2012-2013 Academic Year Calendar - Marianopolis

Creative Arts, Literature and Languages: Philosophyintroduces students to thisphilosophic tradition through theclose reading of its most famouspiece of philosophic literature—theBaghavad Gita.Existentialism340-LEB-MS (3-0-3) 2 creditsWith its unrelenting focus on thesolitary and alienated individual,existentialism has become thecharacteristic philosophy of themodern age. Students examine someof the core themes of this revolutionin thought by examining figures asdiverse as Kierkegaard, Dostoyevsky,Nietzsche, Sartre, and Heideggerwho have collectively exerted awide-spread influence on philosophy,religion and the arts.Philosophy of Sexuality340-LEC-MS (3-0-3) 2 creditsThe purpose of this course is toaid students in better orientingthemselves in relation to the moraldimensions of contemporary humansexuality issues. As such, this ispredominantly a course in moralphilosophy. The goal throughoutis to take a reasoned and analyticalapproach to the issues discussed.Sample topics include sexism inadvertising, sexual harassment,pornography and censorship.Moral Dilemmas340-LED-MS (3-0-3) 2 creditsThe aim of this course is to helpstudents develop the capacity forrational, critical thinking on moralissues. Lectures and discussionsfocus first upon the nature ofmoral philosophy and some of itsrepresentative theories, and thenfocus on the application of thesetheories to important contemporarymoral issues.86The Problem of God340-LFB-MS (3-0-3) 2 creditsHow can there be a problem withGod? God is an infinite being, thetotality of all perfections – unless,of course, God is just a figmentof the human imagination. Incontemporary Western culturethere is a very pronounced conflictbetween science and religion aboutthe nature and (especially) theexistence of God. In this course wefirst examine the origin and natureof this conflict; then explore thepossibility of resolving this conflict.Medical Ethics340-LEE-MS (3-0-3) 2 creditsThis course is designed to acquaintstudents with the ethical dimensionsof contemporary controversies inmedicine. After a preliminary look ata handful of moral theories, the taskwill be to apply these theories tosome troublesome issues surroundingadvances in medical technology.Sample topics include the treatmentof impaired newborns, euthanasia,the allocation of scarce medicalresources, and research involvinghuman subjects.Think For Yourself!340-LFD-MS (3-0-3) 2 creditsAs the course title indicates, thepurpose of this course is to helpstudents develop the knowledge andskills to become independent, criticalthinkers. Through a series of readings,lectures and regular exercises, studentsare introduced to the nature, methodsand applications of rational thinking.The course examines the nature andvalue of rationality itself, as well asthe way language works as a mediumfor communicating in a rationalmanner. At all stages of the course,the emphasis is on developing skillsthrough individual and group exercises.What is Justice?340-LCG-MS (3-0-3) 2 creditsWe consider "justice" to be central tothe successful functioning of a democraticsociety, but what do we actuallymean by this term? This courseexplores different theories of justice,past and present, and examines howthey relate in a concrete way to theinteraction between the individualand the social/political community.Issues discussed include the origin ofjustice, social contract theory, thepurpose or function of justice, and thequestion of punishing injustice.Topics in Philosophy340-LEF-MS (3-0-3) 2 creditsPlato’s Republic is a classic ofphilosophic literature. One of thereasons for this is that Plato discussesvirtually every aspect of human lifeand experience in this dialogue, andexamines the connections betweenthem. Through a close reading of theRepublic students in this course getthe opportunity to explore theseissues together, and to select one (ormore) of them to explore at greaterdepth through a term paper (or aseries of discussion questions).Ancient Philosophy340-LCB-MS (3-0-3) 2 creditsThis course provides a survey ofancient Greek philosophy, from thepre-Socratic thinkers and Socrates,through to Plato and Aristotle. Thesethinkers and their ideas are examinedin terms of their historical context,especially insofar as they influencedone another. As well as examiningthe major philosophical areas ofmetaphysics, theory of knowledge,and ethics; this course gives specialempahsis to the way in which thesethinkers laid the foundation forwestern thought in the natural andthe social sciences.