PL 1310 From Experience to Meaning: Critical Inquiry as Quest and Practice
An entry into the foundational concerns and methods of philosophy; addresses the range of human experience from self, through society and history, evolution and nature, to religious experience and questions of ultimate concern; reflects on the ways human move from experience to discover and create meaning; aims at a comprehensive and integrated view of the human world. Foundational knowledge and skills of critical inquiry are covered. Emphasis is placed on students engaging in the practice of philosophy, not just learning about philosophy.

PL 2310 Foundations of Argument and Critical Inquiry
An introduction to the skills of thinking critically. Focuses on the nature of argument, with an emphasis on informal aspect. An examination of claims concerning: the knowable, knowledge, what constitutes "answers", what should be done; deductive and inductive reasoning from law, business, ethics, politics, science, history; particular emphasis on analyzing and constructing arguments . (An elective-only course; does not count as part of the nine-hour core requirement)

PL 2332 Foundational Ethics: Persons, Reflection, and Responsibility
A critical examination of basic beliefs about good and evil, freedom, responsibility, the self, others, and the world permit a student to reflect on the central concepts and problems of ethics; consideration of the inner dynamics of the human actor and the interior demands of rational self-consciousness that enable human beings to do what is truly worthwhile and what contributes to real human progress. Prerequisite: PL 1310

PL 2336 Foundational Ethics for Engineers
This course covers the same foundation issues of ethics as PL 2332; however the course meets for 3.5 hours a week and includes a case lab where insights and learning are applied to issues and concerns arising in the practice of engineering. Particular attention is paid to the ethical formation of engineers as persons in professional practice, the meaning of vocation and professions, the contribution of engineering to communities and society, and the ethical demands of professional practice. Prerequisite: PL 1310 and enrollment in one of the engineering or technology programs of the School of Engineering, Science and Technology.

PL 3300 Reason, Interpretation, and Writing
Advanced critical thinking and writing. Extensive practice in identifying arguments, separating reasons from conclusions, and testing the adequacy of evidence. At the same time students practice developing their skills in expressing the results of their critical inquiries in various formats and for varied audiences. Particular attention is paid to developing the writing skills required for graduate and professional study and publication.

PL 3322 Critical Inquiry in the Human Person
Toward a critical appropriation of the conditions necessary for the achievement of identity and personal integrity. How identity and integrity emerge through the interaction of individuals in relation to culture, other individuals, themselves. How identity is best sustained; the relation of identity and community.

PL 3342 Critical Inquiry in Being and Reality
A critical investigation of the ultimate structures and principles of reality. The topics of inquiry may be approached both historically and systematically.

PL 3344 Critical Inquiry in Religion and God
Introduction to the philosophical study of religions; appropriate methods for the study of religious phenomena; variety of manifestations of the sacred in religions, ancient and modern; religious language; ritual; religious communities; the problem of evil; the relation of religion to morality; the question of salvation.

PL 3358 Historical Critical Inquiry in Axial Heritage
A critical inquiry into the events of the Axial Age and the subsequent cultural traditions - Eastern and Western - that have framed and continue to frame human historical existence and human being.

PL 3360 Historical Critical Inquiry in Classical Culture
An introduction to the classical heritage of critical inquiry from the pre-Socratics to Augustine. Emphasis upon the study of representative texts, philosophical methods, and characteristic approaches to fundamental critical inquiries. Attention will be paid to historical location of the ideas of classical culture and the relationship of history and critical inquiry. Interdisciplinary perspectives will organize the course. Areas of inquiry will be announced when the course is offered.

PL 3361 Historical Critical Inquiry in Medieval Culture
An introduction to some of the characteristic critical inquiries of the Middle Ages. Emphasis upon the study of representative texts, philosophical methods, and characteristic approaches to fundamental critical inquiries. Attention will be paid to historical location of the ideas of medieval culture and the relationship of history and critical inquiry. Interdisciplinary perspectives will organize the course. Areas of inquiry will be announced when the course is offered.

PL 3362 Historical Critical Inquiry in Modernity
This course introduces students to forms of critical inquiry that emerge in the 16th century. Emphasis upon the study of representative texts that illumine and clarify characteristic problems, questions, and methods of the period from the 16th to 18th century in Western Europe. Emphasis will be placed on the continuity of concerns, problems, and unresolved issues. Areas of inquiry will be announced when the course is offered.

PL 3364 Historical Critical Inquiry in Contemporary Culture
This course will introduce students to the multifaceted development of the 19th and 20th century critical thought, especially in Europe. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the historical origin of movements like existentialism, phenomenology, feminism, and critical theory through representative texts and figures. Interdisciplinary perspectives will organize the course. Areas of inquiry will be announced when the course is offered.

PL 3366 Historical Critical Inquiry in American Culture 3 sem. hours
North America has rich and varied philosophical traditions. Through the use of primary texts, the course will explore selected themes and issues in American culture, especially as these are related to perennial philosophical, existential, personal, and social questions. Interdisciplinary perspectives will organize the course. Areas of inquiry will be announced when the course is offered.

PL 3368 Historical Critical Inquiry in Latin American Philosophy 3 sem. hours
Both an historical and critical examination of Latin American thought from the wisdom tradition of the Aztecs to contemporary philosophical and cultural expression.

PL 3370 Critical Inquiry: Special Issues
In-depth study of critical issues, problems or currents in political, social, religious or intellectual history with preference for interdisciplinary areas. Specific subject is indicated when the course is offered.

PL 3375 Advanced Formal Systems
Advanced topics in logic, including decidability, soundness, completeness, and incompleteness of formal systems. May also explore recursion, weak and strong mathematical induction or model theory. Facility with some versions of the propositional calculus is required (PL 1310 or equivalent); facility with predicate calculus highly recommended.

PL 3380 Directed Study
Directed studies are an opportunity for students to pursue inquiries of their own choosing in consultation with a member of the department who knows the subject area and is sympathetic to working with the project. A Directed Study program must be arranged according to University policy and include permission of the chair and major advisor.

PL 4100 Habits of Critical Inquiry
Continuous enrollment course (1 cr. hour) required of all philosophy majors only. Focuses on the academic and professional formation of majors in a way not possible in upper division courses by providing specific instruction in skills and content that are common to all areas of philosophy rather than a specific philosophy course. The course will provide opportunities for a major to reflect on his or her own work and place in philosophy through the assembly of a cumulative protfolio of representative work completed to meet the requirements of his/her philosophy major. Pass/No Pass grade.

PL 4310 Critical Inquiry in Law and Justice
Examination of various foundations of human legal order, concentrating on natural law and positivist law perspectives; the relation between law and justice; legal and moral obligations; responsibility; sanctions.

PL 4312 Foundations of Knowing and Thinking
A systematic examination of critical issues, problems, and questions about knowing and knowledge. A critical examination of theories of knowing. Interdisciplinary perspectives will organize the course. Areas of inquiry will be announced when the course is offered.

PL 4314 Critical Inquiry in Ethical Thinking
A critical appraisal of the major moral theories that inform Western thinking about morality and justice. Emphasis will be placed on the critical evaluation of moral theories and their implication in contemporary public discourse about morality and values. This critical survey will consider how cognitional structure and transcendental method contribute to an ethical method that integrates theory and application with ethical deliberation. Prerequisite PL 2332.

PL 4316 Critical Inquiry in Bio- and Techno-medicine
A critical examination of perspectives on the ethical dimensions of the activities of health care personnel, the practice of medicine, and use of biomedical and medical technologies.

PL 4318 Critical Inquiry in Ethics and Professional Life
Critical reflection of the central issues, concepts, and problems of professional life, especially as these are related to self-understanding and the relationship of the self to social institutions and professional practices.

PL 4320 Critical Inquiry in Humans and Nature
A critical examination of the moral significance of creation, ecology, technology, and human vocation as related to environmental issues and relationships. Representative views on the relationship of humans and the natural world will be critically examined in relation to their social and moral implications.

PL 4322 Critical Inquiry in Economy and Justice
A critical study of the meaning of economy and economic relations within social living. Themes covered include the meaning of economy, work, labor, human vocation, justice, and poverty. This course begins with a survey of views of what constitutes an economy and the meaning of just economic relations. It includes a study of contemporary theories of justice, including Catholic Social Teaching, with specific application to selected issues of economic justice.

PL 4324 Critical Inquiry in Science and Technology
How does scientific progress some about? The function in science of theories and paradigms. The phases of scientific progress: pre-paradigm science, normal science, and revolutionary science - preceded by recognition of anomalies, proliferation of theories, choice among theories. Questions of truth, reality and value. The mediation of reality in meaning, our contact with reality, science and society.

PL 4332 Critical Inquiry in Self and Society
Critical examination of historical and contemporary perspectives on humans-in-society, the relationship between the individual and the social world. Employs intentionality analysis and general empirical method in a critical assessment of theoretical stances developed in the modern era.

PL 4334 Critical Inquiry in Culture
Critical examination into the inseparability of human nature and human history, the given and the constructed (social order and cultural meaning), and into the relation between the individual and the cultural world. Focus on the functions and levels of culture, forms of cultural criticism, and foundations of objective, normative cultural critiques.

PL 4336 Critical Inquiry in Sex and Gender An exploration of a variety of key authors and texts about gender relations are used as the basis of making a critical assessment of the need for and the adequacy of various theories of sex and gender.