Courses

Search for courses listed in this bulletin. To find a semester course schedule (including instructors, meeting times and locations), go to mynmu.nmu.edu.

PL 180 Introduction to Ethics 4 cr.  (4-0-0)
  • Offered: Fall Winter

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 Business Ethics 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall

An examination of ethical issues in business. Representative topics include 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 in international business.

PL 182 Computer, Information, and Technology Ethics 4 cr.
  • Offered: Winter

An examination of ethical issues in computing, information, and technology. Representative topics include social media use and related research, privacy in the information age, surveillance, property rights in software, the ethics of classified information, moral enhancement, ethical issues in artificial intelligence, unpiloted and autonomous cars and weapons, and freedom of expression on the Internet.

PL 183 Issues in the History of Ethics 2 cr.
  • Offered: Contact department.

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 Legal Ethics 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall

An examination of ethical issues in the law and legal practice. Representative topics include capital punishment, searching without a warrant, private possession of firearms, same-sex marriage, affirmative action, requiring the purchase of health insurance, the legalization of drugs, the ethics of punishment, and the ethics of police work, legal, and paralegal practice.

PL 185 Medical and Bioethics 4 cr.
  • Offered: Winter

An examination of ethical issues in medical and genomic practice. Representative topics include abortion, euthanasia, the use of humans in medical experiments, justice in the distribution of health care, informed consent, adolescent decision-making, mental illness and involuntary confinement, the role and responsibilities of doctors and nurses, genetic testing and engineering, requiring the purchase of medical insurance, and conscience clauses for medical professionals.

PL 186 Topics in Theoretical Ethics 2 cr.
  • Offered: Contact department.

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 188 Introduction to Environmental Philosophy 4 cr.  (4-0-0)
  • Prerequisites: Every third semester.

This course is a philosophical exploration of how human society influences and is influenced by its natural environment. It addresses general philosophical questions about sustainability and environmental change. In addition, it covers a variety of more specific philosophical issues, such as the moral status of non-human animals and ecosystems, obligations to future generations, food justice, environmental (in)justice, and the aesthetic value of nature.

PL 200 History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy 4 cr.
  • Offered: Contact Department

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: Contact Department

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 250 Feminist Theory 4 cr.  (4-0-0)
  • Offered: Every Third Semester

Examination of philosophical texts, issues, and analyses concerning the nature, status, and experience of women. Attention will be devoted to global patterns of gender discrimination and philosophical explanations and critiques of these patterns. Additional topics may include philosophical analyses of social justice, philosophical analyses of gender, philosophical analyses of power hierarchies, social roles, and related issues. Readings will include works by classic and contemporary philosophers.

PL 260 Philosophy of the Arts 4 cr.  (4-0-0)
  • Offered: Every third semester.

Examination of philosophical issues concerning the nature, value, experience, and interpretation of art. Topics may include what is art; why is it valuable; what is the relationship between art and morality; and what is the relationship between art and emotion. Art will be taken in the broad sense that encompasses literature, film, music, dance, painting, sculpture, architecture, etc.

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: Every third semester, contact department for timing.

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: Every third semester, contact department for timing.
  • Prerequisites: EN 211 with a grade of "C" or better 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 330 Existentialism 4 cr.
  • Offered: Every third semester, contact department for timing.
  • Prerequisites: EN 211 with a grade of "C" or better 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: Every third semester, contact department for timing.

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.
PMD 100 Pre-medical Pre-dental Seminar 1 cr.
  • Offered: Fall odd numbered years
A series of presentations by health care professionals designed to introduce students to available career options, professional school experience, training, ethics and government in health care. Notes: This course may not be taken for credit toward a major or minor in biology, biochemistry, chemistry or physics.
PN 127 Fundamentals of Nursing - Lecture 4 cr.  (4-0-0)
  • Offered: Fall
  • Co-requisites: PN 128.
  • Prerequisites: Admission to the Practical Nursing (PN) Certificate Program.

This course introduces principle concepts upon which nursing care is based and the nurse’s role in carrying out the nursing process. Patient care is taught from the perspective concepts of human needs and stages of development.

Notes: This does not take the place of PN 114 and will need to be completed at a 2.0 or above with a maximum of two times.
PN 128 Fundamentals of Nursing - Clinical 6 cr.  (0-0-12)
  • Offered: Fall
  • Graded: S/U
  • Co-requisites: PN 127.

In this course the student will apply theoretic nursing concepts for the mastering of basic nursing skills. The learning experiences take place in both the nursing arts lab and in long term health care facilities.

PN 137 Health and Illness Concepts Across the Lifespan - Lecture 8 cr.  (8-0-0)
  • Offered: Winter
  • Co-requisites: PN 138.
  • Prerequisites: "C" or better in PN 127, PN 128, NU 221, and good standing at NMU.

This course is designed to introduce the students to major concepts of health and illness from pediatric age through adult and the elderly population. Students will learn the nursing care in a variety of settings. Learning is structured within concepts of functions like hydration and oxygenation and what is considered normal or abnormal for a patient. This will prepare practical nursing students for the complexity of care they will deliver to patients in a variety of settings.