Philosophy (PL)
Bachelor of Arts
Division of Humanities

Steven Hendley, William Myers

In the western world philosophers from Plato to Whitehead have attempted to do systematically and consistently what every reflective person does fragmentarily and haphazardly: to reflect on beliefs about the physical world, moral and religious commitments, aesthetic experiences, relations of the individual to the community, and other phases of human experience. In doing so philosophers have hoped to deepen their insights into the meaning of human existence and to explore the possibilities for individuals to participate creatively in the reconstruction of their values to meet the new conditions of the contemporary world.

In this process philosophers have also undertaken to examine critically what is elsewhere taken for granted. In doing so they have developed analytical techniques such as various systems of logic, studies of the nature and limits of the human understanding, and linguistic analysis.

Collegiate courses in philosophy are invitations to modern undergraduates to participate in this intellectual heritage and to develop analytical techniques essential to it.

Major Requirements

• The following courses are required (9 units): PL 200 or 255
• PL 241 (PL 350 may substitute, with consent)
• PL 250
• PL 251 and 252
• three units in PL numbered 300 and above (except PL 498)
• PL 499

Recommended supporting courses include the following:

• foreign language competency at the 3rd course level (normally German or French)
• a four- or five-course sequence in a related field: English and the fine arts; history and political science; mathematics; psychology and sociology; religion

Minor Requirements

The following courses are required (5 units):

• PL 250
• PL 251 and 252
• one unit in PL at the 300 level or above
• one elective unit in PL

Graduation with Disciplinary Honors in Philosophy

Philosophy majors may graduate with honors in philosophy by fulfilling the following requirements:

(1) Complete the requirements for a major in philosophy.

(2) Attain a 3.50 or better grade point average in all courses taken at Birmingham Southern College.

(3) Attain a 3.50 or better grade point average in all philosophy courses taken at Birmingham Southern College.

(4) Submit a proposal for an Honors research project to be substantially developed during the senior seminar in philosophy (interim term). This project must meet the standard qualifications for enrollment in the senior seminar with the additional qualification of a 20 25 page paper that earns a grade of “A ” or better.

Courses in Philosophy

PL 200 Ethical Choice (1)
A beginning level course about moral decision making. Part of the course focuses on case studies of ethical choices pertaining to property, welfare, violence, punishment, war, and similar topics. The other part of the course is an introduction to ethical theory focusing on the processes by which moral norms are established and critically evaluated. Spring.

PL 201 Introduction to Philosophy (1)
Basic problems and forms of inquiry that have shaped the Western philosophical heritage. The course may focus on problems of morality, religion, political philosophy, and theories about the nature and limits of human knowledge. Fall, Spring.

PL 202 Ethical Issues in Business (1)
A look at some of the major ethical issues facing American businesses today. The approach of the course is to bring the analytical and conceptual tools of ethical theory to major business concerns. In addition to studying such applied issues as corporate social responsibility, affirmative action, and employee rights, the course also has a strong theoretical component. Spring.

PL 205 Community: Civil Society Today (1)
An interdisciplinary examination of the recent renewal of interest in the importance of community in the modern world understood as the sphere of a civil society distinct from the market and the state. After a brief look at the historical context of contemporary concerns with community we will take up a number of different questions dealing with the vitality (or lack of vitality) of our communal life today, touching on, among other things, issues relating to family life, the nature of civility, the relation of civil society to the state and the market, the role of public work in the life of a community, and the importance of community in developing the moral character of individuals. This course also includes a service-learning component. Also listed as HON 205, this course may be counted by Honors Program students toward fulfillment of their course requirements (a Leadership Studies designated course). Spring.

PL 241 Logic (1)
A study of semantics, traditional deductive logic, and an introductory approach to symbolic logic. Fall.

PL 250 Contemporary Philosophy (1)
An examination of the major themes of philosophy in the twentieth century with particular emphasis on the way skeptical doubts concerning the idea and attainability of truth have issued in an increasingly dominant form of cultural relativism in such diverse arenas as law and literature, anthropology, the history of science, and moral and political theory. Fall.

PL 251 History of Western Philosophy I (1)
Ancient philosophy from Thales to Plotinus (an IC designated course). Fall.

PL 252 History of Western Philosophy II (1)
Modern philosophy from Descartes through the Kant. Spring.

PL 255 Contemporary Political Philosophy (1)
An examination of some of the major schools and positions in contemporary political philosophy. Central to the course are questions of the nature of justice, the claims of community, and the conditions of democracy in the public life of its citizens (a Leadership Studies designated course). Spring.

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) or consent.

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) or consent.

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) or consent.

PL 305 Philosophy of Law (1)
An examination of some of the major concepts of law, natural law, positivism, legal realism, and analytical jurisprudence. This course also raises issues within the law concerning the relation of law and morals. Prerequisite: one previous course in PL (except PL 241) or consent.

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) or consent. Fall.

PL 308 Topics in Metaphysics and Epistemology (1)
An examination of questions in contemporary metaphysics and epistemology concerning the nature of our knowledge of the world and different conceptions of reality which come into play in our idea of what there is in the world. The focus of the course may vary with different questions being highlighted: for example, questions concerning the objectivity of moral values, the dominance of science in our understanding of reality, the identity of consciousness and neuro physiological processes, the relation of knowledge to experience and reason, and the capacity of truth to transcend our capacity to know it. 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) or consent.

PL 350 Symbolic Logic (1)
Fundamentals of symbolic logic, including both sentential and quantificational logic. Prerequisite: PL 241 or consent.

PL 360 Postmodernism and Philosophy (1)
An examination of some of the ways postmodern perspectives have impacted recent philosophy with respect to questions about the nature of language, reason, community and justice. A major contemporary alternative to postmodernism is also assessed in order to establish a critical dialogue concerning the strengths and weaknesses of our “postmodern condition.” Prerequisite: one previous course in PL (except PL 241) or consent.

PL 361 Topics in Philosophy of Religion (1)
An examination of some issues in the philosophy of religion primarily in the Western tradition. Potential topics include the problem of evil, the nature of God, proofs for God's existence, the nature of faith, and non traditional concepts of God (e.g., process theology, feminist theology). 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) or consent.

PL 393, 493 Independent Study (1)

PL 470 Seminar in Philosophy (1)

PL 498 Teaching Experience in Philosophy (1)
Upon invitation, qualified students may register for this course for one term only. They participate in first-year and sophomore courses as docents.

PL 499 Senior Project in Philosophy (1)
A research project that examines a significant body of philosophical literature and utilizes a student's accumulated knowledge and skills in the discipline. A substantial paper is required. All students enrolled in the course will meet in a seminar to discuss the progress of their projects. Students intending to enroll in PL 499 should contact a philosophy faculty member early in the fall semester to ensure that all of the requirements for enrolling in the course are met. Prerequisites: PL 499 proposal and consent of the philosophy faculty.