Philosophy Courses & Descriptions
The Philosophy Department offers a wide variety of courses suitable for general education, personal interest, and transfer purposes. Our courses are taught by faculty with a wide range of specialties and fields of interest.
Students pursuing an Associate in Arts and Science transfer degree may elect to complete an "academic concentration" in Philosophy by completing 20 credits in the concentration discipline. Please note: students may apply only five credits from the concentration discipline to Basic Skills and distribution requirements. The remaining 15 credit will apply as electives.
The philosophy department offers both a tutoring service and a philosophy club. The club hosts debates, lectures, and other presentations. For more information, contact the Philosophy Department.
PHIL& 101 Introduction to Philosophy • 5 CR
Previously PHIL 100
Introduces some of the traditional problems in philosophy (e.g., reality, knowledge, existence of God, morality, aesthetic experience). Students examine works by the great philosophers and develop basic philosophizing skills such as critical reasoning, conceptual analysis, writing skills, and argument strategy and tactics.
PHIL 102 Contemporary Moral Problems • 5 CR
Provides philosophical consideration of some of the main moral problems of modern society and civilization such as abortion, euthanasia, war, and capital punishment. Topics vary. Fulfills social science or humanities credit at BC.
PHIL& 106 Introduction to Logic • 5 CR
Previously PHIL 120
Provides a thorough study of the formal conditions of valid argumentation. Covers translations, truth tables, and natural deduction using propositional (sentential) and predicate logic. Fulfills science credit or quantitative or symbolic reasoning course requirement at BC.
PHIL 112 Introduction to Social Philosophy • 5 CR
Introduces fundamental social and political theories, such as Mill's libertarianism and Rawls's social contract theory. Students also examine concepts of liberty, justice, civil disobedience, democracy, and political rights.
PHIL 115 Critical Reasoning • 5 CR
Introduces concepts and methods useful for critical analysis of arguments in ordinary language. Topics include meaning, syllogisms, logical diagrams, inductive and statistical inference, scientific reasoning, informal fallacies, argument structure, and some beginning symbolic logic. Fulfills quantitative or symbolic reasoning course requirement at BC.
PHIL 122 Environmental Ethics • 5 CR
Provides an introduction to the ethical and epistemological issues pertaining to our interaction with the environment. Students study the various conceptions of the value of the environment and how these bear on environmental policy debates. Topics may include the intrinsic and instrumental value of wilderness, animal rights, pollution, over-population and more specific applied topics such as global warming or saving salmon in the Pacific Northwest. Fulfills social science or humanities course requirement, not both, at BC.
PHIL 160 Philosophy of Science • 5 CR
Surveys various approaches to scientific thought, using examples from the history of science and philosophy. Students look critically at concepts of scientific method, scientific laws, casualty, determinism, indeterminism, pseudo-science, and prediction/confirmation/induction.
PHIL 201 Introduction to Political Philosophy • 5 CR
Examines the values and assumptions underlying governments and political systems. Students discuss philosophical issues behind international conflicts and cooperation in the present world. Same as POLS 201. Either PHIL 201 or POLS 201 may be taken for credit, not both.
PHIL 225 Introduction to Aesthetics • 5 CR
Explores the nature of art and aesthetic experience. Students analyze the artistic theories and aesthetic principles underlying Eastern and Western art. Format includes several field trips. Same as ART 225. Either PHIL 225 or ART 225 may be taken for credit, not both.
PHIL 234/235/236/237 Global Philosophy • 5 CR
Surveys and assesses major philosophers and philosophical traditions of a specified world region or culture such as Latin America, Islam, China, India, Africa, or the United States. Emphasis is on an historical approach to the metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and social and political philosophy of these intellectual traditions. Selected region listed in quarterly class schedule.
PHIL 247 Philosophy in Literature • 5 CR
Study of philosophical issues expressed in works of world literature. Themes may include the possibility of knowledge, the nature of evil, aesthetic experience, the rationality of religious belief, contemporary moral problems, or identity.
PHIL 248 Ethics in Criminal Justice • 5 CR
Examines the philosophical, moral, and ethical bases of human behavior from a criminal justice perspective. Students discuss justice, law, and punishment, moral decision-making, and ethical and legal dilemmas in law enforcement. Same as CJ 248. Either PHIL 248 or CJ 248 may be taken for credit, not both.
PHIL 260 Business Ethics • 5 CR
Introduction to ethical theories relevant to issues and problems in business. Explores ethical concerns in marketing, race/gender bias, economics, the natural environment, employee-employer duties, and civic relations. Same as BUS 260. Either PHIL 260 or BUS 260 may be taken for credit, not both.
PHIL 265 Biomedical Ethics • 5 CR
Introduces ethical problems relating to medical practice and biological research. Students discuss ethical issues in euthanasia, abortion, animal experimentation, genetic engineering, and doctor-patient relationships. Designed for students entering medical and research fields, but applicable to moral problems in any field.
PHIL 267 Introduction to Philosophy of Religion • 5 CR
Studies philosophical issues affecting the understanding of religion. Students assess the rationality of religious beliefs, miracles, and the existence of God.
PHIL 299 Independent Studies in Philosophy • V 1-5 CR
Covers directed reading, special projects, and independent study by an individual student. May be repeated for a maximum of 15 credits. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
PHIL 365 Biomedical Ethics: Theory & Practice • 5 CR
Examine ethical issues that arise in healthcare, such as provider-patient relations, death and dying, reproductive issues, human and animal experimentation, and bioethics and public policy. Offers the knowledge and skills needed to research, analyze, and evaluate positions taken on these or related issues. Special attention is paid to the practical use of ethics in clinical practice and in public society. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the program or permission of instructor.