332 Ancient Greek Philosophy (4) W An introduction to ancient Greek philosophy. Focuses on Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle; may also include the early scientific thinkers or “pre-Socratics,” who abandoned the supernatural and the Hellenistic schools, which conceived of philosophy as a way to find peace of mind. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent. Offered every fall. 336 Early Modern Philosophy (4) An exploration of the momentous changes in philosophy occurring in the 17th Century that defined a new era in the life of European civilization. Key themes include the philosophical grounding of religious toleration and the emergence of a new scientific culture. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent. Offered every spring. 338 19th-Century Philosophy (4) Surveys major trends in post-Kantian European philosophy. Readings are drawn from the work of Fichte, Hegel, Marx, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and others. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent. Offered spring of even-numbered years. 340 Topics in American Philosophy (4) Examines pragmatism as developed by William James and John Dewey, among others. Specific foci may change but understanding pragmatism’s influence on the wider American culture, especially in law and politics is a central goal. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent. Offered intermittently. 350 Existential Thought (4) Intensive study of recent phenomenological investigation into human existence. Thinkers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, and Merleau-Ponty are discussed. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent. Offered every fall. 400 Philosophy Seminar (4) An in-depth study of the work of a single major philosopher or of a specific topic in philosophy. The figure or topic changes with each offering. Contact the department chair for the current selection. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent. Offered intermittently. 480 Research in Philosophy (4) W Capstone course for the philosophy major. Students conduct a research project of their own design, under faculty supervision, that culminates in an oral presentation, an extensive essay and a viva voce examination. Students must have completed most of the requirements for the major before taking this course. Consent Required. Offered on demand.
Virginia Wesleyan University 2021 - 2022 Academic Catalog
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