Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

This course outlines basic study and research techniques, the use of libraries, and the importance of research methodology and analysis for the social sciences. It is a writing intensive course that requires a sound understanding of written communication. Students enrolling in this course should be familiar with proper citations and documentation, grammar and syntax, organizing their writing, and parts of a paper. (Prerequisite: ENGL101 or ENGL102).

Pre Reqs: Proficiency in Writing(ENGL101),Effectiveness in Writing(ENGL102)

This course is intended to equip the student with a baseline understanding of issues and concepts that compose the Western philosophic enterprise, and to serve as a point of departure for their further studies in Philosophy.

This course is an examination of the historical and contemporary concepts and techniques used in logic and emphasizes modern and classical treatments of topics such as quantification and rules of inference. The course will cover the principles of induction, informal fallacies, and uses of logic in everyday life. (Prerequisite: PHIL101).

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Philosophy(PHIL101)

This course examines the leading ethical thinkers, research, and writings that dominate the history of moral philosophy from the ancient to the contemporary periods, including such traditional philosophers as Aristotle, Kant, and Mill. Students will compare and contrast traditional Western theories and non-traditional, non-Western ethical theories, and recognize the main objections to traditional Western ethical theories. (Pre-requisite: PHIL101).

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Philosophy(PHIL101)

This course examines themes in the thought of Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoic, Epicurean, and neo-Platonist philosophers of the ancient world. It enables the student to enter the “great conversation” of western civilization as well as debate the fundamental questions that surround science, religion, self-awareness, ethics, and politics. (Prerequisite: PHIL101).

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Philosophy(PHIL101)

This course considers the synthesis of Christianity with classical pagan philosophy achieved by St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. What became of the ancients’ ideal of human knowledge in an age when philosophy became the “handmaid of theology"? What were the underpinnings of the “natural law” conception of moral and political philosophy? How did this medieval synthesis break down, on the scientific side with Galileo’s challenge to Aristotelian physics and astronomy, and on the moral and political side with Machiavelli’s portrayal of a Renaissance prince? (Note to Students: The course materials, assignments, learning outcomes, and expectations in this upper level undergraduate course assume that the student has completed all lower level general education and career planning coursework necessary to develop research, writing, and critical thinking skills. Students who have not fulfilled all general education requirements through courses or awarded transfer credit should strongly consider completing these requirements prior to registering for this course. (Prerequisite: PHIL101).

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Philosophy(PHIL101)

This course is an examination of specific topics in philosophy that are of central interest and interdisciplinary in nature. Topics are selected with reference to the areas of technology, aesthetics, philosophy of religion, as well as ethics, social, and political philosophy. Topics include but are not limited to homosexuality, abortion, drugs, civil disobedience, capital punishment, and the rights of the individual versus the rights of society. (Pre-requisite: PHIL101).

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Philosophy(PHIL101)

This course follows the development of the European philosophical tradition through the age of religious upheaval, secular enlightenment, and scientific and democratic revolutions. The key themes addressed in the course include the social contract theory, toleration, freedom of thought, and the enlightenment ideal. (Pre-requisite: PHIL101).

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Philosophy(PHIL101)

This course is the contemporary discussion of philosophic thought. It addresses the leading thinkers and theories of the past two centuries and includes but is not limited to Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche, Sartre, and Arendt. (Pre-requisite: PHIL101).

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Philosophy(PHIL101)

This course has a concentration on the major functions and structure as well as processes that underline ethical issues and types associated within the American Criminal Justice System. This course will explore the structure and nature of the various types of ethical debates within the American judicial system. There will be an assessment of the ethics in criminal justice, as it explores the issues of morality, virtue, honesty, and making ethical decisions in the United States criminal justice system. Assessments of various issues will be examined as they relate to decision making and ethics.

This course is a study of the moral and ethical responsibilities of managers in the conduct of daily activity inside and outside of the business enterprise. The morality of profit-making, fair and equal treatment of employees, and the responsibility of the business firm to the society in which it exists are analyzed and discussed. Equally stressed will be the idea of the individual's responsibility within the organization.

This course is a study of basic concepts in military strategy and tactics viewed through the prism of the selected readings from well-known military philosophers. Both ancient and modern philosophers will be studied. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course is an examination of moral issues and dilemmas within the health care profession based on associated ethical theories and principles. The course puts special emphasis on patient's rights, social justice of health care, and evolving health care technologies.

This course is an introduction to the three great traditions of Chinese philosophy: Confucianism, Taoism, and Ch’an Buddhism. Modern translations and commentaries of the classical texts will be used.

This course is an introduction to the Japanese philosophical tradition. Zen Buddhist teachings will be examined through two quite different but equally representative schools: "zazen" - sitting in meditation, and "koan" - Zen riddles. The Bushido or Samurai teachings will also be examined. Modern translations and commentaries of the classical texts will be used.

This course is a study of environmental issues from a moral and philosophical approach. Issues raised in the course include the moral obligation, or lack thereof, to preserve and protect the environment, the ethical presumptions that underlie environmental policy, the traditional theories of moral philosophy applicable to contemporary environmental problems, and the potential for a new conception of the relationship between humanity and nature.

This course is a critical examination of problems concerning knowledge and belief; for example, how are beliefs acquired and justified, are there limits to knowledge, what is the scope and reliability of reason and experience, what counts as an explanation, how are truth, meaning and reality related? Readings will be from historical and contemporary sources, e.g., Descartes, Kant, Russell, Wittgenstein, Quine.

What is it that we name, what is it that we mean, when we say God? Although we may speak of God as if we are naming some entity or being whose identity we hold in common understanding, as we will see, God is a name used to express a range of concepts and experiences that have varying and often conflicting features. In this class we will examine some of these concepts and descriptions of experiences of the divine. Ultimately, however, this is not a study of God but of man and his attempt to understand his relation within and between God and the world.

This course is a study of the set of philosophical ideals that emphasizes the existence of the human being, the lack of meaning and purpose in life, and the solitude of human existence. The course will cover the existentialist philosophy and its leading historical proponents.

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.

This capstone course is an intensive study of major figure(s) and or movement(s) in philosophic thought. Students will integrate knowledge acquired in previous courses into critical analyses of movements, theories and principles that have influenced historical and contemporary thought in philosophy.This is a capstone course to be taken after all other Philosophy courses have been satisfactorily completed. Student must have SENIOR standing to register.