2006-07 Catalog Archive (Archived July 31, 2006)

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Course Descriptions

PHL110
Introduction to Philosophy
Philosophy is the critical, rational examination of basic assumptions about the way the world works and the place of human beings in the world. This course is an introduction to the fundamental questions of philosophy and to the methods of reasoning employed by philosophers to resolve these questions. It examines issues in metaphysics ('Is there a rational basis for religious belief?'), theory of knowledge ('Is knowledge about the world possible?'), philosophy of the mind ('What is the relation between the mind and the body?') and aesthetics ('What is the basis for the value of art?'). Throughout, emphasis is placed on critical thinking skills and the role of rational argumentation in validating beliefs. (Formerly PHL 111) 3 Credits (3 Lecture - 0 Lab)

PHL210
Ethics
This course is a basic course in theoretical and applied philosophical ethics. It examines the major philosophical approaches to ethics including relativism, religious ethics, egoism, utilitarianism and deontological ethics. These theories are then applied to the critical analysis of real world controversies involving topics such as euthanasia, capital punishment, individual liberty, discrimination, and the human relation to animals. Throughout, emphasis will be placed on the role of rational argumentation in justifying ethical opinions. 3 Credits (3 Lecture - 0 Lab)

PHL220
Social and Political Philosophy
Philosophical inquiry into the bases of social and political authority and practices and the proper relationship between individual and society and government. The nature of society, the state, rights, law and justice are considered with reference to contemporary social and political issues. 3 Credits (3 Lecture - 0 Lab) Spring Only.

PHL230
Logic
This course is an introduction to the art and science of good reasoning. It examines the concepts of truth, validity, consequence and proof in the context of informal reasoning and in the formal languages of propositional and predicate logic. The primary focus of the course will be on constructing and evaluating arguments and proofs using formal and informal methods. An integral component of this course is the weekly laboratory sessions which will give students hands on experience with constructing and evaluating formal arguments, building truth tables and counter models using logic learning software. Applications of logic in both everyday and scientific reasoning will also be addressed. Emphasis throughout the course will be on developing problem solving skills and good reasoning techniques. 3 Credits (2.50 Lecture - 1.50 Lab) Prerequisite(s): CSC110 and ENL111 and Placement by Examination.

PHL240
Minds, Brains and Computers
This course is an in-depth philosophical examination of the relation between the mind, the mysterious source of human intelligence; the brain, reputed to be the most complex object in the known universe; and the computer, the first machine ever created that seems truly capable of intelligent behavior. The course will cover topics in the philosophy of mind, artificial intelligence, artificial life, robotics and social issues related to computing. 3 Credits (3 Lecture - 0 Lab) Prerequisite(s): ENL111. (Science, Technology and Society)

PHL250
Philosophy, Sports, Games, Physical Exertion
Considerations of the nature of humans and the world through the study of the interplay of mind and matter in sports, games and physical exertion. Special emphasis on stress in physical exertion and its effects on consciousness. Applications to morality, psychology, religion, social organization. Latitude given to the pursuit of individual and group interests. Involvement by those able in physically exerting activity, such as running, swimming, cross-country skiing, weight-lifting, etc. 3 Credits (3 Lecture - 0 Lab) As needed.