Academic Catalog

Philosophy (PHIL)

PHIL 151  Introduction To Philosophy  3.00  
Philosophy concerns some of the most fundamental questions: Why do human beings exist? Does everything have a cause? Can you think without language? What does it mean to live a good life? What is the nature of freedom? Are humans truly free? We will consider these questions and more through exploring perspectives from around the globe, from the ancient to the contemporary.
University Studies Requirements:
  • UST: Humanities - WLCP
  
Typically Offered:
  • Fall Term Only
  
PHIL 160  Philosophy and Film  3.00  
In this course we will view films with philosophical themes and pair them with readings that help us to consider those themes more deeply. Readings will be at the introductory level; and films will include everything from the artsy to the absurd.
University Studies Requirements:
  • UST: Humanities - WLCP
  
Typically Offered:
  • Fall Term Only
  
PHIL 189  Philosophy Elective  1.00-9.00  
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-Superior course.
PHIL 211  Contemporary Moral Problems  3.00  
Are all acts inherently selfish? Should everyone follow the same moral laws? Do we need God to tell us how to behave? Why should we be good and what does that even mean? Should all living creatures be treated equally? In this course we will entertain questions like these as we apply moral theories to a selection of contemporary issues (for example, human rights, environmental ethics, the global sex trade, the death penalty). A key concern will be our ethical responsibilities in the diverse contemporary global theater. Offered on-line only.
University Studies Requirements:
  • UST: Humanities - WLCP
  
PHIL 255  Environmental Ethics  3.00  
This course explores different ethical and philosophical approaches to human-environment relations, and their implications for long-term ecological sustainability. Topics include wilderness, climate ethics and politics, food ethics, individual vs. collective action, indigenous relationships to the land, pets, and consumption.
Typically Offered:
  • Fall Term Every Other Year
  
PHIL 289  Philosophy Elective  1.00-12.00  
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-Superior course.
PHIL 289DV  Philosophy Elective Diversity  1.00-12.00  
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
PHIL 289ES  Philosophy Elective: Environmental Science UST  1.00-12.00  
Philosophy Elective: Environmental Science UST
University Studies Requirements:
  • Natural Sciences - Environmental
  
PHIL 289GA  Philosophy Elective Global Awareness  1.00-12.00  
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
University Studies Requirements:
  • UST: Global Awareness
  
PHIL 289MC  Philosophy Elective Math/Computer Science  1.00-12.00  
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
PHIL 289NW  Philosophy Elective Non-Western  1.00-12.00  
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
PHIL 289SS  Philosophy Elective Social Science  1.00-12.00  
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
PHIL 289WC  Philosophy Elective World Culture  1.00-12.00  
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
PHIL 301  Study Abroad  6.00  
Field trips designed by the department faculty to give students direct experiences in foreign countries. Each program includes preparatory reading, orientation meetings, a faculty-supervised study tour, and a detailed written evaluation of learning situations associated with the course. With consent of the relevant program and content adaptation, programs provided by other agencies can be considered for this credit. Students must obtain approval for taking these courses prior to participation. Otherwise the course may not count. Also, for specific degree requirements, please consult your advisor. Course can be repeated only if the content is different.
Typically Offered:
  • Occasional by Demand
  
PHIL 322  Buddhism and Mind  3.00  
Can Buddhism rightly be considered a science, or theory of the minds? Is there a self? What is consciousness? Are there different kinds of consciousness? How can a theory of conscious experience be explained within a purely physicalist paradigm? What role can Buddhist thought play in phenomenological approaches to the mind? We will attempt to find answers to these and other questions in this course. We begin by reading foundational texts in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. Then, we investigate topics in philosophy of mind and cognitive science, with a special emphasis on whether Buddhist approaches to the mind and consciousness can shed light on contemporary theoretical disputes.
Typically Offered:
  • Other, Refer to Catalog
  
PHIL 324  Existentialism  3.00  
This course introduces students to some of the major figures and topics of the existentialist movement. Among other things, we will explore the notions of meaning, absurdity, finitude, authenticity, faith, reason, and purpose. We will do so by reading the work of those such as Nietzsche, Sartre, de Beauvoir, Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky, Camus, Heidegger, and Arendt. Special attention will be given to works of philosophy, but will also engage with short stories, novels, plays and films.
Typically Offered:
  • Other, Refer to Catalog
  
PHIL 329  Philosophy of Art  3.00  
This course will consist in a philosophical exploration into the nature of art. Questions we will address include: What is an artwork? What is the role of the artist? What is the relation between art and meaning? What does it mean to appreciate something aesthetically? What are aesthetic properties? What makes art good? Can an artwork be good if it portrays immoral things? Visual art will be emphasized, but there will also be discussion of musical, literary, performance, and other arts.
Typically Offered:
  • Other, Refer to Catalog
  
PHIL 331  Philosophy of Mental Health Disorder  3.00  
What exactly is a mental disorder? We often use this term, but very rarely stop to think about what it means. Is it a matter of scientific discovery, value judgments, or even cultural preference? Relatedly, what is mental health? What does it mean to have a healthy mind? These and other questions will be discussed in this course. Other topics include the diagnosis of mental disorder, the science of psychopathology, ethics and mental health, the concepts of function and dysfunction, and well-being. Please note: this is a philosophy course and not a clinical course, no clinical skills or diagnostic methods will be covered.
Typically Offered:
  • Other, Refer to Catalog
  
PHIL 351  Selected Topics  3.00  
In-depth study of a particular problem, philosopher or period of current interest. May be repeated for up to nine credits provided topics are different.
Typically Offered:
  • Occasional by Demand
  
PHIL 389  Philosophy Elective  1.00-12.00  
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-Superior course.
PHIL 489  Philosophy Elective  1.00-9.00  
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-Superior course.
PHIL 489DV  Philosophy Elective Diversity  1.00-12.00  
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
PHIL 489ES  Philosophy Elective: Environmental Science UST  1.00-12.00  
Philosophy Elective: Environmental Science UST
University Studies Requirements:
  • Natural Sciences - Environmental
  
PHIL 489GA  Philosophy Elective Global Awareness  1.00-12.00  
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
University Studies Requirements:
  • UST: Global Awareness
  
PHIL 489MC  Philosophy Elective Math/Computer Science  1.00-12.00  
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
PHIL 489NW  Philosophy Elective Non-Western  1.00-12.00  
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
PHIL 489WC  Philosophy Elective World Culture  1.00-12.00  
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
PHIL 490  Independent Study  1.00-3.00  
Individually supervised reading and study of a topic or problem of student interest. A paper is required.
Prerequisites:
    Consent of cooperating Instructor and Department Chair.
  
Typically Offered:
  • Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms