1997-1998 - The University of Scranton

PHIL 313 Dr. Klonoski
Philosophy and Friendship 3 credits
This course will be a historical survey of primary
texts which discuss friendship. Readings in the
course will be taken from authors of the ancient,
medieval, modern and contemporary periods in the
History of Philosophy. Some of these authors
whose works will be discussed are, Xenophon,
Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, de Montaigne,
Bacon, Kant, Emerson, Nietzsche, Gray, Arendt
and Sartre.
PHIL 315 Dr. Baillie
20th Century Political Philosophy 3 credits
This course is a survey of modern social contract
theory, and its relation to capitalism, and of modern
marxism. Issues raised will include obligation
and consent, equality, freedom and self-determination,
the role of markets, and the role of the state.
PHIL 319 Dr. Capestany
Philosophy of Law 3 credits
A study of the various justifications of law and
their implications. Special consideration will be
given to the problems of civil disobedience and the
force of law in private institutions.
PHIL 320 Dr. Black
Aesthetics 3 credits
The main theories of the essential character of
beauty or art, how they are judged, how they are
related to the mind and the whole person, how they
are created and how this creativity expresses a
commitment to oneself and to the world.
PHIL 321 Dr. Nordberg
Great Books 3 credits
Major thinkers in the Western philosophical, religious,
political and literary traditions. This course
emphasizes philosophical themes in literature.
PHIL 325 Dr. Meagher
Literature and Ethics 3 credits
This course examines that "old quarrel between
philosophy and literature," the dispute between
Plato and Ancient Athenian poets regarding the
source of morality, and studies how this quarrel
continues in contemporary moral discourse. The
aims of this course are to: (1) gain a better understanding
of issues in contemporary moral thinking,
especially regarding so-called “narrative approaches
to ethics”; and (2) rethink the “old quarrel,” as
we examine contemporary philosophers’ turns to
literature in an attempt to reconstruct the concept
of moral agency.
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PHIL 326 Dr. Meagher
(D)Advanced Topics in Feminist Philosophy 3 credits
This course will explore a special topic in feminist
philosophy. The topic will vary according to student
and faculty interest. Possible topics might
include: feminism and aesthetics, issues of equality,
philosophy of women. Course might be repeated
as topics vary. Prerequisite: Phil. 218, other
women’s studies courses, or permission of the
instructor. This course may be counted toward
Women’s Studies Concentration.
PHIL 327 Dr. McGinley
Readings in the Later Plato 3 credits
A survey and contextualization of the dialogues
usually said to be “Later” in Plato’s intellectual
development will precede a textually based examination
of those dialogues in which Plato’s dialectic
turns on the “concept” of difference. Thaetetus,
Sophist, and Parmenides will be emphasized.
PHIL 328 Dr. Meagher
Philosophy of Literature 3 credits
This course examines the nature of literature, and
its relation to philosophy and political life.
Students will study both classical texts on literature
and contemporary Anglo-American examinations
and appropriations of them, as well as recent
European literary theory.
PHIL 410 Dr. Black
Philosophy of Culture 3 credits
Examines the meaning of the term “culture.”
Explores the notions of civilization and barbarism,
common principles in cultural development, and
the interaction of such cultural forces as myth,
magic, language, art, religion, science and technology.
Special attention will be given to the question
of “progress” and “regress” in culture.
PHIL 411 Dr. Pang-White
Philosophy of Aquinas 3 credits
Significance of Aquinas’ incorporation of
Aristotelianism into the Christian West in the 13th
century. Importance of his synthesis of philosophy
and theology. Examination of his metaphysics,
anthropology and ethics. His relevance to the world.
PHIL 414 Dr. Rowe
Philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas 3 credits
This course is a study of the twentieth century
Jewish philosopher, Emmanuel Levinas. We will
focus on Levinas’ theory of ethical experience, an
account that takes its categories from both Greek
and Hebrew sources, thereby enriching the dialogue
between Jewish and Christian traditions in
philosophy.