Courses

• 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 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 477: Philosophy of the Social Sciences
  Topics in the philosophy of the social sciences such as the interpretation of human action and the objectivity of social inquiry. Social consideration of alternative theoretic viewpoints such as naturalism and interpretivism.
• CAS PH 480: Topics in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
  Topic for Fall 2010: TBA.
• 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 Spring 2013: Heidegger. A careful reading of Heidegger's major work, Being and Time. The end of the course looks at some of Heidegger's shorter works written later in his career, in order to consider some of the directions of his famous "turn."
• CAS PH 485: Topics in Philosophy of Value
  Topics vary from year to year. Topic for Fall 2014: Happiness, East and West. What is happiness? How can we achieve a balanced, healthy, fulfilling life? Classical thinkers such as Aristotle, Plato, Chuang Tzu; Buddhist, Confucian, Epicurean, and Stoic paths; comparison with contemporary studies of happiness. Also offered as CAS RN 452.
• CAS PH 487: Topics in the Philosophy of Science
  A discussion-based introduction to core issues in the philosophy of science, focusing on the topics of scientific realism, theory change, reductionism, explanation, models, and natural kinds.
• 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 111: 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. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 211.
• CAS PO 141: 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. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. Cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course by the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 241.
• CAS PO 151: Introduction to Comparative Politics
  Undergraduate core course. Meets with CAS IR 251. Examines different patterns of political development and contemporary politics in Western Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the former Soviet bloc. Introduces the comparative method in political science and competing theories of political development and political change. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 251.
• CAS PO 171: Introduction to International Relations
  (Meets with CAS IR 271.) Undergraduate core course. Study of basic factors in international relations, Western state system, balance of power, nationalism, and imperialism. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 271.
• CAS PO 172: Freshman Seminar in International Relations
  Freshman seminar version of CAS PO 171. Study of foundational theories in international relations, peace and conflict, nationalism, and imperialism. Students may not receive credit for both CAS PO 172 and CAS PO 171 or CAS IR 271. CAS PO 172 does not replace CAS IR 271. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS.
• CAS PO 191: Introduction to Political Theory
  Major works of political philosophy are considered, to address fundamental questions of political life. Looks at different conceptions of authority, justice, liberty, and equality, including how they justify and define government, law, and rights and how they pertain to current issues. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course by the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 291.
• CAS PO 301: Presidential Leadership
  Presidential power and functions; relations with Congress, political party, and the public; personality and leadership; and comparative study of selected presidents. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 317.
• CAS PO 302: Congress and Its Critics
  Is Congress the "broken branch"? Can it be fixed? How congress works; legislative process; interactions with other branches; congressional elections; campaign finance; how Congress has changed and may evolve in the future. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the title "The Legislative Process in America" that was previously numbered CAS PO 311.
• CAS PO 304: The Judicial Process
  Introduction to the judicial process. Topics include the role of lawyers and judges, the structure of the court system, juries, and legal reasoning. Primarily intended for students who have little or no exposure to law courses. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 315. (Offered alternate years.)
• CAS PO 306: Media and Politics in the United States
  Examines changes over time in the American polity's assumptions about what the press ought to do. In particular, relates our understanding of the press's role to contemporary media developments including technological changes, corporate media ownership, and the re-amateurization of journalism. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 324.

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