650:021. Philosophy: Basic Questions - 3 hrs.
An introductory exploration of questions concerning the nature of the self, reality, meaning, knowledge, truth, faith, value and obligation.
650:045. Elementary Logic - 3 hrs.
Methods, principles, and rules of reasoning with emphasis upon their practical uses in effective thinking, scientific inquiry, and verbal communication.
650:100(g). History of Philosophy: Ancient - 3 hrs.
The history of philosophy from the Pre-Socratics to late antiquity, with emphasis on Plato and Aristotle. 650:021 strongly recommended to precede.
650:101(g). History of Philosophy: Medieval - 3 hrs.
The history of philosophy from late Roman times through the Middle Ages, with emphasis on Augustine and Thomas Aquinas. 650:021 strongly recommended to precede.
650:103(g). History of Philosophy: Renaissance through Enlightenment - 3 hrs.
The history of philosophy from the Renaissance through Hume, with emphasis on continental rationalism and British empiricism. 650:021 strongly recommended to precede.
650:104(g). History of Philosophy: Modern - 3 hrs.
History of philosophy from Kant to the present; emphasis on idealism, romanticism, materialism, positivism, phenomenology, existentialism. 650:021 recommended to precede.
650:105(g). Marxism - 3 hrs.
Basic doctrines of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels and others within Marxist tradition. Dialectical and historical materialism; the Marxist conception of nature and human society; historical and contemporary influence of Marxism on economic and political developments, religion, ethics, science and technology, literature and the arts. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.
650:113(g). Philosophy of Religion - 3 hrs.
Introduction to the philosophical examination of religious ideas. Strongly recommended that some work in philosophy or religion precede this course. (Same as 640:113g)650:119. Philosophy of Science - 3 hrs.
Philosophical problems of the sciences; nature of laws and theories, causation, explanation and scientific method, and the relation between the natural and social sciences. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.
650:142. Ethics - 3 hrs.
A study of the major problems of moral conduct, with emphasis on contemporary ethical theories. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.
650:143. Aesthetics - 3 hrs.
Problems of experiencing and interpreting the arts presented through readings and discussion of the various arts.
650:150(g). Knowledge and Reality - 3 hrs.
Study of the variety of knowledge-claims about the world and of the structures of reality implied. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.
650:152(g). Existentialism - 3 hrs.
A study of interpretations of human experience in contemporary thought. Presupposes no previous knowledge of philosophy. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. (Same as 640:152g)
650:153. The Human Person - 3 hrs.
A study of various interpretations of the nature and process of being human. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.
650:172. Society, Politics, and the Person - 3 hrs.
Critical investigation of contexts of engagement and responsibility of persons as members of social institutions and as participants in public discourse on policy and law. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.
650:173. Bio-Medical Ethics - 3 hrs.
Application of principles and analytic methods of ethical theory to contemporary issues in medical practice and research. Topics include the fundamental concepts of health and disease, life and death; the rights and obligations of medical practitioners and their patients; informed consent and confidentiality; abortion and euthanasia; reproductive and transplantation technologies; health policy and the provision and rationing of health care. (Same as 640:173.)
650:174(g). Ethics in Business - 3 hrs.
Application of ethical principles and analytic methods to contemporary issues in business. Topics include the moral responsibility of corporations and their regulation; economic policy, business practices, and social justice; the rights and obligations of employers and employees; meaningful work, motivation, and the worker; affirmative action and reverse discrimination; the environment and the natural limits of capitalism. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. (Same as 640:174g.)
650:175(g). Environmental Ethics - 3 hrs.
Introduction to and application of ethical theory to environmental issues, including responsibility for plants and animals, pollution, natural resources, and population growth. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. (Same as 640:175g.)
650:186(g). Studies in Philosophy - 3 hrs.
Study of philosophical thinker or problem to be announced in advance of registration.
650:189(g). Individual Readings in Philosophy - 1-3 hrs.
Individually arranged readings and reports drawn from (1) history of philosophy, or (2) contemporary philosophical problems. Can be repeated for maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite: consent of department head.
650:194(g). Seminar on Death and Dying - 3 hrs.
Ideas and research concerning the anticipation of dying, toward the goal of sensitive communication with those most affected by death-the suicidal, the terminally ill, and the grieving. (Formerly 680:194g.) (Same as 640:194g.)
650:197 Ethics Practicum - ARR
The Ethics Practicum affords students an opportunity to combine a service-learning experience with the study of applied ethics. It is available for credit either in Philosophy or in the Study of Religion. Students enrolled in the Practicum will contribute 4-6 hours of service each week during the term to a community agency, working under a facilitator of that agency. The instructor will serve as their on-campus advisor. The purpose of the service is to acquaint students with the work of the agency and with the various issues - including ethical issues - that are confronted in such work. Students will keep a journal of their activities and of their observations and reflections regarding them. Participants will meet together with the instructor for about 90 minutes every 1-2 weeks to share and discuss experiences and issues encountered. At the end of the semester each student will submit a written narrative of and reflection on the experience plus a separate paper investigating an ethical issue related to their work. Students interested in enrolling in the Ethics Practicum must consult with the instructor prior to enrolling. To date students have volunteered in tutoring programs, hospitals, hospice, area rehabilitation centers, Juvenile Court Services and other correctional programs, the UNI Museum, day care centers, the Hearst Center, Planned Parenthood, a local Senator's office, the local battered women's shelter, etc. Many other opportunities are available. Permission of the instructor is required for enrollment.
650:245. Ethics in Public Policy - 2 hrs.
This course will direct students' attention to major ethical issues facing practitioners of public policy analysis through: (1) a study of ethical principles and procedures of analysis; (2) application of these methods to crucial questions of professional conduct and responsibility; and (3) their application to selected policy problems of timely interest. Prerequisite: enrollment in the Master of Public Policy Degree Program or consent of instructor.
650:250. Critical Perspectives on Gender- 3 hrs.
Considers two traditions that have influenced feminist theories in the last
two decades; poststructuralism and psychoanalysis. Readings in primary texts
(e.g., Foucault, Derrida, Freud, and Lacan) and explorations of feminist elaborations
and critiques of these texts reveal the tenacity, centrality, and power in human
lives of a sense of gendered existence.
Department of Philosophy and Religion
Jerome P.
Soneson, Acting
Department Head
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls IA.
50613-0501
All Rights Reserved
Page last updated December 21, 2004 by the Department Webmaster.