PHILOSOPHY
Professors
Full time:
Chavez-Arvizo, Enrique
Macdonald, Amie
McClure, Mary Ann (Chair)
Pittman, John P.
Stroup, Timothy
Struhl, Karsten
Adjunct:
Bouritsas, Leonidas
Brugnola, Orlanda
Caesar (Dookh), Irene
Eckert, Maureen (Writing Fellow)
Fields, Keota
Flynn, Erin
Foster, Roger
Murtagh, Kevin
Phillips, Mary Ann
Piacente, Albert
Poole, Ross
Trogan, Christopher
Von Stange, Michael
Courses
Note: Equivalent Philosophy courses are offered by the Interdepartment of
Thematic
Studies. See below for Philosophy
Minor.
PHI 102. Introduction to Ethics
Do
objective moral standards exist or is morality relative to culture or
individual?
This
course examines the principles that guide moral reasoning and
argumentation.
The main theories of ethical justification are analyzed, with
application
to such selected issues of social morality as punishment, civil
disobedience,
privacy and sexual behavior, war, racial and sexual equality,
abortion,
euthanasia, business integrity, and economic justice. 3 hours, 3
credits.
PHI 103. The Great Philosophers
A
chronological study of the great philosophers from Plato to the present. This
historical
introduction examines the central insights of each philosopher in light
of the issues presented by predecessors. 3 hours, 3 credits.
PHI 104. Philosophy of Human Nature
In
answer to the question, "Is there a human nature?" this course examines
the
issues
of mind-matter dualism, the concept of person, free will vs. determinism,
human evolution and postmortem existence. 3 hours, 3 credits.
PHI 105. Critical Thinking and Informal Logic
This
course is a basic introduction to critical reasoning. Focus is on students'
developing
and applying skills in critical and analytic reading and writing. Topics
covered
include recognizing arguments, identifying premises and conclusions,
clarity
and relevance in argumentative language, distinguishing types of
arguments,
validity and soundness in constructing and evaluating arguments,
fallacies,
elements of legal reasoning, 3 hours, 3 credits.
PHI 203. Political Philosophy
Examination
of philosophical presuppositions about human nature that are
inherent
in political theories from Plato to Marx and concepts of sovereignty,
freedom,
authority, and law. Prerequisite: English 101. In addition: sophomore
standing or above or permission of the section instructor. 3 hours, 3 credits.
PHI 204. Logic
An
exposition of formal and informal methods of evaluating reasoning in
arguments
and texts. We will examine systems or models of deductive
reasoning,
problems of translation from natural to formal languages, reasoning
and
rhetoric in complex arguments, and the foundations of the logic of
investigation.
Prerequisite: English 101. 3 hours, 3 credits.
PHI 205. Philosophy of Religion
Examination
of religion from the philosophical viewpoint: existence of God in
Plato,
Aristotle, Aquinas, rejoinder from Kant and his successors; the status of
debate
in philosophy today. Prerequisite: English 101 and one introductory
course in Philosophy. 3 hours, 3 credits.
PHI 224. Death, Dying and Society: A Life Crises Management Issue
Death
and dying will be viewed from the perspectives of a variety of academic
disciplines
and applied fields. The course will deal with the dying process: the
different
cultural practices and beliefs related to this process; its impact on the
individual
and his or her family particularly in the areas of grief, mourning, and
restructuring
of the family; and it will examine the ways different occupational
groups
are routinely involved with death and dying and the methods they evolve
to
manage it for others and cope with it themselves. The course will also explore
different
types of death, death at different periods in the life cycle, euthanasia,
abortion
and ethical, religious, and existential issues related to death and dying. The
course
will be multidisciplinary. Prerequisites: English 101 and an introductory
course
in Sociology, Anthropology, Philosophy, or Psychology. (Same course as
Anthropology 224, Psychology 224 and Sociology 224.) 3 hours, credits.
PHI 231. Knowing, Being and Doing: Philosophical Method and Its
Applications
An
introduction to four major philosophical questions: What can I know for
certain?
Does God exist? How should I act toward others? What is justice? This
analysis
of the foundations of knowledge, religious belief, ethical theory, and
social
justice includes readings from Plato, Aristotle, St. Thomas, Descartes,
Kant,
Mill, and contemporary philosophers. Prerequisite or corequisite: English
101.
3 hours, 3 credits.
PHI 310. Ethics and Law
Inquiry
into the relationship between morality and law; their organic
interrelationship
in the natural law tradition; their separation in positivism. The
contemporary
debate illustrated by the issues of human and civil rights; the
enforcement
of sexual morality; civil disobedience; and the ethics of law
enforcement.
(Same course as Law 310.) Prerequisites: English 102. In addition:
Philosophy
231 or permission of the section instructor. 3 hours, 3 credits.
PHI 321. Police Ethics
An
identification and analysis of the diverse ethical issues encountered in the
police
service. Traditional ethical theories will be examined and will be applied to
such
topics as discretion, deadly physical force, misconduct, authority and
responsibility,
affirmative action, civil disobedience, undercover operations, and
privacy.
(Same course as Criminal Justice 321.) Prerequisites: English 102. In
addition:
Philosophy 231 or permission of the section instructor. 3 hours, 3
credits.
PHI 322. Judicial and Correctional Ethics
A
treatment of some of the central issues of judicial and correctional ethics.
Traditional
ethical theories will be applied to such topics as plea bargaining, bail
and
preventive detention, wiretapping, enforcement of sexual morality,
sentencing,
punishment, prisoners' rights, and parole. (Same course as
Criminal
Justice 322.) Prerequisites: English 102. In addition: Philosophy 231 or
permission of the section instructor. 3 hours, 3 credits.
PHI 340: Utopian Thought
Representations
of ideal societies have played an important
part
in discussions of justice since Plato’s Republic. This
course
will focus on some of the classical utopian (and
dystopian)
texts as well as on representative contemporary
literary
efforts in the utopian tradition. We
will also
examine
some of the philosophical, literary, and
historiographical
analyses of utopian thought and of the
social
phenomena associated with it.
Prerequisites:
Philosophy
231 and English 102 or permission of the
instructor. 3 Credits, 3 Hours.
RELIGION
REL 101. Western Religions
Examination
of the doctrines and development of the Western religions: Judaism,
Christianity,
and Islam. Historical and literary criticism applied to sacred texts. 3
hours,
3 credits.
REL 102. Eastern Religions
Examination of the doctrines and development of Eastern religions: Hinduism,
Jainism,
Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. 3 hours, 3 credits.
Not offered 2002-2003:
PHI
102. Introduction to Ethics
PHI
103. The Great Philosophers
PHI
104. Philosophy of Human Nature
PHI
202. American Philosophy
PHI
205. Philosophy of Religion
REL
204. Art and Religion in the Western Tradition
The
Department of Art, Music, and Philosophy now offers a Philosophy minor,
designed to give students interested in philosophy in itself--and those who
simply want an extra helping of the critical thinking and conceptual
clarification philosophy provides—a chance to have their critical appetites
gratified and recognized. This minor, like others, is noted on the student’s
transcript. It is particularly beneficial for students planning to go on to law
school and other graduate programs.
Philosophy
courses satisfying the requirements of the minor include:
Philosophy
105: Critical Thinking and Informal Logic
Philosophy
203: Political Philosophy
Philosophy
204: Logic
Philosophy
205: Philosophy of Religion
Philosophy
231: Knowing, Being, & Doing: Philosophical Method and Its Applications
Philosophy
310: Ethics & Law
Philosophy
321: Police Ethics
Philosophy
322: Judicial and Correctional Ethics
Philosophy
340: Utopian Thought
Philosophy
391: Philosophy of Mind
The
following religion courses may also be applied toward the requirement:
Religion
101: Western Religion
Religion
102: Eastern Religion
Requirement
for the Minor:
1.
A
student must complete 18 credits—6
courses—on philosophical subjects.
2.
At
least two of the six courses must be 300-level courses.
3.
Independent
study courses, arranged between a student and an agreeable supervising faculty
member, can also be used to fill the 18-credit requirement. (For details on
Independent study courses, see p. 38 of the John Jay College Undergraduate Bulletin.)
If
you are interested in philosophy or are considering the minor, you should
consult any of the full-time philosophy faculty for further information or
contact the departmental office at 237-8325.