PHL - Philosophy

PHL191 Language and the Layout of Argument

Credits 4Fall

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This course focuses on the analysis of arguments, including the assessment criteria: recognizing arguments when they occur, discerning simple logical patterns of argument as well as imposters, extracting arguments from the contexts in which they occur, restating them in clear and concise terms while clearing away needless language and assessing the strength of the restated argument, with particular attention given to the strength of the inference.

This course fulfills: Arts & Letters; Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Assess the strength of the concise restatement of the argument, with parlicular attention given to the strength of theinference
  2. Define the basic vocabulary of argument analysis and assessment
  3. Distinguish the main valid forms from invalid imposters
  4. Translate an argument from its original context into a more concise and orderly summary (i.e., an argumentstandardization or diagram)

PHL201 Introduction to Philosophy (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

This course is a general introduction to philosophy, its practice and major areas of study. The course content is approached through works of some of the major Western philosophers as well as instructor-selected topics in philosophy: the existence and nature of God, free will, the mind-body problem, the existence of the external world and so on.

This course fulfills: Cultural Literacy; Arts & Letters; Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Analyze, assess, and/or interpret diverse historical and contemporary philosophical works/perspectives
  2. Compare/contrast attitudes of specific historical and contemporary periods and world cultures regarding philosophical discourse
  3. Define the basic vocabulary of logic
  4. Describe and apply fundamental concepts, conventions, and/or techniques of significant forms of philosophical discourse
  5. Identify some of the contributions of the major philosophers (e.g., Socrates, Plato, Descartes, Nietzsche, Mill, and Rawls)

PHL202 Fundamental Ethics (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)

Credits 4Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring

Registration Requirement: RD090 and WR090, or IECC201R and IECC201W, each with a grade of "C" or better; or placement above stated course levels.

A lecture and discussion approach to basic ethical systems. The student explores the question "Why be moral?" and attempts to analyze the foundations of moral actions.

This course fulfills: Cultural Literacy; Arts & Letters; Human Relations

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Analyze, assess, and/or interpret diverse historical and contemporary philosophical works/perspectives
  2. Compare/contrast attitudes of specific historical and contemporary periods and world cultures regarding philosophical dicourse
  3. Examine the historical bases and evolution of diverse ideas, behaviors, and issues pertaining to perspectives and developments in philosophical ethics
  4. Explain the origins and influences of works/perspectives in philosophical ethics
  5. Explore how culturally-based assumptions influence perceptions, behaviors, and policies pertaining to conventional and/or philosophical ethics
  6. Identify some of the contributions of the major philosophers (e.g., Socrates, Plato, Kant, Nietzsche, and Rawls)

Course fees are subject to change. Additional section fees (web, hybrid, etc.) may apply.

Online option regularly offered

Cultural Literacy course