Undergraduate Program
Fall Term Schedule
The default view for the table below is "Sortable". This will allow you to sort any column in ascending order by clicking on its column heading.
Fall 2020
| Number | Title | Instructor | Time |
|---|
|
PHIL 1000-1
Paul Audi
–
|
|
Graduate teaching assistantship in Philosophy. |
|
PHIL 101-1
Paul Audi
TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
|
|
This course will be an introduction to the major philosophical topics by exploring some philosophical problems surrounding life and death. For example, we will be asking questions about such things as whether death is bad, what makes life worth living, when is killing permissible, personal identity, the existence of God, and issues of free will to name a few. ALL Philosophy are courses available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 102-1
Earl Conee
TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM
|
|
This course is an introduction to basic issues in the philosophical investigation of ethics. Topics include general theories of the nature of right and wrong and theories of the functions of ethical language. Classes are in the lecture and question format. The text is Introductory Ethics by Fred Feldman and there will readings that will be available electronically. Assignments are readings from these sources. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 103-1
Zachary Barber
TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
|
|
Reasoned analysis of controversies concerning such matters as the death penalty, abortion, individual rights, sexual harassment and discrimination, global justice, terrorism and civil liberties, animal rights and the environment. ALL Philosophy courses available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 105-1
Zeynep Soysal
MW 2:00PM - 3:15PM
|
|
Methods of identifying, interpreting, reconstructing, and evaluating reasoning found in speeches, essays, editorials, magazine articles, and scientific reports. Analytical methods mastered in this course do not include those of formal symbolic logic. ALL Philosophy courses available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 106-1
Kathryn Phillips
TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM
|
|
In this course students will investigate the following questions: What is argument? What is evidence? To answer these questions, students will also think deeply about how context does or does not shape our understanding of these concepts. For instance, what do arguments in STEM fields have in common with those in the humanities? Do different fields such as philosophy, psychology, and biology share evidence and argumentative strategies? Is the meaning of evidence static across these fields? We will begin by investigating different models of argument from philosophy and argumentation theory, and then students will use these broad models to investigate and analyze argument in academic contexts of their choice. We will also explore how these theoretical accounts of argument apply to popular contexts such as advertising, public deliberation, and journalism. Students will explore these issues through reflective writing, several short papers and a research project of their own design.
|
|
PHIL 110-1
Mark Povich
MW 3:25PM - 4:40PM
|
|
Logic is the study of valid forms of argument. This course is an introduction to symbolic logic, a modern theory of logic that involves the construction of an artificial symbolic language within which the logical forms of sentences can be expressed and the validity of arguments can be proven. Students will learn two logical systems, Sentence Logic and Predicate Logic. In addition to translating English arguments into symbolic form, and constructing interpretations to demonstrate the invalidity of arguments, students will also learn how to prove that an argument is valid using a set of rigorously defined implication rules for each logical system. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 111-1
Natalie Hannan
MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM
|
|
Historical and recent readings are used to analyze issues such as: existence of God, divine attributes, the relation of God to the world, and faith and reason. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 112-1
Richard Feldman
TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM
|
|
The University recently adopted a Vision and Values statement, identifying as its values Meliora, Equity, Leadership, Integrity, Openness, Respect, and Accountability. Over the years we have also expressed commitment to values such as freedom, fairness, and responsibility. In this course, we will read important essays examining the meaning and significance of these concepts and then examine their implications for a contemporary university setting. We’ll use examples of incidents that have occurred on campuses around the country to examine the challenges that arise in an effort to live up to these values.
|
|
PHIL 120-1
Randall Curren
TR 3:25PM - 4:40PM
|
|
This course is an introduction to the ethics of emerging technologies and the value judgments that are integral to the engineering design process. The technologies addressed will include information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI), biomedical engineering (BME), and environmental and agricultural technology. The course will examine ideals of professionalism and the influence of institutional settings on professional decision-making. The pedagogy, written work, and evaluation in this course will be strongly oriented to case-based analysis and value-driven science-based decision-making. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 201-1
Natalie Hannan
TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM
|
|
Survey of the origins of Western philosophy, from the Presocratics through Hellenistic philosophy six centuries later. The great philosophers of the Classical period, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, are studied in detail. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 215-2
Zeynep Soysal
MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM
|
|
This course is an introduction to metalogic. Topics covered include basic elements of set theory, and the model-theoretic treatment of sentential and first-order logic (completeness, compactness, and Lowenheim-Skolem theorems). ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 223-1
Rosa Terlazzo
MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM
|
|
An exploration of basic issues in social & political philosophy, including the nature and justification of government, the nature and value of rights, freedom, and democracy, justice and equality,and the morality of war and peace (not necessarily all of these). ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 223W-1
Rosa Terlazzo
MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM
|
|
An exploration of basic issues in social & political philosophy, including the nature and justification of government, the nature and value of rights, freedom, and democracy, justice and equality,and the morality of war and peace (not necessarily all of these). ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 228-1
Richard Dees
TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
|
|
Instructor permission required for registration. Email to richard.dees@rochester.edu Most health care ethics focuses on the individual decisions about health care, but many ethical questions have implications for society at large. The demands that individual health decisions make on the system may create collective problems, and conversely, the needs of society may limit the freedoms that individuals think they should have. Public health ethics then, lie at the intersection of medicine, political philosophy, and public policy. This course will examine the values of health, social needs, and freedom through a systematic examination of situations in which these conflicts arise. [Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy] ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 228W-1
Richard Dees
TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
|
|
Instructor permission needed for enrollment. Email to: richard.dees@rochester.edu Most health care ethics focuses on the individual decisions about health care, but many ethical questions have implications for society at large. The demands that individual health decisions make on the system may create collective problems, and conversely, the needs of society may limit the freedoms that individuals think they should have. Public health ethics then, lie at the intersection of medicine, political philosophy, and public policy. This course will examine the values of health, social needs, and freedom through a systematic examination of situations in which these conflicts arise. [Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy] ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 229-1
Randall Curren
TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
|
|
Theories and controversies about the nature and aims of education; boundaries of educational authority; educational adequacy, equality, and justice; learning, inquiry, knowledge, and critical thinking; the measurement of learning; moral and civic education; patriotism, evolution, and sex in the curriculum. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 229W-1
Randall Curren
TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
|
|
Theories and controversies about the nature and aims of education; boundaries of educational authority; educational adequacy, equality, and justice; learning, inquiry, knowledge, and critical thinking; the measurement of learning; moral and civic education; patriotism, evolution, and sex in the curriculum. Fulfills upper level writing requirement for the major. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 229W-2
Randall Curren
TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
|
|
Theories and controversies about the nature and aims of education; boundaries of educational authority; educational adequacy, equality, and justice; learning, inquiry, knowledge, and critical thinking; the measurement of learning; moral and civic education; patriotism, evolution, and sex in the curriculum. Fulfills upper level writing requirement for the major.
|
|
PHIL 231-1
Rosa Terlazzo
MW 3:25PM - 4:40PM
|
|
The nature of race and gender, and the role that they should play in both just and unjust societies. Includes applications to areas in ethics and social and political philosophy, such as: affirmative action, mass incarceration, misogyny, solidarity, and intersection with other forms of oppression. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 241-1
Robert Doran
TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM
|
|
Studies the history of “aesthetic” thought—namely the philosophical reflection on the concepts of beauty, taste, and sublimity, on our affective response to art and nature, and on the role of art and the artist in society—from Plato to the present, with particular emphasis on how it relates to questions of epistemology, anthropology, ethics, ontology, and politics. Readings from Plato, Aristotle, Longinus, Dubos, Burke, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Wagner, Nietzsche, Lyotard, Derrida, Rancière.
|
|
PHIL 241-2
Robert Doran
TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM
|
|
Studies the history of “aesthetic” thought—namely the philosophical reflection on the concepts of beauty, taste, and sublimity, on our affective response to art and nature, and on the role of art and the artist in society—from Plato to the present, with particular emphasis on how it relates to questions of epistemology, anthropology, ethics, ontology, and politics. Readings from Plato, Aristotle, Longinus, Dubos, Burke, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Wagner, Nietzsche, Lyotard, Derrida, Rancière. Conducted in English.
|
|
PHIL 247-1
Jens Kipper
MW 11:50AM - 1:05PM
|
|
[Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy. PHIL 110 is recommended] General nature of language and specific puzzles about language: the nature of truth and meaning, speech acts, reference, propositional attitudes, metaphor, understanding, interpretation, indeterminacy, etc. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 247W-1
Jens Kipper
MW 11:50AM - 1:05PM
|
|
[Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy. PHIL 110 is recommended] General nature of language and specific puzzles about language: the nature of truth and meaning, speech acts, reference, propositional attitudes, metaphor, understanding, interpretation, indeterminacy, etc. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 252-1
Mark Povich
MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM
|
|
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? ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 252W-1
Mark Povich
MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM
|
|
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? Fulfills upper level writing requirement for the major. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 257-1
Jens Kipper
MW 4:50PM - 6:05PM
|
|
Many people believe that very soon, artificial intelligence is going to be everywhere. Artificial systems will steer cars, ships, and planes, care for the sick, fight fires and fight wars for us, organize our schedules, order our food, etc. But what exactly is an artificial intelligence? And can there be artificial systems that truly think, or feel? In this course, we will address questions like these from a philosophical perspective. In doing so, we will encounter some of the most fundamental issues in the philosophy of mind‹for example, what are thoughts and feelings, and how might they relate to physical states of our brains, or to computational states? We will then examine how artificial systems, such as artificial neural networks, function, and discuss what they might teach us about the mind in general and about human minds in particular. Finally, we will consider the consequences that the development and application of artificial intelligence might have for humanity. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 257W-1
Jens Kipper
MW 4:50PM - 6:05PM
|
|
Many people believe that very soon, artificial intelligence is going to be everywhere. Artificial systems will steer cars, ships, and planes, care for the sick, fight fires and fight wars for us, organize our schedules, order our food, etc. But what exactly is an artificial intelligence? And can there be artificial systems that truly think, or feel? In this course, we will address questions like these from a philosophical perspective. In doing so, we will encounter some of the most fundamental issues in the philosophy of mind‹for example, what are thoughts and feelings, and how might they relate to physical states of our brains, or to computational states? We will then examine how artificial systems, such as artificial neural networks, function, and discuss what they might teach us about the mind in general and about human minds in particular. Finally, we will consider the consequences that the development and application of artificial intelligence might have for humanity. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 343-1
Kathryn Phillips
F 11:05AM - 1:45PM
|
|
Every fall, the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics ( https://www.appe-ethics.org/about-appe-intercollegiate-ethics-bowl) hosts regional competitions in applied ethics. Ethics bowl is a unique form of competition that asks participants to seek the most compelling responses to difficult problems through respectful deliberation. Teams research cases that focus on a wide range of contemporary issues such as fake news, plagiarism, call out culture, biomedical issues, social justice, and automation. The purpose of this course is to prepare students to read, develop critical questions about, and evaluate Ethics Bowl cases. Students will construct written arguments and develop the oral skills to deliver those arguments in a manner that dynamically responds to specific questions about the cases. We will cultivate collaborative argumentative practices that are generative rather than adversarial. A team of 3-5 will be selected to attend the regionals competition. Prerequisites: Completion of the Primary Writing Requirement.
|
|
PHIL 375-1
Mark Povich
TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM
|
|
We will seek to understand the mind-brain by integrating findings from several of the cognitive sciences, including philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, anthropology, and artificial intelligence. This course will consider multiple perspectives on such topics as mental imagery, concepts, rationality, consciousness, emotion, language, thought, memory, attention, and machine intelligence. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor.
|
|
PHIL 391-1
–
–
|
|
The reading of philosophical literature under guidance, for seniors majoring in philosophy. Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed thru the instructions for online independent study registration. |
|
PHIL 391-4
Randall Curren
–
|
|
The reading of philosophical literature under guidance, for seniors majoring in philosophy. |
|
PHIL 391W-1
–
–
|
|
The reading of philosophical literature under guidance, for seniors majoring in philosophy.Fulfills upper level writing requirement for the major. Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed thru the instructions for online independent study registration. |
|
PHIL 392-1
Paul Audi
–
|
|
In consultation with the thesis adviser, the student will assemble a list of relevant texts in the area of thesis research and read through the materials, meeting regularly with the adviser throughout the semester to discuss the texts and to hone the thesis topic and plan. |
|
PHIL 392-2
Alison Peterman
–
|
|
In consultation with the thesis adviser, the student will assemble a list of relevant texts in the area of thesis research and read through the materials, meeting regularly with the adviser throughout the semester to discuss the texts and to hone the thesis topic and plan. |
|
PHIL 392-3
–
–
|
|
In consultation with the thesis adviser, the student will assemble a list of relevant texts in the area of thesis research and read through the materials, meeting regularly with the adviser throughout the semester to discuss the texts and to hone the thesis topic and plan. |
|
PHIL 394-1
–
–
|
|
Blank Description |
|
PHIL 395-1
–
–
|
|
Students with philosophy concentration or minor pursue 1:1 guided research proj. under direction of a full-time Phil Dept. faculty sponsor. With a paper written for another course, student seeks sponsor w/relevant expertise. Student will develop the paper through research, analysis, and refinement of thesis and argument, to present to Phil. Council or Department. Submission for publication in an undergraduate philosophy journal and conference presentation is encouraged. Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed thru the instructions for online independent study registration. |
|
PHIL 396-1
–
–
|
|
In consultation with the thesis adviser, the student will assemble a list of relevant texts in the area of thesis research and read through the materials, meeting regularly with the adviser throughout the semester to discuss the texts and to hone the thesis topic and plan. |
Fall 2020
| Number | Title | Instructor | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday and Wednesday | |
|
PHIL 252-1
Mark Povich
|
|
|
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? ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 215-2
Zeynep Soysal
|
|
|
This course is an introduction to metalogic. Topics covered include basic elements of set theory, and the model-theoretic treatment of sentential and first-order logic (completeness, compactness, and Lowenheim-Skolem theorems). ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 252W-1
Mark Povich
|
|
|
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? Fulfills upper level writing requirement for the major. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 247-1
Jens Kipper
|
|
|
[Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy. PHIL 110 is recommended] General nature of language and specific puzzles about language: the nature of truth and meaning, speech acts, reference, propositional attitudes, metaphor, understanding, interpretation, indeterminacy, etc. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 247W-1
Jens Kipper
|
|
|
[Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy. PHIL 110 is recommended] General nature of language and specific puzzles about language: the nature of truth and meaning, speech acts, reference, propositional attitudes, metaphor, understanding, interpretation, indeterminacy, etc. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 111-1
Natalie Hannan
|
|
|
Historical and recent readings are used to analyze issues such as: existence of God, divine attributes, the relation of God to the world, and faith and reason. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 223-1
Rosa Terlazzo
|
|
|
An exploration of basic issues in social & political philosophy, including the nature and justification of government, the nature and value of rights, freedom, and democracy, justice and equality,and the morality of war and peace (not necessarily all of these). ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 223W-1
Rosa Terlazzo
|
|
|
An exploration of basic issues in social & political philosophy, including the nature and justification of government, the nature and value of rights, freedom, and democracy, justice and equality,and the morality of war and peace (not necessarily all of these). ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 105-1
Zeynep Soysal
|
|
|
Methods of identifying, interpreting, reconstructing, and evaluating reasoning found in speeches, essays, editorials, magazine articles, and scientific reports. Analytical methods mastered in this course do not include those of formal symbolic logic. ALL Philosophy courses available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 110-1
Mark Povich
|
|
|
Logic is the study of valid forms of argument. This course is an introduction to symbolic logic, a modern theory of logic that involves the construction of an artificial symbolic language within which the logical forms of sentences can be expressed and the validity of arguments can be proven. Students will learn two logical systems, Sentence Logic and Predicate Logic. In addition to translating English arguments into symbolic form, and constructing interpretations to demonstrate the invalidity of arguments, students will also learn how to prove that an argument is valid using a set of rigorously defined implication rules for each logical system. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 231-1
Rosa Terlazzo
|
|
|
The nature of race and gender, and the role that they should play in both just and unjust societies. Includes applications to areas in ethics and social and political philosophy, such as: affirmative action, mass incarceration, misogyny, solidarity, and intersection with other forms of oppression. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 257W-1
Jens Kipper
|
|
|
Many people believe that very soon, artificial intelligence is going to be everywhere. Artificial systems will steer cars, ships, and planes, care for the sick, fight fires and fight wars for us, organize our schedules, order our food, etc. But what exactly is an artificial intelligence? And can there be artificial systems that truly think, or feel? In this course, we will address questions like these from a philosophical perspective. In doing so, we will encounter some of the most fundamental issues in the philosophy of mind‹for example, what are thoughts and feelings, and how might they relate to physical states of our brains, or to computational states? We will then examine how artificial systems, such as artificial neural networks, function, and discuss what they might teach us about the mind in general and about human minds in particular. Finally, we will consider the consequences that the development and application of artificial intelligence might have for humanity. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 257-1
Jens Kipper
|
|
|
Many people believe that very soon, artificial intelligence is going to be everywhere. Artificial systems will steer cars, ships, and planes, care for the sick, fight fires and fight wars for us, organize our schedules, order our food, etc. But what exactly is an artificial intelligence? And can there be artificial systems that truly think, or feel? In this course, we will address questions like these from a philosophical perspective. In doing so, we will encounter some of the most fundamental issues in the philosophy of mind‹for example, what are thoughts and feelings, and how might they relate to physical states of our brains, or to computational states? We will then examine how artificial systems, such as artificial neural networks, function, and discuss what they might teach us about the mind in general and about human minds in particular. Finally, we will consider the consequences that the development and application of artificial intelligence might have for humanity. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
| Tuesday | |
| Tuesday and Thursday | |
|
PHIL 101-1
Paul Audi
|
|
|
This course will be an introduction to the major philosophical topics by exploring some philosophical problems surrounding life and death. For example, we will be asking questions about such things as whether death is bad, what makes life worth living, when is killing permissible, personal identity, the existence of God, and issues of free will to name a few. ALL Philosophy are courses available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 228W-1
Richard Dees
|
|
|
Instructor permission needed for enrollment. Email to: richard.dees@rochester.edu Most health care ethics focuses on the individual decisions about health care, but many ethical questions have implications for society at large. The demands that individual health decisions make on the system may create collective problems, and conversely, the needs of society may limit the freedoms that individuals think they should have. Public health ethics then, lie at the intersection of medicine, political philosophy, and public policy. This course will examine the values of health, social needs, and freedom through a systematic examination of situations in which these conflicts arise. [Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy] ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 229W-2
Randall Curren
|
|
|
Theories and controversies about the nature and aims of education; boundaries of educational authority; educational adequacy, equality, and justice; learning, inquiry, knowledge, and critical thinking; the measurement of learning; moral and civic education; patriotism, evolution, and sex in the curriculum. Fulfills upper level writing requirement for the major. |
|
|
PHIL 229W-1
Randall Curren
|
|
|
Theories and controversies about the nature and aims of education; boundaries of educational authority; educational adequacy, equality, and justice; learning, inquiry, knowledge, and critical thinking; the measurement of learning; moral and civic education; patriotism, evolution, and sex in the curriculum. Fulfills upper level writing requirement for the major. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 229-1
Randall Curren
|
|
|
Theories and controversies about the nature and aims of education; boundaries of educational authority; educational adequacy, equality, and justice; learning, inquiry, knowledge, and critical thinking; the measurement of learning; moral and civic education; patriotism, evolution, and sex in the curriculum. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 228-1
Richard Dees
|
|
|
Instructor permission required for registration. Email to richard.dees@rochester.edu Most health care ethics focuses on the individual decisions about health care, but many ethical questions have implications for society at large. The demands that individual health decisions make on the system may create collective problems, and conversely, the needs of society may limit the freedoms that individuals think they should have. Public health ethics then, lie at the intersection of medicine, political philosophy, and public policy. This course will examine the values of health, social needs, and freedom through a systematic examination of situations in which these conflicts arise. [Prerequisite: One previous course in Philosophy] ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 103-1
Zachary Barber
|
|
|
Reasoned analysis of controversies concerning such matters as the death penalty, abortion, individual rights, sexual harassment and discrimination, global justice, terrorism and civil liberties, animal rights and the environment. ALL Philosophy courses available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 112-1
Richard Feldman
|
|
|
The University recently adopted a Vision and Values statement, identifying as its values Meliora, Equity, Leadership, Integrity, Openness, Respect, and Accountability. Over the years we have also expressed commitment to values such as freedom, fairness, and responsibility. In this course, we will read important essays examining the meaning and significance of these concepts and then examine their implications for a contemporary university setting. We’ll use examples of incidents that have occurred on campuses around the country to examine the challenges that arise in an effort to live up to these values. |
|
|
PHIL 106-1
Kathryn Phillips
|
|
|
In this course students will investigate the following questions: What is argument? What is evidence? To answer these questions, students will also think deeply about how context does or does not shape our understanding of these concepts. For instance, what do arguments in STEM fields have in common with those in the humanities? Do different fields such as philosophy, psychology, and biology share evidence and argumentative strategies? Is the meaning of evidence static across these fields? We will begin by investigating different models of argument from philosophy and argumentation theory, and then students will use these broad models to investigate and analyze argument in academic contexts of their choice. We will also explore how these theoretical accounts of argument apply to popular contexts such as advertising, public deliberation, and journalism. Students will explore these issues through reflective writing, several short papers and a research project of their own design. |
|
|
PHIL 375-1
Mark Povich
|
|
|
We will seek to understand the mind-brain by integrating findings from several of the cognitive sciences, including philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, anthropology, and artificial intelligence. This course will consider multiple perspectives on such topics as mental imagery, concepts, rationality, consciousness, emotion, language, thought, memory, attention, and machine intelligence. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 201-1
Natalie Hannan
|
|
|
Survey of the origins of Western philosophy, from the Presocratics through Hellenistic philosophy six centuries later. The great philosophers of the Classical period, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, are studied in detail. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 120-1
Randall Curren
|
|
|
This course is an introduction to the ethics of emerging technologies and the value judgments that are integral to the engineering design process. The technologies addressed will include information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI), biomedical engineering (BME), and environmental and agricultural technology. The course will examine ideals of professionalism and the influence of institutional settings on professional decision-making. The pedagogy, written work, and evaluation in this course will be strongly oriented to case-based analysis and value-driven science-based decision-making. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 102-1
Earl Conee
|
|
|
This course is an introduction to basic issues in the philosophical investigation of ethics. Topics include general theories of the nature of right and wrong and theories of the functions of ethical language. Classes are in the lecture and question format. The text is Introductory Ethics by Fred Feldman and there will readings that will be available electronically. Assignments are readings from these sources. ALL Philosophy courses are available to all students, so that even in-person courses can be taken by students who have opted for online-only instruction for the fall. Online-only students are not limited to courses listed specifically as online. There will also be accommodations for online-only students in different time zones, to allow for asynchronous access to course content and flexibility for any potentially required live components. For more specific information on arrangements for specific courses, please email the course instructor. |
|
|
PHIL 241-1
Robert Doran
|
|
|
Studies the history of “aesthetic” thought—namely the philosophical reflection on the concepts of beauty, taste, and sublimity, on our affective response to art and nature, and on the role of art and the artist in society—from Plato to the present, with particular emphasis on how it relates to questions of epistemology, anthropology, ethics, ontology, and politics. Readings from Plato, Aristotle, Longinus, Dubos, Burke, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Wagner, Nietzsche, Lyotard, Derrida, Rancière. |
|
|
PHIL 241-2
Robert Doran
|
|
|
Studies the history of “aesthetic” thought—namely the philosophical reflection on the concepts of beauty, taste, and sublimity, on our affective response to art and nature, and on the role of art and the artist in society—from Plato to the present, with particular emphasis on how it relates to questions of epistemology, anthropology, ethics, ontology, and politics. Readings from Plato, Aristotle, Longinus, Dubos, Burke, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Wagner, Nietzsche, Lyotard, Derrida, Rancière. Conducted in English. |
|
| Wednesday | |
| Friday | |
|
PHIL 343-1
Kathryn Phillips
|
|
|
Every fall, the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics ( https://www.appe-ethics.org/about-appe-intercollegiate-ethics-bowl) hosts regional competitions in applied ethics. Ethics bowl is a unique form of competition that asks participants to seek the most compelling responses to difficult problems through respectful deliberation. Teams research cases that focus on a wide range of contemporary issues such as fake news, plagiarism, call out culture, biomedical issues, social justice, and automation. The purpose of this course is to prepare students to read, develop critical questions about, and evaluate Ethics Bowl cases. Students will construct written arguments and develop the oral skills to deliver those arguments in a manner that dynamically responds to specific questions about the cases. We will cultivate collaborative argumentative practices that are generative rather than adversarial. A team of 3-5 will be selected to attend the regionals competition. Prerequisites: Completion of the Primary Writing Requirement. |
|