PHIL 201	Introduction to Philosophy	3 CR
Prerequisite: COMPASS reading score of 70, or a “C” in STSK 98 or 99. Philosophy is the rational study of the ultimate questions of human existence. These topics will be investigated: What is reality? Does God exist? What is a person? What is consciousness or mind? What is knowledge? What moral, political, and educational ideals should we seek? What roles should religion, science, and art have in our lives? Special emphasis will be made to explore how a selected group of great philosophers of different cultures of the past, as well as modern times, have attempted to answer those questions. Humanities credit.
PHIL 201H	Introduction to Philosophy-Honors	3 CR
Prerequisite: an ACT composite score of 20 or higher, or an ASSET reading or writing score of 51 or higher, or a COMPASS reading or writing score of 93 or higher, or the written approval of the honors coordinator. Philosophy is the rational study of the ultimate questions of human existence. These topics will be investigated: What is reality? Does God exist? What is a person? What is consciousness of mind? What is knowledge? What moral, political, and educational ideals should we seek? What roles should religion, science, and art have in our lives? Special emphasis will be made to explore how a selected group of great philosophers of different cultures of the past, as well as modern times, have attempted to answer those questions. As an Honors section, the course will be based on a seminar format in which students will have an active role in discussing, analyzing, and presenting philosophical ideas with others in the class.
PHIL 202	Introduction to Ethics	3 CR
Prerequisite: COMPASS reading score of 70, or a “C” in STSK 98 or 99. Ethics is the philosophic study of moral values. These questions will be explored: What makes actions right or wrong? Can moral beliefs or values be proven or evaluated? What values of life should we strive for? Should we blame or punish people for their actions? Can rights be defined or justified? And is individual liberty more important than collective authority or societal needs? Practical applications to medicine, law, business, and world affairs will be made. Humanities credit.
PHIL 230	Philosophy of Religion	3 CR
Philosophy of religion is a branch of philosophy itself and, therefore, is about providing reasons and evaluating arguments for religious hypotheses. Students will develop an understanding of the basic tenets of major theistic systems, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Students will explore how they approach these philosophic subjects: systematic consistency, the nature of deity, the response to atheism, the role of religious experience, ethics, the problem of evil, the relationship between faith and reason, and others. Students will critically examine and compare many distinct world views in their analysis.
PHIL 250	Topics in Philosophy	2-4 CR
This course will discuss particular issues, topics, or authors in philosophy with a focus on introducing students to a cross-cultural perspective. Since the specific topic to be studied will change from semester to semester, students may repeat the course for up to six credit hours.
PHIL 298	Independent Study	1-4 CR
Prerequisite: departmental approval only. This course is an opportunity for the interested student with a good scholastic record to pursue independently the study of a subject while under the direction of a member of the professional staff. Subjects are chosen and arrangements are made to meet the needs of individual students.