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Course Descriptions

PHL201 Introduction to Philosophy
Uses reflective and critical reading, thinking, writing, and discussion to explore the methods and ideas of ancient and modern philosophy. Focuses on the nature of reality, free will, determinism, the existence of God, knowledge, Ethics, the nature of personhood, and whether or not there is a meaning in life. Features such important figures as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, James, and Sartre. Prepares students for other classes in Philosophy and Religion. Recommended: Placement into WR121 (or higher), or completion of WR115 (or higher) with a grade of C or better. Prerequisite: Placement into WR115 (or higher), or completion of WR090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

PHL203 Ethics
Uses reflective and critical reading, thinking, writing, and discussion to explore the methods and ideas of ancient and modern Ethics. Includes explanations and illustrations of the central theories of Ethics as well as close scrutiny of standard arguments supporting and critiquing these theories. Applies ethical theories to contemporary moral problems and personal dilemmas. Recommended: Placement into WR121 (or higher), or completion of WR115 (or higher) with a grade of C or better. Prerequisite: Placement into WR115 (or higher), or completion of WR090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

PHL204 Critical Thinking and Logic
Develops critical thinking skills to identify reasons for believing truth claims and to assess the cogency of these reasons. Facilitates sympathetic understanding of beliefs one does not share and enables one to subject to critical scrutiny one’s own beliefs and one’s own reasons for believing. Uses logic as the technique for the rational assessment of argument. Identifies both informal and formal reasons for the success or the failure of arguments. Prerequisite: Placement into WR115 (or higher), or completion of WR090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

PHL205 Biomedical Ethics
Covers ethical decision-making regarding health and well-being across a variety of cultural contexts, informed by the historical development of bioethics as a discipline. Investigates ethical questions triggered by contemporary developments—such as changing technology—along with those questions which have persisted since antiquity. Canvasses professional ethical codes and explicitly-stated obligations in order to identify the health care professional’s special responsibilities in arriving at decisions which often have profound consequences. Recommended: Placement into WR121 (or higher), or completion of WR115 (or higher) with a grade of C or better. Prerequisite: Placement into WR115 (or higher), or completion of WR090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor. CL
4 Credits

PHL206 Faith and Reason: Philosophy of Religion
Uses reflective and critical reading, thinking, writing, and discussion to explore the complex relationships between faith, reason, experience, religion, and worldview. Analyzes classical and contemporary texts, focusing on the nature, scope, and limits of faith and reason. Examines the major themes and arguments of the Philosophy of Religion. Considers theistic and atheistic religious and non-religious worldviews and values. Explores issues of difference, power, and responsibility in worldview as related to discrimination and fundamentalism. Examines the assumptions and convictions of worldview values and how their application benefits or harms particular groups. Recommended: Placement into WR121 (or higher), or completion of WR115 (or higher) with a grade of C or better. Prerequisite: Placement into WR115 (or higher), or completion of WR090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

REL160 World Religions
Surveys the major world religions, including a look at their founders and their theology in terms of their views of God, self, society, purposes of life, traditions, and rituals. Includes the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and the primary Asian religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Also includes attention to religious offshoots of (and precursors to) the mainstream religions (e.g., Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Sikhism and Bhakti faiths). Uses reflective and critical reading, thinking, writing, and discussion to explore the principal components of the world’s dominant wisdom traditions. Recommended: Placement into WR121Z (or higher), or completion of WR115 (or higher) with a grade of C or better. Prerequisite: Placement into WR115(or higher), or completion of WR090(or higher) with a grade a C or better; or consent of instructor. CL
4 Credits

REL201 Asian Religions
Uses reflective and critical reading, thinking, writing, and discussion to explore the principal components of the dominant religions in Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Traces the historical development, fundamental beliefs and practices, and recommended lifestyle of each. Includes how to study a religion. Recommended: Placement into WR121Z (or higher),or completion of WR115 (or higher) with a grade of C or better. Prerequisite: Placement into WR115 (or higher), or completion of WR090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

REL202 Middle Eastern Religions
Uses reflective and critical reading, thinking, writing, and discussion to explore the principal components of the dominant monotheistic religions of the Middle East: Judaism; Christianity; and Islam. Traces the historical development and fundamental beliefs and practices of each religion. Includes how to study a religion. Recommended: Placement into WR121Z(or higher), or completion of WR115(or higher) with a grade of C or better. Prerequisite: Placement into WR115(or higher), or completion of WR090(or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
4 Credits

REL203 Religion in U.S. Culture
Explores the varieties of religious experience in the U.S., both contemporary and historical, along with the roles played by religion in public discourse. Asks critical questions about how faith traditions have responded to the challenges of colonial and post-colonial American life, with particular attention to the impact of secularism on religious belief and practice in the modern United States. Recommended: Placement into WR121Z (or higher), or completion of WR115 (or higher) with a grade of C or better. Prerequisite: Placement into WR115 (or higher), or completion of WR090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor. CL
4 Credits