Dominican University

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Philosophy

Courses | Employment

Majors/Minors

Major Requirements

  • Philosophy 120, 160 or 190; 241, 242 or 243; 250 or 251; and one of the following: 200, 210, 220, 275, 284, 290; and 410.
  • The remaining hours are to be chosen in conference with the major advisor.
  • A minimum of six courses in the major field must be completed at Dominican.

Minor Requirements

  • Philosophy 120, 160 or 190, 241, 242 or 243; 250 or 251; and one of the following: 200, 210, 220, 275, 284, 290.
  • A minimum of three courses in the minor field must be completed at Dominican.

Courses


101. ETHICAL ISSUES IN SPORTS (3)
This is an opportunity to increase one’s knowledge and understanding of many philosophical issues and controversies in sports. Here, pressing sports issues will be exposed in an environment steeped in practical implications and grounded in ethical and philosophical perspectives.
This course will satisfy the philosophy core area requirement.

120. BEING HUMAN: ITS PHILOSOPHICAL DIMENSIONS (3)
Introduction to philosophical theories of human nature. Questions to be considered include: What is the self? Do we have free will? What does it mean to be a good person? How do race and gender affect our self-understanding?
This course will satisfy the philosophy core area requirement.

160. INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY (3)
Introduction to major questions rising from experience with nature, knowledge and the good life; study of how selected ancient and modern philosophers tried to resolve these questions.
This course will satisfy the philosophy core area requirement.

190. PHILOSOPHY AND FILM (3)
Introduction to major themes of philosophy as they arise in contemporary films: themes such as free will/determinism, the nature of personhood, moral evil, the meaning of life, fate and what makes film itself philosophically interesting, particularly regarding our beliefs distinguishing reality from fantasy.
This course will satisfy the philosophy core area requirement.

200. AFRICAN AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN THOUGHT (3)
A philosophical investigation of African and African-American thought studied in the context of intellectual and cultural history of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Listed also as African/African-American Studies 200.
This course will satisfy the philosophy core area and multicultural core requirements.

210. PHILOSOPHY AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES (3)
An exploration of the philosophical implications in contemporary personal, social and political issues. Selected readings from traditional and contemporary thinkers.
This course will satisfy the philosophy core area requirement.

220. WOMEN IN PHILOSOPHY (3)
An inquiry into how major philosophers have viewed women, as well as a study of the writings of selected women philosophers.
This course will satisfy the philosophy core area requirement.

241. ETHICS (3)
An inquiry into the different responses of great thinkers to the question, what is the good life?
This course will satisfy the philosophy core area requirement.

242. INTRODUCTION TO BIOMEDICAL ETHICS (3)
This course examines the application of moral theories to key problems in biomedical ethics, using real life cases, and explores issues such as informed consent in research, gene therapy, stem cell research, the effects of race, class and gender on the quality of health care, in vitro fertilization, distribution of health care resources, and assisted suicide.
This course will satisfy the philosophy core area requirement.

243. ETHICS AND BUSINESS (3)
An introduction to various approaches to moral reasoning pertinent to business. An exploration of moral theories, relativism, human rights, fairness; the moral justification of a free market economy, the profit-motive; corporate responsibility and the concept of an “ethical firm.”
This course will satisfy the philosophy core area requirement.

250. LOGIC AND CRITICAL THINKING (3)
Study of useful approaches to the definition of terms, deductive and inductive reasoning, the development of analytical and critical thinking, and the identification and avoidance of fallacies.

251. LOGIC, TRUTH AND CULTURE (3)
This course studies the logic of reasoning, definition-making and persuasive fallacies; major Western theories of truth; and cultural changes that have altered our thinking about what counts as logical, true and rational.
This course will satisfy the philosophy core area requirement.

275. INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (3)
A general survey of key ideas in political philosophy, with a special focus on classical and modern theories of the state. The study includes Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Rousseau, Marx and Rawls.
This course will satisfy the philosophy core area requirement.

284. LAW, FREEDOM AND JUSTICE (3)
Why obey law? Are freedom and justice possible under law? Philosophical investigation of the mutual relationships between persons and the societies in which they live.
This course will satisfy the philosophy core area requirement.

290. PHILOSOPHY OF ART (3)
Study of classical and contemporary theories regarding such issues as what makes something “ art,” whether art can have meaning, whether “aesthetic” value can only be subjective, whether “art” is integral to a morally fulfilling life, whether philosophical issues have relevance to the production and engagement with art.
This course will satisfy the philosophy core area requirement.

299. SERVICE LEARNING (1)
Taken in conjunction with a regularly listed philosophy course, this option involves community service and philosophical reflection.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

310. PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION (3)
Study of classical and contemporary theories regarding such issues as the relationship between claims of faith and claims of reason; meaning and religious discourse; strengths and weakness of various arguments for God’s existence; the problems of evil and ultimate significance.
Prerequisite: One course in philosophy or theology

339. NIETZSCHE (3)
A study of one or more works of Friedrich Nietzsche and an exploration of major Nietzschean themes, such as the difference between truth and knowledge; what (if anything) is “beyond good and evil”; the collapse of Western thinking; the death of God; herd morality, nihilism; and the “ overman.”
Prerequisite: One course in philosophy

341. GREEK PHILOSOPHY: PLATO AND ARISTOTLE (3)
A study of the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle in the context of preceding and subsequent Greek thought.
Prerequisite: One course in philosophy

342. PHILOSOPHY OF THOMAS AQUINAS (3)
Selected texts studied in the context of the intellectual and cultural history of western Europe, 500-1400.
Prerequisite: One course in philosophy

345. HISTORY OF 19TH CENTURY PHILOSOPHY (3)
Major philosophers of the period, including Hegel, Kierkegaard, Marx, Nietzsche and others.
Prerequisite: One course in philosophy

351. DESCARTES, HUME AND KANT (3)
Philosophy of Descartes, Hume and Kant studied in the context of intellectual and cultural history of the Enlightenment.
Prerequisite: One course in philosophy

358. CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY (3)
Major thinkers in the existentialist and analytic traditions.
Prerequisite: One course in philosophy (preferably Philosophy 351)

410. SENIOR CAPSTONE SEMINAR (4)
Usually taken in the senior year. The student chooses a philosophical problem and researches it throughout different periods of the history of philosophy or from key philosophical perspectives. Culmination of research is the formal presentation of a paper to the philosophy faculty and department members. The student also has an option of passing comprehensive examinations covering key issues in philosophy.
Prerequisite: Completion of 24 hours toward the major or 18 toward the minor or consent of instructor

450. INDEPENDENT STUDY (3-4)

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH OR CREATIVE INVESTIGATION (1-3)
Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced, Senior Thesis Independent Research or Creative Investigation is a course in which students collaborate with faculty
mentors on an ongoing faculty research project or conduct an independent project under the guidance of a faculty member. This directed undergraduate research or creative investigation culminates in a conference presentation, journal article or other creative/scholarly project.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

Employment


Investigate and consider the big questions in the context of philosophy, the oldest academic discipline. Look at the nature of reality, how we should live, and what it is possible to know – to name a few of the questions. Discover for yourself how well philosophy pairs with a wide range of career choices.

Employment:
  • Positions in community service
  • Fund raising
  • Consulting
  • Grant writing
  • Religion or ministry
  • Government
  • Program administration
  • Medical ethics
  • Environmental ethics
  • Research ethics
  • Law
  • Business
Employers:
  • Social service organizations
  • Not-for-profits
  • Agencies
  • Government
  • Cultural institutions
  • Religious organizations
  • Colleges and universities
  • Adult education
  • Federal commissions
  • Special interest groups
  • Health-care institutions
  • Research organizations
  • Publishing and media