2007-2008 Undergraduate Academic Catalog - Plymouth State ...

Coursesetc. Selected original works of the major philosophersare read and discussed in detail. Fall ofodd years. Prerequisite(s): any other philosophycourse; junior status. (INCO)PY 3120 History of Philosophy II:Modern3 creditsAn introductory study of Western philosophyfrom the Renaissance to the 20th century.Includes introductory studies of Descartes,Spinoza, Leibnitz, Hobbes, Locke, Berkeley,Hume, Kant, Hegel and others. Spring of evenyears. Prerequisite(s): any other philosophycourse; junior status. (INCO)PY 3140 Medieval Philosophy 3 creditsPhilosophical development of the medievalmind from the neo-Platonic thought of SaintAugustine through such luminaries asErigena, Anselm, Aquinas and Duns Scotus.Unscheduled. Prerequisite(s): permission ofthe instructor.PY 3150 Society, Ethics, andthe Law3 creditsSee CJ 3150 for course description. Not opento students who have earned credit for CJ/PY2100. Falls and Springs. Prerequisite(s): juniorstatus. (PHIL)(DICO)(INCO)PY 3160 History of Philosophy III:Contemporary 3 creditsMajor influential movements in 20th centuryphilosophy. Pragmatism, Logical Positivism,Philosophical Analysis and Existentialism. Fallof odd years. Prerequisite(s): any other philosophycourse; junior status. (INCO)PY 3210 Comparing WorldReligions3 creditsMeant for students who wish to compare andcontrast the major religious traditions of theworld. Students read original texts from variousreligions. Each tradition is given equal weightduring the reading, writing and class discussion.Students become familiar with figures ofworld religions. Deals with the resulting socialbehavior, artistic expression and concepts ofthe sacred, from Christianity and Judaismto Islam and Buddhism. Special attention isgiven to international and culturally diversifyingimplications of each tradition. Studentsare expected to write on a religious traditionduring the semester and develop that writingto a full paper by the end of that semester. Astudent may elect to compare two different religiousfaiths and/or their religious expressions(literature, arts, etc.). The mid-semester test ison the basics of each world religion. Includedas the major world religions are Hinduism,Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism,Toaism and Confucianism along with theirscriptures/readings/literature and art. Falls.Prerequisite(s): junior status. (INTG)PY 3390 Applied Ethics 3 creditsFocuses on the analysis of values from theperspectives of (1) ethics, (2) various socialinstitutions, e.g., business, law, medicine,government, journalism and education, etc.and (3) physical science, with emphasis onenvironmental concerns. May be taken as IS3390. Perspectives integrated: PHIL, SCIE,SPSY. Unscheduled. Prerequisite(s): juniorstatus. (INTG)PY 3450 Enlightenment, Love andLiterature3 creditsA study of three related philosophical problems– evil in a supposedly just universe, and the falland rise of human beings – as they are embodiedin selected works from both philosophy andliterature. Literary works such as Greek tragedy,Shakespearean tragedy, Goethe’s Faust,Blake’s Songs of Innocence, T.S. Eliot’s FourQuartets and Hesse’s Siddhartha are used asconcrete examples of the various interpretationsof the philosophical issues. Perspectivesintegrated: LITY, PHIL. Spring of even years.Prerequisite(s): junior status. (INTG)PY 3460 Sexual Ethics 3 creditsAn examination of past and present sourcesof sexual ethics in the Judeo-Christian tradition,with an emphasis on present day sexualethics and the dimensions of sexuality yetto be accepted by a given ethical framework.Integrates Literature and Philosophy as wellas religious views and historical sources.Attempts to distinguish between the world ofthe secular and the religious, while analyzingboth. Fall of even years. Prerequisite(s): juniorstatus. (INCO)PY 3540 Philosophy of Religion 3 creditsA critical analysis of the traditional and contemporaryreligious concepts and values thatunderlie the basic doctrines of the major religiousfaiths. Examines some contemporaryreligious and quasi-religious movements.Spring of even years. Prerequisite(s): juniorstatus. (INCO)PY 3560 Philosophical Perspectiveson War and Peace 3 creditsOffers an integrated look at the problem ofwar and violence in the nuclear age, includinghistorical, religious, psychological, political,economic and technological aspects. Helpsstudents see the interrelationships among themany causal factors of war as well as to helpthem think philosophically about the problemsof war and peace as global issues facingvirtually all nations and, indeed, raising themost serious questions about the continuedexistence of life on earth. Readings are basedon texts, handouts and web sites to ensure thatstudents have information on current developmentsregarding arms trade, military budgets,United Nations activity, etc. May be taken asIS 3560. Perspectives integrated: HIST, PHIL,SPSY, TECH. Springs. Prerequisite(s): juniorstatus. (INTG)(GACO)(INCO)PY 3710 Philosophy, Science, andSuperstition 3 creditsWhat is it that distinguishes science fromirrational opinion and superstition? Is sciencereally a way to knowledge? The only way? Whatis a scientific theory, and how does sciencemanage to explain things? What is superstition,and why have people found it so attractive?And where do so-called pseudoscientificideas like creationism and astrology fit into ourunderstanding of reality? Uses historical andcurrent examples to illuminate the nature ofscience and superstition and attempts to findphilosophical principles that can guide us inevaluating controversial beliefs. May be takenas NS 3710. Falls. Prerequisite(s): junior status.(PHIL)(INCO)PY 4770 Great PhilosophersSeminar3 creditsThe works of from one to three major philosophers.Different philosophers may be selectedeach offering of the course. May be repeated.Philosophy majors should consult with theiradvisor. Unscheduled. Prerequisite(s): threecredits in philosophy. (WRIT)(WRCO)PY 4910 Independent Study 1–3 creditsLimited to students who have demonstratedtheir ability to do superior work in philosophyand who are able to do independent work.Before registering for independent study, studentsshould consult with a member of theDepartment concerning a program of study.Students are expected to work independentlywith tutorial guidance. Evidence of progressis demonstrated by papers and discussion.Offered by arrangement. Consent requiredof the instructor who will supervise the independentstudy and the Department Chair.Prerequisite(s): 12 semester hours in philosophywith an average grade of B or better.RL – ReadingRL 1200 Children’s Literature 3 creditsA survey which deals with the selection, evaluationand utilization of literary materials for childrenfrom ages 5 to 13. Focus is on the differentgenres in children’s literature. Discussion andprojects are based on using a variety of classicaland contemporary genres, technology andmedia. Extensive reading and critiquing ofchildren’s books are required with the aim ofdeveloping an appreciation and understandingof the value of children’s literature in languageand literacy development in a variety of settings.Participation activities with children arerequired. Falls and Springs.302 Plymouth State University Academic Catalog 2007–2008