2019-2020 BSC Catalog

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
211
PL 246 ES Asian Philosophies: From Atman to Zen (1)
An introduction to Asian philosophies, focusing on different notions of the self. Using
contemporary scholarship and critical translations of primary philosophical texts of India,
China, and Japan, students explore traditional problems of the self, from the early Vedic
atman through developments and transformations in Japanese Zen. An Explorations in
Scholarship designated course.
PL 250 IA Contemporary Philosophy (1)
An examination of the major themes of philosophy in the twentieth century. Particular
emphasis is placed on how skeptical doubts concerning the idea and attainability of truth
have issued in an increasingly dominant form of cultural relativism in diverse arenas,
such as law and literature, anthropology, the history of science, and moral and political
theory. An Interpretation or Analysis designated course.
PL 251 IA Ancient Philosophy (1)
Ancient philosophy from Thales to Plotinus. An Interpretation or Analysis designated
course.
PL 252 IA Modern Philosophy (1)
Modern philosophy from Descartes through Kant. An Interpretation or Analysis
designated course.
PL 253 CI, IA Ethical Theory (1)
An examination of the theoretical grounds of ethical reasoning encompassing such issues
as the respective roles of reason and emotion in ethical judgment, utilitarian and socialcontract
conceptions of justice, and the reality of ethical values. A Community Interests
and Interpretation or Analysis designated course.
PL 256 GP, IA Confucianism and Daoism (1)
An examination of the central texts and philosophical problems of Confucianism and
Daoism. Texts include philosophical translations of the Confucian Analects and
Zhongyong, the Laozi Daodejing, Zhuangzi, and others. A Global Perspectives and
Interpretation or Analysis designated course.
PL 263 GP Philosophies of Film: Cinematic Wisdom West to East (1)
A pluralistic exploration of the medium of film using the discipline of philosophy.
Students examine primary texts from both philosophers and film theorists with the aim of
discovering and articulating cinematic wisdom. Focus is placed on the areas of aesthetics
(Western and East Asian), ontology, depth psychology, and cognitive theory. A Global
Perspectives designated course. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or one previous course
in PL (except PL 241).
PL 275 Philosophy of Law (1)
An examination of the major concepts of law, natural law, positivism, legal realism, and
analytical jurisprudence. The course also explores the relationship of law and morals.
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2019-2020