Philosophy Courses

PHILO-100 Topics in Philosophy

.5-4 Units: 9-72 hours of lecture and/or 27-216 hours of laboratory, per term, SC, DG

This course covers topics in philosophy. Topics will be chosen to supplement and serve as additions to current offerings in the area, and will be announced each term in the current schedule of classes.

PHILO-101 Introduction to Philosophy

3 Units: 54 hours of lecture, per term, LR, DG, CSU, UC (C-ID: PHIL100)

This course introduces some of the central questions of philosophy (the “love of wisdom”): How should I live? What is justice? Who am I? What is art? Students examine these questions from multiple perspectives, studying the ideas of diverse philosophers from throughout history and around the world. By the end of the course, students should have a deeper understanding of themselves, others and the world around them.

PHILO-120 Introduction to Ethics

3 Units: 54 hours of lecture, per term, SC, DG, CSU, UC (C-ID: PHIL120)

This course introduces some of the central questions of ethics (the study of morality): What makes a person good? What makes an action right? How can we achieve a more just society? Students examine these questions from multiple perspectives, studying philosophers and ethical theories from throughout history and around the world. With moral wisdom, students also address the important ethical issues of the day

PHILO-129: Introduction to Critical Thinking and Logic

This course introduces students to principles and methods of critical thinking and logic, with special emphasis on valid reasoning and analyzing and evaluating statements and deductive arguments. Students will also learn to identify and examine fallacies and inductive reasoning in a variety of contexts such as the media. These principles and methods will be applied to everyday life as well as important social issues.

PHILO-130 Critical Thinking, Logic, and Composition

3 Units: 54 hours of lecture, per term, SC, DG, CSU, UC (C-ID: PHIL110)

Prerequisite: ENGL-001A OR ENGL-001AX

This course introduces students to the principles of critical thinking and logical reasoning as well as their practical applications to self and society. Students will analyze the logic of statements, deductive and inductive arguments, and fallacies from a variety of sources and in relation to a range of important social issues. Special emphasis will be given to integrating principles of critical thinking and logic into sustained and effective written argument.

PHILO-140 History of Ancient Philosophy

3 Units: 54 hours of lecture, per term, SC, DG, CSU, UC (C-ID: PHIL130)

Advisory: ENGL-001A OR ENGL-001AX

This course introduces students to the major questions in ancient philosophy: Is there an ultimate reality? What is the nature of justice? What is the good life? How is happiness attained? Students explore these and other questions through diverse philosophers and thinkers of ancient Greece, Rome, as well as non-Western traditions in Africa, Mesoamerica, and Asia.

PHILO-150 History of Modern Philosophy

3 Units: 54 hours of lecture, per term, SC, DG, CSU, UC

This course provides an overview of the modern period in philosophy, which lasted roughly from the scientific revolution to the enlightenment (17th-19th centuries). During this era, philosophers such as Descartes, Marx and Kant explored questions concerning knowledge, the self, justice and religion. Their ideas, which continue to shape the contemporary world, will also be explored from non-Western, feminist and critical race theory perspectives.

PHILO-160 Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy

3 Units: 54 hours of lecture, per term, SC, DG, CSU, UC

Advisory: ENGL-142B

This course is an introduction to the major topics in social and political philosophy such as justice, freedom, equality, and rights. We will explore these and other issues through diverse philosophers and philosophies from the ancient, modern and contemporary periods, including post-colonial, feminist and critical race theory perspectives.

PHILO-180 Introduction to Philosophy of Religion

3 Units: 54 hours of lecture, per term, SC, DG, CSU, UC

Advisory: ENGL-142B

This course introduces students to the major issues in philosophy of religion, including the origin of religion, the existence of God, the problem of evil, and the variety of world religions. Students examine these issues from a wide range of perspectives, drawing upon philosophers, theologians and other thinkers from diverse cultures and eras.

PHILO-200 Environmental Ethics

3 Units: 54 hours of lecture, per term, SC, DG, CSU

Advisory: ENGL-142B

This course is an introduction to the major theories and issues in environmental ethics, the study of our relationship with nature. We will examine the perspectives of diverse thinkers from various traditions, including ecofeminism and environmental justice, and address the major environmental challenges of our time such as
climate change and sustainability

PHILO-298 Independent Study

.2-4 Units: 3.6-72 hours of independent study, per term, SC, DG

Prerequisite: Educational contract of study signed by an instructor, department chair and vice president. Topics must extend beyond regular course offerings.

This course is designed for selected students to pursue independent study in philosophy under the direction of an instructor.