Current Course Offerings

2023 Courses

Fall Schedule of Classes 2023

*for a complete listing of Philosophy courses visit the official SMU catalog

1300. Introduction to Critical Thinking
Learning to analyze, evaluate, and present information in order to better assess one’s own beliefs and to persuade others more effectively.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001

11:00AM - 12:20PM

TuTh

DLSB 131

Matey

1301. Elementary Logic
An introductory course in symbolic logic. Logic provides a means for determining whether the purported conclusion of an argument really does follow from the premises. In symbolic logic, mechanical procedures are developed for determining whether a given argument is valid. The techniques and skills acquired through logic have important applications not only within other academic areas such as the sciences and humanities, but may be of use within various professional areas, including law. Counts towards the cognitive science minor.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Quantitative Reasoning (section 003 only)

001	9:30AM - 10:50AM	TuTh	OFAC B600	Ehring
002	12:30PM - 1:50PM	TuTh	JKNS 101	Ehring
003	3:30PM - 4:50PM	TuTh	DALL 116	Lockard

1305. Introduction to Philosophy
A general introduction to the central questions of philosophy. We will discuss topics from such areas as the theory of knowledge, philosophy of religion, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, ethics, and political philosophy. Typical questions might include: Can we know the world outside our minds? Is it rational to believe in a God who allows evil to exist? Do the laws of physics allow for human freedom? Is morality more than a matter of opinion? Can there be unequal wealth in a just society? Readings will include classical authors such as Plato, Descartes, Locke, Hume, and Mill, as well as contemporary philosophers. The focus of the course will be on arguments for and against proposed solutions to key problems of philosophy.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

002

2:00PM - 3:20PM

TuTh

ULEE 244

Chuard

1306. Introduction to Philosophy – Mind, Machines, and Persons
A focused introduction to the central questions of philosophy, with an emphasis on the mind and the self. Typical questions might include the following: Does the soul exist? Is the mind the same thing as the brain? Can animals feel pain? Can they think? Can a computer think? Might the mind be a computer? What is consciousness? Can people understand experiences radically different from their own? What is the self? Can one survive the death of the body? The focus of the course is on arguments for and against proposed solutions to philosophical problems concerning mind, machines, and persons. Counts towards the cognitive science minor.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001		3:30PM - 4:50PM		TuTh		HYER 201		Fisher
702		5:00PM - 6:20PM		TuTh		CLEM 120		Thompson

1316. Introduction to Ethics
An introduction to philosophical ethics focusing on questions in ethical theory. Topics may include: What makes a life good for the person living it? What makes an action right or wrong? What makes someone a good or bad person? What, if anything, justifies punishing wrongdoers? What constitutes a just society? Are there natural or human rights? The course will focus on arguments for and against proposed solutions to philosophical problems like these.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001

2:00PM - 3:20PM

TuTh

CLEM 126

Robinson

1317. Business Ethics
Examines the moral dimensions of actions and practices in the business world. Students explore ethical theories and standards of evaluation for actions and practices generally, and discuss how these theories and standards apply to a variety of issues in business. Topics vary, but the following are representative: advertising, capitalism vs. socialism, corporate culture, product quality and safety, the responsibilities of corporations to the societies that sustain them, the use of animals in product testing, and working conditions and compensation.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

003	11:00AM - 11:50AM	MWF	HYER 110	Hiltz
004	2:00PM - 2:50PM	MWF	HYER 204	Hiltz
005	3:00PM - 3:50PM	MWF	HYER 204	Hiltz

1318. Contemporary Moral Problems
An introduction to philosophical ethics focusing on questions in applied ethics. Students begin by exploring ethical theories and philosophical methods. The majority of the course is devoted to applying those theories and methods to some of the most controversial and pressing issues confronting contemporary society. Topics vary, but the following are representative: abortion, animal rights, affirmative action, capital punishment, economic justice, euthanasia, sexuality, war and terrorism, and world hunger. Class discussion is an important component of the course, as is reading and (in some sections) writing argumentative essays about these issues.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry

*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001	10:00AM - 10:50AM	MWF	HYER 110	Hiltz
002	1:00PM - 1:50PM	MWF	CLEM 120	Crabill
003	2:00PM - 2:50PM	MWF	CLEM 120	Crabill
004C	11:00AM - 12:20PM	TuTh	HYER 111	Liberman
007H	11:00AM - 12:20PM	TuTh	HYER 111	Liberman

1319. Technology, Society, and Value
Advances in technology are raising many ethical issues that require serious considerations. We will discuss issues surrounding such technologies and how they affect the views of warfare, privacy, human enhancement, and artificial intelligence.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics
*Breadth: 2016 Technology and Mathematics

001	10:00AM - 10:50AM	MWF	HYER 111	Crabill
003H	11:00AM - 11:50AM	MWF	HYER 111	Crabill
004C	11:00AM - 11:50AM	MWF	HYER 111	Crabill

3310. Advanced Topics in Philosophy: Epistemology
A topics offering that seeks to take advantage of the wide variety of issues that can be fruitfully explored in a course in advanced philosophy. May be repeated for credit. Recently offered topics include: the philosophy of human emotions; the metaphysics of necessity; meaning and methodology.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

001

2:00PM - 3:20PM

TuTh

DALL 101

Lockard

3315. Philosophy of Mind
A systematic treatment of the nature of consciousness, self, and person. Counts towards the cognitive science or neuroscience minor.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

001

3:30PM - 4:50PM

TuTh

CLEM 120

Thompson

3316. Minds, Brains, and Robotics
Topics may include neural networks, artificial intelligence, perception and action, consciousness, robotics, dynamical systems, embodied cognition, game theory, and the evolution of cognition. Prerequisites: Two courses in fields related to cognitive science (philosophy, computer science, computer engineering, psychology, linguistics, biology, or anthropology). Counts towards the cognitive science or neuroscience minor.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities & Fine Arts

001

12:30PM - 1:50PM

TuTh

HYER 0G1

Fisher

3323. Philosophy of Psychology and Neuroscience
What sorts of explanations do cognitive psychologists and neuroscientists seek about cognitive functions and the nature of our minds? What assumptions, and what evidence, do such explanations rest upon? Counts towards the cognitive science or neuroscience minor.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Writing
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts
*Foundations: 2016 Ways of Knowing

001

2:00PM - 3:20PM

TuTh

DALL 306

Matey

3324. Consciousness: Theoretical and Empirical Approaches
How do recent empirical findings in cognitive psychology and neuroscience advance our understanding of the nature of consciousness? What philosophical issues do such findings and their explanations raise? Counts towards the cognitive science minor.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Oral Communication
*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Writing
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts
*Foundations: 2016 Ways of Knowing
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Oral Communication
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Writing

001

11:00AM - 12:20PM

TuTh

DALL 357

Chuard

3351. History of Western Philosophy - Ancient
A study of the major philosophers from Thales to Plotinus, including Plato and Aristotle. Please note: this course is not offered in the Spring term.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities & Fine Arts

001

9:30AM - 10:50AM

TuTh

DALL 157

Barnes

3376. Bioethics
An examination of ethical questions arising within medical practice, medical research, and the life sciences.

*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Civics and Individual Ethics
*Depth: 2016 Humanities & Fine Arts

001

2:00PM - 3:20PM

TuTh

HYER 107

Liberman

3379. Environmental Ethics
Explores society’s ethical obligations concerning the natural world. Topical issues like climate change, endangered species, recycling, the population explosion, and wilderness preservation are covered from a variety of philosophical perspectives.

*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Civics and Individual Ethics
*Depth: 2016 Humanities & Fine Arts

001

1:00PM - 1:50PM

MWF

HYER 106

Kazez

3380. Ethics: Morality, Self-Interest, and Justice
This course explores issues in normative ethical and political theory, with a particular focus on morality, self-interest, and justice. Topics may include: What is the nature of human well-being or self-interest? Does it consist in pleasure and freedom from pain? Does it consist in the satisfaction of informed desires or preferences? Or are there objective constituents of well-being, like achievement, loving relationships, or meaningful knowledge? How is morality related to human interests? Can morally right actions be identified with actions that have maximally beneficial consequences? Can morality be identified with the rules that it would be in everyone’s interests to agree to live by? What is the relationship between justice and self-interest? Is justice merely a constraint on the pursuit of self-interest? Can the principles of justice for social institutions be identified with the principles that free and rational persons concerned to further their own interests would accept in a hypothetical situation of equal liberty?

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities & Fine Arts

001

9:30AM - 10:50AM

TuTh

HYER 111

Robinson

July (Summer 2) Schedule of Classes 2023

*for a complete listing of Philosophy courses visit the official SMU catalog

1319. Technology, Society, and Value
Advances in technology are raising many ethical issues that require serious considerations. We will discuss issues surrounding such technologies and how they affect the views of warfare, privacy, human enhancement, and artificial intelligence.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics
*Breadth: 2016 Technology and Mathematics

0012

1:00PM - 2:50PM

M-F

HYER 106

Fisher

3352. History of Western Philosophy - Modern
Survey course in the history of modern philosophy covering the modern period, from Descartes to Hume, including Leibniz, Spinoza, Locke, and Berkeley. Examines many seminal writings in philosophy on such key issues as rationalism and empiricism, the nature of external reality and one’s knowledge of it, the existence and nature of God, the relation between mind and body, causation, induction, and the nature of morality and moral action. This course is not offered in the Fall term.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 History, Social, and Behavioral Sciences
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

0012

2:00PM - 3:50PM

M-F

HYER 110

Hiltz

June (Summer 1) Schedule of Classes 2023

*for a complete listing of Philosophy courses visit the official SMU catalog

0011

3:00PM - 4:50PM

M-F

HYER 100

Lockard

3351. History of Western Philosophy - Ancient
A study of the major philosophers from Thales to Plotinus, including Plato and Aristotle. Please note: this course is not offered in the Spring term.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

0011

2:00PM - 3:50PM

M-F

HYER 200

Barnes

May Schedule of Classes 2023

*for a complete listing of Philosophy courses visit the official SMU catalog

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001

11:00AM - 3:00PM

M-F

HYER 200

Lockard

Spring Schedule of Classes 2023

*for a complete listing of Philosophy courses visit the official SMU catalog

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Quantitative Reasoning (section 002 only)

001	9:30AM - 10:50AM	TuTh	FOSC 155	Ehring
002	9:30AM - 10:50AM	TuTh	DALL 157	Lockard
003	12:30PM - 1:50PM	TuTh	DALL 142	Ehring

001		3:00PM - 3:50PM		MWF		HYER 110		Barnes
002		2:00PM - 3:20PM		TuTh		DALL 306		Chuard

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001		3:30PM - 4:50PM		TuTh		CLEM 120		Fisher
702		5:00PM - 6:20PM		TuTh		HYER 201		Thompson

1316. Introduction to Ethics
Introduces philosophical ethics focusing on questions in ethical theory. Topics vary, but the following are representative. What makes our lives good or bad? What makes our actions morally right or morally wrong? Is there a real, objective difference between good and bad, right and wrong? Why be moral? Focuses on arguments for and against major positions on issues such as these.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001

9:30AM - 10:50AM

TuTh

DALL 142

Robinson

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001	10:00AM - 10:50AM	MWF	HYER 111	Crabill
002	11:00AM - 11:50AM	MWF	HYER 111	Crabill
003	11:00AM - 11:50AM	MWF	HYER 110	Hiltz
004	2:00PM - 2:50PM	MWF	HYER 201	Hiltz
005	3:00PM - 3:50PM	MWF	HYER 201	Hiltz

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001	10:00AM - 10:50AM	MWF	CLEM 120	Hunt
002	11:00AM - 11:50AM	MWF	CLEM 120	Hunt
003	11:00AM - 12:20PM	TuTh	DALL 357	Liberman
004	11:00AM - 12:20PM	TuTh	HYER 107	Matey

1319. Technology, Society, and Value
Advances in technology are raising many ethical issues that require serious considerations. We will discuss issues surrounding such technologies and how they affect the views of warfare, privacy, human enhancement, and artificial intelligence.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics
*Breadth: 2016 Technology and Mathematics

001	1:00PM - 1:50PM	MWF	HYER 110	Crabill
002H	2:00PM - 2:50PM	MWF	HYER 110	Crabill
003C	2:00PM - 2:50PM	MWF	HYER 110	Crabill
004	9:30AM - 10:50AM	TuTh	HYER 111	Fisher
005	11:00AM - 12:20PM	TuTh	HYER 111	Hunt
006	2:00PM - 3:20PM	TuTh	DALL 142	Hunt
007	3:30PM - 4:50PM	TuTh	DALL 115	Hunt

3310. Advanced Topics in Philosophy: Animal Minds
A topics offering that seeks to take advantage of the wide variety of issues that can be fruitfully explored in a course in advanced philosophy. May be repeated for credit. Recently offered topics include: the philosophy of human emotions; the metaphysics of necessity; meaning and methodology.

Animal Minds: What does it mean to have a mind or mental states? What criteria can we use to determine the presence of consciousness or thought in human beings, other animals, and other types of systems? How complex must a system be in order to have mental states, and can consciousness come in degrees? We will explore these and other topics concerning the nature and scope of nonhuman minds, including: animal cognition, animal consciousness, the possibility of hive minds, and embodied cognition.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

001

3:30PM - 4:50PM

TuTh

HYER 201

Thompson

3312. Introduction to Philosophy of Language
An introduction to topics in the philosophy of language, especially reference, definite description, and the interpretation of intensional contexts. Prerequisite: PHIL 1301. Counts towards the cognitive science minor.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

001

12:30PM - 1:50PM

TuTh

DALL 102

Lockard

3321. Time, Space, and Metaphysics
Does time pass? Do the past and the future exist? Is space a thing? What are the laws of nature? This course introduces some central issues in the metaphysics of science.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts
*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Oral Communication
*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Writing
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Oral Communication
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Writing

001

11:00AM - 12:20PM

TuTh

DALL 157

Chuard

3323. Philosophy of Psychology and Neuroscience
What sorts of explanations do cognitive psychologists and neuroscientists seek about cognitive functions and the nature of our minds? What assumptions and what evidence, do such explanations rest upon? Counts towards the cognitive science or neuroscience minor.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts
*Foundations: 2016 Ways of Knowing
*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Writing

001

2:00PM - 3:20PM

TuTh

DALL 101

Matey

3352. History of Western Philosophy - Modern
Survey course in the history of modern philosophy covering the modern period, from Descartes to Hume, including Leibniz, Spinoza, Locke, and Berkeley. Examines many seminal writings in philosophy on such key issues as rationalism and empiricism, the nature of external reality and one’s knowledge of it, the existence and nature of God, the relation between mind and body, causation, induction, and the nature of morality and moral action. Satisfies one part of the history requirement for philosophy majors. Please note: this course is not offered in the Fall term.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts
*Depth: 2016 History, Social and Behavioral Sciences

001

10:00AM - 10:50AM

MWF

HYER 110

Hiltz

3372. Liberty
Investigates the topics of freedom and autonomy primarily from the standpoint of social and political philosophy. Students explore the nature of freedom and its role in a good society along with the nature of autonomy (self-governance) and its role in a good life. Also, the distinction between negative and positive liberty, the nature of coercion, the republican theory of freedom, the nature of personal autonomy, the value of freedom, and other topics.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Information Literacy

001

10:00AM - 10:50AM

MWF

CLEM 325

Barnes

3374. Philosophy of Law
This course explores some central and interrelated issues in philosophy of law, or jurisprudence, with a particular emphasis on the role that morality plays in our understanding of law and in the interpretation and application of the law. Here are some of the questions we will consider: When and why does the content of law - what the law is - depend on the content of morality - on what is right and wrong, just and unjust, fair and unfair, etc.? When and how does interpreting and applying laws (statutes, precedents, etc.) involve making value judgments, including moral judgments? Does the United States Constitution enact the "original understanding" of freedom of speech, due process of law, equal protection of the laws, and so on? Or does it, instead, direct us to apply our own, perhaps quite different, understandings of these concepts? (The latter view is called "the moral reading" of the Constitution.) Is there a moral obligation to obey the law? When and why is punishing those who break the law morally justified? Satisfies elective requirements in the following majors and minors: philosophy, ethics, human rights, and law and legal reasoning.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

001

2:00PM -3:20PM

TuTh

DALL 157

Robinson

3375. Topics in Moral Philosophy: Meaning of Life
A topics offering that seeks to take advantage of the wide variety of issues that can be fruitfully explored in a course in moral philosophy. May be repeated for credit. Recently offered topics include the meaning of life, neuroethics, Plato’s ethical thought, practical rationality, and procreation & parenthood.

Meaning of Life: In this class, we'll take a rigorous approach to "the big questions" about the way we live our lives. What makes a person's life go well or badly? Is happiness the only thing that matters? Can you live a good life without being morally good? Must we be autonomous and self-expressive to live good lives? Is it important for there to be an afterlife? Does life have any grand purpose? If not, can life still be meaningful? Does life get worse with age or with disability? How should we make major life decisions? To think about these issues, we will focus primarily on western philosophy, both contemporary and historical, but we will also consider non-western thinkers and ideas. Other materials may include movies, fiction, and journalism.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

001

1:00PM - 1:50PM

MWF

HYER 106

Kazez

3383. Feminist Philosophy
Explores the distinctive concepts, methods, tools, and topics for analysis that feminist thinkers bring to bear on traditional philosophical topics, including metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics.

*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Civics and Individual Ethics

001

2:00PM - 3:20PM

TuTh

CLEM 334

Liberman

2022 Courses

Fall Schedule of Classes 2022

*for a complete listing of Philosophy courses visit the official SMU catalog

1300. Introduction to Critical Thinking
Learning to analyze, evaluate, and present information in order to better assess one’s own beliefs and to persuade others more effectively.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001

11:00AM - 12:20PM

TuTh

HYER 107

Matey

001	9:30AM - 10:50AM	TuTh	FOSC 155	Ehring
002	3:30PM - 4:50PM	TuTh	DALL 116	Lockard
003	12:30PM - 1:50PM	TuTh	DALL 142	Ehring

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001	2:00PM - 3:20PM	TuTh	PRTH 100	Barnes
002	2:00PM - 3:20PM	TuTh	ACSH 218	Chuard
003H	12:30PM - 1:50PM	TuTh	DALL 102	Fisher

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

002		3:30PM - 4:50PM		TuTh		CLEM 120		Thompson
701		5:00PM - 6:20PM		TuTh		CLEM 120		Thompson

1316. Introduction to Ethics
Introduces philosophical ethics focusing on questions in ethical theory. Topics vary but the following are representative. What makes our lives good or bad? What makes our actions morally right or morally wrong? Is there a real, objective difference between good and bad, right and wrong? Why be moral? Focuses on arguments for and against major positions on issues such as these.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001

9:30AM - 10:50AM

TuTh

HYER 111

Robinson

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001	10:00AM - 10:50AM	MWF	CLEM 120	Daley and Sverdlik
002	11:00AM - 11:50AM	MWF	CLEM 120	Daley and Sverdlik
003	3:30PM - 4:50PM	TuTh	HYER 201	Hunt
704	5:00PM - 6:20PM	TuTh	HYER 201	Hunt

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry

*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001	11:00AM - 11:50AM	MWF	HYER 110	Hiltz
002	1:00PM - 1:50PM	MWF	HYER 110	Hunt
003	2:00PM - 2:50PM	MWF	HYER 110	Hunt
004	2:00PM - 2:50PM	MWF	HYER 201	Hiltz
005	3:00PM - 3:50 PM	MWF	HYER 201	Hiltz
006	11:00AM - 12:20PM	TuTh	HYER 111	Liberman

001	3:00PM - 3:50PM	MWF	HYER 110	Hunt
002	9:30AM - 10:50AM	TuTh	DALL 142	Daley and Parker-Ryan
003H	11:00AM - 12:20PM	TuTh	DALL 156	Daley and Howell
004C	11:00AM - 12:20PM	TuTh	DALL 156	Daley and Howell
005	11:00AM - 11:50AM	MWF	HYER 111	Crabill
006	1:00PM - 1:50PM	MWF	CLEM 120	Crabill
007	2:00PM - 2:50PM	MWF	CLEM 120	Crabill

3301. Intermediate Logic
Introduces the formal theory of the logical systems students have already learned to use: sentential logic and predicate logic. Students learn to prove the completeness and soundness of both of these systems. Also, simple nonstandard logical systems such as modal, epistemic, or deontic logic, if time permits. Prerequisite: PHIL 1301 or its equivalent. Counts towards the cognitive science minor.

*Breadth: 2016 Technology and Mathematics
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

001

2:00PM - 3:20PM

TuTh

DALL 101

Lockard

001

2:00PM - 3:20PM

TuTh

DALL 306

Matey

001

11:00AM - 12:20PM

TuTh

DALL 357

Chuard

001

9:30AM - 10:50AM

TuTh

CARU 183

Barnes

3364. Philosophy of Biology
A survey of topics in the philosophy of biology, including evolution versus creationism, fitness, units of selection, adaptationism, biological taxonomy, evolution in humans, cultural evolution, and niche construction.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities & Fine Arts
*Foundations: 2016 Ways of Knowing

001

3:30PM - 4:50PM

TuTh

HCSH 117

Fisher

3371. Social and Political Philosophy
Explores central questions in social and political philosophy. Topics vary, but the following are representative. What forms of government are most reasonable and morally defensible? What is justice, and how might it be embodied in a system of government? Are there such things as natural rights? What is the basis for saying that we have rights to freedom of speech and religion? What would constitute a just or fair distribution of the benefits and burdens of social cooperation? Do citizens in a modern, democratic state have a moral obligation to obey its laws? When, if ever, is it legitimate for a state to go to war?

*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Civics and Individual Ethics
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

001

10:00AM - 10:50AM

MWF

HYER 110

Hiltz

3374. Philosophy of Law
This course explores some central and interrelated issues in philosophy of law, or jurisprudence, with a particular emphasis on the role that morality plays in our understanding of law and in the interpretation and application of the law. Here are some of the questions we will consider: When and why does the content of law - what the law is - depend on the content of morality - on what is right and wrong, just and unjust, fair and unfair, etc.? When and how does interpreting and applying laws (statutes, precedents, etc.) involve making value judgments, including moral judgments? Does the United States Constitution enact the “original understanding” of freedom of speech, due process of law, equal protection of the laws, and so on? Or does it, instead, direct us to apply our own, perhaps quite different, understandings of these concepts? (The latter view is called “the moral reading” of the Constitution.) Is there a moral obligation to obey the law? When and why is punishing those who break the law morally justified? Satisfies elective requirements in the following majors and minors: philosophy, ethics, human rights, and law and legal reasoning.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities & Fine Arts

001

2:00PM - 3:20PM

TuTh

DALL 157

Robinson

3375. Topics in Moral Philosophy: Capitalism and its Critics
A topics offering that seeks to take advantage of the wide variety of issues that can be fruitfully explored in a course in moral philosophy. May be repeated for credit. Recently offered topics include the meaning of life, neuroethics, Plato’s ethical thought, practical rationality, and procreation & parenthood.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities & Fine Arts

001

10:00AM - 10:50AM

MWF

HYER 111

Crabill

3376. Bioethics
An examination of ethical questions arising within medical practice, medical research, and the life sciences.

*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Civics and Individual Ethics
*Depth: 2016 Humanities & Fine Arts

001

2:00PM - 3:20PM

TuTh

DLSB 131

Liberman

3377. Animal Rights
Explores the nature of nonhuman animals, their moral status, and the way we treat them. First we will consider questions about the minds of animals. Are animals conscious? Can they think about the future? Are they self-aware? Exploring those questions will prepare us for our second set of topics about the moral status of animals. Do animals have rights like humans do? Do we have moral obligations to animals? Is there a difference between the moral status of animals that fall into different categories (pets, domesticated animals, and wild animals)? Third, we will examine the way animals are used for food, for entertainment, and in biomedical research. What laws already protect animals and what changes are needed?

*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Civics and Individual Ethics
*Depth: 2016 Humanities & Fine Arts
*Foundations: 2016 Ways of Knowing

001

1:00PM - 1:50PM

MWF

HYER 106

Kazez

3378. The Good Life: An Inquiry into Individual and Social Ethics
Provides skills for reasoning ethically about a good life as an individual and society, drawing on resources from philosophy, theology, and political science.

*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Civics and Individual Ethics

001

12:30PM - 1:50PM

TuTh

CARU 183

Long

3381. Neuroethics
Neuroethics concerns the ethical questions raised by the brain sciences. Is neuroenhancement morally problematic? Should the use of brain scans be limited? What does neuroscience tell us about ethical judgment?

*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Civics and Individual Ethics
*Depth: 2016 Humanities & Fine Arts

001

9:30AM - 10:50AM

TuTh

DALL 157

Howell

July B (11-day session) Schedule of Classes 2022

*for a complete listing of Philosophy courses visit the official SMU catalog

1319. Technology, Society, and Value
Advances in technology are raising many ethical issues that require serious consideration. We will discuss issues surrounding such technologies and how they affect the views of warfare, privacy, human enhancement, and artificial intelligence.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics
*Breadth: 2016 Technology and Mathematics

012B

10:00AM - 1:50PM

M-F

HYER 102

Parker-Ryan

July A (11-day session) Schedule of Classes 2022

*for a complete listing of Philosophy courses visit the official SMU catalog

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

012A

10:00AM - 1:50PM

M-F

HYER 201

Daley

July (Summer 2) Schedule of Classes 2022

*for a complete listing of Philosophy courses visit the official SMU catalog

3351. History of Western Philosophy -Ancient
A study of the major philosophers from Thales to Plotinus, including Plato and Aristotle. Please note: this course is not offered in the Spring term.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

0012

2:00PM - 3:50PM

M-F

HYER 110

Barnes

June (Summer 1) Schedule of Classes 2022

*for a complete listing of Philosophy courses visit the official SMU catalog

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Quantitative Reasoning

0011

3:00PM - 4:50PM

M-F

HYER 100

Lockard

3352. History of Western Philosophy - Modern
Survey course in the history of modern philosophy covering the modern period, from Descartes to Hume, including Leibniz, Spinoza, Locke, and Berkeley. Examines many seminal writings in philosophy on such key issues as rationalism and empiricism, the nature of external reality and one’s knowledge of it, the existence and nature of God, the relation between mind and body, causation, induction, and the nature of morality and moral action. Satisfies one part of the history requirement for philosophy majors; may be used to satisfy the history requirement for philosophy minors. Please note: this course is not offered in the Fall term.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 History, Social and Behavioral Sciences
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

0011

2:00PM - 3:50PM

M-F

HYER 200

Hiltz

May Schedule of Classes 2022

*for a complete listing of Philosophy courses visit the official SMU catalog

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001

11:00AM - 3:00PM

M-F

HYER 200

Lockard

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics

001

10:00AM - 2:00PM

M-F

HYER 107

Daley

001

10:00PM - 2:00PM

M-F

HYER 106

Parker-Ryan

3323. Philosophy of Psychology and Neuroscience
What sorts of explanations do cognitive psychologists and neuroscientists seek about cognitive functions and the nature of our minds? What assumptions, and what evidence, do such explanations rest upon? Counts towards the cognitive science or neuroscience minor.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Writing
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts
*Foundation: 2016 Ways of Knowing
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Information Literacy
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Oral Communication
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Writing

001		9:00AM - 11:00AM		M-F		DALL 156		Matey
		12:00PM - 2:00PM		M-F		DALL 156		Matey

Spring Schedule of Classes 2022

*for a complete listing of Philosophy courses visit the official SMU catalog

*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics
*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Quantitative Reasoning (section 002 only)

001	9:30AM - 10:50AM	TR	HYER 110	Ehring
002	11:00AM - 12:20PM	TR	HYER 110	Lockard
003	12:30PM - 1:50PM	TR	DALL 116	Ehring

1305. Introduction to Philosophy
A general introduction to the central questions of philosophy. We will discuss topics from such areas as the theory of knowledge, philosophy of religion, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, ethics and political philosophy. Typical questions might include: Can we know the world outside our minds? Is it rational to believe in a God who allows evil to exist? Do the laws of physics allow for human freedom? Is morality more than a matter of opinion? Can there be unequal wealth in a just society? Readings will include classical authors such as Plato, Descartes, Locke, Hume and Mill, as well as contemporary philosophers. The focus of the course will be on arguments for and against proposed solutions to key problems of philosophy.

*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics
*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry

001	3:00PM - 3:50PM	MWF	HYER 107	Barnes
002	2:00PM - 3:20PM	TR	DALL 142	Chuard
003	2:00PM - 3:20PM	TR	HYER 107	Howell

*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics
*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry

001		12:30PM - 1:50PM		TR		HYER 102		Fisher
002		12:30PM - 1:50PM		TR		DALL 142		Thompson

*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics
*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry

001

9:30AM - 10:50AM

MAGU 354

Robinson

*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics
*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry

001	10:00AM - 10:50AM	MWF	DALL 142	Crabill
002	10:00AM - 10:50AM	MWF	MAGU 356	Daley
003	11:00AM - 11:50AM	MWF	DALL 142	Crabill
004	11:00AM - 11:50AM	MWF	MAGU 356	Daley

*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics
*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry

001	11:00AM - 11:50AM	MWF	MAGU 354	Hiltz
002	2:00PM - 2:50PM	MWF	MAGU 354	Hiltz
003	3:00PM - 3:50PM	MWF	MAGU 354	Hiltz
004H	12:30PM - 1:50PM	TR	HYER 106	Matey
005	2:00PM - 2:50PM	MWF	CLEM 120	Parker-Ryan

1319. Technology, Society, and Value
Advances in technology are raising many ethical issues that require serious consideration. We will discuss issues surrounding such technologies and how they affect the views of warfare, privacy, human enhancement, and artificial intelligence.

*Breadth: 2016 Philosophical and Religious Inquiry and Ethics
*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Breadth: 2016 Technology and Mathematics

001	1:00PM - 1:50PM	MWF	MAGU 356	Crabill
002H	2:00PM - 2:50PM	MWF	MAGU 356	Crabill
003C	2:00PM - 2:50PM	MWF	MAGU 356	Crabill
004	1:00PM - 1:50PM	MWF	HYER 107	Parker-Ryan
005	9:30AM - 10:50AM	TR	MAGU 356	Daley
006	11:00AM - 12:20PM	TR	MAGU 356	Daley

3310. Advanced Topics in Philosophy: Rationality
A topics offering that seeks to take advantage of the wide variety of issues that can be fruitfully explored in a course in advanced philosophy. May be repeated for credit. Recently offered topics include: the philosophy of human emotions; the metaphysics of necessity; meaning and methodology.

Rationality: In this class we will be looking at questions about the nature of rational belief and rational action, paying special attention to ways in which these are interrelated. Topics to be covered will include logical and probabilistic consistency of belief, representation of preferences by utility functions, decision theory, and the challenges of making rational collective decisions. PHIL 1301: Elementary Logic not required, but recommended as background.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

001

2:00PM - 3:20PM

CLEM 225

Lockard

3315. Philosophy of Mind
A systematic treatment of the nature of consciousness, self, and person. Counts towards the cognitive science or neuroscience minor.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

001

3:30PM - 4:50PM

HYER 110

Matey

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Oral Communication
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Writing
*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Oral Communication
*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Writing

001

11:00AM - 12:20PM

HCSH 207

Chuard

3322. Pleasure and Pain
Explores the nature of pleasure and pain, their relationships to other mental states, and their significance and value. Do pleasures and pains have intentional content? If so, what do they represent? How are pleasure and pain related to motivation? What can we learn from neuroscience concerning pleasure and pain? Are pleasure and pain essential to what makes life worth living? A previous philosophy course is recommended, but not required. Counts towards the cognitive science or neuroscience minor.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Writing
*Proficiencies and Experiences: CC Writing

001

3:30PM - 4:50PM

HYER 106

Thompson

001

10:00AM - 10:50AM

MWF

MAGU 354

Hiltz

3362. Creativity, Discovery, and Science
Considers central issues in the history and philosophy of science, with a special emphasis on the nature of creativity and discovery in scientific thought. General questions include the following: What is science, and what is the nature of scientific method? What is the nature of evidence and explanation in science? Addresses in detail the question of how new ideas such as theories and problem solutions are produced and assessed in scientific thinking. Is creativity essentially a random or blind process or is it rule-governed in some way? What is the nature of scientific discovery? Combines literature in the history and philosophy of science together with psychological literature on the nature of creativity to answer these and other questions. No previous coursework in science is required, but some science background equips students to appreciate the relevant issues.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

001

3:30PM - 4:50PM

HYER 102

Fisher

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts
*Proficiencies and Experiences: 2016 Information Literacy

001

10:00AM - 10:50AM

MWF

JKNS 110

Barnes

3375. Topics in Moral Philosophy: Lifespan Ethics
A topics offering that seeks to take advantage of the wide variety of issues that can be fruitfully explored in a course in moral philosophy. May be repeated for credit. Recently offered topics include the meaning of life, Plato’s ethical thought, practical rationality, and procreation & parenthood.

Lifespan Ethics: This course will explore questions about the nature and value of human life at different ages and stages: Is childhood a particularly good part of life, or the opposite – is it to be escaped as quickly as possible? Is midlife the “prime of life,” a period when everything matters more? Is old age a time when life is worse, or just the opposite – might it be an especially good time of life? Would it be desirable for our lives to last far longer, or would a super-long life inevitably be bad in some way? At every point in life should you “act your age” or is that expectation ageist? To explore these questions (and many others) we’ll make use of philosophical writing both classic and contemporary, writings outside philosophy, and also several movies.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

001

1:00PM - 1:50PM

MWF

HYER 106

Kazez

3376. Bioethics
An examination of ethical questions arising within medical practice, medical research, and the life sciences.

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry
*Depth: 2016 Humanities & Fine Arts

001

11:00AM - 12:20PM

FOSC 155

Liberman

3380. Ethics: Morality, Self-Interest, and Justice
Explores issues in normative ethical and political theory, with a particular emphasis on morality, self-interest, and justice. Topics vary, but the following are representative. Might enlightened self-interest be the basis of morality? Is a morally right action one that maximizes overall happiness or well-being, or are there moral rights or duties that prohibit the sacrifice of individuals or their interests for the sake of the greater good? Does individual well-being (or self-interest) consist of pleasure and freedom from pain? Do our subjective interests (our desires or preferences) determine what is ultimately best for us, or are there desire-independent goods, such as knowledge or moral virtue? To what extent, if any, does justice permit inequality of income or wealth? Do individuals have "natural" rights that prohibit the state from using certain means (e.g. taxes, and transfers) to promote greater social welfare or less economic inequality?

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry

*Depth: 2016 Humanities and Fine Arts

001

12:30PM - 1:50PM

HYER 110

Robinson

*Breadth: CC Philosophical, Religious, and Ethical Inquiry

001

9:30AM - 10:50AM

FOSC 155

Liberman

January Schedule of Classes 2022

*for a complete listing of Philosophy courses visit the official SMU catalog

001

9:00AM - 4:00PM

M-F

HYER 201

Parker-Ryan