- NMU Bulletin

PL 100 Introduction to Philosophy 4 cr.

• Offered: Fall Winter Summer

Examination of some of the philosophical problems involved in understanding the relationship of humans to the world and the nature of existence; the problems of knowledge, ethics, logic and language; mind and matter; and the nature of art, science and religion.

PL 160 Introduction to Logic 4 cr.

• Offered: Fall Winter

An introduction to the basic principles of traditional and formal logic. Topics covered include the nature of validity and proof, theory of the syllogism, propositional logic and quantification theory.

PL 180 Fundamentals of Ethical Theory 4 cr.

• Offered: Fall Winter Summer

Covers major approaches to universal morality and codes of ethics. This course prepares students to bring a theoretical perspective to the moral dilemmas discussed in the applied ethics courses (PL 181 through PL 186).

PL 181 Issues in Business Ethics 2 cr.

• Offered: Fall Winter

An examination of issues such as the moral justification of the free market system, the ethics of advertising, employee rights and responsibilities, sexual harassment in the workplace, the moral responsibilities of the corporation and ethical issues of international business.

PL 182 Issues in Computer Ethics 2 cr.

• Offered: Winter

An examination of such issues as protecting the right to privacy in the computer age, property rights in computer software, hacker ethics, determining responsibility for computer unreliability and freedom of expression on the Internet.

PL 183 Issues in the History of Ethics 2 cr.

• Offered: Winter

A study of the great philosophers of the past and their exploration of moral judgments, moral virtues, moral knowledge, moral rationality, moral practice and strength of will.

PL 184 Issues in Legal Ethics 2 cr.

• Offered: Fall Winter

An examination of issues such as legislating morality, pornography, plea bargaining, capital punishment, the legalization of drugs, ethics of punishment and ethics of police work.

PL 185 Issues in Medical Ethics 2 cr.

• Offered: Every other semester

An examination of issues such as abortion, euthanasia, the use of humans in medical experiments, justice in the distribution of health care, informed consent, the role and responsibilities of doctors and nurses, genetic engineering, mental illness and involuntary commitment.

PL 186 Topics in Theoretical Ethics 2 cr.

• Offered: Winter

An examination of issues such as contemporary theories of justice, the search for objective moral standards in a multicultural world and the interconnection between science and ethics.

PL 187 Issues Involving the Human Genome 2 cr.

• Offered: Contact department for information

An examination of issues such as the concept of a genetic malady, gene therapy, genetic discrimination, eugenics, prenatal diagnosis and selective abortion, DNA property rights, behavioral genetics, forensics and DNA profiling, genetic enhancement: is better always good?, the genetic disease fallacy, genetic history of mankind, health insurance and pre-existing genetic susceptibilities, etc.

PL 200 History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy 4 cr.

• Offered: Every other winter, even years

Introduction to the way people have understood themselves and the world. This course examines some of the main philosophic concepts, issues and problems and their earliest beginnings through a study of leading philosophers.

PL 210 History of Modern Philosophy 4 cr.

• Offered: Every other fall, odd years

The development of philosophy in the modern period, particularly from the 17th to the end of the 19th century. The primary focus of the course will be metaphysics and theory of knowledge. The development of social and political thought will also be discussed.

PL 270 World Religions 4 cr.

• Offered: Fall Winter

Study of the doctrines and the historical development of the major religions of the world. Included in this study are Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.

PL 280 Philosophy of Religion 4 cr.

• Offered: Winter

Pursuit of an understanding of the nature and meaning of religion and religious experience. The course deals with the problems of the nature and existence of God, the meaning of religious assertions and the nature of faith. Readings are drawn from traditional and contemporary sources.

PL 295 Special Topics in Philosophy 2-4 cr.

• Offered: Contact department

A study of a particular topic in philosophy. Primarily designed as a service course for those with limited backgrounds in philosophy who have an interest in a particular topic. The precise topic will be announced in the current course offerings. Notes:

May be repeated for credit if topic varies.

PL 310 Social and Political Philosophy 4 cr.

• Offered: Fall
• Prerequisites: EN 211 with a grade of "C" or better or HON 102 and HON 112 and sophomore standing.

An evaluation of personal conduct in relation to political, social and economic systems. Classical and modern texts are used to examine concepts such as individual rights, social duty, authority of the state, social justice and anarchy, and to evaluate the ends of social organization.

PL 320 Philosophy of Science 4 cr.

• Offered: Contact department

Close examination of some of the basic concepts of the physical and social sciences and problems in the logic of scientific explanation, methodology, the character of scientific laws and theories, meaning and verifiability, inductions and probability, and causality.

PL 330 Existentialism 4 cr.

• Offered: On demand
• Prerequisites: EN 211 with a grade of "C" or better or HON 102 and HON 112 and sophomore standing.

Study of European philosophies of human existence, tracing the developments up to the end of the 20th century.

PL 370 Theory of Knowledge: Classical and Contemporary 4 cr.

• Offered: Contact department

Pursuit of an understanding of the sources, nature, validity and significance of human knowledge. Epistemology examines the form of cognition, the problem of other minds, probability and induction, rationalism, British empiricism from Locke to Russell, logical empiricism and pragmatism.

PL 495 Special Topics in Philosophy 2-4 cr.

• Offered: Contact department
• Prerequisites: Junior standing or instructor's permission.

A detailed study of an important philosopher, important text or philosophic problem. It is designed primarily for students majoring or minoring in philosophy. Notes:

May be repeated for credit if topic varies.

PL 498 Directed Study in Philosophy 1-4 cr.

• Offered: Contact department
• Prerequisites: Junior standing, at least one philosophy course and approval of the instructor.

Independent study by an individual or small group in an area to be defined by student and instructor, not normally covered by the department's regular courses.