Please see the section on Course Description Symbols and Terms in the University Catalog for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units. All courses are lecture and discussion and employ letter grading unless otherwise stated. Some prerequisites may be waived with faculty permission. Many syllabi are available on the Chico Web.

Philosophy Course Offerings

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
PHIL 101	Introduction to Philosophy	3.0	FS	GE
An introduction to philosophical thought and skills. Issues that traditionally have been of central importance in philosophical inquiry, such as the nature of knowledge, reality, and values, will be emphasized. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (007155)
PHIL 101H	Introduction to Philosophy -- Honors	3.0	SP	GE
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program. A special section of PHIL 101 open only to students with demonstrated academic talent. Interested students should consult with the University Honors Advisor. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (007156)
PHIL 102	Logic and Critical Thinking	3.0	FS	GE
A practical course in clear thinking and sound reasoning, which includes training in recognizing and avoiding the most commonly made mistakes in reasoning. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (007151)
PHIL 102E	Logic and Critical Thinking -- ESL	3.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: For Students with English as a Second Language. A special section of Logic and Critical Thinking open only to students with English as a Second Language. Interested students should consult with international evaluations. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (007152)
PHIL 102H	Logic and Critical Thinking -- Honors	3.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program. A special section of Logic and Critical Thinking open only to students with demonstrated academic talent. Interested students should consult with the University Honors Advisor. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (007153)
PHIL 104	The Good Life	3.0	FS	GE
A critical survey of different theories of happiness and meaning in life, including discussion of the roles of moral values, mental health, art, music, and food and drink in living well. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (007163)
PHIL 107	Human Existence	3.0	FS
Philosophical interpretations of the human condition as reflected in and affected by modern developments in the arts, science, society, and philosophy. The course covers modern approaches to freedom, consciousness, subjectivity, language, history, alienation, power, and creativity. 3 hours lecture. (007167)
PHIL 108	Philosophical Methods	3.0	FA
The course provides students intensive training to think, read, and write as clearly and as philosophically as they can be trained to do. One important philosophical problem is used as the sample problem. Students write a short weekly essay and have class discussions of their essays as well as of the reading material. 3 hours lecture. (015857)
PHIL 109	Roots of War and Prospects for Peace	3.0	FS	GE
A critical examination of diverse philosophical views regarding the causes of war and the prospects for peace. 3 hours seminar. This is an approved General Education course. (021191)
PHIL 110	Comparative Peace Studies	3.0	FS	GE
An interdisciplinary cross-cultural survey of prospects for peace. Focuses on non-violent modes of conflict resolution. Major philosophical and social scientific ideas from both the pacifist and non-pacifist traditions are examined in depth. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (021192)
PHIL 129	Environmental Ethics	3.0	FS	GE
An examination of a variety of approaches to the development of an environmental ethic, including "shallow" and "deep" environmentalism, the balance of nature argument, and the Gaia hypothesis. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (021190)
PHIL 189	Philosophy Internship	1.0 -3.0	FS
9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. (007178)
PHIL 198	Special Topics	1.0 -3.0	FS
Prerequisites: Department permission. This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours supervision. (007180)
PHIL 201	History of Ancient Philosophy	3.0	FS
Western philosophical thought from the pre-Socratics through Stoicism, including movements and figures such as Pythagoreanism, Plato, Aristotle, and Epicureanism. 3 hours lecture. (007181)
PHIL 204	Science and Religion	3.0	FA	GE
This course is also offered as RELS 241. In this course we investigate the long and complicated relationship between science and religion by examining both the conflict and co-operation between theologians, philosophers, and scientists in the Western and Eastern worlds throughout history and into the modern age. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (007201)
PHIL 207	The Meaning of Life	3.0	FS	GE
Is there meaning or purpose to life? Does science help or hinder the search for meaning? This course examines philosophical and scientific perspectives on the meaning of life, the nature of happiness, and how to think about the value and purpose of your life. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (021531)
PHIL 212	Introduction to Chinese Philosophy	3.0	FA
In this course students study some of the most important philosophers in ancient China, who were the central figures of the main philosophical schools from the pre-Ch'in period (from the 5th through the 3rd centuries B.C.) to the Ming Dynasty (from 1368-1644). 3 hours lecture. (021150)
PHIL 217	Existentialism	3.0	FS	GE
An examination of existentialism from Kierkegaard and Nietzsche to Sartre, and de Beauvoir. An analysis of the basic forces, concepts, and figures which have shaped existentialism. Formerly PHIL 307. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (021534)
PHIL 301	Medieval Philosophy	3.0	INQ
Origins and development of medieval philosophy, centering on its central themes as presented by Plotinus, St. Augustine, Proclus, John Scotus Erigena, Alfarabi, Avicenna, Averroes, Roger Bacon, St. Thomas Aquinas, Duns Scotus, and William of Ockham. 3 hours discussion. (007184)
PHIL 302	History of Modern Philosophy	3.0	FA
Western philosophical thought from the Renaissance through Kant, including Bacon, Hobbes, Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, and Hume. 3 hours lecture. (007182)
PHIL 303	History of 19th Century Philosophy	3.0	FS
Western philosophical thought from Kant through the twentieth century, including the phenomenological and analytic traditions in western philosophy. 3 hours lecture. (007183)
PHIL 304	Analytic Philosophy	3.0	SP
Study of central figures in analytic philosophy, including Wittgenstein, Quine, Davidson, and Kripke, emphasizing philosophy of language and philosophy of mind. 3 hours seminar. (007203)
PHIL 305	Continental Philosophy	3.0	FA
The phenomenological movement and its impact on philosophy, literature, and psychology, with attention to Husserl's views on mind, body, and intersubjectivity and Heidegger's ideas of being-in-the-world, authenticity, and death. 3 hours seminar. (007204)
PHIL 306	American Philosophy	3.0	FS
A study of the major philosophic movements which have originated in the United States or had a significant impact on its institutions and culture. 3 hours discussion. (007174)
PHIL 320	Ethics	3.0	SP
An introduction to moral theory, including such figures as Plato, Aristotle, Kant, and Mill. Alternative views concerning fundamental moral questions will be explored. 3 hours seminar. (007190)
PHIL 321	Ethics and Human Happiness	3.0	FS
An investigation of major contemporary theories of human happiness. Emphasis will be placed on analyzing the philosophical assumptions which they make about human nature, on evaluating the ethical content of these theories, and applying these theories to one's everyday life. 3 hours discussion. (007191)
PHIL 322	Science and Human Values	3.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: One biological sciences course. This course is also offered as BIOL 322. Critically examines scientific and humanistic world views and sensibilities, directly applying these approaches to contemporary social and personal problems. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (001148)
PHIL 322I	Science and Human Values - Writing Intensive	3.0	FS	GE WI
Prerequisites: One biological sciences course. This course is also offered as BIOL 322I. Critically examines scientific and humanistic world views and sensibilities, directly applying these approaches to contemporary social and personal problems. 3 hours lecture.This is an approved Writing Intensive course. This is an approved General Education course. (021254)
PHIL 323	Moral Issues in Parenting	3.0	FS	GE GC
A philosophical investigation of the moral and legal dimensions of parenting. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (007212)
PHIL 323Z	Moral Issues in Parenting - Capstone	3.0	FS	GE GC WI C
A philosophical investigation of the moral and legal dimensions of parenting. 3 hours lecture.This is an approved Writing Intensive course. This is an approved General Education Capstone course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (021242)
PHIL 327	Health Ethics	3.0	FS	GE
Inquiry into ethical issues faced in the pursuit of individual and social health. Topics include alternative ideas of health, ethical theories, responsibilities of health professionals, access to health care, and environmental health. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (007225)
PHIL 327Z	Health Ethics - Capstone	3.0	FS	GE WI C
Inquiry into ethical issues faced in the pursuit of individual and social health. Topics include alternative ideas of health, ethical theories, responsibilities of health professionals, access to health care, and environmental health. 3 hours lecture.This is an approved Writing Intensive course. This is an approved General Education Capstone course. (021351)
PHIL 328	Business Ethics and Social Policy	3.0	INQ
An examination of ethical issues that arise in business decisions and the formulation of social policy involving business, e.g. employee rights, consumer and environmental protection, advertising, and affirmative action. Moral theory and alternative conceptions of justice will also be discussed. 3 hours lecture. (007226)
PHIL 332	Criminal Justice Ethics	3.0	FS
This course is also offered as POLS 332. An investigation of contemporary moral issues involved in police work and corrections, such as deadly force, entrapment, undercover work, corruption, and prisoners' rights. 3 hours seminar. (007269)
PHIL 335	Regional Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl	3.0	FA
Preperation for the Regional Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl (RIEB) competition that includes review of moral theory, introduction to skills in moral problem solving, application of theory to moral dilemmas across a wide range of personal, social, and professional environments, and oral presentation of solutions to moral dilemmas. Require travel to and participation in the RIEB (one weekend during semester). 3 hours lecture. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 9.0 units. (020605)
PHIL 336	American Indian Environmental Philosophies	3.0	FS	GE USD
An exploration of traditional and contemporary American Indian thought regarding people in relationship to the human and nonhuman worlds, with focus on land ethic, animal ethics, sustainability. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (020644)
PHIL 337	Philosophy of Race	3.0	FS	GE USD
Prerequisite: 45 lower-division units. This course introduces and analyzes the predominant philosophical, cultural, and scientific views on race and examines the issue of racism primarily in contemporary American culture. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (021207)
PHIL 337I	Philosophy of Race - Writing Intensive	3.0	FS	GE USD WI
Prerequisite: 45 lower-division units. This course introduces and analyzes the predominant philosophical, cultural, and scientific views on race and examines the issue of racism primarily in contemporary American culture. 3 hours lecture.This is an approved Writing Intensive course. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (021267)
PHIL 339	Confronting the Animal: Theory, Culture, and Practice	3.0	FS	GE
This course is also offered as RELS 339. Draws on religion, philosophy, ethics, cultural analysis, and science to explore the nature and roles of the animal in religious, cultural, scientific, and ethical beliefs and practices. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (021122)
PHIL 339Z	Confronting the Animal: Theory, Culture, and Practice - Capstone	3.0	FS	GE WI C
This course is also offered as RELS 339Z. Draws on religion, philosophy, ethics, cultural analysis, and science to explore the nature and roles of the animal in religious, cultural, scientific, and ethical beliefs and practices. 3 hours lecture.This is an approved Writing Intensive course. This is an approved General Education Capstone course. (021362)
PHIL 340	Social and Political Philosophy	3.0	FS
A philosophical examination of the nature and function of the human community and the political state, and of the implications for individual life of alternative conceptions of society and politics. 3 hours seminar. (007198)
PHIL 341	Justice and Global Issues	3.0	FS	GE GC
Inquiry into different theories of justice, and their implications for contemporary political issues. Topics include inequality, crime policy, taxes, immigration, globalization, war, and sustainability. 3 hours seminar. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (007211)
PHIL 341Z	Justice and Global Issues - Capstone	3.0	FS	GE GC WI C
Inquiry into different theories of justice, and their implications for contemporary political issues. Topics include inequality, crime policy, taxes, immigration, globalization, war, and sustainability. 3 hours seminar.This is an approved Writing Intensive course. This is an approved General Education Capstone course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (021243)
PHIL 342	Roots of War and Prospects for Peace	3.0	FS
changed to PHIL 109 - 021191. 3 hours seminar. (007224)
PHIL 344	Comparative Peace Studies	3.0	FS
changed to PHIL 110 - 021192. 3 hours lecture. (007228)
PHIL 360	Theory of Knowledge (Epistemology)	3.0	FA
Philosophical studies of the sources, nature, and criteria of knowledge; alternative approaches to problems of perception, meaning, and truth. 3 hours seminar. (007188)
PHIL 361	Metaphysics	3.0	SP
An examination of basic metaphysical problems, such as free will, the mind-body problem, life after death, and some of the systems of thought that attempt to deal with them. 3 hours seminar. (007189)
PHIL 363	History of Mind	3.0	FA
This course is also offered as PSYC 363. This course examines the history of two competing approaches to psychology, and it evaluates their philosophical and scientific merits. Implications for contemporary debates in psychology are discussed. 3 hours lecture. (007213)
PHIL 364	Machines, Brains, and Minds	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: Junior standing, faculty permission. This course is also offered as CSCI 380. An examination of the emergence of artificial mind in machines, with special attention to related issues in the philosophy of mind and cognitive science. 3 hours discussion. (002312)
PHIL 366	Science, Mind, and Ethics	3.0	FS
This course examines the impact of science on our understanding of the mind, and implications for ethical issues. Discussion of such topics as free will, personal identity, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, information technology, and sustainability, 3 hours discussion. (021123)
PHIL 370	Philosophy of Science	3.0	FS	GE
An examination of the philosophical issues raised by scientific inquiry. Topics include the logical empiricist view of science, perception, and discovery, scientific paradigms, and the implications of reductivism. 3 hours seminar. This is an approved General Education course. (007193)
PHIL 380	Intermediate Logic	3.0	FA
In this course students will learn classical propositional and predicate logic. The syntax, semantics and deductive systems of a few formal systems will be studied. 3 hours discussion. (007196)
PHIL 382	Sartre and Camus	3.0	INQ
Intensive reading and discussion of the writing of Satre & Camus. 3 hours seminar. (007309)
PHIL 383	Philosophy and Film	3.0	FS
Critical examination of selected cinematographic works, with special emphasis on the clarification and analysis of the philosophical ideas they entail. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (007248)
PHIL 384	Aesthetics	3.0	SP
A philosophical study of the nature and significance of art, with references to relevant works. The course considers such themes as the beautiful, the sublime, comedy, tragedy and the social psychological dimensions of art as well as the periods of Romanticism, Modernism, Postmodernism. 3 hours lecture. (020624)
PHIL 389	Philosophy Internship	1.0 -3.0	FS
9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. (007245)
PHIL 398	Special Topics	1.0 -3.0	FS
Investigation of special topics in philosophy. Open to upper-division students only. Variable content. 3 hours lecture. (007267)
PHIL 399	Special Problems	1.0 -3.0	FS
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (007268)
PHIL 420	Contemporary Moral Theory	3.0	FA	GW
Prerequisite: ENGL 130 or JOUR 130 (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher. An analysis of twentieth-century ethical theory. 3 hours seminar. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (007270)
PHIL 421	Seminar in Special Issues in Social and Political Philosophy	3.0	SP	GW
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 or JOUR 130 (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher. Intensive reading and discussion of special issues in social and political philosophy. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (007319)
PHIL 435	National Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl	3.0	SP
Prerequisite: PHIL 335 or faculty permission. Preperation for the National Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl (NIEB) competition that includes refining skills in moral problem solving, application of theory to moral dilemmas across a wide range of personal , social, and professional environments, and oral presentation of solutions to moral dilemmas. Requires travel to and participation in the NIEB (5-day block during semester). 3 hours lecture. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 9.0 units. (020606)
PHIL 438	Jurisprudence: Philosophy of Law	3.0	FS
This course is also offered as POLS 438. The philosophical nature and origins of law. Topics to be examined include theories of law, justice, the relationship of law to morality, natural law, responsibility, punishment, and other basic concepts. Approach is both theoretical and via case studies. 3 hours lecture. (007282)
PHIL 480	Advanced Logic	3.0	SP
Prerequisites: PHIL 380, faculty permission. Systematic treatment of truth functions and quantifiers; introduction to mathematical logic. Topics include syntax, semantics, and metatheory for the propositional and predicate calculi, elementary set theory. Russell's paradox, infinite sets. 3 hours discussion. (007195)
PHIL 489	Philosophy Internship	1.0 -3.0	FS
Prerequisites: Junior standing or above and either 9 units of philosophy or have declared philosophy as a major or minor, faculty permission. This course is an internship offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Internships in Philosophy: (a) assisting instructors in lower-division courses; (b) assisting the department in preparation of Philosophy Forums, or department-sponsored discussions, debates, and multimedia presentations; (c) working outside the academic program in government, community, or business, in tasks appropriate for philosophy students; or (d) assisting faculty in research. A maximum of 6 units may be counted toward the major or minor in philosophy. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. (007293)
PHIL 489T	Internship in Teaching Philosophy	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing and faculty permission. Supervised collaborative training in teaching, normally completed in two consecutive semesters. Focus in the first semester is on developing class plans and instructional communication skills. Focus in the second semester is on creating syllabi and developing competence in assessment. Registration is by arrangement with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. (007294)
PHIL 498	Special Topics	3.0	INQ
Prerequisites: Department permission. This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours lecture. (007330)
PHIL 499	Special Problems	1.0 -3.0	FS
Prerequisites: Faculty permission. This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 3 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (007331)
PHIL 499H	Senior Honors Research Paper	3.0	FS	GW
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 or JOUR 130 (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, acceptance into Honors in Philosophy, faculty permission. To provide opportunity for the student accepted for "Honors in the Major" to prepare and write a thesis on a topic germane to interests developed during the first three years of work in Philosophy. Research and writing will be done under supervision by a staff advisor and for the total of 6 units in consecutive semesters. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (007332)
PHIL 689	Internship in Teaching Philosophy	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and faculty permission. Supervised collaborative training in teaching, normally completed in two consecutive semesters. Focus in the first semester is on developing class plans and instructional communication skills. Focus in the second semester is on creating syllabi and developing competence in assessment. Registration is by arrangement with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (007333)
PHIL 697	Independent Study	1.0 -3.0	FS
Prerequisites: Open only to students pursuing a Master of Arts Degree with a special major, faculty permission. This course is a graduate-level independent study offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (007341)