Course Descriptions
BSU College of Arts and Sciences
Boise State University
1910 University Dr.
Boise, ID 83725-1550Ph.: (208) 426-3304
Fax: (208) 426-4332
Lower Division
PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy (3-0-3) (F/S) (Area I). A general introduction to some basic philosophical problems and concepts, with attention to selected major philosophers and with an emphasis on philosophical method.
PHIL 201 Introduction to Logic (3-0-3) (F/S) (Area I) (Formerly Phil. 221). A study of the concepts and methods used in the analysis and evaluation of arguments with an emphasis on the structure of arguments.
PHIL 211 Ethics (3-0-3) (S). An investigation of the validity of moral claims, the use of moral language, and the evaluation of classical efforts--for example, utilitarianism--to provide a test of moral rightness.
PHIL 221 Asian Philosophy (3-0-3) (S) (Alternate years) (Formerly Phil. 201). An examination of the philosophical teachings of the great oriental thinkers through a study of classical texts selected from the traditions of Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
PHIL 231 Philosophy of Religion (3-0-3) (F) (Alternate years). An introduction to basic philosophical issues connected with religious belief such as the nature and existence of God, the problem of evil, miracles, and the significance of religious experience.
Upper Division
PHIL 304 Symbolic Logic (3-0-3) (S) (Alternate years). A study of techniques of validation in propositional and predicate logic, with emphasis on the construction of formal proofs. Some attention will be given to metalogical notions such as consistency and completeness. PREREQ: PHIL 201 or MATH 187.
PHIL 305 Ancient Greek Philosophy (3-0-3) (F). An introduction to the origins of Western philosophy in the ancient world, with emphasis on Plato and Aristotle. PREREQ: PHIL 101.
PHIL 307 Medieval Philosophy (3-0-3) (S) (Alternate years). A survey of major developments in Western philosophy from St. Augustine to Nicholas of Cusa with emphasis on selected figures. PREREQ: PHIL 101.
PHIL 309 Modern Philosophy (3-0-3) (F) (Alternate years). A survey of developments in Western philosophy from Descartes to Kant with emphasis on selected figures. PREREQ: PHIL 101.
PHIL 315 Phenomenology and Existentialism (3-0-3) (S) (Alternate years). An exploration of the nature of conscious experience and the place of dread and choice in human existence with emphasis on selected figures in the tradition of European philosophy established by Kierkegaard and Husserl. PREREQ: PHIL 101.
PHIL 337 Aesthetics (3-0-3) (F) (Alternate years). A course in the philosophy of the fine arts covering such topics as the existence and nature of works of art, aesthetic experience, artistic creativity, the species of aesthetic value, and the nature of beauty.
PHIL 406 Philosophy of Science (3-0-3) (S) (Alternate years). A study of philosophical issues raised by reflection on the nature of science and the results of scientific inquiry. PREREQ: Phil. 101 and either PHIL 201 or MATH 187.
PHIL 410 Philosophy of Mind (3-0-3) (F/S) (Offered on demand). An examination of various solutions to the mid/body problem, the problem of other minds, as well as related mental concepts. Problems of action theory may be explored.PREREQ: PHIL 101.
PHIL 413 Analytic Philosophy (3-0-3) (S) (Alternate years). A critical examination of the development of the analytic method in Anglo-American philosophy with attention to such selected figures as Frege, Russell, Moore, Wittgenstein, and Austin. PREREQ: PHIL 101 and PHIL 201.
PHIL 433 Metaphysics (3-0-3) (F) (Alternate years). An investigation of the basic problems about the nature of reality. Possible topics in clue personal identity, the nature of mind, freedom and determinism, the nature of causation, and the problem of universals. PREREQ: PHIL 101.
PHIL 435 Epistemology (3-0-3) (F) (Alternate years). An investigation of basic problems concerning knowledge and the justification of belief. Possible topics include attempts to define knowledge and related concepts, the problem of skepticism, and the problem of other minds. PREREQ: PHIL 101.
PHIL 441 Classical Political Thought (3-0-3) (F) (Alternate years). Development of political philosophy from Socrates to Machiavelli. This course may be taken for either PHIL or POLS credit, but not both. PREREQ: POLS 101, 141, or PHIL 101.
PHIL 442 Modern Political Thought (3-0-3) (S) (Alternate years). Development of political philosophy since Machiavelli. PREREQ: PHIL./POLS 441. This course may be taken for either PHIL or POLS credit, but not both. PREREQ: POLS 101, 141, or PHIL 101.
PHIL 443 Contemporary Political Thought (3-0-3) (F/S) (every year). DevelopmentMajor trends in political thought from the post-French Revolutionary era, which may include German idealism, historicism, existentialism, nihilism, and Marxism. PREREQ: PHIL./POLS 441. This course may be taken for either PHIL or POLS credit, but not both. PREREQ: POLS 101, 141, or PHIL 101.
PHIL 489 Senior Tutorial (3-0-3) (F). Directed research culminating in the writing of a senior essay to be approved by the members of the philosophy faculty. PREREQ: Senior standing in philosophy major and approval by the department chair of a Tutorial Project Proposal by April 1 of the semester preceding the semester when the Tutorial is taken.
