2003 / 2004 - Bellevue College

Course Descriptions
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 BCC.
PHIL 120
Introduction to Logic • 5 CR
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 BCC. Recommended: ENGL 101
placement or higher.
PHIL 122
Philosophical Issues in
Environmental Studies • 5 CR
Introduction to the ethical and epistemological issues
pertaining to our interaction with the environment.
Course 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.
PHIL 130
History of Western Philosophy • 5 CR
Surveys major Western philosophies and ideas
from ancient Greece to the contemporary period.
Students discuss works of Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas,
Descartes, Hume, Kant, Mill, Nietzsche, Sartre, and
others, with emphasis on the historical context of
Western philosophy and on the relationships between
its traditions.
102 • BCC Course Catalog ~ 2003 / 2004
PHIL 135
Introduction to
American Philosophy • 5 CR
Surveys American philosophy from colonial times
to the present. Students analyze political philosophy,
social justice, and epistemology. Philosophers
studied may include Jefferson, Emerson, James,
Dewey, Royce, Santayana, King, Rawls, and Rorty.
Same as AMST 135. Either PHIL 135 or AMST 135
may be taken for credit, not both.
PHIL 145
History of Eastern Philosophy • 5 CR
Introduces the philosophical traditions of India,
China, and Japan. Students explore concepts of
value, self, reality, social/political philosophy, aesthetics,
and religion in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism,
Confucianism, Taoism, and other traditions.
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 185
Philosophical Issues in
Technology • 5 CR
Examines the nature and dimensions of technology.
Topics include pure vs. applied science; artificial
intelligence and biotechnology; technology’s
impact on concepts of work and progress; and the
influence of information technology on our lives.
Same as MEDIA 185 and IT 185. Only one of the
three (IT 185, MEDIA 185, PHIL 185) may be taken
for credit.
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 POLSC 201. Either PHIL 201 or POLSC 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 240
Introduction to Ethical Theory • 5 CR
Introduces philosophical views of the basis and
presuppositions of morality and moral knowledge.
Students look critically at various types of normative
systems of ethics such as teleological,
deontological, and virtue theories.
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
ADMCJ 248. Either PHIL 248 or ADMCJ 248 may
be taken for credit, not both.
PHIL 255
Professional Ethics • 3 CR
Explores ethical issues important to all professionals.
Topics include ethical principles, moral analysis,
whistle blowing, discrimination, social responsibility,
honesty, and loyalty in the workplace, and
setting appropriate workplace standards. Students
discuss ways to improve working relations with
employees, employers, clients, and community.
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 G BUS 260. Either PHIL
260 or G BUS 260 may be taken for credit, not both.