2021-2022 Course List

Major philosophers and philosophies of the late 20th Century.

Discussion of philosophical issues in law by way of connecting legal problems to well-developed and traditional problems in philosophy, e.g., in ethics, political philosophy, and epistemology, and investigates the philosophical underpinnings of the development of law. The course takes an analytical approach to law (as opposed to historical, sociological, political, or legalistic approaches) and devotes a substantial part of the semester to a major work on law written by a philosopher.

Study of philosophy done from a feminist perspective in areas such as metaphysics, epistemology or ethics.

Intensive study of a single philosopher or topic.

In-depth analysis of major European existentialists such as Kierkegaard, Heidegger, and Sartre.

Aesthetic principles, theories, and the creative process. Theories of visual arts, music, literature, dance, etc.

This course investigates some of the central philosophical issues in our thinking about film, including questions about narrative, ontology, ethical criticism of film , the role of artistic intentions in interpretation, artistic medium, and the art/entertainment distinction.

The nature of consciousness, mind and body relations, and the free will of action.

This course examines the conceptual and philosophical complexities of efforts to understand the mind in science. Topics include the differences and similarities between humans and other animals, the nature of psychological explanation, and reductive strategies for explaining consciousness, intentionality and language.

Nature of explanations, causality, theoretical entities, and selected problems.

This course examines conceptual and philosophical issues in biology, the nature and scope of biological explanation and conflicts between evolutionary and religious explanations for the origin of life.

Examines the the nature and methods of alternative strategies of theory construction in the social sciences and the metaphysical and epistemological assumptions and implications of such strategies. For example can people, their behavior and norms of rationality be understood in naturalistic terms or must they be understood only in culturally local terms.

Special event of less than semester duration.

Individual study of a philosopher or problem.

Individual service project.

A one semester course which covers the basic principles of physics on a conceptual level and with a minimal amount of math. The course provides an understanding of natural processes and their applications. Topics generally include mechanics, simple machines, atomic structure, heat, light and sound. Lecture and laboratory components.

Goal Areas:

GE-03

Self-paced format. Includes readings on time; telling time from sundials to atomic clocks; Albert Einstein (a biography of the primary developer of the Theory of Relativity); and the Theory of Relativity. All the readings are written to be understood by non-scientists.

Goal Areas:

GE-03

This course is intended for students pursuing a Physics degree. The course offers an introduction to the field of physics, and prepares students for academic success in the program. Students will become familiar with current topics of physics research within the department, and better understand the career paths available with a physics major.

General background in physical concepts for those who do not plan advanced study in physics or engineering. Topics include mechanics, fluids, heat and thermodynamics. Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisites:

Either MATH 112 and MATH 113, or MATH 115

Goal Areas:

GE-02, GE-03

Includes waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and topics in modern physics. Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisites:

PHYS 211 

PHYS 220 focuses on mathematical methods for introductory physics and problem solving skills framed in Newton's Laws at the introductory level. Specific topics include Vector Algebra and Trigonometry, Forces and Newtons Laws, and applications of Calculus to kinematics.The goal of the course is to provide students with supplemental preparation for a Calculus-Based Introductory Physics Course. Registration will require special permission.

Goal Areas:

GE-02, GE-03

Designed for science and engineering students. Calculus-based physics. Covers elementary mechanics including kinematics, statics, equilibrium and dynamics of particles, work and energy, rotational motion, gravitation, and oscillation. Lecture and Laboratory. MATH 121 must be completed with a C or better prior to taking this course or must be taken concurrently. High school physics or PHYS 101 is also strongly encouraged. Fall, Spring

Goal Areas:

GE-02, GE-03

Designed for science and engineering students. Calculus-based physics. Covers electrical charge and field; magnetic field and its sources; current and resistance; simple DC and AC circuits; and electromagnetic induction. Lecture only. (Associated laboratory course is PHYS 232.) MATH 121 must be completed with a C or better prior to taking this course. MATH 122 must be completed before taking this course or taken concurrently. Fall, Spring

Prerequisites:

MATH 121 with a “C” or better; PHYS 221 with a “C” or better.

Designed for science and engineering students. Calculus-based physics. Covers fluids, thermodynamics, mechanical and sound waves, geometrical optics, physical optics, and modern physics. Lecture only. (Associated laboratory course is PHYS 233.) Pre: MATH 121 with a Cor better; and PHYS 221 with a C or better. MATH 122 must be completed before taking this course or taken concurrently. Spring

Prerequisites:

MATH 121 with a “C” or better; and PHYS 221 with a “C” or better