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Philosophy as a General Studies Course
The Department of Philosophy strives to provide our students both formal and informal occasions to relfect upon and engage in the great human conversation about the nature and meaning of human existence, with an eye to our commitments to the concepts of truth, freedom, and opportunity. We offer many courses that count towards general studies requirements. If your looking for a class to fullfill your GS requirements consider one of the courses listed below.
PHI courses that count towards General Studies
PHI 1010-Introduction to Philosophy
Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): Minimum performance standard scores on the reading and writing preassessment placement tests
Description: This is a first philosophy course designed to introduce students to basic philosophical issues, primarily in the areas of metaphysics (what there is) and epistemology (how we know). This course covers fundamental questions such as, for example: “Do humans possess free will of is everything a matter of causal necessity?” or “Is there a God or an afterlife?” Important cultural achievements, in the form of original and complete works, will be emphasized.
Note: Credit will be granted for only one prefix: PHI or HON.
General Studies: Arts and Humanities
Guaranteed Transfer: GT-AH3
Cross Listed Course(s): HON 1011
PHI 1030- Introduction to Ethics
Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): Minimum performance standard scores on the reading and writing preassessment placement tests
Description: This is a first philosophy course designed to introduce students to basic philosophical issues, primarily in the areas of moral and social philosophy. This course covers fundamental questions such as, for example: “What is the relation, if any, between morality and religion?” or “How should society be best organized?” Important cultural achievements, in the form of original and complete works, will be emphasized.
General Studies: Arts and Humanities
Guaranteed Transfer: GT-AH3
PHI 1040-Introduction to Eastern Religions
Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): Minimum standards on reading and writing placement tests
Description: This course is an introductory survey of the major religious frameworks of Asia, particularly India, China, and Japan, with primary emphasis on the philosophical texts, historical evolution, and cultural traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Daoism.
General Studies: Arts and Humanities, Global Diversity
Guaranteed Transfer: GT-AH3
PHI 105O-Intro to Western Religions
Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): Minimum performance standard scores on the reading and writing placement tests
Description: This course is an introductory survey of the major religious communities of the West (originating Near East), with primary emphasis on the historical evolution and living traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
General Studies: Arts and Humanities
Guaranteed Transfer: GT-AH3
PHI 1110- Language, Logic & Persuasion
Credits: 3
Description: This course is an introduction to critical analysis, thinking and expression, covering three main areas: (1) language: the significance of words, and their arrangements, in psychological appeals to the senses and the emotions; (2) logic: the structures of formal reasoning in arguments and in appeals to reason; and (3) persuasion: the rhetorical aspects of discourse and presentation, especially in appeals to ideals or character. Practical skills and applications will be emphasized.
General Studies: Oral Communication
Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): PHI 1010 or PHI 1030 or PHI 1040 or PHI 1050 recommended
Description: This is a course on the philosophical dimensions of religious faith, belief, and/or practice; the nature and scope of religious experiences; and/or the existence and/or source of divinity. This course satisfies the General Studies Arts and Humanities Requirement.
General Studies: Arts and Humanities
Guaranteed Transfer: GT-AH3
Credits: 3
Description: This course is a survey of the history of ancient philosophy, focusing on the Greeks. The life and work of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle receive special attention.
General Studies: Arts and Humanities
Credits: 3
Description: This course is a survey of the history of modern philosophy, from the Renaissance to Romanticism. The work of Descartes, Hume, and Kant receive special attention.
General Studies: Arts and Humanities
Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): At least junior standing; ENG 1020
Description: This course investigates the value conflicts that arise in modern businesses given current circumstances. It is a major purpose of the course to prepare students to become ethical and effective business professionals. The course examines such issues as how to adjudicate between a corporation’s obligations to its shareholders and its obligations to society at large and how best to insure that corporations conduct their affairs in an ethical and aboveboard manner.
General Studies: Arts and Humanities
Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): One of the following: Any PHI course or any CSI course or equivalent
Description: The course discusses various ethical frameworks in which to consider issues that computers raise with regard to concepts of personhood, privacy, property. Additionally, it considers the wider social, legal, and political implications of computers as they pertain to the nature of work, professionalism, and the determination of risk and liability.
General Studies: Arts and Humanities