Master of Arts (M.A.) Major in Applied Philosophy and Ethics (Non-thesis Option)

PHIL 5100. Practicum in Teaching Philosophy.

This course orients Instructional Assistants to the principles of teaching philosophy responsibly. This course provides structured professional development for graduate teaching and instructional assistants by examining effective instructional practices and departmental expectations. Students participate in regular in-service activities and periodic evaluations designed to support the performance of their teaching responsibilities. Topics include classroom management, grading and communication strategies, and procedures relevant to instructional assistants. Enrollment is required for individuals employed in these roles, and the course does not apply toward graduate degree credit. May be repeated.

PHIL 5101. Responsible Conduct of Research and Research Ethics.

This course examines issues, concepts, professional standards, and case studies in research ethics and the responsible conduct of research at the doctoral level. The course is designed to meet training requirements associated with agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Topics include research integrity, conflicts of interest, authorship and publication practices, peer review, human and animal experimentation and research, mentorship and supervision, data management, and the role of values in scientific inquiry. Emphasis is placed on analyzing ethical dilemmas, interpreting regulatory frameworks, and evaluating professional responsibilities in research contexts. This course does not earn graduate degree credit.

PHIL 5199B. Thesis.

This course provides structured enrollment for students during their second and subsequent semester(s) engaged in thesis research and writing. Students formulate their research questions, evaluate relevant literature, and refine methodological approaches under faculty supervision. The course emphasizes sustained inquiry, iterative drafting, and the application of disciplinary research practices. Through regular consultation and revision, students work toward completing a thesis that demonstrates competence in scholarly argumentation and evidence-based analysis. Enrollment continues each term until the final thesis is prepared for submission in accordance with program requirements.

PHIL 5299B. Thesis.

This course provides structured enrollment for students during their second and subsequent semester(s) engaged in thesis research and writing. Students formulate their research questions, evaluate relevant literature, and refine methodological approaches under faculty supervision. The course emphasizes sustained inquiry, iterative drafting, and the application of disciplinary research practices. Through regular consultation and revision, students work toward completing a thesis that demonstrates competence in scholarly argumentation and evidence-based analysis. Enrollment continues each term until the final thesis is prepared for submission in accordance with program requirements.

PHIL 5301. Applied Philosophy.

This course examines how philosophical methods can be applied to major areas of human experience, including science, religion, morality, politics, art, and literature. Students study how philosophical analysis clarifies concepts, identifies problems, and evaluates proposed solutions within these domains. Emphasis is placed on understanding key arguments, comparing competing approaches, and assessing the strengths and limits of philosophical reasoning in practical contexts. By exploring selected issues from one or more applied fields, students gain experience using philosophical tools to interpret complex questions while developing the ability to articulate and defend their own analyses in a scholarly manner.

PHIL 5302. Dialogue.

This course provides a graduate‑level study of philosophical literature addressing the aims and structures of dialogue. Students analyze how dialogue has been understood across different traditions, explore methods for evaluating dialogical exchanges, and observe how dialogue operates within scholarly communities. Students are also asked to develop and refine dialogical skills of their own, via on-going dialectical engagement with the instructor(s), fellow students, and outside members of the academic (or wider) community. These observational and participatory components may be achieved via participation in the Department of Philosophy’s Dialogue Series. Prerequisite: PHIL 5301 with a grade of "C" or better.

PHIL 5303. Philosophy of Technology.

This course provides a graduate‑level survey of the philosophical study of technology. Topics include historical conceptions of technology, the relationship between technological systems and human agency, and debates about value‑neutrality in design and use. Students will examine ethical issues raised by emerging and established technologies while considering multiple philosophical frameworks. The course emphasizes close reading, conceptual analysis, and critical evaluation of arguments. Students develop tools for understanding the social and cultural significance of technology and for engaging philosophical questions arising from technological change.

PHIL 5304. Philosophy of Language.

This course provides a graduate‑level introduction to core questions in the philosophy of language. Topics include the nature of meaning, theories of reference, accounts of truth and verification, and the role of speech acts in communication. Students will examine how linguistic analysis has been used to clarify or reframe questions in metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of science. Course activities emphasize careful reading, conceptual analysis, and argument evaluation. The course presents competing philosophical approaches, enabling students to engage critically with multiple perspectives on language and its relation to thought.

PHIL 5305. Philosophical Writing.

This course focuses on theoretical and methodological foundation necessary for producing philosophical works suitable for submission to conferences or journals. Students study the conventions of scholarly argumentation, analyze examples of professional work, and practice developing clear, well‑structured papers. Emphasis is placed on understanding disciplinary standards, crafting coherent theses, and revising prose for precision and clarity. Students may have the opportunity to apply their newly-acquired writing skills to various forms of philosophical writing produced in their other (previous or contemporaneous) classes.

PHIL 5314. American Philosophy.

This course provides a graduate‑level survey of American philosophical thought, focusing on both canonical and lesser‑known figures whose work has shaped debates about knowledge, action, meaning, and social life. Special attention is given to the development of American Pragmatism and its influence on subsequent philosophical movements. Students are asked to analyze central texts, compare differing theoretical approaches, and evaluate arguments within their intellectual and historical contexts. The course highlights the diversity of American philosophical perspectives, providing a deeper understanding of how American philosophers have contributed to ongoing philosophical debates.

PHIL 5320. History of Ethics.

This course provides a historical survey of major ethical theories in the Western philosophical tradition, examining how thinkers have approached questions concerning moral reasoning, virtue, obligation, and the good life. Students explore the development of ethical thought from antiquity through the modern period, focusing on influential frameworks (such as virtue ethics, deontology, consequentialism, natural law theory, and moral sense theory) and leading exemplars of these frameworks (such as Aristotle, Kant, Mill, Aquinas, and Hume). Readings emphasize primary texts and scholarly interpretations. Students analyze arguments, compare competing approaches, and consider how historical contexts shaped ethical reflection. The course emphasizes interpretive skill, conceptual clarity, and critical engagement.

PHIL 5322. Professional Ethics.

This course examines major philosophical approaches to business and professional ethics. Students study conceptual questions about the nature of professions, how professional roles differ from business roles, and the ways in which ethical standards emerge within different fields. The course investigates competing theories of moral responsibility, the development of professional norms, and debates concerning the social expectations placed upon individuals in professional environments. The course focuses on providing students with analytic tools for evaluating ethical claims, understanding professional codes as objects of study, and assessing how ethical reasoning operates within diverse institutional and organizational contexts.

PHIL 5323. Environmental Ethics.

This course provides a philosophical study of key issues in environmental ethics. Students explore how various traditions—such as deontology, consequentialism, and virtue ethics—approach questions about environmental use, conservation, and restoration. The course analyzes influential debates concerning intrinsic value, ecological obligations, and the moral status of nonhuman entities. Emphasis is placed on understanding the structure of ethical arguments and evaluating competing theoretical claims. Students study how to interpret environmental controversies as objects of philosophical inquiry and to distinguish between descriptive, analytical, and prescriptive claims within contemporary discussions.

PHIL 5324. Meaning of Life.

This course explores influential philosophical theories addressing questions about the meaning of life within Western and Eastern traditions. Students examine key texts and analyze arguments concerning purpose, value, and the conditions under which life may be said to have meaning. The course emphasizes philosophical inquiry, evaluative reasoning, and interpretation of competing viewpoints rather than prescribing particular beliefs. Students learn to compare theories, identify assumptions within philosophical systems, and critically assess arguments concerning meaning and human existence.

PHIL 5325. Philosophical Perspectives on Sex and Love.

This course examines philosophical perspectives on sex and love from antiquity to the present. Students analyze primary texts and major theories addressing ethical, metaphysical, and cultural dimensions of intimate relationships. The course emphasizes argument evaluation, conceptual clarification, and application of philosophical methods to enduring questions about human relationships. Emphasis is placed on critical reasoning and interpretive skills, enabling students to assess competing frameworks and articulate informed positions. Methodologies include textual analysis and logical evaluation of philosophical claims within historical and contemporary contexts, preparing students to understand and analyze complex ethical and theoretical issues in both historical and present-day contexts.

PHIL 5326. Philosophy and Sport.

This course provides an analytical investigation of philosophical questions related to sport and its role in contemporary human life. Students examine issues such as the social meaning of sport, the ethical dimensions of competition, the concept of amateurism, and differing interpretations of violence in athletic contexts. The course emphasizes philosophical argumentation, critical thinking, and conceptual analysis. By engaging with a variety of philosophical perspectives, students learn to interpret, compare, and evaluate claims about the nature and purpose of sport within society.

PHIL 5327. Medical Ethics and Bio-ethics.

This course provides an analytic study of ethical questions that arise in medical practice and biological research. Topics include ethical dilemmas faced by clinicians, competing interpretations of professional responsibility, philosophical analyses of codes of conduct, and debates about research ethics. Emphasis is placed on evaluating arguments, interpreting ethical guidelines as objects of study, and understanding diverse perspectives. Students develop the ability to analyze ethical reasoning in health‑care and research contexts with clarity and rigor.

PHIL 5328. Major Work or Theme in Ethics.

This course focuses on sustained analysis of a major ethical work or theme. Students conduct detailed examination of arguments, concepts, and debates relevant to the selected material, emphasizing philosophical methods of interpretation and critique. Topics may vary and can include canonical ethical texts, influential contemporary works, or recurring themes in ethical theory. Because the topic changes, the course may be taken more than once for credit.

PHIL 5329. Food Ethics.

This course provides a philosophical investigation of ethical questions associated with the production, distribution, and consumption of food. Students study philosophical perspectives on topics such as hunger, agricultural practices, labor concerns, consumption patterns, and health impacts. Emphasis is placed on argument analysis, conceptual clarity, and comparison of alternative viewpoints. Through readings and case analyses, students are asked to develop the conceptual tools needed to assess ethical claims about food systems while forming their own reasoned positions.

PHIL 5331. Philosophy of Law.

This course provides an analytical introduction to major debates in the philosophy of law. Students examine theories concerning the nature and purpose of law, the relationship between law and morality, and philosophical discussions about punishment, authority, and obligation. The course also explores legal reasoning, interpretation, and differing accounts of how legal systems function. Emphasis is placed on studying these theories as objects of philosophical inquiry. Through close reading and argument analysis, students develop skills for evaluating competing perspectives and understanding how philosophical concepts shape legal thought.

PHIL 5332. Social and Political Philosophy.

This course examines central concerns of political and social thought, including democracy, civil disobedience, anarchism, totalitarianism, and the nature of the state. Students analyze major theories and conceptual frameworks, evaluating arguments and methodologies used to address these topics. Students clarify conceptual issues and explore alternative interpretations. Emphasis is placed on systematic reasoning and critical assessment of philosophical positions through close reading, structured discussion, and written analysis.

PHIL 5333. Philosophical Approaches to Feminist Thought.

This course surveys philosophical theories of feminist thought across historical and contemporary contexts. Students analyze major frameworks by examining their philosophical foundations and implications for ethics, politics, and social theory. The course employs textual analysis and comparative evaluation to foster rigorous inquiry into normative and conceptual questions. Emphasis is placed on argument evaluation, conceptual clarification, and logical critique. Outcomes include the ability to interpret philosophical arguments, assess competing positions, and apply analytical reasoning.

PHIL 5334. Philosophy of Economics.

This course serves as an in-depth introduction to the various theoretical frameworks that continue to inform scholarship in the philosophy of economics. Participants explore differences and commonalities between distinct theoretical traditions and critically examine the nature of economic phenomena and the possibility of knowledge in economics. Emphasis is placed on analyzing how economic explanations are constructed, what counts as knowledge in economics, and how economic institutions and outcomes can be evaluated using philosophical tools. Attention may also be paid to analyses of a range of economic concepts that particularly raise philosophical questions--including welfare, utility, efficiency, public goods, externalities, and collective-action problems.

PHIL 5335. Ethics and Dementia.

This course investigates ethical issues surrounding dementia through clinical, social, and policy lenses. Students examine topics such as informed consent, caregiving ethics, and end-of-life decision-making using normative ethical theories, bioethical principles, and applied reasoning. The course employs case studies and interdisciplinary scholarship to analyze moral principles and practical implications. Outcomes include the ability to analyze ethical frameworks, compare alternative approaches, and construct reasoned arguments about the moral dimensions of dementia care and policy development.

PHIL 5340. Philosophical Logic.

This course examines the conceptual foundations of classical and non‑classical logics and the philosophical challenges they raise. Students explore topics such as classical logic, paraconsistent and modal logics, deductive systems, validity, consequence, formalization, and axiomatization. Special attention is paid to the application of logical systems in areas such as metaphysics, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, and meta‑ethics. Students investigate arguments for and against alternative logics, examining their conceptual strengths and limitations. The course equips students with tools for rigorous philosophical analysis.

PHIL 5351. Philosophical Perspectives on Education.

This course examines major philosophical theories concerning the nature, aims, and value of education. Students are introduced to classical and contemporary thinkers who have shaped debates about learning, knowledge, human development, and the social role of educational institutions. Emphasis is placed on analyzing arguments, interpreting philosophical texts, and comparing competing conceptions of education. The course examines questions about what education is, what purposes it may serve, and how different traditions have evaluated its significance. The course focuses on developing skills in philosophical reasoning and critical analysis within the field of educational thought.

PHIL 5352. Philosophy of Emotion.

This course investigates philosophical theories of emotion. Topics include somatic and cognitive models, as well as accounts of feelings, moods, and other affective experiences. Emphasis is placed on interpreting primary sources and evaluating arguments about the nature and role of emotions in human life. Students will engage with primary texts and scholarly commentary, employing methods of close reading, argument evaluation, and conceptual analysis.

PHIL 5355. Philosophy of Science.

This course introduces students to central issues in the philosophy of science, including evidence, explanation, induction, and theory acceptance. The course treats theories of science as subjects of inquiry and comparison; emphasis is placed on philosophical argumentation, conceptual clarity, and critical evaluation of competing accounts of scientific reasoning. Students are shown how to interpret foundational texts, assess arguments about the nature and justification of scientific knowledge, and apply philosophical tools to debates within the philosophy of science.

PHIL 5356. Epistemology.

This course provides an in‑depth examination of major topics in epistemology, the philosophical study of knowledge. Students analyze arguments concerning skepticism, the definition of knowledge, theories of justification, perception, and truth. Emphasis is placed on developing philosophical skills through close reading, critical evaluation, and comparative analysis of competing epistemological theories. Students engage with both historical and contemporary texts, learning to articulate and critique central debates in epistemology and to connect these debates to broader questions in philosophy.

PHIL 5360A. Ethics and Dementia.

This course provides an opportunity to examine ethical challenges posed by dementia for those with dementia, family members, caregivers, healthcare systems, policy makers, and others. Participants will critically explore ethics and dementia in clinical, social/cultural, everyday life, policy, end-of-life, and individual perspectives.

PHIL 5360D. Military Ethics.

This course examines philosophical approaches to ethical questions arising in military contexts, including the development and critique of frameworks such as just war theory, the ethics of military command, rules of engagement, the moral status of combatants and noncombatants, and the use of emerging technologies in warfare. Students analyze historical and contemporary arguments, interpret case studies, and evaluate differing positions. Emphasis is placed on conceptual clarity, critical reasoning, and the capacity to assess arguments concerning conflict, responsibility, and moral decision‑making in military settings.

PHIL 5360E. Ethics and Philosophy of Friendship.

This course examines philosophical and ethical approaches to friendship, focusing on how thinkers across historical and contemporary traditions analyze the nature, value, and complexity of interpersonal relationships. Students explore central questions concerning trust, reciprocity, moral obligation, partiality, intimacy, and the relationship between friendship and broader ethical theories. The course emphasizes conceptual analysis, careful interpretation of philosophical texts, and the evaluation of competing frameworks. Through discussion and written work, students assess how philosophical theories articulate the significance of friendship while developing the analytical tools necessary to engage critically with diverse perspectives.

PHIL 5360F. Biopolitics, Governmentality, and Ungovernability.

This course examines major philosophical approaches to biopolitics, governmentality, and ungovernability. Students analyze how thinkers have analyzed the governance of life, the frameworks and rationalities that shape political authority, and the conceptual and practical limits of governance. The course explores historical and contemporary debates concerning power, institutions, social organization, and forms of noncompliance or resistance, treating each topic as an object of scholarly inquiry. Through critical reading and conceptual analysis, students evaluate key arguments, compare theoretical perspectives, and assess how these frameworks contribute to broader discussions in political philosophy.

PHIL 5360G. Applied Ethics.

This course introduces students to major philosophical approaches used in applied ethics and examines how these frameworks are used to analyze practical moral questions. Students study ethical issues arising in professional practice, science and technology, government and policy, and personal decision‑making. Emphasis is placed on understanding arguments, concepts, and methods. Through engagement with case studies and classic and contemporary debates, students learn to interpret, compare, and evaluate differing ethical perspectives while maintaining independence of judgment.

PHIL 5360I. Biocultural Ethics in The Edwards Plateau Ecoregion.

This course examines philosophical and ecological approaches used to analyze biocultural relationships in the Edwards Plateau ecoregion. Students study conceptual frameworks that explore how environmental philosophy and ecological sciences investigate the interconnections among landscapes, cultural histories, and nonhuman organisms. Emphasis is placed on understanding, interpreting, and evaluating diverse scholarly perspectives on biocultural conservation. Through readings, discussion, and case‑based analysis, students develop analytic skills for examining how biocultural concepts are constructed, debated, and applied in environmental contexts.

PHIL 5360J. Environmental Ethics in Social Context.

This course explores the relationship between ethical and environmental questions using an issue-based approach. Students are introduced to multiple conceptions of justice and ethical reasoning while analyzing how environmental issues interconnect with economic, political, and social factors. Through case studies, students interpret arguments, evaluate evidence, and compare competing theoretical perspectives. The course emphasizes critical analysis of assumptions, frameworks, and their implications for understanding environmental and social issues.

PHIL 5360K. Philosophical Perspectives on Feminism and the Environment.

This course examines philosophical scholarship on the relationships between gender, ecological issues, and social structures. Students study the major frameworks, arguments, and internal debates within feminist environmental thought, as well as critiques from outside the tradition, considering how various scholars have analyzed connections between environmental practices, labor, cultural narratives, and experience. Topics may include agricultural labor, science and epistemology, indigeneity, poverty, consumer culture, and motherhood. Through engagement with primary texts and competing scholarly interpretations, students develop skills in critical analysis, argument evaluation, and interpretation.

PHIL 5360L. Climate Justice.

This course examines whether global environmental changes pose challenges for existing ways of thinking about ethics and justice, and considers alternative philosophical and ethical frameworks for meeting these challenges. The course takes a problem-oriented approach, connecting major theories of global justice and global environmental ethics with real-world decisions. Students study positions regarding whether and how climate‑related phenomena challenge existing theories of, e.g., moral responsibility, distributive justice, and global ethical obligation. Through critical reading and discussion, students assess competing positions and arguments concerning the ethical significance of climate impacts and develop the analytical tools needed to interpret these debates.

PHIL 5360M. Animal Ethics.

This course examines the ethical dimensions of human interactions with nonhuman animals. The course includes study of ethical theories and concepts, as well as analysis of how humans conceptualize nonhuman animals across diverse contexts. Topics may include companion animals, domesticated animals in agriculture, animals used in entertainment and sports, animals in laboratory and field research, captive wildlife, and animals in the wild. Emphasis is placed on analysis of philosophical arguments, comparison of theoretical perspectives, and evaluation of ethical claims related to human–animal relationships.

PHIL 5360N. Philosophical Dimensions of Intelligent Machines and Human Work.

This course examines philosophical questions concerning automation, intelligent machines, and human work. Students study positions regarding how emerging technologies influence concepts such as labor, agency, responsibility, and skill, as well as how these developments intersect with ethical and social debates. The course analyzes a range of philosophical frameworks used to interpret the implications of intelligent machines for workplace practices, human–machine interaction, and the changing nature of work. Through critical reading and discussion, students compare competing perspectives and arguments concerning the conceptual, ethical, and practical dimensions of automation and develop the analytical tools needed to interpret these debates in a rigorous, graduate‑level context.

PHIL 5361D. Philosophy of Mind.

This course provides an advanced overview of historical and contemporary philosophical positions and arguments concerning the mind. Students study central topics such as consciousness, intentionality, mental representation, perception, personal identity, mental causation, and the relationship between mind and body. Readings introduce major theoretical approaches, including dualism, monism (of both the materialist and the idealist variety), physicalism (of both the reductive and the non-reductive variety), functionalism, and representational theories. Emphasis is placed on interpreting philosophical positions in their intellectual contexts and on analyzing and evaluating arguments about what minds are, how mental states relate to physical systems, and what explanations of mentality can achieve.

PHIL 5361E. Philosophy and Ethics in Virtual Reality.

This course examines metaphysical, epistemic, and ethical questions raised by extant and emerging virtual reality technologies. Students analyze debates concerning the nature of virtual experience, personal identity, embodiment, agency, and the status of simulated environments. The course also explores ethical questions such as responsibility, consent, privacy, and the implications of immersive media for human behavior and social institutions. All topics are treated as objects of philosophical inquiry, allowing students to develop independent evaluations of competing arguments.

PHIL 5361F. Philosophy and Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.

This course examines major philosophical and ethical questions raised by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students investigate conceptual issues such as the nature of intelligence, autonomy, decision‑making, and moral agency, as well as ethical questions related to privacy, responsibility, fairness, accountability, and the social impacts of AI systems. Emphasis is placed on studying a range of theoretical frameworks and arguments. Through analysis of case studies and contemporary debates, students develop the conceptual tools needed to interpret, compare, and evaluate philosophical and ethical perspectives on AI.

PHIL 5361G. Philosophy of Data, Internet, and Society.

This course examines philosophical, ethical, and social questions arising from the use, creation, and governance of data and internet technologies. Students study conceptual frameworks concerning digital identity, data practices, informational autonomy, networked communication, and the societal implications of large‑scale data systems. Readings and discussions emphasize how philosophers analyze arguments about privacy, surveillance, power, and digital infrastructures. Through analytic engagement with historical and contemporary sources, students study how to interpret, compare, and evaluate competing philosophical positions concerning data and technology.

PHIL 5361J. Machine Ethics.

This course examines philosophical debates surrounding machine ethics, focusing on how scholars analyze the conceptual, ethical, and technical questions raised by autonomous systems and machine learning. Students study competing frameworks used to evaluate proposals for machine decision‑making, ethical theory modeling, value‑alignment research, and the status of artificial agents. The course emphasizes conceptual clarification, argument evaluation, and methodological analysis. Through critical engagement with primary and secondary sources, students assess how philosophers and engineers frame questions about responsibility, agency, and moral consideration in machine contexts.

PHIL 5361K. Philosophy and Ethics of Virtual Beings.

This course examines philosophical and ethical questions surrounding the nature, status, and roles of virtual beings in digital environments. Students study a range of perspectives on artificial intelligences in virtual worlds, the interactions and relationships among virtual beings, and the ways virtual and non‑virtual entities may engage one another. Topics include debates about agency, identity, embodiment, personhood, and the conceptual frameworks used to understand virtual existence. Emphasis is placed on analyzing arguments about the moral and ontological issues raised by virtual beings, as well as examining competing interpretations of their significance. Through critical reading and discussion, students develop the conceptual tools necessary to engage these questions rigorously and to interpret diverse scholarly viewpoints concerning virtual beings and their philosophical implications.

PHIL 5361L. Ethics of Care Robots.

This course examines philosophical questions and ethical debates concerning the design, implementation, and use of care robots in healthcare and home-based care environments. The course includes a range of viewpoints addressing how robotic systems may influence caregiving practices, autonomy, consent, relational dynamics, labor expectations, and the distribution of responsibility within care settings. Emphasis is placed on analysis of arguments about the potential benefits, limitations, and risks associated with care robots. The course focuses on evaluation of conceptual frameworks used to assess the moral, social, and practical dimensions of robotic care.

PHIL 5361M. Environmental Ethics and Artificial Intelligence.

This course examines the relationship between environmental ethics and artificial intelligence (AI), with attention to both potential applications and associated ethical considerations. The course includes analysis of how AI systems are used in environmental contexts and the ethical and ecological questions that arise from their development and deployment. Topics may include environmental problem-solving applications, computing requirements and energy use, and questions of risk, governance, and responsibility. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of competing perspectives and evaluation of arguments concerning the environmental and ethical implications of AI technologies.

PHIL 5361N. Field Environmental Philosophy.

This course develops students' use of philosophical reflection and frameworks to integrate and understand social, economic, and environmental dimensions of human experience of the natural world. By reflecting on our interactions with and experiences of non-human nature, Field Environment Philosophy informs ecotourism, environmental policy, education, and ecology. Students will develop better understandings of inter-relations between humans and our non-human environment, of the ethical dimensions of everyday activity, and of the epistemic, metaphysical, and value assumptions built into everyday experiences of nature.

PHIL 5361O. Engaged Ecology.

This course examines philosophical perspectives on the diverse ways humans conceptualize and relate to the natural world. The course includes analysis of how different worldviews interpret patterns of interaction between human and non-human nature, including frameworks that describe these relationships in terms such as domination, objectification, or alienation. It also explores alternative ecological perspectives that emphasize engagement, participation, and reciprocal forms of understanding. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of arguments and comparison of philosophical and ethical approaches to human–nature relations.

PHIL 5361P. Technology and the Environment.

This course examines philosophical and ethical questions concerning the relationship between technology and the environment. The course includes a range of perspectives on how technological development influences ecological systems, environmental decision-making, and conceptions of nature. Topics may include debates about the environmental impacts of technological innovation, conceptual frameworks used to understand technology’s role within ecological processes, and ethical considerations arising from interactions between technological systems and natural environments. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of arguments and comparison of philosophical approaches to technology and environmental issues.

PHIL 5361Q. Philosophy of Energy.

This course examines philosophical and ethical questions related to energy production, distribution, and use. The course includes a range of positions concerning how different forms of energy, energy technologies, and energy systems shape human practices and environmental contexts. Topics may include the conceptual foundations of energy, debates regarding technological development and risk, and ethical considerations associated with evaluating various energy sources and infrastructures. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of arguments and comparison of philosophical approaches to understanding energy and its societal implications.

PHIL 5362B. 19th Century Philosophy.

This course offers a detailed introduction to central figures of 19th-century European philosophy such as Hegel, Marx, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche in the context of their responses to the Enlightenment, the condition of modernity, the growth of democracy, nationalism, capitalism, Darwin, secularization, and the critical project of Kant. Emphasis is placed on interpreting primary texts, comparing conceptual frameworks, and understanding the philosophical questions that shaped the period. These topics and thinkers are approached as subjects of historical and philosophical study.

PHIL 5362C. The Land Ethic and Beyond.

This course examines the philosophical legacy of Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic, described in A Sand County Almanac (1949), together with the interpretations it has generated across environmental philosophy, ecology, and conservation studies. The course includes analysis of the original formulation alongside scholarly debates that reassess, critique, and expand the concept. Attention is given to how the Land Ethic has been analyzed in relation to environmental management practices, ecological science, and contemporary discussions of sustainability. Emphasis is placed on critical evaluation of arguments concerning the applicability and limitations of the Land Ethic.

PHIL 5362D. Medieval Philosophy.

This course introduces major figures and themes in medieval philosophy through examination of key texts and traditions in the European context between Classical Antiquity and the Renaissance. The course includes analysis of central philosophical arguments, historical developments, and intellectual contexts shaping medieval thought. Emphasis is placed on interpretation of primary and secondary sources, evaluation of philosophical arguments, and analysis of major concepts and methods within medieval traditions. The course focuses on understanding the development of philosophical ideas and their historical significance.

PHIL 5362F. Hegel and Dialectical Philosophy.

This course examines central themes in Hegel’s philosophy with an emphasis on dialectical method and its development within subsequent philosophical traditions. The course includes analysis of Hegel’s accounts of logic, self-consciousness, history, and social institutions, as well as their influence on later thinkers in continental and analytic contexts. It considers diverse interpretations of dialectical reasoning and explores debates about its role in understanding conceptual change, normativity, and philosophical system-building. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of primary texts and comparison of scholarly interpretations of Hegel’s dialectics.

PHIL 5362G. Ancient Philosophy.

This course examines selected major philosophical developments, thinkers, or schools of thought of the ancient world from 600 B.C. to the third century A.D. Students analyze works by thinkers such as Pre-Socratics, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, or later Hellenistic and Roman thinkers, including the Neo-Platonists. Emphasis is placed on interpreting primary texts, systematic analysis of arguments and conceptual frameworks in topics such as metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology. Outcomes include the ability to apply philosophical methods to texts and the development of skills in argument evaluation, conceptual interpretation, and reasoned conversation.

PHIL 5362H. Phenomenology.

This course examines major themes, methods, and debates in phenomenological philosophy. The course includes analysis of positions concerning the nature of first-person experience, intentionality, embodiment, temporality, and the structures of consciousness as developed by key figures such as Husserl, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, and contemporary phenomenologists. It considers how phenomenological methods describe lived experience and how different philosophers interpret their aims, limits, and implications. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of primary and secondary texts and comparison of perspectives within the phenomenological tradition.

PHIL 5363B. Environmental Aesthetics.

This course examines aesthetic approaches to both human-generated and natural environments. The course focuses on diverse ways of understanding and explaining aesthetic experiences (such as beauty, the sublime, the picturesque, and related categories) associated with natural and human-made environments, with emphasis on how aesthetic frameworks inform interpretations of nature. It includes analysis of relationships between ecology and aesthetics, as well as connections between environmental aesthetics and ethics. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of arguments and comparison of philosophical approaches to environmental aesthetics and human–environment relations.

PHIL 5363C. Philosophical Perspectives on Colonialism and the Environment.

This course investigates connections between environmental change and colonial histories. The course includes scholarly perspectives that examine the conceptual and historical processes through which “nature” has been framed as “natural resources” in contexts of colonial expansion and governance. It also includes contemporary readings and case studies addressing environmental and social outcomes associated with colonial practices. Theories may include postcolonial, settler colonial, and decolonial approaches, as well as analyses of environmental knowledge systems. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of arguments and comparison of theoretical frameworks related to environmental and historical inquiry.

PHIL 5364. Philosophy and Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.

This course examines philosophical and ethical questions raised by Artificial Intelligence. Students analyze issues such as autonomy, moral responsibility, and decision-making through the lens of classical and contemporary ethical theories. The course emphasizes critical reasoning and comparative analysis of competing positions through systematic evaluation of arguments and conceptual frameworks on AI’s role in society. Methodologies include critical interpretation of scholarly texts and case-based analysis. Students develop skills in constructing reasoned arguments, assessing ethical frameworks, comparing alternative approaches, applying analytical reasoning, and articulating informed perspectives on emerging technologies.

PHIL 5370. Metaphysics.

This course introduces central problems, concepts, and methods in metaphysics, examining how philosophers analyze fundamental questions about existence, identity, causation, modality, universals, and the nature of reality. Students engage with a range of historical and contemporary perspectives. Emphasis is placed on developing skills in conceptual analysis, argument evaluation, and interpretation of philosophical texts. Through reading, discussion, and written work, students cultivate the analytical tools necessary to evaluate complex philosophical claims and reason independently about metaphysical problems.

PHIL 5372. Latin American Philosophy.

This course examines major philosophical traditions of Latin America from ancient to contemporary contexts. Students study pre‑Columbian thought, including Mayan, Aztec, Toltec, and Incan traditions; philosophical developments during periods of conquest and colonialism; and modern and contemporary contributions to metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and social philosophy. The course also considers the work of Latin American and Latinx thinkers in the United States. Texts and traditions are analyzed with an emphasis on conceptual clarity, argument evaluation, and comparative interpretation.

PHIL 5373. Themes in Africana Philosophy.

This course provides an advanced examination of philosophy and philosophical practice as they emerge from the historical experiences of African Americans and the African Diaspora. Participants in the course will evaluate how the African-American philosophical tradition alters conventional philosophical accounts of subjectivity, knowledge, time, language, history, embodiment, memory, and justice. The course situates these approaches in dialogue with broader philosophical discussions, emphasizing interpretation, argument analysis, and comparison of perspectives. Historical and cultural contexts are examined insofar as they inform philosophical reasoning and conceptual development.

PHIL 5388. Problems in Philosophy.

This course provides an opportunity for investigation of specialized philosophical topics through individualized or small-group study arranged with the department. The course includes engagement with relevant scholarship, interpretation of sources, and development of analytical frameworks appropriate to the selected subject. Under faculty supervision, the course involves formulation of a research plan, development of written analyses, and evaluation of methodological approaches within the discipline. It supports sustained inquiry and iterative revision through individualized and small-group instruction. Given its structure and variable subject matter, the course may be repeated for credit with approval from the department chair when the area of study differs. Prerequisite: Instructor approval, program coordinator approval, and chair approval.

PHIL 5395. Internship in Applied Philosophy.

This course involves structured supervised fieldwork within a professional setting specifically related to the field of philosophy. Students apply foundational philosophical or ethical principles to real-world environments while gaining practical experience under the guidance of site supervisors and departmental graduate faculty. Emphasis is placed on the integration of theoretical knowledge, ethical reflection and attentiveness, and professional skill development within real-world organizational contexts. Academic requirements focus on the bridge between graduate-level research training and applied philosophy. Instructor approval is required for enrollment. Prerequisite: Instructor approval and program coordinator approval.

PHIL 5399A. Thesis.

This course provides structured enrollment for students during their first semester engaged in thesis research and writing. Students formulate their research questions, evaluate relevant literature, and refine methodological approaches under faculty supervision. The course emphasizes sustained inquiry, iterative drafting, and the application of disciplinary research practices. Through regular consultation and revision, students work toward completing a thesis that demonstrates competence in scholarly argumentation and evidence-based analysis. Enrollment continues each term until the final thesis is prepared for submission in accordance with program requirements.

PHIL 5399B. Thesis.

This course provides structured enrollment for students during their second and subsequent semester(s) engaged in thesis research and writing. Students formulate their research questions, evaluate relevant literature, and refine methodological approaches under faculty supervision. The course emphasizes sustained inquiry, iterative drafting, and the application of disciplinary research practices. Through regular consultation and revision, students work toward completing a thesis that demonstrates competence in scholarly argumentation and evidence-based analysis. Enrollment continues each term until the final thesis is prepared for submission in accordance with program requirements.

PHIL 5599B. Thesis.

This course provides structured enrollment for students engaged in thesis research and writing during second and subsequent semesters. Students formulate research questions, evaluate scholarly literature, and refine methodological approaches under faculty supervision. The course emphasizes sustained inquiry, drafting, revision, and application of disciplinary research practices. Through consultation and revision, students prepare a thesis using scholarly argumentation and evidence-based analysis. Enrollment continues each term until the thesis is completed according to program requirements.

PHIL 5999B. Thesis.

This course provides structured enrollment for students during their second and subsequent semester(s) engaged in thesis research and writing. Students formulate their research questions, evaluate relevant literature, and refine methodological approaches under faculty supervision. The course emphasizes sustained inquiry, iterative drafting, and the application of disciplinary research practices. Through regular consultation and revision, students work toward completing a thesis that demonstrates competence in scholarly argumentation and evidence-based analysis. Enrollment continues each term until the final thesis is prepared for submission in accordance with program requirements.