COURSES OF STUDY
165
PL 263 Philosophies of Film: Cinematic Wisdom West to East (1)
A pluralistic exploration of the medium of film using the discipline of
philosophy. Students examine primary texts from both philosophers
and film theorists with the aim of discovering and articulating
cinematic wisdom. Focus is placed on the areas of aesthetics (Western
and East Asian), ontology, depth psychology, and cognitive theory.
Prerequisites: sophomore standing or one previous course in PL (except
PL 241).
PL 293, 393, 493 Independent Study in Philosophy (½ or 1)
Directed study for advanced students in the major. Specific guidelines
concerning independent study projects appear in the Individualized
Study section of this catalog.
PL 298, 398, 498 Teaching Experience in Philosophy (½ or 1)
A teaching experience course. Upon invitation, qualified students
participate in first-year and sophomore courses as docents. Specific
guidelines concerning teaching experiences appear in the Individualized
Study section of this catalog.
PL 302 Existentialism (1)
An examination of major issues and problems arising from the
existentialist tradition in philosophy through a treatment of one or two
representative figures. Prerequisite: one previous course in PL (except PL
241).
PL 303 Socialism (1)
An examination of some of the philosophical, political, and economic
claims of modern socialists, beginning with and emphasizing Marx, but
also moving beyond Marx and Marxism into the work of contemporary
socialists who stress the democratic character of socialism and the need
for a socialist market economy. Prerequisite: one previous course in PL
(
except PL 241).
PL 304 Topics in American Philosophy (1)
An examination of some aspect of American philosophy. The focus
of this course may vary each time it is offered: for example, Jonathan
Edwards and the Puritans, the philosophy of the “founding fathers,”
Transcendentalism, American Pragmatism, Neo‑Pragmatism. With
the permission of the philosophy faculty, students may enroll more
than once for credit, provided that the focus of the course is different.
Prerequisite: one previous course in PL (except PL 241).
PL 307 Environmental Ethics (1)
A study of one or more of the current trends and theories in
environmental ethics. The course may focus on areas such as deep
ecology, eco‑feminism, sustainability, process ecology, environmental
pragmatism, and others (a Leadership Studies designated course).
Prerequisite: one previous course in PL (except PL 241).
