Offered by the Philosophy Program
College of Fine Arts and Humanities
PHIL Courses
- PHIL 100GS - Introduction to Philosophy - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
What is Philosophy? This course seeks both to convey a sense of what philosophy has been and to engage the student in a
philosophical dialogue concerning perennial and contemporary issues. Among topics dealt with are: freedom, God, knowledge,
morality and justice.
- PHIL 105GS - Philosophical Roots of American Democracy - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
This course is designed to emphasize the philosophical roots of Democracy by reading primary works from Greek philosophy,
literature, the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The students will analyze the ideals of justice,
citizenship, virtue, rights, liberty, and the constitution of government and develop an understanding of what are the duties
and responsibilities of informed citizens.
- PHIL 110 - Introduction to Logic - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
The systematic study of valid arguments with emphasis upon analysis and evaluation of arguments in ordinary language.
- PHIL 120GS - Introduction to Ethics - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Introduction to a philosophical analysis of the idea of an ethical life: reading and critical discussion of both historical and
contemporary sources.
- PHIL 188GS - General Studies Portal - 3 hours
- Prereq: freshman or sophomore standing
Students analyze critical issues confronting individuals and society in a global context as they pertain to the discipline in
which the Portal course is taught. The Portal is intended to help students succeed in their university education by being
mentored in process of thinking critically about important ideas and articulating their own conclusions. Students may take the
Portal in any discipline, irrespective of their major or minor. Satisfies the General Studies Portal course requirement. Students
may take their Portal course in any discipline. Students who transfer 24 or more hours of General Studies credit to UNK are
exempt from taking a portal course.
- PHIL 201 - Formal Logic - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
The formal study of valid arguments, with emphasis upon problem solving through symbolic manipulation.
- PHIL 250GS - Ancient Philosophy - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Reading and critical analysis of the texts of the philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome with an emphasis on Socrates, Plato
and Aristotle.
- PHIL 251GS - Medieval Philosophy - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Reading and critical analysis of the major philosophical issues of the middle ages, such as the relation of faith and reason and
philosophy to theology, the interpretation of texts, and the conflict between the vita activa and the vita contemplative.
- PHIL 253GS - Modern Philosophy - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Reading and critical analysis of texts of seventeenth and eighteenth century philosophers such as Descartes, Locke, Hume and
Berkeley.
- PHIL 254 - Contemporary Philosophy - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Study of contemporary issues and methods in Philosophy, including, but not limited to, Phenomenology, Existentialism, Analytic
Philosophy.
- PHIL 260GS - Philosophy of Culture - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
An examination of the concept of culture in the development of the individual, group or class, and of a whole society using
works from Indian, Asian, Native American, European, Slavic and Christian thinkers.
- PHIL 305 - Social and Political Philosophy - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Study of the fundamental principles of political and social organization, and the concepts of community, justice, law and
economy.
- PHIL 309 - Philosophy of Mind - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Critical analysis of philosophical ideas of concepts such as perception, sensation, emotion, action and will.
- PHIL 314 - Philosophy of Religion: Reason and Faith - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Problems concerning religious language, the nature and existence of God, and the purpose and meaning of religious life,
including criticism thereof.
- PHIL 360 - Philosophy of Science - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Critical study of the aims, methods and the good(s) of the sciences. Using original works in various sciences, this course will
examine the "why and wherefore" of scientific inquiry and progress.
- PHIL 388GS - General Studies Capstone - 3 hours
- Prereq: open to juniors and seniors or to students within 6 hours of completion of their General Studies program
An interdisciplinary experience where students apply the knowledge, cognitive abilities, and communication skills they have
gained from General Studies in designing and completing an original project or paper. Students employ methods and interpretive
means of two or more disciplines to integrate knowledge and synthesize their results. Satisfies the General Studies capstone
course requirement. Students may take their Capstone course in any discipline.
- PHIL 400 - Ethics - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Reading and critical analysis of historic and contemporary discussions of the concept of morality.
- PHIL 410 - Metaphysics - 3 hours
- Prereq: 3 hours of philosophy at the 100 level or permission of instructor
Investigation of the concepts of reality, existence, truth and being. Specific topic to be announced in the class schedule.
- PHIL 420 - Independent Study - 1-3 hours
- Prereq: none
Arrange with instructor.
- PHIL 425 - Aesthetics - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
This course will study the nature and purposes of art.
- PHIL 451 - Philosophy in Literature - 3 hours
- Prereq: 3 hours of philosophy at the 100 level or permission of instructor
Philosophical issues as expressed in the novel, drama, and poetry.
- PHIL 490 - Seminar in Philosopher or Movement - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Specific philosopher or movement to be announced in the class schedule. May be repeated as topic varies.
