Overview 

In PHIL A100, we survey several philosophical topics and learn about the field more generally.  We'll see what philosophers have to say about topics like reasoning, logic, ethics, justice, science, religion, free will, knowledge, consciousness, and the meaning of life. As you'll find out, studying philosophy is less about finding definite answers to questions, and more about learning how to ask questions that expand our minds. 

Overview 

In PHIL A120, we explore the foundations of moral reasoning and examine key moral theories such as virtue ethics, utilitarianism, and deontology. We also delve into metaethics to better understand the nature of moral claims and their justification. Throughout the course, we apply these ethical frameworks to contemporary moral issues, helping students critically analyze and engage with real-world ethical dilemmas.

Overview 

In PHIL A140, we travel back to the early modern period (around 1500-1800 CE) to engage with the philosophical ideas of the time.  Beginning with Descartes and ending shortly after the time of Kant, we also bring in contributions of philosophers of this time period who often get overlooked: Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz and Émilie Du Châtelet.  We look at how these thinkers developed ideas about science, knowledge, politics, God, free will, metaphysics, and the mind and soul.  

Overview 

In PHIL A150, we focus on developing key critical reasoning and argumentative writing skills. We approach these skills from the perspective of intellectual virtues, learning how to evaluate arguments, construct logical reasoning, and engage thoughtfully with diverse viewpoints. Along the way, we practice perspective-taking, helping students refine their ability to consider and understand multiple perspectives in both written and spoken forms.

Overview 

In PHIL A155, we jump into the art of making and understanding arguments, with a focus on deductive logic. We’ll look at both formal and informal logic, helping you improve your skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Throughout the course, we’ll explore different reasoning techniques and learn to spot strong arguments as well as common mistakes.

Overview 

In PHIL A165, we dive into the big questions about knowledge: What is it, and how do we know things? We’ll explore different theories on knowledge, including how we justify beliefs, what role perception and memory play, and how skepticism challenges what we think we know. Along the way, we’ll see how these ideas apply to real-world issues, helping you think more critically about what it means to truly know something.

Overview 

In PHIL A220, we learn how to translate English sentences into symbolic form, focusing on both sentence and predicate logic. You’ll use truth tables to classify and compare the properties of these sentences. We also cover different proof techniques to test whether arguments are valid or invalid, including truth tables and natural deduction proofs. Along the way, you’ll get comfortable with the rules for working with logical sentences, including quantifiers.