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701 Classics of Ancient
Political Thought (3)
This course will be devoted to a study of classical works of ancient
political philosophy in the Western tradition, with an emphasis
on Plato and Aristotle.
702: Classics of Modern Political Thought
(3)
This course will be devoted to a study of classical works of modern
political philosophy in the Western tradition, covering such thinkers
as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, and Mill.
703: Masterworks of Western Literature I (3)
This course will examine literary works, ancient and medieval, that
have played an important role in shaping Western thought and imagination.
Course material may indluce readings from the Bible, Homer, the Greek tragedians, Vergil, or Dante, as well as films based on or related to these literary works.
704: Masterworks of Western Literature II
(3)
This course will examine literary works central to the Western tradition
from the Renaissance to the 20th century. Course material may include readings from Cervantes, Shakespeare, Goethe, Dostoevsky, Kafka, or Camus as well as films based on or related to these literary works.
705 Understanding America I (3)
This course is a survey of American philosophy from the time of
the Puritans to the end of the Civil War. The primary focus is on
social, political, and religious issues and the origins of the American
intellectual tradition of pluralism. The course covers such thinkers
as Jonathan Edwards, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Frederick
Douglass, Emerson, Thoreau, and Abraham Lincoln.
706 Understanding America II (3)
This course is a survey of American thought from the end of the
Civil War to the present day. The primary focus is on the social
and political consequences of the core philosophical ideas of Pragmatism
and post-Pragmatism. The course covers such thinkers as Peirce,
James, Dewey, Quine, Rorty, Davidson, and Burge.
707 The Political World (3)
This course examines political institutions and changes in political systems in the modern epoch. Areas covered may include the United States, Europe, Russia, Japan, China, Latin America, or the Islamic world.
708 The Economic World (3)
This course examines political economy in the context of current challenges of the emerging global economy. Areas covered may include the United States, Europe, Russia, Japan, China, Latin America, or the Islamic world.
709 Religion in an Age of Science (3)
The objective of this course is to examine the evolving integration of
science and religion-the principal intellectual influences inWestern
civilization and increasingly in world cultures-in an attempt to
project their roles into the third Millennium.
710 Rhetoric in Western Societies (3)
The objective of this course is to build a better understanding
of the development of rhetorical theory, how it has been taught,
and how it has been applied in Western societies.
711 Mind and Knowledge (3)
This course examines how cognitive systems, from the simplest to the most complex, perceive, form beliefs, and acquire knowledge.
712 Culture Change (3)
No culture is completely static with cultural traits being influenced by both external and internal variables. Are cultures changing more rapidly in the 21st century? A cross-cultural/comparative approach to the study of culture change will be used to examine such topics as globalization, cultural ecology, world systems, and technology/information.
713 Love, Romance, and Marriage in Literature and Film (3)
In this course, we will look at the portrayal of love, romance, and marriage in modern society in short stories, plays, and films.
714 The Representation of War in Literature and Film (3)
In this course, we will look at the ways war has been portrayed by writers or film directors and address a number of important questions: Why do countries go to war? When, if ever, is resorting to war legitimate or necessary? What are the psychological effects of the experience of battle? What standards of human character are invoked in time of war?
716 Contemporary Culture in Literature and Film (3)
In this course, we will look at problems in our contemporary culture as they have been represented in short stories, plays, and films.
717 The Urban Experience (3)
In 1800, 3% of the world's population lived in urban areas.
By 2030, it is expected that 60% of the world population will be
urban, with most urban growth occurring in less developed countries.
Against the backdrop of this dramatically changing demographic reality,
this course explores how individual persons and cultures experience,
process, interpret, and express the urban milieu.
719 Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications
of the Human Genome Project (3)
While introducing students to the basic science of genetics, this course will focus primarily on exploring some of the major ethical, legal, and social concerns raised by the Human Genome Project.
720 Ethics of Science and Technology (3)
This course explores some of the major ethical, legal, and social concerns raised by the role of science and technology in modern life.
722 Criminology (3)
This course will cover four areas important to the academic study of crime and justice: What are the sources of criminality? How is crime studied and reported? Is there a racial or ethnic bias in the US criminal justice system? What is the relationship between how crime is theorized and how people are punished?
723 Liberty and Diversity (3)
This course examines some traditional philosophical grounds for accepting liberty, and then considers contemporary challenges. Along the way, we will discuss the role that community and tradition should play in a pluralistic society.
724 Justice, Law, and Public Policy (3)
This course will examine considerations of justice and morality that help shape law and public policy. Issues to be discussed may include: crime and punishment, drugs, gun control, treatment of enemy combatants, torture, surveilance and privacy, free speech, and national security.
725 Verbal and Visual Rhetoric (3)
This course will focus on theories and practices of verbal discourse
in comparison with visual imagery and technology. While concentrating
on rhetorics of western cultures, some comparison will be made with
rhetorical discourse and imagery in other cultures. The course will
examine topics such as the interfaces of religion and politics,
mass media and persuasive campaigns, or the role of values in institutional
leadership and issue campaigns.
726 History of Religion in America (3)
This course surveys the development of different religious traditions in the United States from the 17th through the 20th centuries. The diverse origins of America's early settlers and the guarantees of religious freedom embedded in the Constitution encouraged a religiously diverse society. We will explore that diversity and also seek commonalities between religious movements and their impact on the larger society.
750 Independent Study (3)
For specific topics, see Schedule of Classes.
850 Master's Thesis Course (3)
998 Master's Research
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