Course Descriptions


Philosophy (PHL) Courses

PHL 101 Introduction to Philosophy (3-0) 3 credits

Philosophy is the art and science of reasoning and the critical exploration of ideas. As a result, philosophy is primarily concerned with various questions which are inspired by reflection about and inquiry into the fundamental nature of things, including individuals' reflection on and about their place in the universe, themselves, and their relations to the members of their community. In this course, students will explore and examine some of the questions, concerns, problems, and intellectual schools or traditions which constitute the nature of philosophy. A number of these matters are explored through many of the various branches of the discipline, such as logic, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, aesthetics, social and political philosophy, among others. This course carries SUNY General Education Humanities credit.  View Course Syllabus Adobe Acrobat, PDF


PHL 103 Ethics (3-0) 3 credits

This course investigates the theoretical nature of morality and its application in particular moral dilemmas. The course is designed to assist students in approaching, questioning, and refining their moral commitments and values, their understanding of the reasoned application of ethical principles, and, ultimately, their ethical practice in both their personal and professional lives. Among the theoretical questions posed and discussed are: Is morality simply relative to specific cultures? What are criteria for right and wrong? What is moral agency? Different ethical theories about the nature of a worthwhile life and concepts of morally sound behavior are examined. This course carries SUNY General Education Humanities and Diversity: Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice credit.  View Course Syllabus Adobe Acrobat, PDF


PHL 105 Philosophy of Religion (3-0) 3 credits

The purpose of this course is to examine from a critical, philosophical perspective the various beliefs and practices of religion; problems associated with classical theism; the uniqueness of religious language; arguments for and against immortality; the challenge modern science poses to religion; and the notions of salvation, liberation, etc. As such, this course is to investigate religion in a way that is historically informed, theologically sophisticated, and philosophically challenging.  View Course Syllabus Adobe Acrobat, PDF


PHL 205 Philosophy, Sex, and Gender (3-0) 3 credits

This course will study how concepts of sex and gender inform our understanding of self-identity and sexual difference. The course will explore how conventional categories of gender (e.g., heteronormativity and androcentrism) shape/situate women and sexual minorities as 'other'. The course examines a number of theories about the conceptual regulations of gender identity, especially those drawn from foundationalism and essentialism and feminist challenges to these theories. The course also explores the intelligibility of possibilities for gender identity other than those that are conventionally reinforced. Prerequisite: ENG 101 and either PHL 100 or PHL 103. This course carries SUNY General Education Humanities and Diversity: Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice credit.  View Course Syllabus Adobe Acrobat, PDF