Classes in phil

PHIL 1 Introduction to Philosophy 3.0 units
Description: Philosophy 1 is intended as a survey of the major areas and traditions of philosophy. The course examines central and significant questions about the meaning of life, who determines what is morally right or wrong, the ideal society, the various notions social justice, what is reality, and many other ideas. In pursuing these questions, students will be asked to read texts from writers around the world, both contemporary and ancient, discuss current events, and apply 'theory' to movies such as "The Matrix" trilogy, novels, and any other relevant application of the student's own choice. (C-ID: PHIL 100) ADVISORY: Eligible for English 1A.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Learners will demonstrate an understanding of philosophical methods, including argumentation, conceptual analysis, critical reading, and assumption questioning.
2. Learners will examine the perennial problems and views from the history of philosophy and the general areas of philosophy, including Metaphysics (theories of reality), Epistemology (theories of knowledge), and Axiology (Ethics, Aesthetics, and Political Philosophy), and Logic.
3. Learners will employ argumentation, conceptual analysis, critical reading, and assumption questioning after their examination of the perennial problems and views from the history of philosophy and the general areas thereof.


PHIL 2 Introduction to Logic 3.0 units
Description: Logic is the study of good reasoning. This course will explore two important modes of reasoning: deduction and induction. We will use formal methods from sentential logic, including truth tables and proofs, to test for correct or 'valid' inferences. Common mistakes in reasoning (i.e., fallacies) will be examined, as well as language and scientific reasoning. Practical application in logic outside the classroom will be emphasized. ADVISORY: Eligible for English 1A.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Learners will be able to identify the parts of argument, and distinguish between deductive, inductive, arguments and apply the concepts
2. Learners will be able to identify major formal and informal fallacies
3. Learners will be able to evaluate the logic and strength of arguments using inductive and deductive methods -- including the truth-tableand proof, i.e., natural deduction, methods.
4. Learners will provide cogent reasons in support of opinions, while taking objections seriously by developing a philosophical frame of reference
5. Learners will demonstrate an understanding of the distinctions between Eastern and Western ideas and application of logic and argumentation
6. Learners will describe the basic foundational concepts of philosophy
7. Learners will demonstrate an insight into the use of logical reasoning as a political construct with respect to its application toward women and marginalized groups


PHIL 3A Ethics 3.0 units
Description: This course examines the central theories and perennial issues in ethics. The ethical systems of Aristotle, Kant, and the utilitarians will be investigated. These systems will be applied to contemporary moral problems. Questions about objective morality, the ideal society, social justice, and moral agency will be pursued. (C-ID: PHIL 120) ADVISORY: Eligible for English 1A.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify, explain, and analyze major ethical theories, including Aristotle's ethics, Kantianism, and utilitarianism.
2. Compare and differentiate between major ethical theories.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in distinguishing between primary and secondary sources, and commentary/critique of those texts.
4. Apply ethical theories to real-world issues such as capital punishment, abortion, euthanasia, animal rights, racial and gender injustice, and future generations and the environment.


PHIL 3B Contemporary Moral Issues 3.0 units
Description: Contemporary Moral Issues in an applied ethics class that covers major ethical theories and contemporary moral issues in a pluralistic manner. This course will cover such issues as abortion and euthanasia, cloning, experimentation on human subjects, capital punishment, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation and sexual morality, world hunger and poverty, colonialism and post-colonialism, and so forth. ADVISORY: Eligible for English 1A.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Learners will apply theories from moral philosophy to current moral issues.
2. Learners will analyze and evaluate selected moral issues, taking into consideration alternative viewpoints, arguments, counterarguments, and real-world implications.
3. Learners will examine the views on morality from various cultures, genders, non-Western traditions, and underrepresented groups.


PHIL 4 Critical Thinking and Writing 3.0 units
Description: This course is designed to introduce the relationship between critical thinking and critical writing in a way that will be both enjoyable to the student and helpful in other aspects of life. The student will learn techniques of critical thinking, playing close attention to the current events, movies and popular media, music lyrics, as well as the textbook. Students will learn to identify deductive and inductive arguments and be able to evaluate their strength, create a strong argument of their own on a given topic, as well become experts in the area of critical analysis. The goal is to enable students to become strong, well informed, articulate members of the community as well as individuals with an empowered sense of self as an agent of change. Students will write a minimum of 6,000 words. PREREQUISITE: English 1A

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Learners will identify arguments, including the claims, premises, and conclusions they contain and the issues they address.
2. Learners will analyze and evaluate arguments in terms of validity, strength, cogency, and soundness.
3. Learners will identify non-rationalmeans of persuasion, including rhetorical devices, fallacious reasoning (fallacies), cognitive biases, and real-world applications thereof.
4. Learners will compose cogently written argumentative essays supported by well-researched, credible sources and demonstrating clarity, concision, precision, and organization.


PHIL 6 Comparative Religions 3.0 units
Description: Religion is a topic that ignites controversy -- most societies engage in religious practices, believe strongly in that tradition, and find a sense of identity within it. The controversy arises when differences are misunderstood, misrepresented, or placed in a hierarchy of assumed supremacy of one religion as superior to others. In this class, students explore the underlying commonality of various religious traditions, explore the uniqueness of the religions with which they are unfamiliar, and learn to see that diversity among beliefs doesn't have to create hostility. Students will explore religions from Indigenous Peoples throughout the world, East Asia (e.g. India), China, the Middle East, as well as some more recent trends in religion. Previously known as PHIL 6A. ADVISORY: Eligible for English 1A.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Learners will be able distinguish Eastern and Western religious traditions
2. Learners will be able to demonstrate the ability to critically analyze sacred texts.
3. Learners will be explain the role of the feminine and the masculine within religious traditions.
4. Learners will be able to identify, compare and interpret religious concepts from multiple religions and perspectives.
5. Students will develop a sensitivity and mindfulness of different cultures and religion.


PHIL 7A History of Philosophy: Ancient to Medieval Times 3.0 units
Description: This course introduces students to the key themes in ancient philosophy as advanced by the major thinkers and schools of ancient philosophy. Typical themes include the theories of reality, cognition, virtue, and cosmology, whilst the philosophical movements to be covered include the Presocratics, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, and the Hellenistic philosophers. (C-ID: PHIL 130) Advisory: Eligible for English 1A.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify significant theories held by major philosophers and/or philosophic schools of thought from the ancient through medieval periods, with special emphasis on Plato and Aristotle.
2. Explain and evaluate historically important philosophical arguments from ancient through medieval period. Describe and chart Platonic and Socratic Epistemology, Metaphysics, Ethics and Political Philosophy. Describe and chart Aristotelian Epistemology, Metaphysics, Ethics and Political Philosophy.
3. Develop a critical and mindful awareness of the distinction between the profoundly different approaches to many Asian and African cultures in comparison of the Western tradition, along with paying attention to the supposition of gender/ethnic/class distinctions in theorizing.


PHIL 7B History of Philosophy: Renaissance to Modern Periods 3.0 units
Description: This course is a survey of the history of Western philosophy from the Renaissance to the modern period, i.e., the philosophy of the 16th through the 18th century. Particular attention will be paid to the metaphysics and epistemology of the 'rationalists' (Descartes, Leibniz, and Spinoza), the 'empiricists' (Locke, Berkeley, and Hume), and Kant. (C-ID: PHIL 140) ADVISORY: Eligible for English 1A.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify significant theories held by major philosophers and/or philosophic schools of thought from the Modern period (16th through 18th century).
2. Explain and evaluate historically important philosophical arguments from the Modern period (16th through 18th century).
3. Describe the continuity between the epistemological and metaphysical systems of the Empiricists: Locke, Berkeley and Hume and the Rationalists: Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz. The work of Immanuel Kant will also be considered.


PHIL 9 Philosophy of Religion 3.0 units
Description: In this course we will systematically explore religious claims. The issues to be investigated include: Does God exist? What is God's nature? Can the existence of God be reconciled with human suffering? Can faith and reason be reconciled? Can conflicting religions simultaneously be true? Other topics include: the afterlife, religious experience, miracles, freedom and divine foreknowledge, and the relationship of religion and science. ADVISORY: Eligible for English 1A.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Explain and evaluate the traditional arguments for and against the existence of God, including the problem of evil.
2. Explain the major concepts in philosophy of religion, including God, omnipotence, omniscience, faith, evil, miracles, the afterlife, religious pluralism, free will, and divine foreknowledge.
3. Compare and relate faith and religious experience with reason and science.


PHIL 12 Introduction to Political Thought 3.0 units
Description: This course provides students with an introduction to and grounding in classical and modern political thought. Students will be introduced to theorists such as Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, and Marx. Students will also examine such timeless questions as: "What is justice?" "What is the good life?" and "What is power?" among others. This course is also listed as POLS 12.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify significant political theories held by major philosophers (e.g., Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Marx, Rawls, Locke, Kant, etc.)
2. Analyze arguments in political philosophy concerning human nature, justice, rights, government, liberty, law, power, liberalism, etc.
3. Apply philosophical theories to current political and social issues.
4. Evaluate the tension between the common good and individual rights.


PHIL 15 Asian Philosophies 3.0 units
Description: This course is designed to introduce the student to the major Asian philosophical traditions. This will consist of reviewing major East, South East, and South Asian philosophical traditions (e.g. Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism) and the non-Western approach to epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, and logic. We shall attempt to evaluate, examine, and compare many important theoretical principles and the ways they have influenced each other as well as Asian and Asian-American cultures and societies. ADVISORY: Eligible for English 1A.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Critically analyze, distinguish and compare systematically a variety of Eastern philosophies (such as Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, and/or Daoist) and their conceptions of the Self, epistemology, morality, values, and traditions.
2. Critically analyze several Euro-American/Western ethical and epistemological assumptions with similar fundamental assumptions in ancient Asian/Eastern thought. Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between the Asian philosophical tradition and its culture.
3. Analyze the blending of cultures and traditions within the scope of an individual philosophical school. Demonstrate in written and oral form the ability to be socially aware and culturally tolerant of non-western perspectives.
4. Describe the philosophical concept of the Self, and how it varies across traditions and cultures.


PHIL 23 Independent Study 1.0 units
Description: Designed to afford selected students specialized opportunities for exploring areas at the independent study level. The courses may involve extensive library work, research in the community, or special projects. May be repeated until six units of credit are accrued. This course has the option of a letter grade or pass/no pass. REQUIRED: The study outline prepared by the student and the instructor must be filed with the department and the dean.