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Media & Strategic Communication |
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MSC 414 - Advanced Topics in Public Relations: Health Communication
This course is a study of health communication including conceptual frameworks, processes and contexts. Topics such as provider-patient relationships, health promotions and disease prevention will be explored.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in Alternate Years
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MSC 428 - Digital Production Workshop
In a workshop environment, students will refine and expand their creative producing skill, technical production ability, and performing/hosting style. Students will explore various production formats including news, dramatic scenes, and music performance. Projects will culminate into a final comprehensive, multi-platform production package.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MSC 327
Lab Hours Required
Not Liberal Arts
Offered in Fall & Spring
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MSC 430 - The Producer’s Craft
This course will focus on the role of the producer for screen-based media. Areas of study include concept research and development; project budgeting and finance; writing and pitching proposals; planning pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution. Emphasis is on the Producer’s ability to guide the concept and story development of television and film genres through leadership, vision and creative originality.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MSC 327
Offered When Needed
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MSC 431 - Television Aesthetics and Criticism
This course will provide an introduction to the analysis of television modes, content and story design. Through lectures, readings and screenings, students will learn to examine and engage in television with a critical eye, and to deconstruct classic and contemporary television shows in order to recognize underlying paradigms, as well as the need for and impact of audience and advertiser appeal.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MSC 327
Offered When Needed
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MSC 432 - Broadcast Newsroom
Broadcast Newsroom is an advanced course for the students that have achieved a mid-level success in editing (audio/video), writing and reporting. Assignments will include campus coverage of news and events, turning that footage into a reporter’s package for multi-media news platforms.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MSC 327
Not Liberal Arts
Offered in Fall & Spring
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MSC 435 - Sports Broadcasting and Production
This course will involve the practical application of broadcast methodologies, specifically related to the coverage of live sporting events. Topics covered will include the sports interview, preparing a “stand-up” during/after a sporting event, writing and delivering sports recaps and more. Students will be required to provide live sports coverage during on-campus eevnts. Some time outside of class will be required.
Practicum
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MSC 327
Not Liberal Arts
Offered When Needed
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MSC 447 - Advanced Television Production
This course provides the study and working knowledge of advanced television studio production. Students will be taught more advanced varieties of television production and will apply that knowledge toward the actual production of programs.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MSC 327
Offered in the Spring Semester
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MSC 476 - Feature Writing
Preparation of feature articles for the print media: discovering and researching ideas; techniques of writing various kinds of feature articles. emphasizing human interest factors and literary devices.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MSC 275
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MSC 478 - Copy Editing
A detailed study of contemporary copy editing practices: the role and responsibilities of the copy editor; techniques of news editing, headline writing and photo editing; basics of newspaper layout.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MSC 200 and either MSC 213 or MSC 275
Offered in Fall & Spring
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MSC 487 - Specialty Publications
The principles and practices of editing publications, such as brochures, newsletters and specialty magazines for business and non-profit organizations, planning, editing, design, production and circulation.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MSC 200 ; MSC 213 or MSC 275
Offered in the Fall Semester
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MSC 489 - Advanced Reporting
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MSC 377
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MSC 491 - Independent Research in Media & Strategic Communication
A guided independent study on a topic in mass communication. Public meetings with the instructor required. A final research paper or project to be submitted at the end of the course.
Independent Study
Credits: 1
Prerequisite: Senior Status and Permission of Department Chair
Offered in Fall & Spring
Department Consent Required
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MSC 492 - Independent Research in Media & Strategic Communication
A guided independent study on a topic in mass communication. Public meetings with the instructor required. A final research paper or project to be submitted at the end of the course.
Independent Study
Credits: 1
Prerequisite: Senior Status and Permission of Department Chair
Department Consent Required
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MSC 493 - Independent Research in Mass Communication
A guided independent study on a topic in mass communication. Public meetings with the instructor required. A final research paper or project to be submitted at the end of the course.
Independent Study
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: Senior Standing and Permission of the Department Chair
Offered in Fall & Spring
Department Consent Required
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MSC 496 - Seminar In Media & Strategic Communication
A synthesis of theoretical knowledge and applied research skills in student’s area of specialization in mass communication. It is the culminating experience and capstone of the program.
Seminar
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: Senior Status
Capstone Course
Offered in Fall & Spring
Department Consent Required
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MSC 498 - Internship in Media & Strategic Communication
Participation in an off-campus, supervised work experience at a media organization. Regular meetings with the internship coordinator, periodic reports, as well as a final paper relating the work experience to the student’s coursework in mass communication required.
Internship
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: Second Term Sophomore Status
Offered in Fall & Spring
Department Consent Required
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MSC 499 - Special Topics in Media and Strategic Communications
Designed to offer an intensive study opportunity in an area of specialization not covered in great depth by existing courses.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MSC 200
Offered When Needed
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Mathematics Registration for courses numbered 240 and above requires permission of the department chair.
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MTH 115 - Fundamentals Of Algebra
A course designed to prepare students for college-level mathematics. Topics include algebraic operations, the function concept, graphs, products and factoring, exponents and radicals, roots of polynomial and rational functions. Math elective; does not fulfill core requirement.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in the Fall Semester
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MTH 123 - Mathematical Thinking
The core mathematics course for students of business and the liberal arts, this course provides an overview of the mathematics used to solve problems which arise in modern society, business and science. The topics covered include probability, statistics, mathematics of finance and other contemporary topics. The emphasis is on decision making, critical thinking and conceptual understanding.
Lecture
Credits: 3
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MTH 124 - Interpreting Information
A conceptual introduction to fundamental concepts of statistics including: sampling, graphical representation of data, numerical summaries of data, basic ideas of inference, and regression. This course will focus on understanding statistical concepts through the examination of reports on newscasts and articles published in newspapers, magazines, and on-line rather than a formula/calculation based approach.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered during Special Sessions Offered in the Fall Semester
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MTH 125 - Demystifying Numbers
One of the core mathematics courses for students of the liberal arts, this course provides an overview of numbers in their different formulations, interpretations and applications. Students will see numbers in new and unusual ways. They will see interesting numbers arising in nature, the arts and cyber security, among other applications. These topics will be approached from a problem solving as well as critical thinking point of view.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered during Special Sessions, Offered in the Fall Semester
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MTH 134 - Business Calculus
A basic introduction to selected topics from calculus. Topics include elementary functions, rates of change, the derivative, differentiation, and integration with special emphasis on a variety of applications.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in Fall & Spring. Offered in the Summer
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MTH 135 - Precalculus
An intensive study of algebraic, trigonometric and exponential functions and their inverses. This course is designed to prepare students to take the full calculus sequence.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in Fall & Spring
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MTH 153 - Mathematics for Education
An intensive overview of the conceptual background which underlies the major mathematical themes found in the elementary school curriculum. Concepts to be explored are taken from elementary set theory, number systems and number sense, relationships between fractions and decimals, the use of ratio, intuitive probability and intuitive geometry. These topics will be approached from a problem solving point of view with an emphasis on the appropriate uses of technology.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in the Spring Semester
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MTH 231 - Calculus 1
Study of functions; limits; continuity; derivatives; differentiation of algebraic functions, implicit differentiation, geometric and physical applications, mean value theorem, differentials, anti-differentiation, areas by integration, areas of limits as sums, the definite integral, fundamental theorem of the calculus, and differentiating and integration of trigonometric functions.
Lecture
Credits: 4
Offered in Fall & Spring Offered in the Summer
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MTH 232 - Calculus 2
The continuation of MTH 231 . Topics include area under the curve, antiderivatives, techniques of integration, applications of the definite integral, and numerical techniques, improper integration, and Taylor polynomials.
Lecture
Credits: 4
Prerequisite: MTH 231 or Equivalent
Offered in Fall & Spring Offered in the Summer
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MTH 233 - Calculus 3
Study of polar coordinates, solid analytic geometry, introduction to vector analysis, partial derivatives, directional derivatives, tangent lines and planes, line integrals, multiple integration, double and triple integrals, cylindrical and spherical coordinates, infinite series.
Lecture
Credits: 4
Prerequiste: MTH 231 , MTH 232 , or approval of department chair.
Offered in the Fall Semester
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MTH 236 - Introduction to Proof
A course designed to bridge the gap between calculus and abstract mathematics. An introduction to logical propositions and connectives, mathematical language, and methods of proof. Selected topics from number theory, set theory, and functions will serve as the mathematical vehicles to develop these skills
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MTH 232
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MTH 240 - Theory of Numbers
A study of the more important properties of the natural number system: divisibility, primes, recurring series, congruences, quadratic residues, Diophantine equations.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MTH 231
Offered in Alternate Years
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MTH 250 - Linear Algebra
Introduction to vectors, vector fields, vector space Rn, bases of Rn, subspaces, projections, matrices and determinants, linear mappings, matrix representations of linear mappings, matrices and systems of linear equations, rank, existence and uniqueness of solutions, eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MTH 231
Offered in Alternate Years
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MTH 270 - Applied Statistics
An introductory course in applied statistics. The basic ideas of analysis of data and statistical inference are introduced. Discrete and continuous probability distributions, sampling distribution, confidence intervals, testing hypotheses, regression, correlation, chi-square tests, and analysis of variance. Applications drawn from economics, management sciences, and life sciences. Use of appropriate technology.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MTH 123 or MTH 124 or MTH 125 or MTH MTH 134 or MTH 231
Offered in Fall & Spring Offered in the Summer
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MTH 302 - Differential Equations
Standard methods of solution of ordinary differential equations of the first order and some special equations of higher order; general theory of linear differential equations; Green’s functions; series solutions; applications.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MTH 232 or equivalent.
Offered in Alternate Years
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MTH 310 - Discrete Mathematics
Set theory and mathematical logic, combinatorics, binomial and multinomial theorems, graph theory, digraphs and matrices, Boolean algebras, Boolean functions, and switching theory will be covered.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MTH 231
Offered in the Spring Semester
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MTH 403 - Geometry
A unified study of various types of geometry and their roles in the analytic development of the fundamental properties of generalized geometric spaces. Axiomatics of affine, projective, Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries. Advantages and disadvantages of synthetic and analytic forms of proof.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in Alternate Years
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MTH 406 - Introduction to Topology
An information course aimed at reinforcing fundamental concepts of calculus. Theorems and problems connected with the following items will be discussed and studied: elements of point set theory, neighborhood, connectedness, real line, compactness, denumerability, sequences, continuity, homeomorphism.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Department Approval Required. Offered When Needed
Department Consent Required
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MTH 408 - Automata and Formal Languages
An introduction to the theory of computation, emphasizing finite automata and regular languages. Additional topics to be discussed are pushdown automata and context-free languages, and an introduction to Turing Machines and unsolvability.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MTH 163 or MTH 310 and CS 301
Offered in the Fall Semester
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MTH 410 - Advanced Calculus
A more rigorous development of theoretical calculus with special emphasis on such topics as partial differentiation, differentiability, implicit function theorem, inverse function theorem, infinite series and sequences of functions, uniform convergence and boundedness.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MTH 233
Offered in Alternate Years
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MTH 411 - Vector Analysis
A course in vector analysis stressing the following topics: vector algebra; differentiation of vector functions; line, surface and space integrals, gradient, divergence, curl; the theorems of Gauss, Green and Stokes; vector spaces and transformations; differential K-forms and the generalized Stokes theorem.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MTH 233 or equivalent.
Offered in Alternate Years
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MTH 415 - Complex Variables
An introductory course in functions of a complex variable stressing the following topics: the complex numbers system; differentiation and integration of functions of a complex variable; power series; the calculus of residues; conformal mapping.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MTH 233 or equivalent
Offered in Alternate Years
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MTH 421 - Abstract Algebra 1
Binary operations; groups; subgroups; permutations; cyclic groups; direct products; cosets; normal subgroups; factor groups; Homomorphisms and Isomorphisms.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in Alternate Years
Department Consent Required
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MTH 422 - Abstract Algebra 2
A continuation of MTH 421 covering the following topics: rings; integral domains; fields; ideals; polynomials; homomorphisms, isomorphisms; and automorphisms; the fundamental theorem of algebra.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in Alternate Years
Department Consent Required
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MTH 432 - Probability and Statistics I
An overview of probability and statistics. Experiments; sample spaces; random variables; probability measures and distributions; combinatorics; expectation; data collection and analysis; confidence intervals; selected hypothesis tests.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MTH 232
Offered in Alternate Years
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MTH 433 - Probability and Statistics II
A rigorous development and extension of the topics in MTH 432 . Tests of hypothesis; regression, analysis of variance; multivariate distributions; nonparametric methods.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: MTH 432
Offered in Alternate Years
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MTH 440 - History and Foundations of Mathematics
Evolution of mathematics as an abstract speculative science. A survey of the outstanding contributions to the development of mathematics; the hypothetical nature of mathematical truths; examination of some of the important postulational systems of modern geometries and algebras; the role of symbolic logic and set theory in the modern structure of mathematics.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Capstone Course Offered in the Fall Semester
Department Consent Required
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MTH 441 - Mathematical Modeling
This course explores the process of constructing and implementing mathematical models for a large variety of situations. Models from the physical life and social sciences will be examined using deterministic and probabalistic methods, both continuous and discrete. A strong emphasis will be placed on independent and cooperative work and presentation of results in oral and written form. Capstone experience in applied mathematics.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MTH 302 , MTH 310 , MTH 270 , or MTH 433 and CS 201
Offered in the Fall Semester
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MTH 451 - Senior Reading Course
Independent reading course in mathematics. Weekly papers and a final examination will be required. 1, 2, or 3 credits.
Independent Study
Credits: 2
Prerequisite: Senior Standing
Department Consent Required
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MTH 461 - Capstone Seminar
This seminar (offered as a hybrid course) serves as the culminating experience for mathematics majors and those students majoring in Adolescent Education (Mathematics). This seminar will introduce students to mathematical literature of both historical importance and of contemporary interest. The readings will survey various disciplines in mathematics. Students will be required to make both oral and written summaries of published articles and to create an annotated bibliography on a mathematical topic
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: Senior Standing
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MTH 491 - Special Topics in Mathematics
This course explores selected topics in mathematics. May be taken more than once for credit.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in Alternate Years
Department Consent Required
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Nursing |
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NURS 300 - Culture of Health
This course examines theories and principles of health promotion, disease prevention and risk reduction. Primary (prevention), secondary (detection) and tertiary (reduction of continuing risk) will be reviewed. Contemporary theories of health promotion will be examined. Current federal guidelines for prevention will be addressed. Health literacy and health teaching will be discussed in the context of patient centered care.
Lecture
Credits: 2
Offered in the Fall and Spring Semesters.
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NURS 301 - Health Assessment
This course will provide students with the ability to understand principles of health and apply them to daily living. Students will use theory to apply healthy behaviors to individuals and families in order to develop plans of health for them throughout their lifespan. Utilizing national goals for health, e.g. Healthy People 2020, CDC Guidelines and Institute of Medicine documents, students will identify health behaviors for themselves and their patients. As well, students will be provided with the skills necessary to assess health through therapeutic interviews and physical assessment in order to differentiate between normal and abnormal health findings. This course includes a laboratory component.
Lecture
Credits: 0
Offered in the Fall and Spring Semesters.
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NURS 302 - Exploring Nursing: Appreciating History, Exploring the Present, Creating the Future
This student led seminar will delve into the rich history of nursing, explore trends in nursing today, and provide students with a forum for innovative thinking to co-create the future of nursing within the health care system. Students will select topics of interest (with faculty approval) and utilize creative strategies to engage their group of colleagues.
Lecture
Credits: 2
Offered in the Spring Semester.
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NURS 310 - Pharmacology
This course investigates principles of pharmacology as they apply to pharmacologic intervention in the care of patients. Principles of pharmacodynamics, drug-drug interactions, adverse effects and side effects will be discussed within the context of the nursing process and care planning.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in the Fall and Spring Semesters.
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NURS 311 - Pathophysiology
This course explores alternations in physiologic mechanisms as they relate to health and illness. Common pathophysiologic alterations will be presented with attention to the impact of these alterations on the mind, body and spirit of the individuals affected by them. The role of genetics will be explored and considered within the context of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in the Spring Semester.
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NURS 315 - Considerations in Care of the Aging Adult
This course examines the experiences of aging in American culture and the role of the nurse in facilitating health and reducing risk. The course will focus on the fastest growing population in America, individuals over the age of 65 and the frail elderly and examine the role of nursing in engaging in the health, wellness and quality of life in this population. Physiologic, psychologic, developmental and social issues will be discussed. The course will also examine the role of family care giving and end-of-life experiences. Emphasis will be given to syndromes most often associated with aging, such as polypharmacy, decompensatory pathologies, frailty, abuse and geriatric syndromes. Strategies essential for the treatment and coordination of care for individuals and families dealing with aging family members, as well as the impact on population health locally, nationally, and globally will be addressed.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in the Spring Semester.
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NURS 316 - Nursing Care of the Adult and Aging Patient
This course provides students with the information, knowledge and attitudes necessary to provide safe, high quality care to adults from early adulthood through the aging process. Acute and chronic health issues, adult development, primary, secondary and tertiary prevention will be addressed. Issues of diversity and inclusivity will be explored within the context of the delivery of nursing care. Concepts of patient advocacy will be discussed with application of these concepts to direct patient care. This course includes both didactic/theorectical learning as well as exposure to adult patients in a variety of clinical settings.
Lecture
Credits: 8
Prerequisites: NURS 301 and NURS 320
Offered in the Spring Semester.
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NURS 320 - Patient Centered Nursing Care
This course provides nursing students with critical thinking skills necessary to begin engaging in the nursing process to safely assess patient needs and identify quality interventions to meet those needs. The nursing process as the critical thinking model of nursing care will be presented and applied to actions basic to nursing care, the promotion of healthy physiologic and psychosocial responses to actual and potential health issues. This course includes a laboratory component. Students will be expected to participate in both clinical laboratory and clinical patient settings.
Lecture
Credits: 8
Prerequisite or Co-requisite: NURS 301
Offered in the Fall Semester.
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NURS 401 - Care of Individuals and Populations with Behavioral/Mental Health
This course investigates the role of the nurse in the application of nursing process to individuals and groups with behavioral and mental health disorders. Prevention, assessment and nursing treatment of individuals and groups with behavioral and mental health disorders will be discussed. Emphasis is placed on assisting individuals, families and communities with the promotion, restoration, maintenance of health and the evaluation of nursing care in those situations. This course includes both didactic/theoretical learning as well as exposure to adult patients in a variety of in-patient and out-patient behavioral health clinical settings.
Lecture
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: NURS 301
Offered in the Fall and Spring Semesters. Offered in the Summer.
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NURS 402 - Population Health: Nursing Care in the Community
This course investigates the role of the nurse in the application of nursing process to groups of individuals or to communities with similar health needs and problems. This course will focus on the needs of communities and groups of individuals within communities in need of mental health prevention care as well as acute and chronic mental health needs. Emphasis is placed on assisting individuals, families and communities with the promotion, restoration, maintenance of health and the evaluation of nursing care in those situations. This course includes both didactic/theoretical learning as well as exposure to adult patients in a variety of clinical settings.
Lecture
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: NURS 301
Offered in the Fall and Spring Semesters. Offered in the Summer.
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NURS 410 - Nursing Care of Women and the Childbearing Family
This course focuses in the information, knowledge and attitudes necessary to provide safe, high qualtiy care to women and the childbearing family. Acute and chronic health issues experienced by women, their partners and children, including issues of diversity and inclusivity will be explored within the context of the delivery of nursing care. Concepts of patient advocacy will be discussed with application of these concepts to direct patient care. This course includes both didactic/theorectical learning as well as exposure to adult patients in a variety of clinical settings.
Lecture
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: NURS 301
Offered in the Fall and Spring Semesters. Offered in the Summer.
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NURS 411 - Nursing Care of Children
This course focuses in the information, knowledge and attitudes necessary to provide safe, high quality care to children and the childbearing family. Acute and chronic health issues, child and family development, primary, secondary and tertiary prevention will be addressed. Issues of diversity and inclusivity will be explored within the context of the delivery of nursing care. Concepts of patient advocacy will be discussed with application of these concepts to direct patient care. This course includes both didactic/theorectical learning as well as exposure to adult patients in a variety of clinical settings.
Lecture
Credits: 6
Prerequisite: NURS 301
Offered in the Fall and Spring Semesters. Offered in the Summer.
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NURS 420 - Research, Evidence, and Innovation
This course will introduce concepts and processes required for the comprehension, of research. The role of research in nursing will be addressed. Multiple methods upon which to base best practices in nursing and data gathering for quality improvement will be introduced. Processes involved in asking clinical questions, searching databases, retrieving and appraising literature and critiquing research and evidence based decisions will be discussed. The philosophy of human-centered design will be investigated as a problem solving strategy for nursing and health care.
Lecture
Credits: 3
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NURS 430 - Leadership Development in Transitions to Professional Nursing
This capstone course is designed to integrate didactic and clinical work to day and to explore fundamental issues in leadership and the application of leadership theory to clinical nursing. The framework within which these issues will be explored is the Center for Creative Leadership?s (CCL) approach to leadership development that probs leadership of self in the context of self awareness, leadership of groups and leadership of systems. Concepts of leadership will be explored in the context of history, current events in health care and exploration of future possibilities for the profession of nursing. Students will apply and reflect upon clinical and leadership. Students will complete a 45 hour Leadership Workshop and Seminar and a 3 week precepted clinical experience.
Lecture
Credits: 6
Department Consent Required
Offered in the Spring Semester.
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Peace and Justice |
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PJS 420 - Special Topics in Peace and Justice Studies
Topics dealing with current issues in Peace and Justice.
Lecture
Credits: 3
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Philosophy |
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PHL 110 - Introduction to Philosophy
In this course, we will be examining some of the major themes and problems of Western philosophy as exemplified by a number of writings of some of the major figures of Western philosophy. We will be focusing on five areas: logic, philosophy of religion, metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of mind. In each case we will be looking at a number of articles that take some conflicting positions on the questions being addressed. Part of your responsibility in reading these will be not only to concentrate on understanding what is being said, but also to think critically about the issues under discussion. In this course, being able to think critically about these issues is more important than simply memorizing what is being said. We will work on all this in class.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in Fall & Spring
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PHL 210 - Action & Character: An Introduction to Moral Philosophy
This course examines central themes in moral philosophy through a consideration of fundamental questions about human nature, action, and character. In what sense is moral philosophy a normative discipline? Are human beings selfish by nature? Should we always act exclusively in our own interest? Is morality relative (to culture, to individuals) or are there universal and objectively valid moral principles? Are moral judgments cognitively meaningful or simply expressions of attitude or emotion? What role does reason play in making moral judgments? Are there such things as moral facts and properties; can we ever really know such facts? What is valuable or good for us? What determines whether an action is right or wrong, obligatory or permissible? Are actions right or wrong in terms of their consequences? What do motives or intentions have to do with the morality of an action? Is morality fundamentally about performing certain kinds of actions or more about being a certain kind of person? What is the relationship between action and character? Such questions are considered in light o leading theories in moral philosophy, e.g., egoism, relativism, utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. We will also apply these theories to specific moral problems.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in Fall & Spring
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PHL 215 - Matters of Life and Death
This course examines some of the major themes and problems of moral philosophy with special emphasis on matters of life and death. The nature of moral reasoning, virtue ethics, utilitarianism, and deontology as they have been displayed in some of the most important texts of the moral tradition will be studied and applied to contemporary problems in the areas of bioethics and mortality. Examples of such problems are the moral status of abortion, euthanasia, genetic modification, capital punishment, torture, terrorism, and war. The course also considers the question of what makes a life good and meaningful as well as the proper attitude towards the inevitability of death.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in the Fall Semester
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PHL 216 - Freedom and Morality
This course examines the relationship between morality and various accounts of freedom, most notably freedom of the will. The question of free will and the major positions in the free will debate are considered in light of the nature of moral reasoning, virtue ethics, utilitarianism, and deontology as they have been displayed in some of the most important texts of the moral tradition. Particular emphasis is placed on the nature of the relationship between freedom and moral responsibility.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in the Fall Semester
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PHL 217 - Morality and Skepticism
This course studies various skeptical challenges to morality. The course examines the nature of moral reasoning, virtue ethics, utilitarianism, and deontology as they have been displayed in some of the most important texts of the moral tradition with special emphasis placed on a variety of skeptical positions with respect to morality; most notably that morality is not distinct from enlightened self-interest, religios commands, cultural mores, or personal preferences.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in the Fall Semester
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PHL 218 - Markets and Morals
This course is designed to provide an introduction to several key concepts in moral philosophy as it relates to business and markets. What is the relationship between business and ethics? Do we have obligations to others in our role as employees or consumers? Do corporations have moral agency? Which economic systems are just? Such questions are considered in terms of the moral concepts in virtue ethics, utilitarianism, deontology, and social contract theory. Through evaluation of those concepts, including agency, integrity, self-interest, and obligation, special emphasis will be placed on our role and responsibilities within a global economy.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in the Fall Semester
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PHL 219 - Ethics and Entrepreneurial Leadership
When you think of a good leader, what do you imagine? Can you imagine yourself stepping into that vision and owning it? All of us will encounter times in our life when we need to take on leadership roles, whether as the official lead on a project, as the default “decider” in a group of friends, or simply as the director of our own most important decisions in life. In this class, you will learn to refine and perhaps to alter your vision of ethical leadership, shaping it into something you yourself can strive for as you pursue your own entrepreneurial goals, and you will take concrete steps to bring yourself closer to that goal.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in Fall & Spring
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PHL 301 - Environmental Ethics
This course is an examination of some of the fundamental ethical issues and questions concerning our relation to and actions toward the environment. This will also lead to an examination of some of the wider social and political issues concerning the environment.
Lecture
Credits: 3
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PHL 304 - Philosophy of Childhood
To be human is to be educated according to the beliefs and practices of a particular place and time, and our understanding of ourselves as human beings and our place in the universe is predicated upon our introduction to it through the world we inhabit as children. The aim of this course is to consider philosophical perspectives on childhood insofar as they offer insight into the human condition of belatedness to the social order that gives our lives meaning.
Lecture
Credits: 3
ICT Core Theme Centerpiece: Identity
Offered in Fall & Spring
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PHL 305 - Philosophy of Sport
This course addresses questions and issues that comprise the field known as the philosophy of sport, including the areas of ethics and social philosophy. What is sportsmanship and what is fair competition? Is it ever ethical to use performance-enhancing drugs? Should there be gender equity in sports participation? Does winning justify any means necessary to achieve it? These are but a few of the questions that will be addressed.
Lecture
Credits: 3
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PHL 307 - Major Representatives of Ancient Philosophy
A historical study of philosophy in the ancient world. Examination of the principal philosophical texts and doctrines of one or more of the following: ancient Eastern thought; pre-Socratic Greek philosophy; the Sophists and Socrates; Plato; Aristotle; post-Aristotelian Greek and Roman philosophy; Neoplatonism.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered When Needed
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PHL 308 - Major Representatives of Medieval Philosophy
A study in-depth of one of the following: Augustine; Aquinas; Bonaventure; Duns Scotus; medieval Islamic philosophy or medieval Jewish philosophy.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered When Needed
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PHL 309 - Major Representatives of Modern Philosophy
The origins of modern philosophy in terms of the most important ideas of the rationalist and empiricist traditions and the major movements of modernity will be examined.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered When Needed
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PHL 312 - Major Representatives of Contemporary Philosophy
An examination of the new foundations of philosophical thought claimed by phenomenology, existentialism, and analytic philosophy will be undertaken.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered When Needed
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PHL 314 - Major Representatives of American Philosophy
The development of the central themes of American Philosophy as found in one or more of the following: Peirce; Royce, James; Dewey; Whitehead; Quine; Rorty.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered When Needed
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PHL 319 - Philosophy of Reality
An analysis of central metaphysical terms and concepts: ‘being;’ ‘reality;’ ‘existence.’ A detailed study of significant metaphysical problems: universals and essence; process and substance-attribute, relations; necessity and contingency; God.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered When Needed
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PHL 320 - Philosophy of Knowledge
This course examines the nature, origins and limits of human knowledge. Dominant themes in epistemology, such as the claims of perceptual and a priori knowledge, the question of truth and justification, and the issue of skepticism, will be explored through a careful reading of classical and contemporary texts.
Lecture
Credits: 3
ICT Core Theme Centerpiece: Innovation. Offered in Alternate Years
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PHL 321 - Philosophy of Mind
A review of recent criticisms and developments of the Cartesian Theory of mind and self-consciousness in the light of contemporary theories of language and behavior. Topics include minds and machines, intentions and mental states, materialism and the mind-body problem.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in Alternate Years
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PHL 323 - Animal Rights and Its Critics
Do animals have rights? Why do we grant some animals rights but not others? In this course we will examine various arguments concerning animal rights. In the first half of the semester we will read some early animal rights/liberation arguments that are now considered classic, whereas in the second half of the semester we will turn to critics of animal rights. Topics of discussion will include, but are not limited to, authority, body, death, experimentation, factory farming, food, hunting, justice, kinship, language, personhood, pet, philosophy, power, speciesism, vegetarianism, and zoos.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: One philosophy core course.
Offered in the Spring Semester.
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PHL 327 - Moral Problems
A study of individual and social moral questions. Religion; the nature of the right-to-life in relation to self-defense; euthanasia; abortion and medical ethics; sexual morality in relation to spousal and parental relationships; property rights in relation to theories of collectivism and private ownership (wage contract and the morality of strikes); Political rights (ground and limits of political authority); the doctrine of the just war and its applicability to nuclear armaments; international moral law.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered When Needed
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PHL 332 - Logic: Basis of Correct Reasoning
A study of the logical principles of argument and a consideration of numerous common fallacies; an examination of the basic principles of deductive symbolic logic and of the inductive logic and design of research.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered When Needed
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PHL 337 - Philosophy and Culture
This course seeks to explore philosophical conceptions of the unity and development of reason as it is reflected in man’s most distinctive cultural activities: art; religion; science and morality. The emphasis will center on how certain modern and contemporary philosophers have sought to relate forms of knowledge to various forms of man’s cultural and social activity.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered When Needed
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PHL 346 - Philosophy of Religion
This course will locate the philosophical issues raised by religious belief in a personal, historical and cultural context. Present day possibilities for belief and unbelief will be analyzed and evaluated as an experiential option and not as an abstract subject. Authors who share this approach, such as Sigmund Freud and William James, will figure prominently in readings and discussions.
Lecture
Credits: 3
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PHL 351 - Revolution in Sexual Morality
A philosophical attempt to interpret and evaluate normative shifts in sexual morality resulting from the breakdown of established customs. The concepts of sexuality, love, fidelity and perversion will be considered in relation to questions about marriage, promiscuity, homosexuality, pornography and contraception.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered When Needed
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PHL 354 - Feminist Philosophy
This course surveys a broad range of concepts, themes, and debates central to feminist philosophy. We will discuss issues of identity: What does it mean to be a feminist? What does it mean to be a woman? Why do we have different - and at times competing - notions of feminism? We will also explore how our identities are shaped by other social constructions such as race, ethnicity, class, and sexual orientation. Our engagement with seminal feminist texts will help us reexamine social practices and reconstruct moral theories through feminist lenses.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: One Philosophy Core Course
ICT Core Theme Centerpiece: Feminist. Offered in Fall & Spring
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PHL 355 - Thomas Paine and the Revolutionary Tradition
Beginning with a study of the philosophical foundations of The Declaration of Independence, this course will examine the relation of Thomas Paine to the revolutionary traditions of the 18th Century. The course will end with an examination of the relevance of Paine’s thought to the contemporary world
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in Fall & Spring
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PHL 356 - Social and Political Philosophy
This course will seek to explore the philosophical foundations of ideas like rights, justice, freedom and obligation in political and social contexts. The emphasis will be on the conceptual problems associated with attempts to formulate arguments and theories about these topics.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in Alternate Years
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PHL 360 - Ethics and Business
This course seeks to develop a moral perspective that is applicable to the structure and practices of business. Themes to be discussed are: a normative theory of ethics; economic justice; corporate-labor responsibility with respect to wage and price, investment, advertising, preferential hiring, ecology, and consumer protection; and the new functions and responsibilities of multinational corporations.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered When Needed
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PHL 361 - Ethical Issues in Science and Technology
This course seeks to develop a moral perspective through philosophy as it applies to the practical and ethical problems that emerge from contemporary technologies. Emphasis will be placed on ethical problems that professionals face in the field, such as privacy in data technologies, intellectual property rights, environmental ethics, ethical issues in engineering and the physical sciences. The goal of the course will be to clarify the issues involved and to help students develop tools of ethical analysis and evaluation to confront such issues.
Lecture
Credits: 3
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PHL 362 - Respect and Self-Respect
In this class, students will begin by learning the paradigmatic Enlightenment understanding of self-respect found in the work of Immanuel Kant and then procede to learn important critiques of this theory and contemporary rethinkings of self-respect. The class will focus especially on feminist and critical race texts by authors like Charles Mills, Robin S. Dillon, and Bernard Boxill. In the process, the class will also engage with contemporary issues that continue the fraught conversation about what self-respect really means, such as the self-care movement, respectability politics, and the body positivity movement.
Lecture/Seminar
Credits: 3
Offered in the Fall and Spring Semesters.
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PHL 363 - Philosophy of Psychology and Neuroscience
In this course, we will investigate the following six scientific questions about how the mind and brain work. (1) Do brains work like computers? (2) Are thoughts really just neurons firing? (3) Can non-human animals think? (4) Are human beings really rational? (5) Does the mind extend beyond the boundaries of the brain? (6) What are brains for, anyway? Our goal in this class is to figure out what, in general, the sciences of mind and brain have to say about our six questions. These questions are broad enough that it is difficult to know which experimental results are most relevant to answering them. Our first task, therefore, will be to clarify the questions themselves so that we have a better grasp on what might count as a good answer. Once we’ve determined what scientific literature is most relevant to answering these questions, we’ll read a selection of it, outline two or three promising answers, and assess their strengths and weaknesses.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in the Spring Semester
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PHL 365 - Philosophy of Science
A survey of the development of the relations between the philosophical tradition and modern science. Special attention will be given to scientific revolutions in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and the philosophical schools of thought during this same period.
Lecture
Credits: 3
ICT Core Theme Centerpiece: Scientific Reasoning.
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PHL 366 - Problems in Medical Ethics
This course will focus on the nature of medical ethics and on the ethical implications of current problems in medical practice and research.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered When Needed
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PHL 375 - Aesthetics
A study of major theories of art and their relation to individual art forms, especially literature and music. Includes an examination of some central critical concepts, such as value, intention, expression, and insight, as well as the philosophical problems surrounding modern art.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered When Needed
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PHL 381 - Philosophy of Law
An examination of some classical and contemporary attempts to define and/or explicate the concept of law, the nature of legal reasoning, and the relationships among legal systems and customs, traditions, and moral ideas. Attention directed to theories of natural law, legal positivism, legal realism, sociological jurisprudence. Consideration of problems involved in notions of international law, legal obligation, due process and the morality of the criminal law.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in Alternate Years
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PHL 383 - Philosophy of Human Nature
What makes humans unique? Many branches of science have made progress on this question, but most of the answers are both partial and controversial. Our goal in this class will be to survey some of the most influential answers, evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, and fit them together into a coherent theoretical framework. We will have to synthesize information from a diverse range of sciences, including developmental psychology, behavior genetics, evolutionary biology, and cultural anthropology. In order to impose some structure on this vast collection of ideas, we will organize the course around the venerable nature/nurture debate. Those on the nature side defend the idea that human uniqueness results primarily from our genetic, biological heritage. They think we have complex culture because our biology makes us smart. Those on the nurture side say that cultural and environmental factors are more influential. They think that we are smart because we have complex culture. As we assess this fascinating and occasionally fierce controversy, your job will be to stay open-minded, and to learn as much as you can from both sides.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in the Fall Semester
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PHL 400 - Independent Study
A program of readings in an area of philosophical interest or a program of research leading to the writing of a major philosophical paper with the advisor’s approval, under the supervision of a member of the department.
Independent Study
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: Approval of Dept Advisor
Offered When Needed
Department Consent Required
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