Philosophy Courses
Department of Philosophy | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
間眅埶AV Calendar 2012 Spring
The following are all the courses offered in this area. To view the current course catalog and/or course schedule on the Student Information System, visit (select "Class Search/Course Schedule" on the left menu).
All 100 division courses and PHIL XX1 improve critical thinking skills, logical analysis, clarity of expression, and teach important philosophical problems, perspectives and methods. All 100 division courses have no prerequisites, and can be completed in any order by any student in any faculty.
The 200 division courses are slightly more advanced with more specific subject matter. It is recommended (not mandatory) that students have completed 15 units of university work or equivalent before enrolling in a 200 division philosophy course. (PHIL 201, 203 and 214 have additional prerequisites.)
For 300 and 400 division courses, students normally must have completed at least six philosophy lower division units. However, this requirement may be waived by the department. Four hundred division courses are more advanced than 300 division courses (there is more reading, the reading is more difficult, and more writing is required). Students should complete at least two 300 division courses before enrolling in a 400 division course.
PHIL XX1-3 Critical Thinking
An introduction to the evaluation of arguments as they are encountered in everyday life. The central aim will be to sharpen skills of reasoning and argumentation by understanding how arguments work and learning to distinguish those which actually prove what they set out to show from those which do not. Open to all students. Quantitative.
PHIL 100W-3 Knowledge and Reality
An introduction to some of the central problems of philosophy. Topics to be discussed include the different theories of reality; the nature and sources of knowledge, truth, evidence, and reason; the justification of belief and knowledge about the universe. These topics and problems will be considered as they arise in the context of issues such as: relativism versus absolutism; the existence of God; personal identity; the nature of the mind and its relation to the body; free will and determinism; the possibility of moral knowledge. Open to all students. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
PHIL 110-3 Introduction to Logic and Reasoning
The aim of this course is to familiarize students with fundamental techniques of correct reasoning. Special attention is given to the methods of logic in particular, and to their role in the discovery of truth not only within science and philosophy but within all forms of rational enquiry. Open to all students. Quantitative.
PHIL 120W-3 Introduction to Moral Philosophy
An introduction to the central problems of ethics: for example, the nature of right and wrong, the objectivity or subjectivity of moral judgments, the relativity or absolutism of values, the nature of human freedom and responsibility. The course will also consider general moral views such as utilitarianism, theories of rights and specific obligations, and the ethics of virtue. These theories will be applied to particular moral problems such as abortion, punishment, distributive justice, freedom of speech, and racial and sexual equality. Sometimes the course will also focus on important historical figures such as Plato, Aristotle, Kant and Mill. Open to all students. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
PHIL 144-3 Introduction to the Philosophy of Natural and Social Science
An introduction to philosophical issues concerning the nature of science. Topics to be discussed include the distinction between science and pseudo-science, the nature of scientific method, the nature of explanation in the natural and social sciences, the phenomenon of scientific change, the relationship between scientific theory and observation, and the objectivity of social science. Students who have completed PHIL 244 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities/Science.
PHIL 150-3 History of Philosophy I
A survey of philosophic thought from late antiquity to the Renaissance. Special attention will be given to the works of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas. The views of these great thinkers have helped to shape the ways in which we see the world. This course is therefore recommended to everyone with an interest in our intellectual heritage. Open to all students. Breadth-Humanities.
PHIL 151-3 History of Philosophy II
A survey of philosophic thought from the Renaissance to the 20th Century. Special attention will be given to the works of Descartes, Leibniz, Spinoza, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Kant, Hegel and Mill. The views of these great thinkers have helped to shape the ways in which we see the world. This course is therefore recommended to everyone with an interest in our intellectual heritage. Open to all students. Breadth-Humanities.
PHIL 201-3 Epistemology
A critical overview of recent accounts of the nature and scope of human knowledge and of justified or rational belief, and of philosophical issues that these accounts are intended to address. Prerequisite: one of PHIL 100, 150, or 151, or COGS 100. Students who have taken PHIL 301 cannot take this course for further credit.
PHIL 203-3 Metaphysics
An examination of central problems of metaphysics such as space and time, universals and particulars, substance, identity and individuation and personal identity. Prerequisite: one of PHIL 100, 150, 151, or COGS 100.
PHIL 210-3 Natural Deductive Logic
This course studies a natural deductive system of propositional and quantificational logic, the first-order theory of identity and the first-order theory of relations. Topics include the metatheory of propositional logic and the application of formal theory to the assessment of natural language arguments. Quantitative.
PHIL 214-3 Axiomatic Logic
This course studies the metatheory of axiomatic propositional and quantificational logic. Topics include proof theory, the metatheory of propositional logic, the proof theory of first-order logic, first-order models, soundness and completeness. Prerequisite: one of PHIL 210, MACM 101, MATH 144, CMPT 205. Quantitative.
PHIL 220-3 Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy
An introduction to central problems of political and social philosophy: for example, the basis of political obligation, the proper limits of state power, the appropriate scope of individual liberty, and the nature of social justice. Sometimes the course will focus on the views of historically important political philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Bentham, Mill and Marx.
PHIL 231-3 Selected Topics
A specific topic, philosopher or philosophical work to be dealt with as occasion and demand warrant.
PHIL 240-3 Philosophy of Religion
A critical analysis of classic and contemporary arguments concerning the rationality of belief in God, and related issues.
PHIL 241-3 Philosophy in Literature
Philosophical themes in the writings of such authors as Voltaire, Turgenev, Dostoevski, Sartre, Camus, Conrad and Golding.
PHIL 242-3 Philosophy of Art
An examination of issues concerning the nature of works of art. The course will include a consideration of rival theories of art such as: art as expression, art as representation, and art as significant form. Theories of aesthetic criticism will be studied in relation to taste, personal experience, and truth.
PHIL 280-3 Introduction to Existentialism
A study of existentialist philosophers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, and Camus and a survey of precursors such as Kant and Hegel.
PHIL 300-3 Introduction to Philosophy
An introductory course specifically intended for students in other departments who have at least 60 units. This course is more advanced than 100 and 200 division courses and is of interest to students not only in the humanities, but also in the natural and social sciences. Prerequisite: at least 60 units. Normally, students with credit for PHIL 100 may not take this course for further credit. This course does not count towards the upper division requirements for a student pursuing a minor, major, or honors program in philosophy. Breadth-Humanities.
PHIL 302-3 Topics in Epistemology and Metaphysics
An exploration of philosophical issues concerning, e.g.: causation, time, modality, or the self; the realism/nominalism or realism/idealism debate; relativism; the concept of truth; naturalized epistemology; global epistemological skepticism or perhaps a 'local' form of skepticism such as skepticism about induction or about sensory belief. Prerequisite: PHIL 201 or 203.
PHIL 314-3 Topics in Logic I
An examination of one or more topics such as: philosophical logic; deontic logic; the logic of knowledge and belief; the logic of preference; tense logics; foundations of set theory; recursive functions; the history of logic. Recommended: PHIL 210, 214, or an otherwise suitable background.
PHIL 320-3 Social and Political Philosophy
An examination of an issue or selection of issues in social and political philosophy. Contemporary or historical readings or a mixture of these will be used. Possible topics include: justice, the law and legal systems, sovereignty, power and authority, democracy, liberty and equality. Sometimes the course will focus on the views of historically important political philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Bentham, Mill and Marx. Prerequisite: PHIL 120 or 220.
PHIL 321-3 Topics in Moral Philosophy
An advanced investigation of central issues and theories in moral philosophy. In any given term, the course may focus on a general theory or concept or concern, for example meta-ethics, utilitarianism, or theories of rights. Sometimes it will focus on a particular problem or problems, such as medical ethics, moral personhood, or free will and moral responsibility. Prerequisite: PHIL 120.
PHIL 322-3 History of Ethics
An examination of an issue or selection of issues in the history of moral or political philosophy. Historical readings will be the primary focus and may include important figures such as Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, and Kant. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120, 150, 151, 220.
PHIL 327-3 Global Health Ethics
Ethical issues related to public health as they are located in and influenced by a global context. Consideration of several ethical approaches including utilitarianism, deontic ethics, and the capabilities approach, as well as theories of justice. Application of approaches to topics ranging from global markets in human organs to international migration of health workers and pharmaceutical testing in the developing world. Prerequisite: 60 units and PHIL 120W or HSCI 319W. PHIL 327 is identical to HSCI 320 and students may not receive credit for both. Students who have completed HSCI 320 or the spring 2011 offering of PHIL 331 may not complete this course for further credit.
PHIL 328-3 Environmental Ethics
A survey of contemporary issues in environmental ethics. Topics may include: animal rights, the intrinsic value of nature, 'deep ecology', obligations to future generations, conservation, environmental justice, as well as relevant background materials in ethical theory. Prerequisite: PHIL 120W. Students who have complete PHIL 318 may not take this course for further credit
PHIL 331-3 Selected Topics
Prerequisite: as stated by department at time of offering.
PHIL 332-3 Selected Topics
Prerequisite: as stated by department at time of offering.
PHIL 333-3 Selected Topics
Prerequisite: as stated by department at time of offering.
PHIL 341-3 Philosophy of Science
A study of the nature of scientific enquiry, classificatory systems, laws and theories, the role of observation in science, the demarcation between science and non-science, causality, the status of theoretical constructs, and teleological explanation. Prerequisite: PHIL 100; PHIL 210 or 214; and one of PHIL 201 or 203, or COGS 200.
PHIL 343-3 Philosophy of Mind
A study of theories of the mind, consciousness, and human action. Prerequisite: PHIL 100; and one of PHIL 201 or 203, or COGS 200.
PHIL 344-3 Philosophy of Language
An introduction to the major philosophic theories of language. Topics to be considered include the relationship between language and mind, language and the world, language and society. Prerequisite: PHIL 100; and one of PHIL 201 or 203, or COGS 200.
PHIL 350-3 Ancient Philosophy
Prerequisite: PHIL 100 or 150.
PHIL 352-3 17th Century Philosophy
An examination of some central issues in 17th century philosophy. Themes may include: changing theories of causation, of the mind, and of the relation between mind and world. Historical readings will be the primary focus and may include important figures such as Descartes, Elisabeth of Bohemia, Malebranche, Spinoza, Leibniz, and Locke. Prerequisite: PHIL 100 or 151. Students who have completed PHIL 353 or PHIL 354 prior to Fall 2006 may not take this course for further credit.
PHIL 356-3 18th Century Philosophy
An examination of some central issues of 18th century philosophy. Themes may include the development of the theory of ideas and epistemology associated with it. The primary focus may include important figures such as Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Condillac. Prerequisite: PHIL 100 or 151. Students who have completed PHIL 355 prior to Fall 2006 may not take this course for further credit.
PHIL 357-3 Topics in the History of Philosophy
Prerequisite: PHIL 100 or 151.
PHIL 421W-4 Advanced Topics in Ethical Theory
A highly focussed, advanced examination of a selection of topics in normative or meta-ethics. Prerequisite: one of PHIL 120, 320, or 321. Writing.
PHIL 435-4 Selected Topics
A specific topic, philosopher or philosophical work to be dealt with as occasion and demand warrant. Prerequisite: two 300 level Philosophy courses.
PHIL 451W-4 Advanced Topics in the History of Philosophy
Prerequisite: One of PHIL 350, 352, 356, 357. Writing
PHIL 455W-4 Contemporary Issues in Epistemology and Metaphysics
Prerequisite: two 300 division PHIL courses. Writing.
PHIL 467W-4 Seminar II
Prerequisite: two 300 division PHIL courses. Writing.
PHIL 477-5 Honors Tutorial I
Prerequisite: PHIL 477 is a requisite for all honors students, and must be taken in one of the last two terms of the student's philosophy program. It must be taken concurrently with or prior to PHIL 478. At least eight weeks prior to the term in which they wish to enrol in PHIL 477, honors students should obtain departmental approval of a proposed syllabus and arrange for faculty supervision of the course. Open only to honors students.
PHIL 478-5 Honors Tutorial II
Prerequisite: PHIL 478 is a requisite for all honors students, and must be taken in one of the last two terms of the student's philosophy program. It must be taken concurrently with or consecutively to PHIL 477. At least eight weeks prior to the term in which they wish to enrol in PHIL 478, honors students should obtain departmental approval of a proposed syllabus and arrange for faculty supervision of the course. Open only to honors students.