Philosophy
ENGL 115W. Literature of the New Testament
(ENGL 115W same as PHIL 133W.) Prerequisite: satifactory completion (C or better) of the ENGL 5B or ENGL 10 graduation requirement. Discussion and close written analyses of selected texts from the New Testament. Meets upper-division writing skills requirement for graduation.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
ENGL 116. Literature of the Old Testament
(ENGL 116 same as PHIL 134.) Discussion and written analyses of selected texts from the Hebrew Bible. Special attention to the sources and styles of biblical literarcy techniques.
Units: 4
Course Typically Offered: Fall
MES 10. Introduction to Modern Middle East
Prerequisite: GE Foundation A2 for students in English college-readiness Category III and IV. A thematic introduction to the Middle East through examination of its geography, ethnicities, nationalities, cultures, art, literature, architecture, religions, history, politics, and economy. G.E. Breadth D2.
Units: 3
GE Area: D2
PAX 100. Peace and Conflict Studies
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation, Breadth Area D and PLSI 2. Provides an overview of causes and types of conflict. Critical examination of issues related to war, peace, and justice. Principled negotiation; cultural awareness. G.E. Integration ID (Formerly INTD 180)
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: ID
PAX 110. Peace Building
Theories, methods, and skills in personal transformation, anger management, communication, engaging cooperation, building community, reducing prejudice, maintaining relationships, and consensus decision making. Emphasizes multicultural perspectives. G.E. Breadth E.
Units: 3
GE Area: E
PAX 120. Mediation
Includes such topics as interest-based bargaining, anger management, values, communication, and conflict management, all in the context of mediation. Participants acquire and practice mediation skills and observe the process as practiced by skilled professional mediators. (Formerly SSCI 150T)
Units: 3
PAX 121. Political Violence: War, Warfare, and Terrorism
War, Warfare & Terrorism is designed to familiarize students with nomenclature, practices and theories of war and warfare in domestic and international scope and the beginnings, prosecution, duration and end games of violent conflict.
Units: 3
PAX 165T. Topics in PAX
Topics in Peace and Conflict Studies
Units: 3
PAX 185I. Internship
Prerequisite: permission of instructor and sponsoring agency. Internships in peacebuilding, reconcilation, conflict resolution and mediation with local social service agencies, the Better Business Bureau, school districts, and corporations. Hours to be arranged. CR/NC grading only. (Formerly SSCI 185)
Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 6 units
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
PAX 190. Independent Study
See Academic Placement--Independent Study. Approved for RP grading.
Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 6 units
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
PHIL 1. Introduction to Philosophy
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. Introduction to the basic issues, disputes, and methods of traditional and contemporary philosophy, including theory of knowledge, ethics, metaphysics, religion, and social theory. Development of skills in analysis, logical thinking, and self-expression. G.E. Breadth C2.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: C2
PHIL 2. Exploring Religious Meaning
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. Introduction to exploration of the many dimensions of religions. Topics include tools and resources of the academic study of religion, the sacred/holy, symbolism, myth, ritual, religious origin, and destiny. G.E. Breadth C2.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: C2
PHIL 10. Self, Religion, and Society
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. Conceptions of human nature; nature and varieties of religion; personal and social implications and values of religion. G.E. Breadth C2.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: C2
PHIL 20. Moral Questions
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. Introduction to ethics and its place in human experience. Ethical theory; methods of reasoning about values. Typical issues include euthanasia, privacy, work ethics, sex, happiness, capital punishment, censorship, social justice, and environment. Non-Western perspectives; materials from arts and humanities (e.g. literature, film). G.E. Breadth C2.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: C2
PHIL 25. Methods of Reasoning
Principles and methods of good reasoning. Typical topics: identification of argument structure, development of skills in deductive and inductive reasoning, assessing observations and testimony reports, language and reasoning, common fallacies. (PHIL 25 and PHIL 45 cannot both be taken for credit.) G.E. Foundation A3.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: A3
PHIL 45. Introduction to Logic
Basic concepts and methods of logic; development of skills in deductive and inductive reasoning, with emphasis on deduction. Elementary formal techniques for propositional logic; categorical logic, fallacies, and language. (PHIL 45 and PHIL 25 cannot both be taken for credit.) G.E. Foundation A3
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: A3
PHIL 101. Ancient Philosophy
Development of Western Philosophy from its beginning; the emergence of critical theory, doctrines, and schools of thought in Greek and Roman culture. Topics considered may include: Presocratic, Sophists, Socrates, and the works of Plato and Aristotle.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
PHIL 103. Modern Philosophy: 17th and 18th Centuries
Development of early modern philosophy: the search for new scientific methods -- Bacon, Descartes, Spinoza, Newton, and Locke; empiricism and skepticism -- Berkeley and Hume; rational ist metaphysics -- Leibniz; influences on moral and political thought -the Enlightenment; Rousseau; Kant's critical philosophy.
Units: 3
PHIL 104. Nineteenth Century Philosophy
Principal developments in European and American Philosophy from Kant to James. Figures and movements to include: Hegel, Fichte, Schelling, Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, Feuerbach, Marx, Engels, Mill, Nietzche, Emerson, Thoreau, Peirce, James, and others; idealism, dialectical materialism, transcendentalism, pragmatism, existentialism, and humanism.
Units: 3
PHIL 105. Twentieth Century Philosophy
Principal developments in philosophy after 1900. Figures and movements include: logical atomism, logical positivism, linguistic analysis, pragmatism, phenomenology, existentialism, G. E. Moore, Russell, Wittgenstein, Whitehead, Dewey, Santayana, Husserl, Heiddegger, Sartre, Austin, Ryle, Strawson, Carnap, and Ayer.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Spring
PHIL 107. Existentialism
Examination of roots of existentialism in Kierkegaard and Nietzsche; study of such 20th century existentialists as Sartre, Heidegger, Jaspers, Buber. Typical problems examined: nature of mind, freedom, the self, ethics, existential psychoanalysis.
Units: 3
PHIL 108. Jain, Hindu, and Asian American Religions
(PHIL 108 same as ASAM 108) Interdisciplinary study of Asian American religions, spiritualities, cultural beliefs and practices, as well as their receptions, resistance, and racialized depictions within the U.S. culture, legal systems, and politics; includes Jain, Hindu, Sikh, animist, Buddhist, Taoist, and their sub-traditions. G.E. Breadth F.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: F
PHIL 110. Feminist Philosophy
Introduction to feminist approaches to philosophy and to specifically philosophical approaches to gender. Several philosophical issues will be explored at some depth. These might be drawn from the following areas: personal identity; values and society; political authority; knowledge and reality.
Units: 3
PHIL 111. Philosophy of Race
Philosophical investigation of race, racism, and people of color in philosophy. Typical topics include: concepts of race and racial identities; social/political significance of racial categories; racial justice and redress for racism; ethics of racial discourse; intersections of racism with other oppressions.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall
PHIL 115. Ethical Theory
Introduction to the fundamental concepts and problems of moral theory. Examination of various ethical theories, including relativism, egoism, utilitarianism, intui tionism, and non-cognitivism; the meaning of ethical terms.
Units: 3
PHIL 118. Social and Political Theory
Examination of traditional and contemporary theories of society and government. Analysis of basic concepts such as the common good, social contract, authority, justice, and natural rights.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall
PHIL 120. Contemporary Conflicts of Morals
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area C. Exploration of moral issues through great works, such as philosophy, novels, dramas, or films. Looks at questions such as, "What is it to be moral? Why be moral? Why care about others? How should scarce resources be distributed? What is integrity?" GE Area IC
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: IC
PHIL 121. Ethics in Criminal Justice
Philosophical issues concerning society's treatment of criminal behavior. Topics discussed include: morality and law; punishment or rehabilitation; safe vs. repressive society, and what types of deviant behavior should be regarded as criminal?
Units: 3
PHIL 122. Introduction to Professional Ethics
Survey of ethical issues and standards facing a range of professionals in their careers, including engineering, law, medicine, the media, science, agriculture, education, and business. Introduction to basic ethical theories and methods of reasoning about moral dilemmas.
Units: 3
PHIL 123. Bioethics
Pre-requisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area B2 and either PHIL 20 or PHIL 120 or instructor consent. Not open to Freshmen. Survey of ethical issues within the biomedical sciences. Typical issues include research ethics, informed consent, genetics, stem cell research, non-Western perspectives, ethical and legal regulations. (Formerly PHIL 165T)
Units: 3
PHIL 125W. Issues in Political Philosophy
Prerequisites: completion of 60 units and a C or better in ENGL 5A, 5B or 10. Examination of prominent political philosophies and contemporary issues of politics and public policy. Policy issues may include the scope and limits of government authority, the role of government in the economy, foreign policy, health care, education, agriculture, and the environment. Meets the upper-division writing skills requirement for graduation.
Units: 3
PHIL 126. Social Justice
Examination of theories, issues, and goals in social justice. Explore social justice topics, such as justice in healthcare, wealth, the environment, culture, and religion, along with responses to social injustice, such as responses to oppression, bigotry, poverty, and structural violence.
Units: 3
PHIL 127. Philosophy of Law
Nature and functions of law; methods of justifying legal systems; logic of legal reasoning; analysis of fundamental legal concepts.
Units: 3
PHIL 130. Philosophy of Religion
The nature and function of religious faith, belief, and practice; relations between religion and morals; existence of God; problem of evil; nature and significance of religious experience.
Units: 3
PHIL 131. Comparative Religion
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. A study of major religions of the world, their traditions, teachings, influential texts, methodological and comparative approaches. Emphasis on major Western and non-Western religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Multicultural/ International M/I.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
PHIL 132. Religion and the Margin
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Exploration of elements facing religious studies that have been historically moved from the center to the side (marginalized), such as women's experience, ethnicity, gender, and class. Focus will include how religion has both supported and resisted this move. Multicultural/International M/I.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
PHIL 132Z. Religion and the Margin-London Semester
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Exploration of elements facing religious studies that have been historically moved from the center to the side (marginalized), such as women's experience, ethnicity, gender, and class. Focus will include how religion has both supported and resisted this move. Multicultural/International MI.
Units: 3
PHIL 133W. Literature of the New Testament
(ENGL 115W same as PHIL 133W.) Prerequisite: satifactory completion (C or better) of the ENGL 5B or ENGL 10 graduation requirement. Discussion and close written analyses of selected texts from the New Testament. Meets upper-division writing skills requirement for graduation.
Units: 3
PHIL 134. Literature of the Old Testament
(ENGL 116 same as PHIL 134.) Discussion and written analyses of selected texts from the Hebrew Bible. Special attention to the sources and styles of biblical literarcy techniques.
Units: 4
PHIL 135. Asian Religious Traditions
A study of the major beliefs and values of the Asian religious traditions, including an examination of some of the classical texts central to Asian religions.
Units: 3
PHIL 136. Buddhism
Introduction to Buddhism. Life and teachings of Gautama Siddhartha Buddha; development of Buddhism after death or mahanirvana of the Buddha.
Units: 3
PHIL 137. Hinduism
Introduction to the development and ideas of Hinduism, including an examination of classical scriptural texts, e.g., Upanishads, Bhagavad-gita, as well as modern Hindu writings.
Units: 3
PHIL 138. Chinese Thought
Introduction to the development of major ideas and systems of thought in China; emphasis on Confucian, Taoist, and Chinese Buddhist traditions.
Units: 3
PHIL 139. Islam
Introduction to Isalm, including the Qur'an, life of Muhammad, sectarianism, leadership, Islamic Law, science, calligraphy, Ramadan, and Hajj.
Units: 3
PHIL 140. Advanced Reasoning Skills
Development of skills in the analysis of arguments, thinking clearly, and reasoning well. Emphasis on problems and skills involving language (e.g., clarifying meaning, handling vagueness, handling verbal component of disputes), and on inductive inferences in everyday life.
Units: 3
PHIL 145. Symbolic Logic
(Similar to MATH 110; consult department.) Prerequisite: PHIL 25 or PHIL 45 or permission of instructor. Theory of deductive inference; includes propositional logic, predicate logic, relations, identity, definite description, nature of axiom systems.
Units: 3
PHIL 146. Philosophy of Language
Nature and uses of language; theories of meaning; concepts of reference, predication, truth, name, ambiguity, vagueness, definition, metaphor; relationships between methodology in philosophy and theories of language.
Units: 3
PHIL 150. Foundations of Knowledge
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area C. Nature, sources, and limits of human knowledge; roles of perception, reason, testimony, and intuition in acquiring rational beliefs; e.g. science, mathematics, values, the arts, religion, social issues, and psychological states. G.E. Integration IC.
Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
GE Area: IC
PHIL 151. Cognitive Science: Mind
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area C. The interdisciplinary study of cognition and mind: cognition includes mental states and processes such as thinking, reasoning, remembering, language understanding and generation, visual perception, learning, consciousness, emotions, self-awareness, and our place in the world. G.E. Integration IC.
Units: 3
GE Area: IC
PHIL 152. Philosophy of Science
The nature of scientific inquires as outcomes and/or practices. Theories of explanation, confirmation, induction, and discovery; (anti-)realism, instrumentalism, and social constructivism; nature of scientific theories, models, and laws of nature; scientific changes and revolutions; philosophical problems in particular sciences.
Units: 3
PHIL 155. Metaphysics
Analysis of classic and contemporary problems of metaphysics: the nature of the mind-independent world; the reality of abstract objects and types; the nature of time and causality; realism and anti-realism; essentialism, modality and possible worlds; naturalism and emergent properties.
Units: 3
PHIL 156. Moral Psychology
Analysis of mind and morality: philosophical perspectives on cognitive and affective aspects of virtuous and non-virtuous dispositions and behaviors. Topics may include agency, motivation, intention, desire, deliberation, practical judgment, self-control, weakness of will, akrasia, compulsion, self-deception, self-knowledge, regret, blame.
Units: 3
PHIL 157. Freedom, Fate, and Choice
Nature of human action, free will and determinism, free will and moral responsibility; analysis of basic concepts; for example, will, action, freedom, determinism, fatalism, chance, choice, decision, intention, reason, desire, belief; implications for everyday life.
Units: 3
PHIL 158. Judaism
Introduction to Judaism, including Torah, Jerusalem, Mishnah, Talmud, midrash, synagogue, Orthodox, Reform, Halakha, Passover, Shabbat, Yom Kippur, anti-Semitism, and Holocaust.
Units: 3
PHIL 165T. Special Topics
Topics of current or interdisciplinary interest or requiring special background.
Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 9 units
PHIL 165T. Christianity: A Historical Introduction
Using an academic approach, this course presents a historical introduction to Christianity and highlights its development from its beginnings as a small community within a Jewish context to becoming the world's largest religion today. The students will learn and reflect upon a variety of important topics, including scriptures, theological debates, sectarian splits, as well as the impact of influential historical moments and events like the Reformation, Renaissance, and the advent of modernity. This topic may not be repeated for credit. (Offered Spring 2023)
Units: 3
PHIL 170T. Senior Seminar
Prerequisites: senior standing or permission of instructor and at least one upper-division philosophy course. Intensive investigation of selected problems, major figures, or a historical period in philosophy. Extensive writing and supervised research.
Units: 1-4, Repeatable up to 12 units
PHIL 170T. Hope
Students will think critically about hope as a philosophical problem. What exactly is hope? Is hope rational? Does it depend upon a metaphysical worldview? Can life be meaningful without hope? Texts to be discussed will include work by Kant, James, Camus, Marcel, Rorty, Arendt, Frankl, and others. This topic may not be repeated for credit. (Offered Spring 2023)
Units: 3
PHIL 172T. Seminar in Religious Issues
Prerequisite: one upper-division philosophy course. Intensive investigation of problems in philo sophical theology, comparative religion, and culture. Extensive writing and supervised research.
Units: 1-4, Repeatable up to 12 units
PHIL 190. Independent Study
See Academic Placement -- Independent Study. Approved for RP grading.
Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 6 units
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
PHIL 192. Directed Reading
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Supervised readings in a selected philosopher or field of philosophy. Combined units of PHIL 190 and PHIL 192 may not exceed 6 units.
Units: 1-3, Repeatable up to 6 units
PHIL 198I. Applied Ethics Internship
Prerequisite: junior standing, PHIL 120, PHIL 122, or applied ethics courses and permission of instructor. Workstudy experience in community service, with a focus on ethical analysis and understanding. CR/NC grading only.
Units: 3
PHIL 199I. Fieldwork in Philosophy and Law
Prerequisites: senior standing, permission of instructor. Practical community work-study experience in legal or paralegal setting. Student works under sponsorship of a law firm or law-related agency, meets periodically with instructor, and submits a written report on relevant issues in ethics, jurisprudence, or philosophy.
Units: 3
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