Philosophy Course Descriptions

Current Philosophy Course Schedule 

PHIL 100: INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY

Class hours: 3.0 Lecture. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 52, ENGL72, ESL 152 or equivalent with a grade of Pass or "C" or higher, or completion of the English Placement Process with eligibility for ENGL100.

This is a humanities course developing philosophical concepts through problems and systems of thought in selected Western philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Bacon, Kant, etc, it, furthermore, studies modern movements in Western culture such as dialectical materialism, pragmatism, analytic philosophy, and existentialism.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC

Student Learning Outcomes

    1. Students explain Socrates' statement, "The unexamined life is not worth living," by applying the statement in at least two of the following areas: epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and aesthetics.
    2. Students explain the branches of philosophy: epistemology, (coherence, relevance, truth, sources, and limits of knowledge), metaphysics (the nature of reality, self, and freedom), and value theory (ethical theories and aesthetic and philosophy of art theories)
    3. Students demonstrate an enhanced ability to articulate ideas about philosophical issues.
    4. Students demonstrate a basic understanding of the methods of philosophy.
    5. Students evaluate philosophical methods, assumptions, and principles to analyze philosophical ideas and positions including but not exclusive to contemporary problems and issues.
    6. Students evaluate philosophical arguments, methods, assumptions, and principles for epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and aesthetics.

PHIL 102: INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS

Class hours: 3.0 Lecture. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 52, ENGL 72, ESL 152 or equivalent with a grade of Pass or "C" or higher, or completion of the English Placement Process with eligibility for ENGL 100.

This course represents a survey of the major theories of value in the writings of some prominent philosophies of Western culture and the Asian tradition, with special attention to a critical evaluation of their relevance to educational, ethical, esthetic, religious, and social problems of our times.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC 

Student Learning Outcomes

    1. Students define and competently use philosophical terminology in discussions of ethical concepts such as: acts and values; happiness and the good; prudence and morals; justice and equality; virtue and the virtues; theology and God's will; utilitarianism; Kant and Deontology; and pluralism.
    2. Students compare and contrast competing ethical theories and subject them to critical analysis.
    3. Students define major moral theories in the Western and non-Western.
    4. Students explain philosophical arguments, methods, fundamental assumptions, and principles in ethical theory including Deontology, Utilitarianism, Virtue Ethics, Ethical Relativism, Ethical Subjectivism, and Ethical Egoism.
    5. Students explain philosophical arguments, methods, fundamental assumptions, and principles in ethical theory including Deontology (Kantian theory), Utilitarianism, and Virtue Ethics.
    6. Students apply knowledge of major ethical theories to moral problems.

PHIL 103: PHILOSOPHICAL REASONING: CRITICAL THINKING IN PHILOSOPHY 

Class hours: 3.0 Lecture. Prerequisite: ENGL 100 or equivalent with a grade of Pass or "C" or higher or satisfactory completion of the Advanced Placement English Examination of the College Entrance Examination Board.

This course develops critical thinking skills necessary for evaluating and formulating argumentative/persuasive essays and practice in applying those skills. 
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC

Student Learning Outcomes

    1. Students demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for what philosophical reasoning is by identifying the elements of philosophical arguments and counterarguments, learning how to read primary philosophical texts carefully and critically, completing basic research on topics of philosophy, and writing essays on subject matter relevant to philosophy using style manuals such as the University of Chicago, American Psychological Association (APA) or Modern Language Association (MLA) styles.
    2. Students identify the elements of philosophical arguments and counterarguments.
    3. Students recognize the difference between and arguments and non-arguments (explanations, descriptions, and reports).
    4. Students identify the conclusion of an argument.
    5. Students identify and evaluate the support for the conclusion.
    6. Students recognize the context and purpose of an argument.
    7. Students produce written work that follows Standard English and documentation.

PHIL 104: PHILOSOPHY OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY: CHALLENGE AND CHANGE 

Class hours: 3.0 Lecture. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 52, ENGL 72, ESL 152 or equivalent with a grade of Pass or "C" or higher, or completion of the English Placement Process with eligibility for ENGL100. This humanities course is designed to create understanding, appreciation, and tolerance of diverse cultures, particularly those of non-Western civilizations which are ethnic minority groups in American culture. Topics covered will include the nature of culture, the epistemology of cultural diversity, world views, religion, traditional values, ethnocentrism, cultural relativism, cultural pluralism, and the philosophy of liberation.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students understand and engage in the practice of philosophical inquiry relevant to global issues.
  2. Students know important philosophical concepts, philosophers and their contributions to world philosophy.
  3. Students understand and write about environmental ethics, geopolitical movements and the philosophy of liberation, human rights, and social justice, among others international issues.
  4. Students differentiate between cultural relativism and universal moral values.

PHIL 106: INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC

Class hours: 3.0 Lecture. Prerequisite: ENGL 100 or equivalent with a grade of Pass or "C" or higher.

This course gives an introduction to the basic principles of inductive and deductive reasoning, the uses of language, definition, analysis of fallacious arguments in various areas, and integration of composition and critical thinking skills.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC

Student Learning Outcomes

    1. Students translate English arguments into symbolic form.
    2. Students identify the elements and types of arguments.
    3. Students distinguish between inductive and deductive forms of inference.
    4. Students assess the validity (and invalidity) of deductive arguments.
    5. Students identify non-argumentative passages such as explanation, illustration, conditional statements, reports, and unsupported assertions.
    6. Students demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking and understanding of deductive and inductive reasoning and competence in the basic analytical methods of logic.
    7. Students prove the validity (and invalidity) of deductive arguments by means of Venn diagrams and truth tables.
    8. Students apply rules of inference and equivalence in proving the validity of deductive arguments.

PHIL 109: PHILOSOPHY OF THE BODY, FEMINISM, AND GENDER 

Class hours: 3.0 Lecture. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 52, ENGL 72, ESL 152 or equivalent with a grade of Pass or "C" or higher, or completion of the English Placement Process with eligibility for ENGL 100.

This course will examine philosophical scholarship on feminism, gender, and theory of the body in the areas of metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics. Questions about gender identity, the nature of the self and personal identity, friendship, the feminist conception of knowledge, feminism and philosophy of language, philosophy of religion, philosophy of science; misogynist patterns in philosophical texts, male responses to feminism, moral theories, and feminist questions about beauty and art will be examined in the course, while students are also engaged in understanding the fundamentals of philosophy. This course is not open to students who are enrolled in WS 109 or have received credit in WS 109.
Transfer Credit: CSU 

Student Learning Outcomes

    1. Students explain traditional and non-canonical arguments in support of or against the ontology of gender and body.
    2. Students provide examples of theories on gender identity, the nature of the self and personal identity, friendship, and personal relationships.
    3. Students explain traditional and non-traditional theories of feminist conceptions of knowledge, philosophy of language, philosophy of religion, and philosophy of science.
    4. Students compare and contrast male responses to contemporary moral, social, and political feminist theories.
    5. Students relate feminist questions about beauty and art to the traditional

PHIL 130: HISTORY OF ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY 3.0 UNITS

Class hours: 3.0 Lecture. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 52, ENGL72 or ESL 152 or ENGL 72, or ESL 152, or equivalent with a grade of "Pass" or "C" or higher or completion of the placement process with eligibility for ENGL 100. This course covers the genesis of Western philosophy and its development, ranging from the pre-Socratic philosophers, moving through Plato and Aristotle, and ending with the emergence of Neo-Platonism. This study includes the influence Hellenic society and culture had over Athens, Rome, Alexandria, Asia Minor: from 585 BC/BCE), with the earliest pre-Socratics, the 529 AD/CE, when Justinian closed Plato's Academy at Athens.

Special attention is paid to reading primary philosophical texts.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC

Student Learning Outcomes

    1. Students understand the impossibility of knowing how the modern world was formed, unless one has studied the power and influence of the Ancient philosophers on religion, politics, law, science, history, and literature
    2. Students understand the role of interpretation of texts in deciding the position and key concepts, theories, and arguments of individual Ancient philosophers
    3. Students compare and contrast the main contributions and ideas of philosophers in the Ancient period
    4. Students know the difference between the Pre-Socratic, the Sophists, and the great systems of Plato and Aristotle
    5. Students list and define key thinkers of Ancient philosophy
    6. Students write good philosophical essays which reveal improved skill in the presentation and defense of arguments, especially as they relate to the study of Ancient philosophy

PHIL 140: HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY

Class hours: 3.0 Lecture. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 52, ENGL 72 or ESL 152, or equivalent with a grade of

"Pass" or "C" or higher or completion of the placement process with eligibility for ENGL 100. This course addresses 17th and 18th century philosophy with an emphasis on metaphysical, epistemological, political, and psychological developments of rationalism and empiricism in philosophical thought from Descartes to Kant and may include approximate precursors and successors. Special attention is paid to reading primary philosophical texts.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC

Student Learning Outcomes

    1. Students define and competently use philosophical terminology in discussions of philosophy.
    2. Students recognize critical philosophical kills to present accurately and to interpret positions of seventeenth and eighteenth century philosophers, based on readings of their primary texts.
    3. Students critically analyze, evaluate, and compare and contrast major arguments,
      assumptions, principles, styles, and methods of seventeenth and eighteenth century philosophers.
    4. Students explain philosophical arguments, methods, background assumptions, and principles about the nature of reality, God, the self, the sources and limits of human knowledge, and freedom.
    5. Students understand and appreciate the emergence of modern philosophical thinking about the human mind (the relationship between reason and the emotions) and politics (social contract theories).
    1.  

PHIL 200: WORLD RELIGIONS 

Class hours: 3.0 Lecture. Recommendation: Satisfactory completion of the English Placement Process or ENGL52, ENGL 72 or ESL 152 or ENGL 155 or equivalent with a grade of Pass or "C" or higher is strongly recommended.

This course presents a comparative study of the major religions of the world including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, etc. The survey pertains to their origin, historic development, primary source book, theological doctrines and value system.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC

Student Learning Outcomes

    1. Students identify the major religious traditions of the world and their principal teachings on ethics and metaphysics.
    2. Students analyze the ethical and spiritual teachings and practices.
    3. Students compare and contrast religions with regard to their sacred writings, rituals, and beliefs.
    4. Students identify founders, scriptures, and key philosophers in the world's major religions.
    5. Students analyze philosophical and religious ideas amongst religions, including their concepts of nature, ultimate reality, cosmology, and ethics.

PHIL 201: CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY 

Class hours: 3.0 Lecture. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 52, ENGL72, ESL 152 or equivalent with a grade of Pass or "C" or higher, or completion of the English Placement Process with eligibility for ENGL 100. Recommendation: Satisfactory completion of READ 42 or READ 48 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher, or "Pass."

This course is a survey of the major philosophical movements that characterize the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, including the rise of Continental, Anglo-American, Marxist, Feminist, Asian, African, and Latin American philosophies. Students will become familiar with the diversity of styles, methods, and approaches that contemporary philosophers have developed in response to the problems of self and subjectivity; mind and  consciousness; alienation, anxiety, and authenticity; gender, race, nationality, and social justice; relativism, universalism, realism; and the role of meaning and language in philosophical inquiry.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC 

Student Learning Outcomes

    1. Students develop a philosophical analysis of a contemporary cultural, political, religious, or scientific problem.
    2. Students distinguish between analytic and continental approaches to doing philosophy.
    3. Students demonstrate a basic understanding of methods of philosophy.
    4. Students understand, explain, and assess at least three major philosophical movements that characterize the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, including the rise of Continental, Asian, African, Anglo-American, Feminist, Latin American, and Marxist philosophies.
    5. Students explain at least three of the following concepts examined by the above philosophical movements: self and subjectivity; mind and consciousness; alienation, anxiety, and authenticity; gender, modernity, post-modernity, and alter-modernity; race, nationality, and social justice.
    6. Students recognize and explain the role of language, meaning, and truth in philosophical inquiry.

PHIL 203: PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

Class hours: 3.0 Lecture. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 52, ENGL 72, ESL 152 or equivalent with a grade of Pass or "C" or higher, or completion of the English Placement Process with eligibility for ENGL100.

This course will examine philosophical theories of the nature of religion, arguments for the existence of God, the nature of miracles, religious experience, faith and pragmatic reasons for belief, arguments from evil, God and morality, religious diversity, God and language, atheism and agnosticism, and life after death. The course will examine traditional and contemporary theories of philosophy of religion while students are also engaged in understanding the fundamentals of philosophy.
Transfer Credit: CSU

Student Learning Outcomes

    1. Students compare and contrast Western and non-Western approaches to religion and religious experience.
    2. Students understand the use the vocabulary of the philosophy of religion.
    3. Students explain critically the concepts of God, creation, miracles, faith, salvation, etc. and assess at least two arguments for the existence of God and two arguments against the existence of God.
    4. Students think critically about sacred texts and their interpretation.
    5. Students examine the relationship between science and religion.
    1.  

PHIL 206: PHILOSOPHY OF THE BIBLE II (CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES) 

Class hours: 3.0 Lecture. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 52, ENGL 72, ESL 152 or equivalent with a grade of Pass or "C" or higher, or completion of the English Placement Process with eligibility for ENGL 100.

This course is a general introduction to the philosophical, religious, cultural and historical influences on the development of the Christian Scriptures. The methods of critical analysis of Biblical materials from an academic point of view will be presented and discussed.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC 

Student Learning Outcomes

    1. Students understand and critically appreciate the different methods of interpretation (historical, literary, cultural, and philosophical) of the Christian scriptures.
    2. Students compare, contrast, and criticize the philosophy of the nativity narratives in the gospels.
    3. Students explain the significance of the Dead Sea scrolls for the inter-testamental period.
    4. Students compare, contrast, and criticize the leading Jewish religious groups of the inter-testamental period.
    5. Students explain and evaluate the significance of the quest for the historical Jesus.
    6. Students explain the significance of "Q" in the New Testament Studies.
    7. Students discuss and evaluate the development of the New Testament Canon.
    8. Students explain how the early church was viewed by the Roman government.
    9. Students evaluate the reasons why some first -century Jews accepted Jesus as the Messiah and some rejected him.

PHIL 298: DIRECTED STUDIES 1.0 UNIT

Class hours: 3.0 Independent Study. 

A course to provide opportunity for individual research and field projects under the direction of a faculty member in a given department. With the guidance of the faculty member, learning agreement describing the purposes and outcomes of the project. Students should expect to meet with the supervising faculty member one to two hours each week for conferences. Credit is based upon the number of hours in the semester expected to complete the project (1 unit for 54 hours). This course may be taken a maximum of 2 times. For selected disciplines, UC transfer credit may be possible after admission to a UC campus, pending review of appropriate course materials by UC staff. See a counselor for an explanation.
Transfer Credit: CSU 

PHIL 299: DIRECTED STUDIES 2.0 UNITS

Class hours: 6.0 Independent Study.

A course to provide opportunity for individual research and field projects under the direction of a faculty member in a given department. With the guidance of the faculty member, students prepare and carry out a written learning agreement describing the purposes and outcomes of the project. Students should expect to meet with the supervising faculty member one to two hours each week for conferences. Credit is based upon the number of hours in the semester expected to complete the project (2 units for 108 hours). This course may be taken a maximum of 2 times. For selected disciplines, UC transfer credit may be possible after admission to a UC campus, pending review of appropriate course materials by UC staff. See a counselor for an explanation.
Transfer Credit: CSU