Courses Taught at Elizabethtown College
PH105: Introduction to Western Philosophy
This introductory course to philosophy explores foundational of the occidental tradition and contemporary critiques of these views. This course introduces students to key areas of philosophy (metaphysics, epistemology, logic, politics, human nature, and ethics) as tools for thinking critically about life, morality, knowledge, the nature of mind, reality and the human relationship to nature. Through reading an array of philosophers the student will gain familiarity with foundational questions in historical and contemporary topics in western philosophical traditions and develop the capacity to apply these critiques to their own lives and professional careers. In this course we will explore philosophy within the greater context of the duties you have in your own life, your profession, and the changing world around you.
Image: View of Athens, Greece.
PH110: Logic and Critical Thinking
This course is an overview of the key skills that are necessary for being a critical thinker in general, and it is an overview of the various impediments to critical thinking and the pitfalls they can lead to such as prejudice and authoritarianism. The focus of the course will be developing logic as toolkit for development argumentation and developing your capacity to apply it towards critical thinking in real world decision-making. Students focus on developing their understanding of argumentation, logical fallacies, inductive/deductive reasoning, as well as application of logic to contemporary issues such as statistical analysis, interpretation of scientific data and moral reasoning. Topics included are: analysis of contemporary political speeches, news and media, statistical analysis, climate change debate in the U.S., and the culture war surrounding moral reasoning.
Image: Ascensor in Valparaíso, Chile.
FYS: Am I Animal? Engaging Animal Ethics
This FYS Seminar will explore the question, “Am I Animal?” Answering this question reveals an understanding of not only our own identity but also our understanding of other living beings that share life on Earth. This course will provide you an introduction to the ethics and politics of our human relationships with other animals. Through academic studies, fiction, and film, we will analyze food ethics, our relationship with pets and domesticated species, animal psychology, and inter-species culture. We will also interrogate concepts of identity as it relates to race, class, gender, and environment more broadly. Throughout the semester, these conversations will help us explore what it means to co-exist with other animals and how that co-existence helps to shape our own humanness and sense of self.
Image: El perrito, Vino del Mar, Chile.
PH370: Comparative Environmental Philosophy: Perspectives from the Americas
This course introduces philosophical ethics through an engagement with environmental issues regarding the human-nature relationship from diverse perspectives of the Americas. Comparative discussions of topics will be held to provide perspective of key social and environmental problems today, including: development, education, resource use, sustainability, non-human welfare and rights, biological, cultural and linguistic diversity, environmental justice, cultural heritage, land-use and global climate change. Guided Writing and research Intensive Course (GWR)
PH115: Introduction to Ethics
This class will examine some of the fundamental issues raised by today’s global society, and how ethics can contribute to solving these issues. Students will become familiar with key issues facing society today and distinct ethical theories developed to address these problems. We will transform this knowledge from thinking about these problems to action by considering how we might solve these problems individually and collectively through an active field philosophy research project.
Image: U-Pick Sunflowers, Portland, Oregon.
PH372: Perspectives in Sustainability
Shortages in water, fuel, and food pose many ethical, economic, and technological challenges for present and future generations. Yet what it means to live sustainably is no easy question to answer, with diverse interests, perspectives, cultures, and worldviews mixing in this global discourse. Students will learn the various interpretations and applications of sustainability, the role of technology in addressing sustainability issues, and the ethical principles essential for attending to these concerns. This class introduces a basic set of principles that will help students consider such issues as intergenerational equity, social justice in the global community, interspecies respect and protection, and ecological economics. Guided Writing and research Intensive Course (GWR)
Image: Annual DIY Festival, Baltimore, MD.
PH255: Advanced Ethics: Business
Business Ethics is part of a four-course sequence in Applied Ethics. In each course, a theoretical foundation for ethical discourse within the respective field is established. This course then proceeds to a detailed treatment of central ethical dilemmas in the actual practice of business.
PH370: Philosophy of the City and Everyday Life
Projections of urban society estimate that over three-quarters of the human population will live within urban environments by 2050. This course will explore the nature of the city and urbanization processes as a fundamental philosophical question of our time; one that we must confront as we look towards building a sustainable future in our everyday lives. This course includes a Community Based Significant Learning Experience (CBL) and is a Guided Writing and Research Intensive Course (GWR). Successful completion of this course requires 15 hours of service, or the equivalent service field trip provided.
Image: "We Must Stop Killing Each Other", Baltimore, MD.
Masters Course: Spring 2017
PH500: Urban Philosophy and Policy
Students will engage urban theory and philosophy to address key policy questions regarding urbanizaiton, gentrification, quality of life, and urban growth. Students will develop a policy paper or integrate their master’s thesis research into the analysis conducted in this course.