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340-101-DW |
Introduction to Philosophy |
3 - 0 - 3 |
45 |
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Description for Course: |
This course will trace the development of Philosophy from its roots in Ancient Greece to the dominant trends in contemporary 20th and 21st century thought. Major topics such as the nature of reality, truth, knowledge, justice, personal identity, freedom and responsibility will be covered. In a broad sense, this course explores the human condition, and the ways we humans have tried to understand and define ourselves, our world and our possibilities. As this is an introductory course, students will also learn and practice the philosophical fundamentals of sound argumentation. By the end of the course, students will have an understanding of the history of philosophy, the basic questions and problems of philosophy, and a sense of the relevance and importance of the tradition. |
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340-219-DW |
Topics in Philosophy |
3 - 0 - 3 |
45 |
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Description for Course: |
This course is designed for students who have previously taken Introduction to Philosophy, or an equivalent. In this course, we will engage in a focused analysis of one or more specific topics which hold a central place in philosophical discussion. Students will be introduced to the ideas and arguments surrounding these topics, as put forward both by relevant historical and contemporary thinkers. Students will refine their skills in analyzing and reconstructing the arguments of others, formulating their own views on these topics, and expressing their ideas in sound argumentational form. |
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340-303-DW |
Philosophy: Thinking for Ourselves |
2 - 1 - 3 |
45 |
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Description for Course: |
In a world which moves so quickly there often isn’t even time to think, it is imperative to develop the skills necessary to engage in critical reflection and interpretation, to reason effectively and creatively, to separate truth from illusion, and to judge, act and communicate in ways that lead to a meaningful and authentic life. In this course, we will pursue those skills by focusing on the art of doing philosophy — studying and practicing the critical and creative reasoning that philosophical thinking demands, and which is increasingly important to a fulfilling engagement with life in a modern, fast-paced technological culture. Through our study of philosophy and the philosophical method, we will be more prepared than ever to think for ourselves, to challenge and defend ideas, to find meaning and to articulate our identities and place in the world. |
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340-421-DW |
Philosophy of Art |
2 - 1 - 3 |
45 |
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Description for Course: |
This course is devoted to general and foundational philosophical questions about the nature of art, its creation, interpretation and criticism. Accordingly, students take on such questions as, what is art and can it be distinguished from ordinary objects and activities? Is there such a thing as artistic truth and does it differ from, for instance, scientific truth? What moral considerations, if any, are attached to the production and interpretation of art? How do we determine what counts as a good or bad work of art? For that matter, how do we determine what counts as an artwork? Does the artwork originate in the artist? Likewise, how important are artistic intentions when we interpret a work of art? Put simply, this course will focus on how to analyze, interpret and critically judge an artistic or literary work. |
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340-910-DW |
Ancient Philosophy |
3 - 0 - 3 |
45 |
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Description for Course: |
In this course, the writings of the pre-Socratic philosophers will be studied, such as Thales, Anaximander, Empedocles, and some texts of Plato and Aristotle. The main objective is to introduce students to ancient philosophical ideas, including those of ancient science, with an eye to clarifying some of the projects and problems of philosophy, and to understanding the similarities and differences between ancient and modern science. |
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340-912-DW |
Modern Philosophy |
3 - 0 - 3 |
45 |
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Description for Course: |
This course examines the meaning and scope of Western ideas and institutions. In order to grasp the scope of modern thought, this course will explore the differences between the main ideas and views of modern philosophy versus the main ideas and views of modern science. It will become clear that philosophy and science have distinct ways of addressing the essential problems and themes of modern thought. The course will analyze, compare and contrast these differences in order to clearly understand the particular way philosophy treats modern problems. Finally, this course will attempt to integrate philosophical ideas, concepts and analytical methods into the study of other fields. |
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340-913-DW |
Philosophy and Culture |
2 - 1 - 3 |
45 |
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Description for Course: |
Though we might not recognize it on first glance, philosophy holds a central place in contemporary culture, as the questions addressed by philosophers—concerning the meaning of life, the nature of reality, the limits of knowledge, and the justification of our values—are precisely the questions that are posed and examined by artists and writers throughout the world, currently and throughout history. In this course, we will examine both how philosophical ideas have helped shape and define contemporary culture, and how philosophy, as a method, may offer us a number of tools to help us better understand, appreciate, navigate and communicate in an increasingly diverse and interconnected culture. |
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340-914-DW |
Why Art Matters |
2 - 1 - 3 |
45 |
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Description for Course: |
Art plays a central role in defining culture – all culture, throughout all of human history. But what exactly is art? How do we decide what counts as art and what doesn’t? Can there be any objective definition of “art”? What would that definition look like? This is the sort of question we begin with in a philosophical study of art or aesthetics. Is art defined by the emotional reaction it inspires? Does it require an audience? Do the intentions of the artist matter? Does art teach us anything? Does art convey truths? How do aesthetic values compare to ethical ones – and to what extent is art connected to ethics, or politics, or gender, or culture? Why, and on what basis do we value it? How do we compare artworks? And ought we preserve art for future generations? In short, why does art matter? This is the question we will tackle in this course. |
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340-943-DW |
Ethics of Journalism |
2 - 1 - 3 |
45 |
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Description for Course: |
This course will investigate the question “what is good journalism?” — not just in the sense of being technically good or well-received as journalism, but also in the sense of being morally good. What is the purpose of journalism, and what is the role of a journalist? What obligations does a journalist have to the truth? Or to society? Or to his or her subjects? What obligation does a state have to the press? Are there limits on what journalists can or ought to report? In this course, students will be introduced to various philosophical views in order to acquire the basic critical skills needed to examine the rights, responsibilities, limitations and role of the contemporary journalist. Students completing the course will be able to discuss the social, political and ethical implications of journalism, analyze and discuss contemporary journalism in a variety of media, and formulate their own critical analyses of these issues using the philosophical method. |
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340-BWA-03 |
Why Art Matters |
3 - 0 - 3 |
45 |
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Description for Course: |
Art plays a central role in defining culture – all culture, throughout all of human history. But what exactly is art? How do we decide what counts as art and what doesn’t? Can there be any objective definition of “art”? What would that definition look like? This is the sort of question we begin with in a philosophical study of art or aesthetics. Is art defined by the emotional reaction it inspires? Does it require an audience? Do the intentions of the artist matter? Does art teach us anything? Does art convey truths? How do aesthetic values compare to ethical ones – and to what extent is art connected to ethics, or politics, or gender, or culture? Why, and on what basis do we value it? How do we compare artworks? And ought we preserve art for future generations? In short, why does art matter? This is the ultimate question we will tackle in this course. |
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340-BWS-03 |
Introduction to Philosophy |
3 - 0 - 3 |
45 |
|
Description for Course: |
This course will trace the development of Philosophy from its roots in Ancient Greece to the dominant influences of German and French 20th century thought. Major topics such as truth, justice, freedom and responsibility will be covered while always keeping in mind the interests of the subject and the individual experience of the world. In a broad sense, this course explores the human condition, and the ways humans have tried to understand themselves and define their possibilities. As this is an introductory course, students will also be taught the philosophical fundamentals of sound argumentation. By the end of the course, students will have an understanding of the history of philosophy, the basic questions and problems of philosophy, and a sense of the relevance and necessity of the tradition. |
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340-BWS-03 |
Social and Political Thought |
3 - 0 - 3 |
45 |
|
Description for Course: |
Students in this course become familiar with the main theoretical approaches used in the social sciences (e.g. positivism), and learn how these approaches can be applied to contemporary issues (e.g. racism). The course also seeks to illustrate how the methods of social science can influence social issues (e.g. polling and the outcome of elections). |
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340-BWS-03 |
The Scope of Human Knowledge |
3 - 0 - 3 |
45 |
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Description for Course: |
What is truth? What is the difference between knowledge and mere opinion? On what is knowledge based? Are there different ways of knowing? How do we know that our theories match the world? Can we know reality as it truly is? These are some of the questions that will be investigated in this course. The aim of the course will be to introduce students to philosophy and the different philosophical approaches that have shaped our understanding of the world. |
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