Course Descriptions - Philosophy

The course descriptions listed are updated from time to time as information changes. The University reserves the right to terminate or change these requirements as and when it deems appropriate.

PL 253H HONORS PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES (3.00) An introductory course in philosophy that acquaints students to some of the key questions, branches, and figures that make up, historically, the philosophical map and invites students to begin or continue a philosophical journey of their own. NOTE: Honors students only.

PL 254H HONORS PHILOSOPHY OF THE PERSON (3.00) Designed for students participating in the Regis College Honors Program. Seeks to understand human persons and their role in the world. Addresses questions such as what is human nature? What are human values? What is the good life for human beings? Is there a limit to human knowledge? NOTE: Honors students only.

PL 270 PHILOSOPHICAL EXPLORATIONS (3.00) An introductory course in philosophy which acquaints students with the range of questions and issues raised in both philosophical tradition and contemporary thought. Engages students in a critical analysis and evaluation of different philosophical positions, including their own. Cross listing(s): PL 270C.

PL 270H HONORS PHILOSOPHICAL EXPLORATIONS (3.00) An introductory course in philosophy which acquaints students with the range of questions and issues raised in both philosophical tradition and contemporary thought. Engages students in a critical analysis and evaluation of different philosophical positions, including their own. NOTE: Honors Students only.

PL 300H HONORS PHILOSOPHY (3.00) Explores the intersection between philosophy and other disciplines, such as philosophy and religion, or literature, or popular culture, or film, or social issues; engages major philosophical traditions; explores ethics, critical thinking, or logic and intuition. NOTE: Honors students only. Additional Prerequisite(s): and one 200-level Philosophy course or permission of instructor. Prerequisite(s): CCS 200H;

PL 313 PHILOSOPHY/THEOLOGY OF LOVE (3.00) Examines how philosophical and religious traditions have understood the nature of love. Emphasizes philosophical and religious outlooks and values. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level RS course and one 200-level PL course. Cross listing(s): RC 313.

PL 315E-W PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION: (3.00) Surveys philosophical discussions of religion from both a classical and contemporary perspective. Additional Prerequisite(s): One 200-level PL course. Prerequisite(s): RS 200; Cross listing(s): RC 315E-W.

PL 320 PHILOSOPHY OF SPORT (3.00) Explores how sport is defined and distinguished from other human activities, how ethics and law apply to sport, the types of knowledge required in sport, the ways in which sport reflects issues of race and gender, ideas of beauty and their application to sport, and the ways in which port incorporates concepts of the self. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 340 SOC & SPECT: PHIL & LIT IN 20TH CENTURY (3.00) Examines literary, philosophical, and historical texts of the twentieth century, focusing on the theme of spectacle. Developments such as the linguistic turn, modernism, post-modernism, postcolonialism, the holocaust, and nationalism will be featured. Additional Prerequisite(s): One 200-level PL course. Prerequisite(s): EN 210 CCS 200; Cross listing(s): EN 311X EN 340 HS 340 HO 348F.

PL 356 HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY (3.00) A general survey of the history of Western philosophy as it has developed over the past 2500 years. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 360 ETHICS (3.00) Questions the foundation of ethical judgment. Examines key responses to this question and explores various issues (e.g. abortion, capital punishment and the socioeconomic order). RC Prerequisite(s): One 200-level PL course. SPS Prerequisite(s): None. RC Cross listing: HO 338K. SPS Cross listing: None. Cross listing(s): HO 338K.

PL 365 PHILOSOPHY OF FILM (3.00) Examines the meaning and grammar of film, emphasizing logical theories of meaning. Explores perspectives on the nature of the human person, images of society, reality, and transcendence present in film, and develops criteria for evaluating film-art. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 368E-W PHILOSOPHY AND SOCIAL ISSUES: (3.00) Emphasizes philosophical analysis of contemporary social issues. Includes war and morality, the nature of power and violence, philosophy and feminism, the social construction of human persons, etc. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 370E-W PHILOSOPHY IN LITERATURE: (3.00) Explores the philosophical themes reflected in literature of specific national, ethnic or cultural groups. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 380 CRITICAL THINKING (3.00) Provides a basic logic course aimed at developing the capacity to think clearly and critically; detecting and dealing with fallacious reasoning, unclear or misleading language and manipulative techniques in various forms of human communication. RC Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course. SPS Prerequisite(s): None.

PL 382 LOGIC AND INTUITION (3.00) Explores and compares the nature and worth of logical and intuitional modes of thinking, and their relationship to life problems. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 390 ASIAN PHILOSOPHIES & RELIGIONS (3.00) Explores major religious traditions of Asia, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, emphasizing understanding the world, the human and the Transcendent. Additional Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course. Prerequisite(s): RS 200; Cross listing(s): RC 351.

PL 400H HONORS PHILOSOPHY, ADVANCED (3.00) Undertakes advanced study of philosophical topics, such as the nature of reality, the origins of knowledge, the good and the beautiful, relation of the individual and society; engages major philosophical traditions, thinkers; explores ethical framework or political perspectives. NOTE: Honors students only. Additional prerequisite(s): and one 200-level Philosophy course or permission of instructor. Prerequisite(s): CCS 200H;

PL 404 CLASSICAL GREEK PHILOSOPHY (3.00) Examines the origins of Western philosophical thinking in classical Greece. Traces the beginnings of metaphysical speculation and ethical reflection from the pre-Socrates to Plato and Aristotle. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level PL course.

PL 406 LATER CLASSICAL PHILOSOPHY (3.00) Explores the movements of philosophy in the post-classical Greek and Roman periods with special emphasis on Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Neo-Platonism. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 411 MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY (3.00) Explores Western philosophy from Augustine to the later Middle Ages. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 417 THE EMERGENCE OF MODERNITY (3.00) Examines the significance and implications of the modern intellectual revolution in 17th century philosophical and scientific thought. Among the thinkers to be discussed may be Descartes, Galileo, Hobbes, Locke, and Newton. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 418 THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT (3.00) Explores the development of modern philosophy in the 18th century, often referred to as the period of Enlightenment, with special emphasis on the epistemological controversies of the period. Among thinkers to be discussed may be Hume, Rousseau, and Kant. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 419 19TH CENTURY PHILOSOPHY (3.00) To what extent is reality, and hence our knowledge of reality, historical? Does history itself have an overall meaning? Explores these questions and others, in term of developments in philosophy during the 19th century. Thinkers discussed may include Hegel, Marx, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 420 CONTEMPORARY CURRENTS (3.00) Summarizes key schools and movements on the contemporary philosophical scene. Emphasizes process philosophy, analytic movement, Marxism, transcendental Thomism, phenomenology and existentialism. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course. Cross listing(s): HO 438E.

PL 427 20TH CENT PHIL: THE LINGUISTIC TRADITION (3.00) Traces the evolution of Anglo-American in this period from logical positivism to linguistic analysis and more recent developments. Among the thinkers to be discussed may be Ayer, Quine, Wittgenstein, Cavell, and Davidson. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 428 20TH C PHIL: THE PHENOMENOLOGICAL TRAD (3.00) Traces the evolution of Continental philosophy in this period from pure phenomenology to existential-phenomenology and more recent developments. Among the thinkers to be discussed may be Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Camus, Foucault, and Derrida. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 429 20TH C PHIL: THE PRAGMATIST TRADITION (3.00) Traces the evolution of Pragmatism in this period from its origins in the writings of Peirce, James, and Dewey to its more recent renaissance in the writings of Rorty and others. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 430 THE DISCOURSE OF NON-VIOLENCE (3.00) The justification of violence on the grounds of its necessity, legitimacy, usefulness, and moral character is contrasted with the alternative discourse of non-violence and its grounds of justification. The role each form of discourse plays in a theory of justice gets official attention. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course. Cross listing(s): PJ 430.

PL 435E-W ASIAN PHILOSOPHIES/RELIGIONS: (3.00) Studies Asian religious traditions and attitudes, ancient and sacred scriptures, key historic figures and contemporary issues. May cover the traditions of Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism and Taoism in more depth. Additional prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course. Prerequisite(s): RS 200; Cross listing(s): RC 451E-W.

PL 440E-W SELECTED TOPICS IN METAPHYSICS (3.00) An in-depth study of a metaphysical topic(s) such as the nature of reality, the make-up of human beings (mind-body problem), notions of truth, the experience of God, etc. or of a prominent metaphysical thinker(s). Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 442 PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE (3.00) Studies origins, nature and development of scientific knowledge. Includes scientific method and the status of scientific conclusion. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 445 PHILOSOPHY OF ART (3.00) Offers a philosophical attempt to order the good and the beautiful, the relation of the beautiful to the artistic and the scientific, and the growth of human, moral good. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 447 HEALTH CARE ETHICS (3.00) Examines ethical dilemmas in health care and the decision making processes involved in clinical, professional and organizational ethics. Explores philosophical and faith-based foundations including Catholic moral tradition, socio-cultural influences, professional codes, organizational and personal ethical norms. Case studies and topics are analyzed to develop competence in moral reflection and ethical decision making with consideration of personal, professional and societal values. RC Prerequisite(s): One 200-level PL course or Permission of Instructor. RHSHP Prerequisite(s): None. RHSHP Cross List: HCE 430, HCE 430H, HCE 430R. Cross listing(s): HCE 430 HCE 430H HCE 430R.

PL 448E-W SPECIAL TOPICS IN ETHICS: (3.00) Offers an in-depth study of a particular ethical thinker(s) both classical (e.g., Aristotle or Hume or Kant) and contemporary (e.g., MacIntyre or Nussbaum or Murdoch) or of a particular moral problem (e.g., capital punishment, just war theory, social justice). Prerequisite(s): One 200-level PL course.

PL 450 POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (3.00) Explores basic issues in political philosophy such as the relation of individual and society, freedom and authority and justice and equality. Considers the writings of political thinkers from Plato to Rawls. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course or permission of instructor required. Cross listing(s): PJ 450.

PL 452 PHILOSOPHY OF LAW (3.00) Explores various issues in the philosophy of law, such as the relation of law to morality, the of natural law, and the nature and purpose of human law. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course. Cross listing(s): CJ 456 CR 456.

PL 465 PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION (3.00) Focuses on several interrelated questions: What is the proper role of education in society? What is the relationship between education and oppression, and between education and liberation? How are dominant moral and political ideologies inculcated in the classroom? What is the nature of knowledge? How is it acquired? How best is it shared with others? Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course or permission of instructor required. Cross listing(s): ED 482.

PL 470 FEMINIST THEORY (3.00) Focuses on the striking emergence of feminist philosophy in the last half of the twentieth century. Studies the development of this movement, its impact on philosophy, and the changes it portends for future philosophizing. Emphasis may be on different approaches with feminist thinking (e.g., Anglo-American vs. French feminist writers) or on specific issues in feminist thought. Additional Prerequisite(s): One 200-level PL course. Prerequisite(s): WS 300; Cross listing(s): WS 470.

PL 485E-W THEMES IN RELIGION & PHILOSOPHY: (3.00) Examines aspects of philosophical thinking about religion. Includes philosophy of God, belief and unbelief and phenomenological approaches to religion. RC Prerequisite(s): RS 200 or one 200-level Philosphy course. SPS Prerequisite(s): PL 250.

PL 490E-W INDEPENDENT STUDY/PHILOSOPHY: (1.00 - 3.00) Provides an opportunity for independent study in an area of philosophical interest. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 491E-W SELECTED THINKERS/PHILOSOPHY: (3.00) Explores selected thinkers from ancient, medieval, modern or contemporary periods of philosophy. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 492E-W SELECTED THEMES IN PHILOSOPHY: (3.00) Offers an opportunity to explore special topics such as war and peace, human sexuality, creative imagination, technological culture based on historical, literary, religious and philosophical contexts. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 498E-W INTERNSHIP IN PHILOSOPHY: (3.00) Offers an opportunity to explore philosophy in its practical application to the various working areas or contemporary life and to reflect critically and constructively on the experience. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level Philosophy course.

PL 499 SENIOR CAPSTONE (3.00) Critically examines issues that are determined to be most significant in the course of the major's philosophy program. Students may choose either a research track or a track leading to a comprehensive examination. Prerequisite(s): Philosophy Majors and Minors only.

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