Course Descriptions

This entry level course will analyze various metaphysical and epistemological traditions in Western philosophy and use them to discuss topics relating to the self and our relationship to reality. We will read about views people have regarding (i) what we can and cannot know with certainty; (ii) certain metaphysical problems (e.g., language, perceptual experiences, reality and its origins, the human intellect, certain paradoxical truths etc.) and; (iii) what one is doing when one is arguing and thinking about metaphysics and epistemology.

This entry level course will analyze language and the underlying logical structures used in reason. We will examine these structures and eventually apply them to everyday language. The course will cover deductive logic, including basic concepts, fallacies, and propositional logic, as well as inductive reasoning and probability. Like math, logic uses rules, formulas, and functions to achieve certain outcomes. We will learn how to apply these rules and formulas in our everyday discourse and thinking.

This course will look at theories, topics, and controversies across all levels of business ethics. While much of the discussion will be centered around the ethical obligations that one has as a business owner or employee, we will also approach topics that relate more to issues found in public discourse and in the national, or even international economic system(s). We will also explore ethical dilemmas from the perspective of the consumer. As this is a survey course we will not focus on any one issue extensively, but we will instead explore the key philosophical arguments and consensus positions for the main theories and concepts in business ethics. We will also consider how these theories and concepts play out in the business setting as we discuss real and hypothetical cases.

This is a survey course designed to introduce you to a) Feminist Philosophical Theory, and b) Feminist Issues in Contemporary Culture. While feminism and feminist philosophy focus primarily on the perspective of women, the issues these fields of study address are prevalent to all sexes and genders, as issues of sexual/bodily autonomy, fair labor, consumerism, race, and gender are at the center of feminist theory.

This course will look at theories, topics, and controversies surrounding the topic of death. While much of the discussion will be centered around the act of dying, we will also approach topics that deal with what constitutes a good life, a bad life, and a good or bad death. We will also explore ethical implications of how we determine death and the afterlife. As this is a survey course we will not focus on any one issue extensively, but we will instead explore the key philosophical arguments and consensus positions for the main theories and concepts pertaining to death, dying, and quality of life. We will also consider how these theories and concepts play out in society and individual life.

What does it mean to be human? This course will look at theories, topics, and controversies surrounding the topic of human nature. While much of the discussion will be centered around personhood, we will also approach topics that deal with what constitutes a good life, a bad life, and what drives human behavior. We will also explore ethical implications of how we determine humanity. As this is a survey course, we will not focus on any one issue extensively, but we will instead explore the key philosophical arguments and consensus positions for the main theories and concepts pertaining to personhood, human nature, and quality of life. We will also consider how these theories and concepts play out in society and individual life.

Viewed from the perspective of the Jedi, the moral teachings of Star Wars seem very straightforward: Jedi are good and Sith are bad. However, the epic rise and tragic fall of Anakin Skywalker complicates the Jedis’ absolutist worldview and breaks down the almost mythic dichotomy of the Star Wars universe. This course will explore ethical philosophies of the institutions and characters of Star Wars, and analyze the sequence of decisions and events that create the plot of this epic tale. We will also draw comparisons to other classic stories throughout history to establish and learn to recognize the “monomyth” and what traits and virtues define a hero. Finally, we will explore the moral psychology of Anakin Skywalker and question whether he constitutes a “deprived agent” and if he is morally blameworthy for his actions.

There are countless stories about missed diagnoses resulting from doctors dismissing a patient’s testimony about symptoms and pain, articles about dwindling access to basic health services across the U.S., and cases where patients feel pressured into making decisions that they may not understand or may not even want. These narratives are common across healthcare, but what is particularly concerning is the fact that in most of these situations, the patient is a woman, and more frequently, a woman of color. Factor in rising maternal mortality rates contentious political attitudes about women’s health and healthcare in general, and it’s easy to see how female patients are losing trust in their doctors and medicine. This lack of trust
is a symptom of paternalism, an issue that is largely considered a non-issue in 21st century medical ethics. However, there is evidence that women are systematically not taken seriously as testifiers and decisionmakers about their health, suggesting that paternalistic practices are still in play, further perpetuating violations of autonomy. In order to understand why this issue is so prevalent and problematic, we need to evaluate the concept of trust from an ethical position, and what role it plays in the patient-provider relationship. This seminar will do just that, as well as analyze theoretical conceptions of autonomy and apply them to contemporary problems in reproductive healthcare.