PHILOSOPHY SUMMER COURSES
PHIL 102: Introduction to LogicInstructor: Christian Lee Modality: Online Blended, TR 10-11:15 Description: Logic is the study of methods for evaluating whether the premises of an argument support its conclusion. This Summer we develop an exact artificial language for representing controversial philosophical arguments to evaluate patterns of reasoning for validity (i.e. reasoning where the truth of the premises jointly guarantee the truth of the conclusion). QSR GUR |
Phil 107: Critical ThinkingInstructor: Neal Tognazzini Modality: Online Asynchronous Description: Sherlock Holmes was famous for his ability to solve crimes that baffled everyone else, but he didn't have any superpowers. So what was the secret to his success? In this course we'll study the powerful engines that drive good reasoning, no matter what puzzle you're trying to solve. If we can figure out what good reasoning looks like, then we’ll have a better chance of being able to find our bearings when reasoning is complicated by things like ignorance, disagreement, and contempt. Join us if you want to earn your BCOM GUR and learn to think more carefully at the same time. BCOM GUR |
Phil 113: Intro to Philosophy of ReligionInstructor: Daniel Howard-Snyder Modality: Online Asynchronous Description: In Philosophy 113, we’re going to answer Big Questions like these….* Can we say anything true about God? * What would God be like if there were a God?* Can there be a good God when there’s so much horrendous evil and suffering? * Can general features of the universe give good reasons to think God exists? * Can an all-powerful God who can do wrong still be morally perfect? * Can we be free if God foreknows everything? * How are God and morality related? * Can an educated person have faith in God, without irrationality or hypocrisy? * What is faith, anyway? HUM GUR For student testimonials, click here. |
PHIL 320: Ethical Theory IInstructor: Christian Lee Modality: Online Blended, TR 12-1:15 Description: Are moral judgments mere expressions of our feelings? Different societies observe different moral codes, so it may seem presumptuous to think our own moral convictions are objectively correct. Does it follow that morality is relative? Yet common sense seems to reveal morality to be objective. After all, who would deny that some people face discrimination and injustices, and that we should all disapprove of injustices in plain view. In our course we engage these and related questions. This Summer we try to uncover the very nature of morality. |
Phil 350: Political PhilosophyInstructor: Dennis Whitcomb Modality: Online Blended, R 2-3;15 Description: This course will focus on three things: justice, oppression, and racism. In each case, our central aim will be to try to understand the nature of the relevant phenomenon. That is to say, we will ask what justice *is* and what oppression *is* and what racism *is*. With respect to justice, we will do this by closely examining a debate between John Rawls and Robert Nozick. Rawls was (roughly, more or less) a democratic socialist about what justice is. Nozick was (roughly, more or less) a libertarian about what justice is. In the parts of the course about oppression and racism, we will carefully study the writings important contemporary authors like Marilyn Frye, Jorge Garcia, Tommie Shelby, and others. HUM GUR |
Phil 364: Ancient PhilosophyInstructor: Ryan Wasserman Modality: Online Asynchronous Description: This summer we will travel back over two-thousand years to witness the birth of philosophy in the Western world. Our tour will include a visit to the town of Elea to hear Zeno's arguments against motion, an afternoon spent in Epicurus' garden learning about his views on the good life, and a front-row seat at the trial of Socrates to witness his defense of philosophy. Contact your tour guide Ryan.Wasserman@wwu.edu with any questions! |