Courses

• CAS PH 463: Philosophy of Language
  Critical survey of the main issues in the philosophy of language and the foundations of linguistics, including the ideas of logical form and the universality of languages as well as the basic ideas of generative grammar, possible-worlds semantics, Wittgenstein, and speech-act theories.
• CAS PH 465: Philosophy of Cognitive Science
  Can humans be thought of in analogy with machines? The course examines questions of natural and artificial intelligence in light of traditional theory and of recent research in computer science and artificial intelligence.
• CAS PH 468: Philosophical Problems of Logic and Mathematics
  Selected traditional metaphysical and epistemological problems in the light of modern logic and various studies in the foundations of mathematics, including the nature of the axiomatic method, completeness in logic and mathematics, and the nature of mathematical truth.
• CAS PH 470: Philosophy of Physics
  Philosophical problems concerning the interpretation of physical discoveries. Elementary particles, the anomalies of quantum mechanics, some modern problems of space and time, and the problem of wholes and parts.
• CAS PH 471: Ecology in Philosophy and Literature
  An investigation of ecological thinking, examining philosophical and literary accounts of the natural world. What is "nature"? How do humans differ from animals? How has technology affected our relation to nature? What are our ethical responsibilities toward the earth's inhabitants?
• CAS PH 472: Philosophy of Biology
  Conceptual problems in biology; unity or pluralism of science; hierarchy theory; biological explanation; evolutionary theory, teleology and casuality, statistical explanation; the species problem; mind and the brain; and language in animals and humans.
• CAS PH 474: Inductive Logic and Scientific Methodology
  An assessment of historically important theories of inductive logic and an attempt to formulate an adequate synthesis. Attention is paid to the role of probability in inductive inference.
• CAS PH 480: Topics in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
  Topic for Fall 2010: TBA.
• CAS PH 481: Topics in the Philosophy of Law
  A critical study of theories about legal interpretation with an emphasis on the philosophical underpinnings and implications of each theory. Topic for Spring 2010: Philosophical and Policy Perspectives on Tort Law.
• CAS PH 482: Topics in Modern and Contemporary Philosophy
  Topics vary from semester to semester; may be repeated for credit as topics change. Topic for Fall 2009: Hermeneutics. This study of hermeneutics, a method of interpretation often contrasted with objective scientific methods, is divided into two parts: a historical survey of key texts describing hermeneutics followed by intense study of Gadamer's Truth and Method.
• CAS PH 483: Topics in the Philosophy of Religion
  Focus on a specific topic in the philosophy of religion. Topic for Fall 2010: Problem of Evil. A philosophical and theological analysis of the problem of evil, as formulated in the Bible and other sacred texts, ancient and modern philosophy, literature, and cinema. Also offered as CAS RN 443.
• CAS PH 484: Topics in Speculative Philosophy
  Topic for Fall 2009: TBA.
• CAS PH 485: Topics in Philosophy of Value
  Examines conceptions of the good, based upon the sorts of phenomena that we value, i.e, the sorts of things we deem "good" or "valuable," and our modes of access to these phenomena. The examination draws on similar historical and contemporary treatments.
• CAS PH 486: Topics in Knowledge, Language, and Logic
  Topic for Fall 2009: Conceptual History. Critical examination of the history of a number of central philosophical concepts, including being and its varieties, existence, identity, logic, world, creation, form, function, law of nature, chance, induction, intuition and the so-called principle of plenitude.
• CAS PH 487: Topics in the Philosophy of Science
  Topic for Spring 2010: TBA.
• CAS PH 488: Topics in Aesthetics
  Consideration of selected topics in aesthetics, with particular attention to the relationship between aesthetic experience and analytical accounts of the experience; topics include expression, perception, qualities, the good, the ideal, and the sublime.
• CAS PH 491: Directed Study
  Individual or small group tutorial instruction and directed research on selected topics.
• CAS PH 492: Directed Study
  Individual or small group tutorial instruction and directed research on selected topics.
• CAS PO 211: Introduction to American Politics
  Undergraduate core course. Study of the national political structure; emphasis on Congress, the executive, administrative agencies, and the judiciary. Relations between formal institutions, parties, and interest groups.
• CAS PO 241: Introduction to Public Policy
  Undergraduate core course. Analysis of several issue areas: civil rights, school desegregation, welfare and social policy, education and urban housing, energy and the environment. Characteristics of policy systems in each issue area are analyzed to identify factors which may affect the content and implementation of public policies.

Note that this information may change at any time.

Back to full list of College of Arts & Sciences