Most courses numbered 101 and below are suitable as first courses in philosophy. The Philosophy program is offered in cooperation with the other Claremont Colleges.
The department is offering the following courses this semester (updated January 15, 2005). For course offerings from other colleges, and for the latest scheduling information, please check the 5C Course Schedule.
1. Problems of Philosophy
A study of selected problems in philosophy, from such areas as ethics, philosophy of religion, theory of knowledge, and metaphysics. Classical and contemporary readings. Lecture and discussion. [PAC 10]
32. Ethical Theory
Introduction to the central problems of philosophical ethics, including the nature of value, the justification of moral principles, and the psychology of moral choice. Classical and modern readings. [PAC 10]
» Bruno » Tu/Th 9:35-10:50 » CR 08
33. Social and Political Philosophy Survey of conceptual and normative problems in political and social theory, particularly issues involving freedom, equality, and rights. Readings from Locke, Marx, Rousseau, Mill, Rawls, Nozick, and others. Spring 2005. [PAC 10]
» Bruno » Tu/Th 2:45-4:00 » PR 101
42. Modern Philosophy
Major philosophers of the 17th and 18th centuries (e.g., Descartes, Locke, Berkeley, Leibniz, and Hume), emphasizing their views on metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of mind. Lecture and discussion. Spring 2005. [PAC 10]
» Collier » Mo/We 1:15-2:30 » PR 202
43. Continental Thought
Beginning with a review of Kant, German idealism (Fichte through Hegel), Kierkegaard, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Foucault, and Derrida will be considered. Spring 2005. [PAC 10]
Erickson » Mo/We 2:45-4:00 » PR 202
47. Socrates
Through reading of ancient texts and modern interpretations this course will address such questions as the following. Who was Socrates? What do we know about him? What were his views and values, and how did he reach them? Why was he put to death? What is the Socratic Method? Was Socrates a revolutionary or an upholder of traditional values? How was he seen by contemporaries and by posterity? What has been his philosophical influence? Spring 2005; offered alternate years. [PAC 10]
» McKirahan » Mo/We 2:45-4:00 » CR 08
52. Philosophy of Religion
Explores the classical and contemporary settings for the problem of evil and the way in which God is either denied or reconceived as a result. Readings from Augustine, Jung, Suzuki, Kazantzakis, Niebuhr, de Chardin, Otto, Confucius, Wiesel, and Eastern religions, e.g., Zen Buddhism. Letter grade only. [PAC 10]
» Sontag » Tu/Th 9:35-10:50 » PR 202
PI 103. Philosophy of Science
Introduction to topics in philosophy of science, including structure of scientific theories, nature of scientific progress, confirmation of scientific hypotheses, and contemporary critiques of science. Prerequisite: Logic, collegelevel science courses, or permission of instructor.
PI 123. Perspectives on Mind and Brain
Three different perspectives examined: contemporary philosophy, contemporary brain science, and first-person narratives from people with conditions such as chronic depression, autism, and Tourette syndrome. Prerequisites: One course in Philosophy and one Neuroscience or Psychology course, or permission of instructor.
PI 130. Monkey Business: Continuing Controversies in Human Evolution
Examines the history, concepts, and philosophy behind Darwin’s ideas by exploring the fields of sociobiology, cognitive psychology, and primatology. Consider the relationship between development and evolution to build an understanding of Darwin’s mechanism. Prerequisites: A college-level course in at least one of the following areas: Psychology, Philosophy, Biology, or permission of instructor.
» Keeley, Moore »
185L. Topics in Epistemology, Metaphysics, and the Philosophy of the Mind An examination of various issues in contemporary epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophy of mind. Topics may include the nature of consciousness, mental causation, the relationship between the mental and the physical, the nature of epistemic justification, and the status of testimony as a source of knowledge. Spring 2005. [PAC 10]
186E. Heidegger and the Tradition
A selective examination of Heidegger’s understanding of poetry, tradition, and truth. Comparisons with Hegel, Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, and Derrida. Discussion. Spring 2005. [PAC 10]
» Erickson » Mo 7:00 p.m.-9:50 p.m. » PR 202
186H. Topics in History of Modern
An examination of issues central to 17th–19th-century philosophy. Topics might include the debate between rationalism and empiricism, the limits of reason, the nature of substance and mind, and the nature of human experience. Reading to be drawn from authors from Descartes to Nietzsche. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: Philosophy 42.
» Collier » Tu/Th 1:15-2:30 » CR 01
191. Senior Thesis
Senior exercise for the Philosophy major. A year-long sequence leading to the completion of a thesis supervised by faculty members. Students must enroll in 191 both in the fall and spring semester. A prospectus of the project as well as a substantial annotated bibliography will be due in early December; the final thesis must be submitted to the department in late April. Each semester.
» Collier » by arrangement
191b. Accelerated Senior Thesis
Alternate senior exercise for Philosophy majors. Course is intended only for students who wish to complete the senior thesis in the fall semester. A prospectus and bibliography will be due in early October, and the thesis must be submitted to the department in early December. Permission of instructor required. Fall 2004.
» Collier » by arrangement
198. Summer Research Projects
Summer reading and research on a topic agreed to by the student and the instructor. Normally, such study involves a set of short papers and/or culminates in a research paper of substantial length. Course or half-course. Each semester.
Independent Study
Independent reading and research on a topic agreed to by the student and the instructor. Normally, such study involves a set of short papers and/or culminates in a research paper of substantial length. Course or half-course. Each semester.
Pomona College
Department of Philosophy • 551 N. College Ave • Claremont, CA 91711-6355
Tel: 909/607-2921 · Fax: 909/621-8540 · email the department
