1815
This course teaches how Western Civilization, based in Europe, moved
from Medieval Times into a Modern Age and expanded into the Western Hemisphere,
Africa and Asia.
EUH 2002 Western Civilization: 1815 to the Present
This course teaches how western nation-states developed into powerful
global empires, dominating the political, economic, cultural and social sectors
of 19th and 20th century affairs.
WOH 2012 World History to 1500
This course teaches the fundamentals of World History to 1500. It
examines the rise of civilizations and discusses the major events that helped
shape both East and West. It is taught in a comparative manner so that students
can better understand the similarities and differences between the East and the
West as well as the impact that the East and the West had upon one
another.
WOH 2022 World History Since 1500
This course teaches the fundamentals of World History since 1500. It
examines major events in both East and West so that students can better
understand the development of world politics, economics and cultural systems.
The course is taught in a comparative manner so that students can realize the
impact that both East and West have had upon one
another.
WOH 2040 World in the 20th Century
This course teaches the major political, economic, diplomatic,
military, social and intellectual developments and events of the 20th century. A
chronological approach to several major themes which comprise the history of the
modern world: the decline of European hegemony in the course of two major wars
and a world depression; a half-century of superpower hostility following the
outbreak of the cold war; the transformation of global politics in light of the
collapse of the U.S.S.R. and the end of the Cold War; and the rise of Islamic
fundamentalism with terrorism patterns.
Religious Studies Courses
REL 1300 Introduction to World Religions
This course teaches a comparative survey of the philosophical ideas,
historical routes, and social implications of world religions, both East and
West, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism,
and Buddhism. The course also examines the institutional practices of these
various religions. Students demonstrate college-level writing skills through
multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a grade of "C" or higher
for the A.A. Degree.
REL 1121 Religion and American Public Life
This course explores the contentious place of religion in American
public life. What roles do religious organizations and religious motivations
play in the public arenas of electoral politics, policy-making, schools, courts,
social service delivery, media, and marketplace? What roles ought they to play?
In a pluralistic society, how are Americans to balance diverse moral positions
with our shared civic life? Engaging the insights of sociologists of religion,
legal scholars, ethicists, political theorists, and cultural critics this course
refines the language with which we address such broad questions. Students apply
those insights to focused critical analyses of issues they
choose.
PHI 1010 Introduction to Philosophy
This course examines traditional philosophical problems arising in
epistemology, religion, ethics, political theory, metaphysics, and the
philosophy of mind. Emphasis is on theoretical understanding, argument
evaluation, and explication. Students demonstrate college-level writing skills
through multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a grade of "C"
or higher for the A.A. Degree.
HUM 1020 Humanities: Philosophy
This course examines traditional philosophical problems in applied contexts such as the arts, religion, ethics, histroy, education, and the natural and social sciences. For example, it studies theories of truth in the context of artistic expression, and the problem of evil in the context of religious worship. Students demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a grade
of "C" or higher for the A.A. Degree.
PHI 1103 Critical and Creative Thinking
This course is an introduction to logic, which stresses practice and
application. The course provides practice in recognizing and avoiding inaccurate
or fallacious thinking and promotes correct and creative thinking. Theory and
theoretical principles are kept to a minimum. Students demonstrate college-level
writing skills through multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve
a grade of ''C'' or higher for the A.A. Degree.
PHI 2100 Introduction to Logic (Sample Syllabus)
This course studies formal, deductive logic including the logic of
syllogism and truth functions. Emphasis is placed on developing techniques for
distinguishing valid arguments from invalid ones, such as hypothetical and
categorical arguments, natural deduction, and truth table construction.
PHI 2630 Introduction to Ethics
This course teaches ethical theories and methods of analysis and
applies these to contemporary ethical problems such as those of human cloning,
euthanasia, capital punishment, welfare and social justice, job discrimination,
animal rights, and environmental ethics. Students demonstrate college-level
writing skills through multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a
grade of "C" or higher for the A.A. Degree
PHI 2620 Environmental Ethics
This course teaches standard theoretical and practical issues in
environmental ethics, the historical roots of environmental problems, and the
philosophical ground of environmental thought, including non-western approaches.
Theories covered include the nature of intrinsic value, the value of natural
objects, the rights of animals, the value of endangered species, and the
obligations we have to future generations. Practical problems covered include
climate change, overpopulation, food shortage, pollution, globalization,
environmental justice, and maintaining a sustainable, ecologically responsibl society.
PHI 2623 Journalism Ethics
This course examines ethical issues related to the practice of
journalism and mass communications. Topics covered include objectivity and news
bias, the free press and democracy, morality and professionalism, and news
sources and deception. Relevant court cases as well as codes of journalism
ethics are also examined.
PHI 1801 Philosophy of Art
This course teaches an introduction to aesthetics. Students study a
variety of historically significant contemporary philosophies of art, including
these central issues: the definition of art, beauty, aesthetic experience,
meaning and interpretation, creativity, art and other values, and critical
judgment. The course employs a case-based approach in which students consider
real and fictional puzzles that present theoretical and practical challenges to
the views discussed. Students demonstrate college-level writing skills through
multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a grade of "C" or higher
for the A.A. Degree.
PHI 1002 Philosophical Practice
This course teaches the application of philosophical theories and
concepts to confronting problems of everyday living. It shows how such
philosophical theories as those of Nietzsche, Sartre, Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas,
Spinoza, Descartes, Kant, and many other classical thinkers can provide useful
antidotes to overcoming commonplace irrational thinking errors that frequently
lead to behavioral and emotional problems. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a
grade of "C" or higher for the A.A. Degree.
PHI 1113 Reason and Emotion
This course examines the nature of reason and its relationship to
human emotion and action, and provides a philosophical overview of different
types of emotion and reasoning. Topics discussed include philosophical views of
what a human emotion is, emotional reasoning, illogical thinking, and types of
logical refutation.
PHI 1401 Science and Society
This course examines the relationship between science and society
with an eye toward improving scientific reasoning skills and promoting an
understanding of the nature and value of science. It explores such questions as
"What is science?" "How does science affect society?" "How does society affect
science?" "What are the ethical implications of scientific practices?" and "What
are the ethical implications of scientific conclusions?"
PHI 1639 Ethics in the Electronic Frontier
This course teaches an in-depth exploration and analysis of a broad
range of topics concerning the ethical implications of the widespread use of
computer technology. Topics include the immediate and future implications of the
growth and integration of the Internet. Additional topics include the
relationship between technology and social change, and values and technology.
The theory and practice of computer ethics is studied for ethical decision
making and the methodology for reaching ethical decisions concerning computing
matters.
PHI 1635 Ethical Issues in Health Care
This course teaches ethical analysis and decision-making in health
care. It addresses moral and legal aspects of confidentiality and informed
consent, codes of ethics, end of life decisions, living wills, euthanasia,
assisted suicide, resource allocation, reproductive ethics, and abortion. Gordon
Rule course - must achieve a grade of ''C'' or higher for the A.A.
Degree.
PHI 1930 Eastern Philosophies
This course examines the history, practices, and basic tenets of the
three major Eastern philosophies. This course addresses the interesting exchange
of ideas between Jewish, Christian, and Buddhist leaders and their
philosophies.
PHH 2060 History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval
This course surveys the history of western philosophy from Greco-Roman to
medieval philosophy. Students examine, analyze, and critically evaluate the
philosophical concepts and theories of philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle,
Epicurus, Epictetus, Augustine, and Aquinas. Students demonstrate college-level
writing skills through multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a
grade of "C" or higher for the A.A. Degree.
PHH 2403 History of Philosophy: Modern
This course surveys the history of modern philosophy beginning with the 17th
century. Students examine, analyze, and critically evaluate the philosophical
concepts and theories of philosophers such as Hobbes, Descartes, Locke,
Berkeley, Hume, and Kant. Students demonstrate college-level writing skills
through multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a grade of "C"
or higher for the A.A. Degree.
PHH 2603 History of Philosophy: Contemporary
This course surveys major currents in contemporary philosophy such as
Pragmatism, Phenomenology, Logical Positivism, Existentialism, and
Functionalism. Students demonstrate college-level writing skills through
multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a grade of "C" or higher
for the A.A. Degree.
PHP 1791 Existentialism
This course introduces students to the philosophical and literary
movement known as "Existentialism" that came to prominence in post-WWII France.
It examines questions concerning human freedom and responsibility, the problem
of self-deception, and the meaning of existence. These questions include the
following: Are we free? Do we bear responsibility not only for our own lives,
but for the lives of others and the world in which we live? Do we create meaning
and value? Do we desire to be God? Why do we deceive ourselves? How can we live
more authentically?
History Courses
AMH 2010 American History: Discovery through Reconstruction
This course examines the political, economic, social, cultural, and
intellectual development of the United States from the discovery of the Americas
through Reconstruction
AMH 2020 American History: Reconstruction to the Present
This course examines the political, economic, social, cultural, and
intellectual development of the United States from Reconstruction to the
present.
EUH 2000 Western Civilization: Origins to 1485
This course teaches how the first Western Civilization rose from the
Greek peninsula, creating a 'classical' era which set the European stage for a
Roman Empire and a Medieval Culture to follow.
EUH 2001 Western Civilization: 1485 to 1815
This course teaches how Western Civilization, based in Europe, moved
from Medieval Times into a Modern Age and expanded into the Western Hemisphere,
Africa and Asia.
EUH 2002 Western Civilization: 1815 to the Present
This course teaches how western nation-states developed into powerful
global empires, dominating the political, economic, cultural and social sectors
of 19th and 20th century affairs.
WOH 2012 World History to 1500
This course teaches the fundamentals of World History to 1500. It
examines the rise of civilizations and discusses the major events that helped
shape both East and West. It is taught in a comparative manner so that students
can better understand the similarities and differences between the East and the
West as well as the impact that the East and the West had upon one
another.
WOH 2022 World History Since 1500
This course teaches the fundamentals of World History since 1500. It
examines major events in both East and West so that students can better
understand the development of world politics, economics and cultural systems.
The course is taught in a comparative manner so that students can realize the
impact that both East and West have had upon one
another.
WOH 2040 World in the 20th Century
This course teaches the major political, economic, diplomatic,
military, social and intellectual developments and events of the 20th century. A
chronological approach to several major themes which comprise the history of the
modern world: the decline of European hegemony in the course of two major wars
and a world depression; a half-century of superpower hostility following the
outbreak of the cold war; the transformation of global politics in light of the
collapse of the U.S.S.R. and the end of the Cold War; and the rise of Islamic
fundamentalism with terrorism patterns.
Religious Studies Courses
REL 1300 Introduction to World Religions
This course teaches a comparative survey of the philosophical ideas,
historical routes, and social implications of world religions, both East and
West, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism,
and Buddhism. The course also examines the institutional practices of these
various religions. Students demonstrate college-level writing skills through
multiple assignments. Gordon Rule course - must achieve a grade of "C" or higher
for the A.A. Degree.
REL 1121 Religion and American Public Life
This course explores the contentious place of religion in American
public life. What roles do religious organizations and religious motivations
play in the public arenas of electoral politics, policy-making, schools, courts,
social service delivery, media, and marketplace? What roles ought they to play?
In a pluralistic society, how are Americans to balance diverse moral positions
with our shared civic life? Engaging the insights of sociologists of religion,
legal scholars, ethicists, political theorists, and cultural critics this course
refines the language with which we address such broad questions. Students apply
those insights to focused critical analyses of issues they
choose.