Courses in Philosophy

Introduction to Philosophy – Philosophy 1302

Introduction to Philosophy by Way of the Concept of Gender, Bryan Register

The Philosophy of Horror, Melissa Foote

This course will explore philosophical content depicted in horror films, television, and literature. As a genre, horror has always explored philosophical themes and concepts, often demonstrating various viewpoints and perspectives in fresh and intriguing ways. Horror forces us to confront our own mortality, the purpose of life, our value priorities, what we ought to do in morally challenging situations, our obligations to one another, how to deal with our existential dread, and more.

With the ever-rising popularity of horror, this class is poised to provide an interesting framework for philosophical discussion and investigation. Horror possesses ties to diverse backgrounds, cultures, identities, and perspectives. We will be reading/watching horror from a wide variety of creators, including a focus on black, queer, indigenous, feminist, and non-Western horror. Over the course of the semester, we will investigate why the horror genre provides us with a unique window into our humanity. We will also explore why we are drawn to horror, and all its unpleasantness. Why do we enjoy watching violence, death, torture, despair, destruction, and evilness? What does that teach us about ourselves?

Ethics – Philosophy 2306

Ethics with Global Studies Focus, Linda Cox

In this Global Ethics course, students will delve into challenging and complex moral questions and explore possible solutions from a variety of global perspectives.  They’ll build an ethical toolbox to look at global approaches to social issues such as criminal justice, animal rights and interests, healthcare, and hunger.  And then they’ll collaborate in a game where groups use their creative and critical thinking skills to build an ethical society–and then encounter unforeseen crises that challenge their ethical thinking along the way!

Health, Sickness, and the Mysteries of Living a Good Life, Aran Gharibpour

Societies’ conflicting perceptions of health have been used as an excuse for disempowerment, silencing, and homogenization of individuals: women sent to mental institutions for what we now consider normal hormonal fluctuations; various sexual expressions shunned with the charge of being “sick” and “perverted”; and risk-taking, eccentric lives suppressed with similar labels to pave way for manufacturing fundamentally submissive and obedient citizens. And yet, erasing the distinction between healthy and unhealthy in the name of inclusion of diverse ways of life may also lead to catastrophic consequences. In this course, we get to the depths of this strange concept: What is health and who has the authority to answer that question?

Even with a satisfying conception of health, though, it is unclear that living a “healthy” life is equal to living a “good” life.  Shouldn’t we consider sickness, pain, weird obsessions, self-imposed suffering, and deviations from the norms necessary for enjoyment, fulfillment, progress, and self-actualization of human beings? What if living an ethically excellent life requires the sacrifice of our health, or even our lives? To figure all this mess out, we will read strange historical accounts and thought-provoking philosophical texts, chat with psychiatrists and death doulas, and partake in lively discussions and creative writing projects.

Justice and Equality: Theory and Practice, J. Wade Allen

Students will be introduced to the principles of morality through a critical examination of various ethical theories. In this particular course, we will be looking to apply those theories to issues of justice and equality. We will (1) be addressing the philosophical tools to solve ethical problems, while also reviewing the topic of moral skepticism and an analysis of justice from Plato’s Republic, (2) we’ll address a number of traditional and non-traditional ethical theories and think about their impact on issues related to justice, (3) we will address philosophical concepts of justice and how they apply to societal issues, and, finally, (4) students will make use of what they have learned to create their own group or individual arguments about particular issues related to justice and equality, which they will present to the rest of the class.

Personal Ethics: Using Traditional and Contemporary Ethical Approaches to Develop and Strengthen Your Own Approach to Moral Problems, Sherry Blum

Courses in Philosophy

Ethics – Philosophy 2306

Ethics with Global Studies Focus, Linda Cox

In this Global Ethics course, students will delve into challenging and complex moral questions and explore possible solutions from a variety of global perspectives.  They’ll build an ethical toolbox to look at global approaches to social issues such as criminal justice, animal rights and interests, healthcare, and hunger.  And then they’ll collaborate in a game where groups use their creative and critical thinking skills to build an ethical society–and then encounter unforeseen crises that challenge their ethical thinking along the way!

Justice and Equality: Theory and Practice, J. Wade Allen

Students will be introduced to the principles of morality through a critical examination of various ethical theories. In this particular course, we will be looking to apply those theories to issues of justice and equality. We will (1) be addressing the philosophical tools to solve ethical problems, while also reviewing the topic of moral skepticism and an analysis of justice from Plato’s Republic, (2) we’ll address a number of traditional and non-traditional ethical theories and think about their impact on issues related to justice, (3) we will address philosophical concepts of justice and how they apply to societal issues, and, finally, (4) students will make use of what they have learned to create their own group or individual arguments about particular issues related to justice and equality, which they will present to the rest of the class.

Personal Ethics: Using Traditional and Contemporary Ethical Approaches to Develop and Strengthen Your Own Approach to Moral Problems, Sherry Blum