Philosophy

PHILOSOPHY MINOR
(See also Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. This minor is also available via the Division of Distance Education.)

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Philosophy is an important component of the liberal arts curriculum. It is not clear that there is any distinctly philosophical subject matter, but all the academic disciplines have questions that can be investigated philosophically. The aim of Philosophy at Eastern is two fold. The first goal is methodological: to develop a procedure for investigating abstract conceptual questions in a clear and productive manner. The second goal more directly concerns the liberal education; every intellectually well-rounded man or woman should have some familiarity with the questions, problems and theories that have preoccupied the great philosophical minds in our Western culture.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Students will gain familiarity with classic texts in the western philosophical tradition.

- Students will gain familiarity with the work of contemporary legal, philosophical, and social scientific scholarship, and its application to contemporary legal and policy issues.

- To gain familiarity with the American legal system.

MEANS OF ASSESSMENT
Philosophy minors are evaluated in a variety of ways. They complete with a grade of C- or better a core of at least thirty credits that cover the major areas of contemporary analytic philosophy. They are required to do substantial formal writing in virtually every course in the curriculum. Written work is evaluated in terms of recognized standards of formal academic writing, clarity, mastery of substantive content, and philosophical insight and analysis.

PROGRAMS
The degree that is available with a concentration in philosophy is:
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. If you are interested in this degree program, you should consult your adviser.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
MINOR IN PHILOSOPHY
1. A minimum of 30 credits in Philosophy, 20 of which must be graded are required for the minor.

2. At least 15 upper-division credits in Philosophy are required.

3. A grade of “C-” or better for all courses applied toward the minor. Maintain a C (2.00) or better cumulative GPA in courses required for the major.

4. A minimum of ten credits applied toward the minor must be completed at EOU.

PHILOSOPHY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
PHIL 101- Self, World & God*H/AH Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Humanities
New Gen Ed-Aesthetics & Hum
The quest for understanding ourselves, the world, and our possible relation to the divine is as old as philosophy itself. This course will introduce classic questions about the nature of mind and body, free will, and life after death. Of particular importance will be the nature and applicability of human know-ledge to these sorts of questions. The course requires the ability to read, write and think about difficult and important questions, but no special training or background.

PHIL 102- Ethics, Polit & Law*H/AH Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Humanities
New Gen Ed-Aesthetics & Hum
The problem of how we ought to live our lives is as old as philosophy itself. We will begin with an investigation of theories of ethics (or morality). We will also explore the question of political legitimacy. Finally we will look at the nature of law, with particular emphasis on philosophical questions concerning the U. S. Constitution. Philosophy 101 is not a prerequisite.

PHIL 110- Selected Topics Credits: 1.00 TO 6.00

PHIL 203- Critical Thinking*L/CP Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Language & Logic
New Gen Ed-Crit Think/Prob Sol
An introduction to critical thinking and argument analysis. The primary goal of this course is to develop a technique for the evaluation of practical arguments in the real world.

PHIL 210- Selected Topics Credits: 1.00 TO 6.00

PHIL 231- Symbolic Logic*L Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Language & Logic
An introduction to formal symbolic logic. The topics covered include the first-order propositional calculus, truth-table analysis and natural deduction proofs. In addition, the course may include an introduction to natural deduction proofs in the first-order predicate calculus. PHIL 203 is not a prerequisite for this course.

PHIL 301- Hist Philosophy*H/AH Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Humanities
New Gen Ed-Aesthetics & Hum
This course is a focused examination of major periods, schools, problems and/or figures in the history of western philosophy. Students should expect a good deal of reading from original historical sources.
PHIL 310- Selected Topics Credits: 1.00 TO 6.00

PHIL 320- Phil of Religion*H/AH Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Humanities
New Gen Ed-Aesthetics & Hum
An introduction to some of the main problems, theories, and arguments in the philosophy of religion.

PHIL 321- Buddhism*H/LC Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Humanities
New Gen Ed-Logic/Lang/Culture
An examination of the basic doctrines of Buddhism as they have developed over a 2500 year period and spread throughout Asia. Topics will include Abhidharma psychology and the philosophy of emptiness as they developed in India; the Gradual Path to Enlightenment and related meditation traditions in Tibet; Zen in China and Japan. Student must have at least sophomore standing to register for this course.

PHIL 322- Islam*H/LC Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Humanities
New Gen Ed-Logic/Lang/Culture
This course will provide a general overview of the history, arts and basic tenets of Islam as well as a focused view of the early history of Islam in the Middle East, the medieval history of Islam in South Asia and contemporary movements in Islam as they impact the USA. Student must have at least sophomore standing to register for this course.

PHIL 323- Yoga Philosophy*H/LC Credits: 2.00
Gen Ed-Humanities
New Gen Ed-Logic/Lang/Culture
Yoga is a Sanskrit term meaning “to join;” in this case, joining the person to God. One of the six classical schools of Indian Philosophy, Yoga (aka, Samkhya) is known for its sophisticated articulation of philosophy and its methods of meditation to test that philosophy. This course will examine the origins of Yoga in Neolithic India, its literary history and modern expression. Student must have at least sophomore standing to register for this course.

PHIL 340- Phil of Science*H Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Humanities
An exploration of some of the main problems underlying scientific theory and investigation, including the basic structure, language and methodology of the sciences.

PHIL 341- Phil Iss In Science*AH Credits: 2.00
New Gen Ed-Aesthetics & Hum
Natural science is the best example we have of a reliable knowledge gathering enterprise: What it has taught us about the natural word is phenomenal. And for precisely this reason it provides, for many individuals, the means by which any claim arising from other human pursuits or activities is to be evaluated. What happens, or should happen, when such claims are challenged, even “contradicted”, by the findings of natural science? This course will consider that question as it pertains to the Judeo-Christian account of the creation and structure of the universe. Student must have at least sophomore standing to register for this course.

PHIL 405- Reading & Conference Credits: 1.00 TO 15.00
Directed reading experience on topics of student’s choice. This course will involve regular consultation and a major written project. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

PHIL 407- Seminar Credits: 5.00
Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

PHIL 409- Field Placement Credits: 1.00 TO 15.00

PHIL 410- Selected Topics Credits: 1.00 TO 6.00
An in-depth study of a topic of interest to both students and faculty. There will be a great deal of reading for this course and a major written project. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

PHIL 420- Philosophy of Law*AH Credits: 5.00
New Gen Ed-Aesthetics & Hum
A philosophical examination of some of the key concepts, arguments, controversies, and theories within the field of law. Typical topics to be covered may include the nature of law, the nature of legal reasoning, how legal texts should be interpreted, and the relationship between morality and the law. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

PHIL 421- Phil Issues In Law Credits: 5.00
An introduction to the jurisprudence of Law and Economics. The course analyzes this influential approach to legal thinking from an economic and normative perspective. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

PHIL 440- Political Philosophy/Theory Credits: 5.00
Political Philosophy is a topic oriented examination of an issue, major thinker, or historical period in western political thought. Recent offerings of the course have included a survey of western political theory from Plato to Locke, a historical and conceptual investigation of the social contract, and an examination of contemporary theories of justice focusing on the work of John Rawls. (Cross-listed: POLS 440) Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

PHIL 470- Philosophical Psych Credits: 5.00
Philosophical Psychology reflects the historic overlap between the two disciplines. The course assumes that these academic areas can genuinely learn from each other, both in terms of substantive content, and also methodological perspective. It is hard to imagine respectable research being conducted in the philosophy of mind without it being informed by state of the art empirical work in psychology and cognitive science. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

PHIL 490- Ethics & Public Affairs Credits: 5.00
The first two thirds of the course will focus on contemporary normative theory and decision theory. The remainder of the course will be devoted to directed research in which a significant public policy issue will be analyzed from a normative perspective. Prerequisite: PHIL 102, POLS 350. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.