Spring 2009 Courses
(Scroll down for Religion courses)
 

Click here for a PDF of the course offerings brochure.
 

Philosophy

Introduction to Philosophy

Phil 101 $ #15318  $ 3 credits

  (Section 1)   1:00-1:50 p.m.    MWF          Staff

Phil 101 $ #15330  $ 3 credits

  (Section 2)   9:30 – 10:45 a.m.       TR     Dr. Poochigian

 An introductory survey of the discipline of philosophy.  Students will join the thoughtful search, in which philosophers have engaged through reading and discussion since ancient days, into the problems of reality (metaphysics), of truth and meaning (logic and philosophy of language), of moral standards (ethics), of knowledge (epistemology), of beauty, (aesthetics), and other fundamental questions.   

Phil 101   $  #TBA  $ 3 credits

(On-line Course)                       Beltz

     Philosophy 101 is designed to provide students with a rich understanding of the ideas and issues that have guided human inquiry for the last six thousand years. Philosophy is an intellectual endeavor designed to ask significant questions about ourselves, the world around us, and the foundation of everyday existence. This course will provide a survey of the major themes and problems that generations of philosophers have struggled to find solutions to. Many of the issues raised in this course will challenge your preconceived notions of the world around you and will ask you to seriously question the base assumptions you have about yourself and the world around you. How do I know what is right to do? How do I know that there is anything out in the world? How do I know what is beautiful? What does it mean to know something? Answers to these questions can be difficult, but they can also be invigorating. This course will take a thematic approach to philosophy, focusing on the various areas of philosophic inquiry.

Introduction To Ethics

Phil 209  $ #15332   $ 3 credits

(Section 1)    3:30 – 4:45 p.m.     TR       Staff

An introduction to the problems connected with moral choice.  This course examines the moral judgments that follow from the values held by a wide variety of people today on topics ranging from abortion to race, sexual behavior, the environment, etc.

Introduction To Ethics

(Through Film)

Phil 209  $ #15334   $ 3 credits

(Section 2)   6:00 – 8:30 p.m.    T    Dr. Weinstein

     Ethics may be the area of philosophy with the most obvious connections to everyday lives. Our lives are filled with difficult decisions that often have lasting consequences. The ability to make the right decision is an ability that must be cultivated and investigated. Many have asked if there is such a thing as the right decision in the first place. This course investigates the nature of Good life, of moral principles, and the application of moral systems to contemporary debate with special attention to sexual ethics and its relationship to popular culture. Through readings, papers, and journals, students will develop their own positions on these issues, and provide a theoretical defense against criticism of their conclusions.
      This class uses films to create a common set of examples to foster student discussion. Students will be expected to read primary texts in the history of philosophy and relate their arguments to the movies viewed in class. We will see both domestic and foreign films, major studio releases, and independent projects.

Please note, this is a reading-and writing intensive class.

Introduction to Logic

Phil 220  $ #15336   $ 3 credits

10:00 – 10:50 a.m.       MWF       Staff

      A theoretical and practical introduction to the principles of reasoning – formal and informal, deductive and inductive.  Students will study language and patterns of reasoning as vehicles for and obstacles to critical thinking.  The central characteristics of deduction and validity; the role of hypotheses, inductive reasoning, probability estimates in scientific and quasi-scientific investigations and other models of critical thinking and their limits will be covered.

Ethics in Engineering and Science

Junior/Senior standing is the prerequisite

Phil 370  $ #15328  $ 3 credits

11:00 a.m.– 12:15 p.m.     TR      Beltz

This course provides an in depth investigation into the ethical concerns involved in engineering and scientific decision-making. Contemporary society places a significant amount of prestige in scientific and engineering experts.  Professionals within these fields of expertise often lose sight of their role in protecting public safety and the public good. This course focuses on understanding the ethical responsibilities of professionals, the nature of moral decision making, and applying ethical frameworks to concrete situations.

Drawing on case studies, ethical dilemmas, and real-world scenarios, this course examines the significance of honesty, competence, safety, teamwork, whistleblowing, confidentiality, consent, integrity, and imaginations in the professional lives of engineers and scientists. This course seeks to understand and apply the professional codes relevant to contemporary engineering and scientific practices.

Ethics In Heath Care

Phil 372  $ #15320   $ 3 credits

2:00 – 2:50 p.m.     MWF        Beltz

             At some point in our lives, we become involved in the health care system. Whether we are patients, nurses, doctors, or family members of patients, we must understand how the decisions we make about health care are ethical decisions. This course focuses on understanding the ethical responsibilities of professionals, the rights of patients, the nature of moral decision making, and applying ethical frameworks to concrete situations.
       Drawing on case studies, ethical dilemmas, and real-world scenarios, this course examines the significance informed consent, abortion, euthanasia, organ transplant policy, professional standards, assisted suicide, drug screening, national health care policy and reform. The rights and responsibilities or professionals and patients will be examined through contemporary ethical theories and through the codes of professional ethics.

Philosophy of Human Nature

Phil 408  $ #16902  $ 3 credits

2:00 – 2:50 p.m.     MWF      Dr. Poochigian

      What distinguishes the behavioral from the natural sciences is the study of human nature.  It is often thought that this makes for a significant difference, natural  science identifying what is necessary and social science not.  This course will focus on this issue, investigating the way in which human behavior is explained.  All of the behavioral sciences will be considered including:  psychology, sociology, political science, economics, anthropology, and history.  Of special concern is the difference in method employed by the various disciplines, each offering a different solution to the problem of explaining human behavior. 

Existentialism

Phil 465  $ #16903   $ 3 credits

2:00 – 3:15 p.m.     TR       Dr. Weinstein

      An examination of the nature of human existence and its relationship to freedom.  This course investigates the consequences of one’s choices and their effects on identity, ethics, and on other people.  By examining the works of such philosophers as Kierkegaard, Sartre, Camus, de Beauvoir, and others, students will investigate the ways in which human beings construct their own identities and develop their own ethical and political standards.

Independent Study in Philosophy

Phil 494  $  Hours Arranged

Consent of Instructor Needed

        This course is designed for students who want to follow a supervised course of reading and study on an individual basis with a particular professor.  The student must have a topic of special interest that he/she wants to pursue.

In every case, before enrolling for independent studies, students must visit with the instructor concerned and design a particular course of study and agree upon the number of credit hours (2-3).

 Religion
 

Introduction to Religious Inquiry

Rels 100 $  # 16898  $ 3 credits

3:00 – 5:30 p.m.     W      Dr. Miller

        Religion is an important and powerful force in our world today. Regardless of whether or not we consider ourselves to be religious, we live in a global community where religion is taken very seriously by the vast majority of those who inhabit the planet. Moreover, religion is a very complex subject, since it incorporates a variety of different concepts and a plethora of diverse practices. In this class, students will be introduced to the discipline of religious studies and, thereby, gain an assortment of academic tools that will assist them in their exploration of religion and religions.

Religion in America

Rels 120  $  # 15370  $ 3 credits

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.    TR     Dr. Baldwin

      Contrary to the phrase, "America as the melting pot," this country's strength has been its resistance to a homogenous ideology.  The resistance to hegemony of one religion has come from the diverse religious histories and theological developments that make up the religious imagination in America. In addition to learning how this religious diversity developed, we will exam the interaction between religion and politics and those issues currently are being discussed that cross into the "grey" area that may threaten the separation of church and state. Understanding American religious discourse is central to one's formation as an American citizen and students of various interests will find value in this course regardless of their chosen major.

Women and Religion

Rels 216  $  # 15348  $ 3 credits

2:00 - 3:15 p.m.    TR     Dr. Baldwin

      "Women and Religion" is more properly named "Women in Religion," for this course introduces students to the complex issues surrounding the experiences of women as well as their effect on a variety of religious traditions.  This course is also an introduction to the growing body of contemporary scholarship by women who critique and inevitably reshape their traditions primarily through the experiences of women. We will explore the patriarchal assumptions of religion that have silenced the influence of women’s experience as well as the effects of "feminisms" on religious traditions. This course approaches religion as a product and shaper of culture. Such an approach assumes that the rising voices of women in religion will reshape culture as well as religious traditions.

Christian Scripture/New Testament

Rels 231  $  #15350  $ 3 credits

12:30 – 1:45 p.m.        TR         Dr. Miller

      The purpose of this course is to introduce the beginning student to the academic study of the New Testament, as well as to the most important resources available for understanding and interpreting this literature. During the semester, in addition to the writings themselves, we will focus on the literary, social, and historical background that provides the context for these writings. We will also examine the fundamental interpretive approaches employed by scholars in their attempts to explain the meanings of these texts. In this way we hope to gain a critical perspective by which we may more responsibly read the NT itself and better understand the various interpretations generated by other readers.

Death and Dying

Rels  245  $  #15354  $  3 credits

3:00 – 5:30  p.m.     M     Dr. Troftgruben

      "A study of death and dying from various viewpoints, both ancient and modern. The course will study philosophical and religious concepts of death, psychological and emotional reactions to human mortality, medical issues related to the dying process, interpersonal issues related to grieving, and various ideas of what lies beyond death (the afterlife). A variety of guest speakers will contribute to course presentations. Furthermore, the course will assist the student to confront the reality of death and dying in her or his own life."

Mysticism

Rels  305  $  #16899  $  3 credits

10:00 – 10:50 a.m.    MWF     Dr. Lawrence

      Introduces what is called mysticism and its place in world religions.  After examining the history of the concept of mysticism, we will proceed to study expressions of mystical experience and practice in both Western and Asian religious traditions.  Questions to be considered include the appropriate methods for studying mysticism, whether there is a common core to mystical experiences in diverse religions, the psychology of mysticism, and the relations of mysticism to ethics.  There are no prerequisites for this course.

Judaism

(cross-listed with Engl 369)

Rels  334  $  #26207  $  3 credits

9:30 – 10:45 a.m.     TR      Dr. Carson 

     This is an interdisciplinary intellectual adventure introducing students to Jewish theology, philosophy, and literature. We will focus especially, but not exclusively, on American Jewish writers, with some comparative readings of work by Jewish writers in Israel and Germany.    

     We will study aspects of religious Judaism shared (and re-interpreted) across time and place by Jewish thinkers, and we will explore the remarkable diversity among Jewish thinkers and writers. We will also examine theological topics that have led to consistent debate and sometimes significant disagreement among Jewish thinkers.  We will study Jewish biblical literature (Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible) as both theology and as literature, and we will spend some time on the Talmud-as-literature.   We’ll also look at a range of contemporary writers, focusing mostly on novels and short stories, and we’ll figure out some way to include a film or two.   

       This class is well suited for students majoring in English, Philosophy and Religion, and others interested in this complex subject.  The course does not presume that you bring previous background in these topics to the table, but it does presume an interest in serious intellectual work and rigorous study.

     We start the course with a short documentary called A Jew Is Not One Thing, a film produced for a multi-media art exhibit on Jewish culture and history.  By the end of the course, students will understand the significance of the title to the film, and will be able to identify and analyze varied frameworks of thought emerging from Jewish tradition.  Students will also be able to conceptualize questions about human experience in terms and categories framed within Jewish tradition.

ST:  A History of Satan: From the Bible to the Rolling Stones and Beyond

Rels  399  $  #15374  $  3 credits

3:30 – 4:45 p.m.       TR       Dr. Miller

      As the title of the course indicates, we will critically examine the concept of personified evil from its roots in the biblical story, through its appearances in the pre-modern world, to its manifestations in our contemporary situation. We will supplement our textbook readings with music, art, film, and literature in an attempt to understand better how the idea of the devil (and/or demons) functions in a variety of social, cultural, and religious contexts.

Psychology of Religion

Rels  423  $  #16900  $  3 credits

1:00 – 1:50 p.m.       MWF       Dr. Lawrence

      What is the psychological significance of various religious experiences, beliefs and practices?  This class examines classical and contemporary psychological theories about religion, including those of James, psychoanalysis, and social and cognitive psychologies.  Special attention will be given to the dialogue between psychological theories and religious self-understandings.  There are no prerequisites for this course.

Independent Study in Religion

Rels 494  $   Hours Arranged

Consent of Instructor Needed

This course is designed for students who want to follow a supervised course of reading and study on an individual basis with a particular professor.  The student must have a topic of special interest that he/she wants to pursue.

In every case, before enrolling for independent studies,  Students must visit with the instructor concerned and design a particular course of study and agree upon the number of credit hours (2-3)