Philosophy

Introduction to Western Philosophy I: Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
AUPHI 101

Introduction to the main problems and theories that have dominated philosophical thought, through study and critical discussion of selected classics of ancient and medieval philosophy.

Introduction to Western Philosophy II: Modern Philosophy
AUPHI 102

Continuation of an introduction to the main problems and theories that have dominated philosophical thought, through study and critical discussions of selected classics of modern philosophy.

Modern Political Philosophy
AUPHI 241

Historical and critical survey of the political ideas of modern Europe, from the end of the Renaissance to the end of the 19th century. Authors studied may include Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Wollstonecraft and Marx. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUPOL 211 and AUPHI 241.

Ethics
AUPHI 260

Examination of questions of right and wrong, good and evil, and reasons for action, through study of ethical theories of philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Kant, and Mill.

Philosophy of Contemporary Culture
AUPHI 290

Investigation of contemporary culture, both "popular" and "literate" (film, theatre, music, writing).

Existentialism
AUPHI 326

Introduction to the main themes and perspectives in recent existential philosophy. Authors such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, and Heidegger are considered.

Philosophy of Science
AUPHI 350

Philosophical approach to the presuppositions, attitudes, language, practices, and goals of the physical and social sciences. Topics may include theory evaluation, explanation, and the nature of scientific law.

Hermeneutics
AUPHI 420

Study of the philosophical theories about the nature of interpretation and understanding. Themes and texts are selected from the writings of Schleiermacher, Dilthey, Heidegger, Gadamer, Ricoeur, Derrida, Foucault, and others.

Phenomenology
AUPHI 425

Introduction to the phenomenological method, its history, and its importance for twentieth-century philosophy. Themes and texts are selected from the writings of Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Gurwitsch, Schutz, Merleau-Ponty, and others.

Selected Topics in the History of Philosophy I
AUPHI 490

In-depth study of a theme, philosopher, philosophical movement, or philosophical period. Prerequisite: AUPHI 102 or consent of the instructor.

Selected Topics in the History of Philosophy IV
AUPHI 493

In-depth study of a theme, philosopher, philosophical movement, or philosophical period. Prerequisite: AUPHI 102 or consent of the instructor.

Directed Studies I
AUPHI 495

Intensive study of a specific area of Philosophy as defined by a student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisites: *9 at a senior level in Philosophy and consent of the instructor. Note: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in the course.

Directed Studies II
AUPHI 496

Intensive study of a specific area of Philosophy as defined by a student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisites: *9 at a senior level in Philosophy and consent of the instructor. Note: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in the course.

Directed Studies III
AUPHI 497

Intensive study of a specific area of Philosophy as defined by a student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisites: *9 at a senior level in Philosophy and consent of the instructor. Note: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in the course.

Religion

Specific information for AUREL 270 (PDF)

Exploring Religious Meaning
AUREL 100

Exploration of religious meaning through the examination of selected themes from Christian theology and from other religions. The themes include ways of conceiving of the divine, the problem of evil, the human predicament, the relationship of religion and society, and ideas of salvation.

Jesus of Nazareth in Contemporary Theology
AUREL 208

Introduction to religious studies through an examination of contemporary theological interpretations of one central figure, Jesus of Nazareth. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUREL 208 and 207.

Spirituality and Globalization
AUREL 263

Critical investigation of the values and views of human nature implicit in the discourse of corporate globalization and of those within the alternative visions of Jesus and the Hebrew prophets.

Selected Topics in Religion and Public Life
AUREL 272

Exploration of several current issues of the intersection of religion and public life and of how various religious traditions engage them.

Major Religious Traditions: South Asia
AUREL 283

Major religious traditions of India, China, and Japan: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.

Religion and Ecology
AUREL 345

Examination of the relationship between ecology and religion from Christian and non-Christian perspectives. The course looks at ecological spirituality, ecotheology, animal rights, deep ecology, ecoactivism, and ecofeminism. It also devotes substantial time to ecological themes in Asian (Hindu, Buddhist, and Chinese) and traditional (native American and Australian aboriginal) religions. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUREL 345 and AUENV 345.

Theology of Luther
AUREL 347

Critical study of the genesis, development, and structure of Luther's theology.

Gods, Goddesses, and Gurus: An Introduction to Hinduism
AUREL 384

Introduction to the broad range of religious phenomena commonly referred to as "Hinduism," especially as expressed in contemporary India. The course explores the ways Hindus think about and visualize the divine. It examines Hindu sacred texts and popular religious literature, images and stories of the major Hindu gods and goddesses, how the divine is embodied in Hindu holy men and women, and the importance of sacred geography as the basis for religious pilgrimage. It also explores the ways this religious complex is being used by various political movements within India as a vehicle for shaping national identity.

Directed Reading in Religion I
AUREL 391

Intensive study in a specific area of religion as defined by the student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisite: Consent of the Instructor. Note: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in each of these courses.

Directed Reading in Religion II
AUREL 392

Intensive study in a specific area of religion as defined by the student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisite: Consent of the Instructor. Note: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in each of these courses.

Directed Reading in Religion III
AUREL 393

Intensive study in a specific area of religion as defined by the student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisite: Consent of the Instructor. Note: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in each of these courses.

Directed Reading in Religion IV
AUREL 394

Intensive study in a specific area of religion as defined by the student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisite: Consent of the Instructor. Note: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in each of these courses.

Directed Reading in Religion V
AUREL 395

Intensive study in a specific area of religion as defined by the student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisite: Consent of the Instructor. Note: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in each of these courses.

Directed Reading in Religion VI
AUREL 396

Intensive study in a specific area of religion as defined by the student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisite: *3 at a senior level in Religion or Consent of the Instructor. Note: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in each of these courses.

Directed Reading in Religion VII
AUREL 397

Intensive study in a specific area of religion as defined by the student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisite: *3 at a senior level in Religion or Consent of the Instructor. Note: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in each of these courses.

Directed Reading in Religion VIII
AUREL 398

Intensive study in a specific area of religion as defined by the student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisite: *3 at a senior level in Religion or Consent of the Instructor. Note: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in each of these courses.

Directed Reading in Religion IX
AUREL 399

Intensive study in a specific area of religion as defined by the student and a supervising instructor. Prerequisite: *3 at a senior level in Religion or Consent of the Instructor. Note: An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in each of these courses.