Graduate Program

Spring Term Schedule

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Spring 2026

Number	Title	Instructor	Time
PHIL 426-01 Philosophy of Law Rosa Terlazzo MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM
This course will examine the nature of law in common law legal systems. It will proceed historically, beginning with Aquinas, mentioning Blackstone, examining Bentham and Austin, mentioning Gray, examining Holmes, Hart, and Dworkin. Topics emphasized will include the relation between Law and Morality, the nature of legal interpretation, with emphasis on the role of precedent in common law, the nature of legal rules, and the issue of the completeness of law. Written work will include two short (ca. 5 pages) papers, mid-term, final exam, and periodic quizzes. Regular class attendance is expected. Location (MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM)
PHIL 435-01 Data, Algorithms, Justice Mark Povich TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM
This course focuses on a number of questions that arise in the design, development and deployment of machine learning algorithms. Topics include: Bias in algorithms (e.g., how should we measure unfairness in algorithms that determine who gets bail, parole, a job, or a loan? What about bias in health analytics?) Values disagreement and algorithms (e.g., how should self-driving cars or diagnostic algorithms make decisions, given that we disagree about the good?) Algorithms, social media, and public life (e.g., what is the impact of social media algorithms on public discourse and the future of democracy?) Algorithms and the future of work (e.g., how should we structure our society when many basic tasks will be performed by machines? How should we distribute the benefits of machine productivity?) Location (TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM)
PHIL 444-01 Philosophy of Mind Mark Povich TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM
An introduction to classic and contemporary problems in the philosophy of mind, this course investigates how the mind is related to the physical world. Topics include: What is the mind and how is it related to the brain? How is it possible for mental states to cause physical states, and vise versa? How do mental states get their intentional content? What is consciousness and can it be given a physical explanation? What are the minds of other beings - such as animals and artificially intelligent computers - like, and how could we know? Location (TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM)
PHIL 449-01 Formal Semantics Ash Asudeh TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
This course is an in-depth introduction to the formal analysis of natural language meaning, employing techniques that have been developed in language and formal philosophy over the last century. Issues include intensionality, quantification, tense, presupposition, plurality, the analysis of discourse, and other current issues. Familiarity with syntax, logic, and/or computation are helpful but not necessary. See LING 265 & LING 465. Location (TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM)
PHIL 452-01 Philosophy of Science Rush Stewart MW 3:25PM - 4:40PM
Survey of primarily metaphysical questions about science: Must the entities posited by a scientific theory exist for it to be successful? Do laws of nature govern the world or simply articulate patterns? How are lower and higher level scientific theories related to one another? Is scientific explanation primarily concerned with laws, with causes, or with something else? Location (MW 3:25PM - 4:40PM)
PHIL 470-01 Selected Topics in Modern Philosophy Dante Dauksz MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM
In this course, we will focus on selected figures, topics and positions from the modern period of philosophy - about 1500 to 1800. This semester's topic will be Kant's Critique of Pure Reason. Location (MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM)
PHIL 472-01 Philosophy of Humor Paul Audi MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM
What is the nature of funniness? Why does the same joke amuse some people but not others, or the same person at some times but not others? Do all funny things have a common feature that accounts for their capacity to amuse? When is it wrong to laugh? Must a person share racist or sexist attitudes in order to find racist or sexist humor funny? More generally, what does a person’s sense of humor tell us, if anything, about their moral character? Can a joke be wrong in itself, or only through its consequences? These and other questions are addressed by applying general concepts from metaphysics, ethics, philosophy of language, and philosophy of mind. Location (MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM)
PHIL 491-01 Master’s Readings Paul Audi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course is for master's students that have made arrangements with a faculty member to complete readings and discussion in a particular subject in their field of study. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 503-01 Theory of Knowledge Earl Conee M 2:00PM - 4:40PM
No description Location (M 2:00PM - 4:40PM)
PHIL 544-01 Topics in Philosophy of Mind Grace Helton W 2:00PM - 4:40PM
No description Location (W 2:00PM - 4:40PM)
PHIL 557-01 Selected Topics in Philosophy of AI Rush Stewart T 2:00PM - 4:40PM
This course examines philosophical issues arising in connection with artificial intelligence, with the focus varying between terms. Possible topics include AI governance, alignment, ethics of AI, explainability, issues at the intersection of philosophy of mind and artificial intelligence, technology and work, and AI and the future of humanity. Location (T 2:00PM - 4:40PM)
PHIL 560-01 Philosophical Writing Paul Audi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Study of recent articles; writing short commentaries, replies, criticisms. Covers various topics under guidance of several faculty members. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 560-02 Philosophical Writing Earl Conee 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Study of recent articles; writing short commentaries, replies, criticisms. Covers various topics under guidance of several faculty members. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 560-03 Philosophical Writing Alison Peterman 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Study of recent articles; writing short commentaries, replies, criticisms. Covers various topics under guidance of several faculty members. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 560-04 Philosophical Writing Richard Feldman 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Study of recent articles; writing short commentaries, replies, criticisms. Covers various topics under guidance of several faculty members. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 560-06 Philosophical Writing Jens Kipper 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Study of recent articles; writing short commentaries, replies, criticisms. Covers various topics under guidance of several faculty members. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 560-07 Philosophical Writing William FitzPatrick 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Study of recent articles; writing short commentaries, replies, criticisms. Covers various topics under guidance of several faculty members. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 560-08 Philosophical Writing Zeynep Soysal 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Study of recent articles; writing short commentaries, replies, criticisms. Covers various topics under guidance of several faculty members. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 560-09 Philosophical Writing Rosa Terlazzo 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Study of recent articles; writing short commentaries, replies, criticisms. Covers various topics under guidance of several faculty members. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 581-01 Supervise Instruct: Lec to Undg Randall Curren 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Continuation of PHIL 580, with practice lecturing to the undergraduate classes. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 581-02 Supervise Instruct: Lec to Undg Paul Audi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Continuation of PHIL 580, with practice lecturing to the undergraduate classes. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 581-03 Supervise Instruct: Lec to Undg William FitzPatrick 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Continuation of PHIL 580, with practice lecturing to the undergraduate classes. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 581-04 Supervise Instruct: Lec to Undg Mark Povich 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Continuation of PHIL 580, with practice lecturing to the undergraduate classes. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 581-05 Supervise Instruct: Lec to Undg Dante Dauksz 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Continuation of PHIL 580, with practice lecturing to the undergraduate classes. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 581-06 Supervise Instruct: Lec to Undg Yanssel Garcia 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Continuation of PHIL 580, with practice lecturing to the undergraduate classes. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 591-01 PhD Readings Paul Audi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course is for PhD students that have made arrangements with a faculty member to complete readings and discussion in a particular subject in their field of study. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 591-02 PhD Readings Earl Conee 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course is for PhD students that have made arrangements with a faculty member to complete readings and discussion in a particular subject in their field of study. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 591-03 PhD Readings Randall Curren 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course is for PhD students that have made arrangements with a faculty member to complete readings and discussion in a particular subject in their field of study. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 591-04 PhD Readings Richard Dees 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course is for PhD students that have made arrangements with a faculty member to complete readings and discussion in a particular subject in their field of study. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 591-05 PhD Readings Richard Feldman 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course is for PhD students that have made arrangements with a faculty member to complete readings and discussion in a particular subject in their field of study. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 591-06 PhD Readings William FitzPatrick 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course is for PhD students that have made arrangements with a faculty member to complete readings and discussion in a particular subject in their field of study. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 591-07 PhD Readings Jens Kipper 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course is for PhD students that have made arrangements with a faculty member to complete readings and discussion in a particular subject in their field of study. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 591-08 PhD Readings Alison Peterman 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course is for PhD students that have made arrangements with a faculty member to complete readings and discussion in a particular subject in their field of study. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 591-09 PhD Readings Zeynep Soysal 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course is for PhD students that have made arrangements with a faculty member to complete readings and discussion in a particular subject in their field of study. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 591-10 PhD Readings Rosa Terlazzo 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course is for PhD students that have made arrangements with a faculty member to complete readings and discussion in a particular subject in their field of study. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 591-11 PhD Readings Mark Povich 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course is for PhD students that have made arrangements with a faculty member to complete readings and discussion in a particular subject in their field of study. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 591-12 PhD Readings Rush Stewart 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course is for PhD students that have made arrangements with a faculty member to complete readings and discussion in a particular subject in their field of study. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 595-01 PhD Research Paul Audi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 595-02 PhD Research Earl Conee 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 595-03 PhD Research Randall Curren 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 595-04 PhD Research Richard Dees 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 595-05 PhD Research Richard Feldman 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 595-06 PhD Research William FitzPatrick 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 595-07 PhD Research Jens Kipper 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 595-08 PhD Research Alison Peterman 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 595-09 PhD Research Zeynep Soysal 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 595-10 PhD Research Rosa Terlazzo 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 595-11 PhD Research Mark Povich 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students with fewer than 90 credits the opportunity to conduct, develop, and refine their doctoral research projects. Students will engage in research relevant to their field of study and make progress toward completing their dissertations. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 895-01 Continuation of Master’s Enrollment Paul Audi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course is designed for master's degree students who have completed all required coursework but still need to finalize specific degree requirements under less than half-time enrollment. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 897-01 Masters Dissertation Paul Audi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides master's students who are currently completing their final required coursework, or with special circumstances like an approved reduced courseload, with the opportunity to work full-time on their degrees. Students will make significant progress toward completing their degrees. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 986V-01 Full Time Visiting Student Richard Feldman 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course affords graduate students visiting the University of Rochester full-time student status. Visiting students will engage in research, discussion, and/or professional training in partnership with an academic department or faculty member. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHIL 999-01 Doctoral Dissertation Jens Kipper 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course provides PhD students who have completed or are currently completing 90 credits of coursework and have fulfilled all degree requirements (except for the dissertation) with the opportunity to work full-time on their dissertation. Students will make significant progress toward completing their degrees. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)

Number	Title	Instructor	Time
Monday
PHIL 503-01 Theory of Knowledge Earl Conee
No description
Monday and Wednesday
PHIL 472-01 Philosophy of Humor Paul Audi
What is the nature of funniness? Why does the same joke amuse some people but not others, or the same person at some times but not others? Do all funny things have a common feature that accounts for their capacity to amuse? When is it wrong to laugh? Must a person share racist or sexist attitudes in order to find racist or sexist humor funny? More generally, what does a person’s sense of humor tell us, if anything, about their moral character? Can a joke be wrong in itself, or only through its consequences? These and other questions are addressed by applying general concepts from metaphysics, ethics, philosophy of language, and philosophy of mind.
PHIL 426-01 Philosophy of Law Rosa Terlazzo
This course will examine the nature of law in common law legal systems. It will proceed historically, beginning with Aquinas, mentioning Blackstone, examining Bentham and Austin, mentioning Gray, examining Holmes, Hart, and Dworkin. Topics emphasized will include the relation between Law and Morality, the nature of legal interpretation, with emphasis on the role of precedent in common law, the nature of legal rules, and the issue of the completeness of law. Written work will include two short (ca. 5 pages) papers, mid-term, final exam, and periodic quizzes. Regular class attendance is expected.
PHIL 470-01 Selected Topics in Modern Philosophy Dante Dauksz
In this course, we will focus on selected figures, topics and positions from the modern period of philosophy - about 1500 to 1800. This semester's topic will be Kant's Critique of Pure Reason.
PHIL 452-01 Philosophy of Science Rush Stewart
Survey of primarily metaphysical questions about science: Must the entities posited by a scientific theory exist for it to be successful? Do laws of nature govern the world or simply articulate patterns? How are lower and higher level scientific theories related to one another? Is scientific explanation primarily concerned with laws, with causes, or with something else?
Tuesday
PHIL 557-01 Selected Topics in Philosophy of AI Rush Stewart
This course examines philosophical issues arising in connection with artificial intelligence, with the focus varying between terms. Possible topics include AI governance, alignment, ethics of AI, explainability, issues at the intersection of philosophy of mind and artificial intelligence, technology and work, and AI and the future of humanity.
Tuesday and Thursday
PHIL 449-01 Formal Semantics Ash Asudeh
This course is an in-depth introduction to the formal analysis of natural language meaning, employing techniques that have been developed in language and formal philosophy over the last century. Issues include intensionality, quantification, tense, presupposition, plurality, the analysis of discourse, and other current issues. Familiarity with syntax, logic, and/or computation are helpful but not necessary. See LING 265 & LING 465.
PHIL 435-01 Data, Algorithms, Justice Mark Povich
This course focuses on a number of questions that arise in the design, development and deployment of machine learning algorithms. Topics include: Bias in algorithms (e.g., how should we measure unfairness in algorithms that determine who gets bail, parole, a job, or a loan? What about bias in health analytics?) Values disagreement and algorithms (e.g., how should self-driving cars or diagnostic algorithms make decisions, given that we disagree about the good?) Algorithms, social media, and public life (e.g., what is the impact of social media algorithms on public discourse and the future of democracy?) Algorithms and the future of work (e.g., how should we structure our society when many basic tasks will be performed by machines? How should we distribute the benefits of machine productivity?)
PHIL 444-01 Philosophy of Mind Mark Povich
An introduction to classic and contemporary problems in the philosophy of mind, this course investigates how the mind is related to the physical world. Topics include: What is the mind and how is it related to the brain? How is it possible for mental states to cause physical states, and vise versa? How do mental states get their intentional content? What is consciousness and can it be given a physical explanation? What are the minds of other beings - such as animals and artificially intelligent computers - like, and how could we know?
Wednesday
PHIL 544-01 Topics in Philosophy of Mind Grace Helton
No description
Thursday