Tips, Hints, and FAQ's
READING & UNDERSTANDING
Effective Reading and Text Markup Strategies
Tips for Understanding Philosophy
WRITING
10 Tips On How To Write Less Badly
Papers: How to Write a Short, Critical Response Paper
Papers: Writing Clear and Effective Philosophical Essays
EXAMS
Exam hints
PRESENTING
Keynote Presentation The Gentle Art of Giving a Paper
WHY PHILOSOPHY? WHY HUMANITIES?
Many people wonder about the value of a humanities (or philosophy) degree. This is an excellent page of resources.
Effective Reading and Text Markup Strategies
Tips for Understanding Philosophy
WRITING
10 Tips On How To Write Less Badly
Papers: How to Write a Short, Critical Response Paper
Papers: Writing Clear and Effective Philosophical Essays
EXAMS
Exam hints
PRESENTING
Keynote Presentation The Gentle Art of Giving a Paper
WHY PHILOSOPHY? WHY HUMANITIES?
Many people wonder about the value of a humanities (or philosophy) degree. This is an excellent page of resources.
Some things you may not know about Philosophy.
A lot of people have not heard of "philosophy" before they get to college.
What does philosophy cover? A lot more than you think.
Philosophy covers a very wide range of topics! Look!
Many think that if they’re interested in MIND and CONSCIOUSNESS and HAPPINESS they have to take Psychology to learn about that. Philosophy’s got that covered.
Many think that if they’re interested in LEARNING and KNOWLEDGE they have to take Education to learn about that. Philosophy’s got that covered.
Many think that if they’re interested in INTERPRETATION, ARTS, or LITERATURE they have to take Visual Arts or English to learn about that. Philosophy’s got that covered.
Many think that if they’re interested in TIME and REALITY they have to take Physics to learn about that. Philosophy’s got that covered.
Many think that if they’re interested in RACE, SEX, or GENDER they have to take Sociology to learn about that. Philosophy’s got that covered.
Many think that if they’re interested in GOD and RELIGION they have to take Religious Studies or Sociology to learn about those. Philosophy’s got that covered.
Many think that if they’re interested in POLITICS and JUSTICE think they have to take Public Affairs or Political Science to learn about that. Philosophy’s got that covered.
Many think that if they’re interested in SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY think they have to take a History or Communication to learn about those. Philosophy’s got that covered.
Many think that if they’re interested in BUSINESS ethics think they have to take a Business class to learn about that. Philosophy’s got that covered.
These are just some examples of the many areas philosophy takes on! Take a look at our CATALOG to see the full picture!
A lot of people have not heard of "philosophy" before they get to college.
What does philosophy cover? A lot more than you think.
Philosophy covers a very wide range of topics! Look!
Many think that if they’re interested in MIND and CONSCIOUSNESS and HAPPINESS they have to take Psychology to learn about that. Philosophy’s got that covered.
- PHIL 4300 - Philosophy of Mind: Consideration of the problems in the philosophy of mind, such as the mind-body problem, the problem of our knowledge of other minds, the compatibility of free will and determinism, and discussion of such concepts as action, intention, motive, desire, enjoyment, memory, imagination, dreaming and self-knowledge.
- PHIL 3030 - Philosophies of the Good Life & Happiness: Examines concepts and theories of happiness and their application in everyday living as discussed by major philosophers since antiquity (e.g., Aristotle, Kant, Nietzsche). Also considers critiques of Happiness (e.g., Freud, Schopenhauer).
Many think that if they’re interested in LEARNING and KNOWLEDGE they have to take Education to learn about that. Philosophy’s got that covered.
- PHIL 3360 – Epistemology: Study of major theories of knowledge, including such problems as perception and the distinction between belief and knowledge.
Many think that if they’re interested in INTERPRETATION, ARTS, or LITERATURE they have to take Visual Arts or English to learn about that. Philosophy’s got that covered.
- PHIL 4730 - Philosophy and Literature: Considers the philosophical dimensions of literature.
- PHIL 5220 - Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art: Introduction to major theories of aesthetics and contemporary discussions of problems in aesthetics and the philosophy of art, including topics such as: the nature of art, interpretation and evaluation in art.
Many think that if they’re interested in TIME and REALITY they have to take Physics to learn about that. Philosophy’s got that covered.
- PHIL 3350 - Metaphysics: Studies major theories of reality, including topics such as the nature of substance, space and time, and universals and particulars.
Many think that if they’re interested in RACE, SEX, or GENDER they have to take Sociology to learn about that. Philosophy’s got that covered.
- PHIL 3500 - Ideology and Culture: Racism and Sexism: Surveys the nature and role of racism and sexism. Topics may include ideology theory, naturalism, the equal protection clause, recent scientific discussion, sociolegal history, and social constructionism.
- PHIL 4500 - Feminist Philosophy: Seminar on key debates & figures in historical & contemporary feminist philosophy. Topics may include: rights, embodiment, gender, sexuality, race, reason, & violence. Figures may include: Wollstonecraft, Stanton, Beauvoir, Judith Butler, and bell hooks.
Many think that if they’re interested in GOD and RELIGION they have to take Religious Studies or Sociology to learn about those. Philosophy’s got that covered.
- PHIL 4600 - Philosophy of Religion: Nature of religion and methods of studying it.
Many think that if they’re interested in POLITICS and JUSTICE think they have to take Public Affairs or Political Science to learn about that. Philosophy’s got that covered.
- PHIL 3200 - Social and Political Philosophy: Examines basic issues in social and political philosophy, including justice, freedom, individuality, power and community.
Many think that if they’re interested in SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY think they have to take a History or Communication to learn about those. Philosophy’s got that covered.
- PHIL 3340 - Investigating Nature: Introduction to the Philosophy of Science: This course is designed to introduce students to the Philosophy of Science. (No background in philosophy is required.) Philosophy of Science is concerned with how best to use observation and experiment to learn about the world, whether we are investigating fundamental physical structures, the complex operations of biological organisms, or the social dynamics of human groups. Drawing on both historical and contemporary works, we will seek to understand, among other topics, what makes scientific inquiry distinct from other forms of human learning, what accounts for the credibility and objectivity of scientific claims, the influence of psycho-social biases on observation and theory formation, as well as whether accepting a scientific theory, explanation or hypothesis means that we think it is true.
- PHIL 4350 - Philosophy of Science: This course examines some of the central philosophical questions concerning the nature of scientific investigation, such as the logical relation of evidence to hypothesis, the objective adjudication of competing hypotheses, the logical function of modeling in empirical inquiry, the criterion for a classificatory system to underwrite induction and explanation, the explanatory relationships between the differing sciences, as well as the theoretical and pragmatic function of scientific law and its relationship to explanation.
- PHIL 4920 - Philosophy of Media and Technology: A philosophical examination of interrelationships between contemporary media, technology, and their impacts upon character of contemporary life and values. Topics may include ethics, epistemology, democracy, advertising, media literacy and criticism.
Many think that if they’re interested in BUSINESS ethics think they have to take a Business class to learn about that. Philosophy’s got that covered.
- PHIL 3250 - Business Ethics: Surveys some of the major moral problems which arise in business, such as the nature and scope of the moral responsibilities of corporations, affirmative action, and truth in advertising. Begins with a study of moral reasoning, ethical theory, and the challenges of applying ethical theory.
These are just some examples of the many areas philosophy takes on! Take a look at our CATALOG to see the full picture!
