Environmental Ethics

An upper-level course that examines fundamental questions about humanity’s place on Earth and its relation to the nonhuman, questions such as: Does nature possess intrinsic value? What do we owe nonhumans? What is ‘wilderness’ and why should it be valued? What is the nature of technology and what role has it played in the ecological crisis of the 20^th century?

Ethics

An upper-level course introducing students to the major normative ethical theories in the Western philosophical tradition (utilitarianism, virtue ethics, deontology, care ethics) and the principles behind moral decision-making.

Environmental Philosophy

A course introducing students to what philosophers have said about nature and the environment, as well as the environmental crisis that defines life in the 21^st century. The focus is on some of the crucial disagreements between philosophers and the current controversies in recent environmental scholarship.

Contemporary Philosophical Issues

This course provides a focused analysis of philosophical questions central to contemporary social and political debate. Topics address current issues surrounding climate change, race, gender, technology, human rights, and political economy. Readings are drawn from
various areas of philosophical inquiry, including, but not limited to, the philosophy of race and gender, animal liberation, environmental philosophy, phenomenology, and social and political philosophy.

Introduction to Philosophy

This course explores central philosophical topics including the nature of knowledge and truth, identity and oppression, what it means to live a “good life,” the distinction between humans and nature, and the relationshipbetween individuals and society. Readings are drawn from classical, contemporary, canonical, and non-canonical philosophers. Students not only apply philosophical insights to contemporary issues and aspects of human life, but also explore the way philosophy is a practice—a particular mode of inquiry or orientation toward the world. By way of the course readings and class discussions, emphasis is placed on building proficiency in the art of critical thinking.

Introduction to Environmental Studies

This course offers students an introduction to the main themes of environmental studies. It uses an interdisciplinary approach to explore the ways humans affect and relate to the natural world. Students read seminal works by philosophers, historians, geographers, sociologists, scientists, economists, journalists, and others in order to understand how social, political, cultural, economic, and ecological processes interact to create the world as we know it today. The course surveys a range of environmental problems, including species extinction, climate change, overconsumption, environmental racism, the tragedy of the commons, sustainable agriculture, and the Anthropocene.

Philosophy of Human Nature (Eloquentia Perfecta 1)

A writing and speaking intensive course aimed at freshman that reflects on metaphysical and epistemological questions about human nature. 60% of the course is devoted to reading Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, and Descartes. 40% of the course incorporates readings from underrepresented and non canonical philosophers.

Critical Thinking

A course introducing students to the principles of sound reasoning and logic. Special attention is paid to deductive and inductive arguments, logical fallacies, and the basics of symbolic logic.