2023-2024 BSC Catalog Updated_UG ONLY_FINAL[82]

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
229
PL 302 WR Existentialism (1)
An examination of major issues and problems arising from the existentialist tradition in
philosophy through a treatment of one or two representative figures. A Writing
Reinforcement designated course. Prerequisite: one previous course in PL (except PL
241).
PL 304 WR Topics in American Philosophy (1)
An examination of some aspect of American philosophy. The focus of this course may
vary each time it is offered: for example, Jonathan Edwards and the Puritans, the
philosophy of the “founding fathers,” Transcendentalism, American Pragmatism, Neo
Pragmatism. With the consent of the philosophy faculty, students may enroll more than
once for credit, provided that the focus of the course is different. A Writing
Reinforcement designated course. Prerequisite: one previous course in PL (except PL
241).
PL 307 Environmental Ethics (1)
A study of one or more of the current trends and theories in environmental ethics. The
course may focus on areas such as deep ecology, eco-feminism, sustainability, process
ecology, environmental pragmatism, and others. A Leadership Studies designated course.
Prerequisite: one previous course in PL (except PL 241).
PL 308 WR Topics in Metaphysics and Epistemology (1)
An examination of questions in contemporary metaphysics and epistemology concerning
the nature of our knowledge of the world and different conceptions of reality which come
into play in our idea of what there is in the world. The focus of the course may vary with
different questions being highlighted: for example, questions concerning the objectivity
of moral values, the dominance of science in our understanding of reality, the identity of
consciousness and neurophysiological processes, the relation of knowledge to experience
and reason, and the capacity of truth to transcend our capacity to know it. With the
consent of the philosophy faculty, students may enroll more than once for credit,
provided that the focus of the course is different. A Writing Reinforcement designated
course. Prerequisite: one previous course in PL (except PL 241).
PL 360 WR Postmodernism and Philosophy (1)
An examination of some of the ways postmodern perspectives have impacted recent
philosophy with respect to questions about the nature of language, reason, community,
and justice. A major contemporary alternative to postmodernism is also assessed in order
to establish a critical dialogue concerning the strengths and weaknesses of our
“postmodern condition.” A Writing Reinforcement designated course. Prerequisite: one
previous course in PL (except PL 241).
PL 361 WR Topics in Philosophy of Religion (1)
An examination of some issues in the philosophy of religion primarily in the Western
tradition. Potential topics include the problem of evil, the nature of God, proofs for God’s
existence, the nature of faith, and non-traditional concepts of God (e.g., process theology,
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2023-2024