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Students eligible for Arts and Sciences courses normally begin philosophy by taking Philosophy 0100. The Core Curriculum course C050 is also an excellent preparation for further work in philosophy.
LOWER LEVEL
C050 Philosophical Challenges to the Individual (3 s.h.) FS
This course combines historical and contemporary sources to study individuals and their social settings. It studies individuals, and the development of the doctrine of individualism, through an examination of issues such as personal identity, questions of individual knowledge, and the extent of and limits on individual choice; hence, it takes up moral codes, political doctrines, and religious beliefs. May not be taken by those who have passed Philosophy 0100.
0051. The Meaning and Value of Life (3 s.h.) F
This is a new course which will deal with such issues of "critical ethics" as abortion and euthansia, and may also deal with religious and non-religious answers to the question, "What makes life worth living?"
0055. Critical Thinking (3 s.h.) FS
The most important principles of reasoning. How to clarify the meanings of terms; how to tell what follows from what; how to bring the facts to bear on issues; and how to identify deceptive patterns of thought.
C062. Morality and the Law (3 s.h.) S
Especially recommended for pre-law and pre-social administration students. The course provides a basic grounding in moral and legal philosophy, and addresses issues on which both touch, such as capital punishment, affirmative action, sexual behavior, and the right to welfare.
C063. American Thinkers (3 s.h.) S
The major figures and central problems of American philosophy will be surveyed historically, with a view to examining what is distinctive in American thought and how American philosophy relates to its natural cultural context.
C066. Introduction to Logic (3 s.h.) (MB/D4) FS
Prerequisite: Math. C055 or Stat. C011. The meaning of such logical notions as the validity of arguments, the equivalence of statements, and the inconsistency of sets of statements. Symbolization of the logically relevant features of statements and testing of arguments for validity, sets for inconsistency, etc. Development of logical theory in connection with these notions and techniques.
0067. Values and the Market (3 s.h.) F
Especially recommended for business students. Provides a historical and theoretical examination of the concept of economic value, and how it works within market systems.
0073. Reason and Religious Belief (3 s.h.) S
An evaluation of reasons for and against belief in religious doctrine, including classical arguments, miracles, faith, and the existence of evil.
C077. Science in Context (3 s.h.) S
A study of scientific method by critical examination of cases of scientific work in their social, political, and psychological context. Attention to the values and ethical concerns in scientific inquiry.
C088. Philosophy East and West (3 s.h.) F
Systematic and comparative study of representative philosophies of India, China, Japan, and Western Europe.
UPPER LEVEL
0100. Introduction to Philosophy (3 s.h.) (D1) FS
Philosophical problems in the works of great thinkers from ancient times to present. Selected questions concern the nature of reality, human freedom, the foundations of knowledge, standards of value, and the existence of God. May not be taken by students who have passed Philosophy C050.
0121. Introduction to Ethical Theory (3 s.h.) S
An examination of the basic philosophical questions concerning moral obligation, responsibility, and human happiness.
0131. Introduction to Aesthetics (3 s.h.) S
Study of philosophical questions concerning the nature of aesthetic experience, the work of art, and the place of theory and criticism in the perception and appreciation of the arts, the concept of expression, and expressive properties.
0154. Political Philosophy (3 s.h.) F
An examination of such issues as the source of obligation to obey the state, natural rights, the limits of governmental authority, and the justification of various forms of government. Readings drawn from classical and contemporary sources.
0161. History of Philosophy: Greek (3 s.h.) (D1) F
Selected basic writings of Plato and Aristotle emphasizing their treatment of such topics as universals and the structure of knowledge.
0165. Hume, Marx, Darwin, and Freud (3 s.h.) Alternate S
An exploration of four major figures who are important in the rise of the social sciences. Their influence in the present will be stressed.
0172. History of Philosophy: Modern (3 s.h.) S
An historical and critical study of the thought of selected philosophers from Descartes to Hume emphasizing their treatment of such topics as perception, the mind-body relationship, the structure of knowledge, and personal identity.
0186. Themes in Existentialism (3 s.h.) F
This course deals with the philosophical (and religious) views of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, Beauvoir, and Camus. Typical issues to be discussed are the human individual, the death of God and the will to power, consciousness and objects of consciousness, ethics in the existentialist mode, and the meaning of life. Probable text: Oaklander (ed.), Existentialist Philosophy.
While some philosophy courses above 0200 do not have explicit prerequisites, they are intended for upper level students who are assumed to be well prepared in the relevant background. It is always safest to check with the instructor before registering.
0211. Intermediate Logic (3 s.h.) F
Prerequisite: Philosophy 0111, or a major in mathematics, or permission of instructor. An introduction to the metatheory of the elementary logic of predicates and quantifiers (familiarity with which is presupposed). Proofs that a standard derivation system is sound and complete are central.
0212. Advanced Logic (3 s.h.) S
Prerequisite: Philosophy 0211 or permission of instructor. Special topics in logical theory and the foundations of mathematics.
0217. Feminist Epistemology and Philosophy of Science (3 s.h.) S
Human knowledge is influenced by gender ideologies. This course examines the pervasiveness of these influences, and the resultant implications for the possibility of attaining objectivity and truth in inquiry. Scientific knowledge and philosophical theories of the nature of knowledge are special focuses of attention in this course. Scientific knowledge is considered through detailed discussion of cases in empirical science. The complex relations between gender, race, and class are also discussed in relation to these epistemological issues.
0222. Contemporary Ethical Theory (3 s.h.) S
Issues in ethical theory that have come to prominence in the 20th century. Both mathematical issues (about the meaning and justification of ethical statements) and normative issues (about obligation, responsibility, and goodness) will be examined.
0223. Feminist Ethics and Political Philosophy (3 s.h.) F
An examination of feminism's contribution to ethics, political philosophy, and legal theory. Issues may include: the role of care versus that of justice in determining moral obligations; the nature and causes of women's oppression (including the difference between the sexual oppression experienced by white women and the additional forms of oppression to which women of color/third-world women are subject); pornography and prostitution; equality and difference; essentialism as it pertains to gender and race; feminist jurisprudence; postmodern feminism.
0226. Classics in Moral Philosophy (3 s.h.) F
A study of the major works in the history of moral philosophy selected from among the writings of such philosophers as Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Hobbes, Spinoza, Hume, Kant, Mill, Nietzsche, Bradley.
0229. Philosophy in Literature (3 s.h.) F
Selected philosophical themes as they appear in classical and modern literature.
0232. Advanced Aesthetics: Epistemological and Metaphysical (3 s.h.) S
Prerequisite: Philosophy 0131, or at least junior standing and consent of the instructor. Emphasizes such topics as the ontological status of artworks, the definition of art, fictional entities, truth and reference in art, representation expression.
0243. Philosophy of Law (3 s.h.) S
An introduction to philosophical problems arising in the examination of legal systems, including questions and theories about the nature of law itself, about legal responsibility and legal punishment, and about standards of fairness in settling legal disputes.
0244. Philosophy of Mind (3 s.h.) S
An examination of mental and psychological states and the prospects of reductive materialism. Specific issues considered include the nature of persons, methodological relations between the natural and psychological sciences, language, and action.
0251. Philosophy of Language (3 s.h.) F
Prerequisite: Philosophy 0100 or consent of the instructor. Development of a theory of meaning and a criterion of meaningfulness, with a study of selected topics in semantics such as vagueness, metaphor, and theory of reference.
0253. Philosophy of History (3 s.h.) S
Will explore the recent lines of analysis in the theory of history and some materials in 19th and early 20th century theories. Among the contemporaries, we shall consider such figures as the Annalistes, Michel Foucault, Martin Heidegger, Paul Ricoeur, Hans-Georg Gadamer, Jurgen Habermas, Hayden White, and Arthur Danto. Attention to the metaphysics of history, the relation between natural and cultural entities, intentionality, problems of interpretation and narrative, objectivity, relativism, incommensurability, and the historicity of thinking.
0268. Indian Philosophy: An Introduction (3 s.h.) S
The course will cover the beginnings of Indian philosophical thinking in the hymns of Rig-Veda and the Upanishads and the major schools of Indian philosophy as they took shape during the next thousand years. The latter include the Samkhya, the Buddhist Schools, the Vaisekia, the Nyaya, and the major Schools of Vedanta. Issues in metaphysics, epistemology, and logic will be specially emphasized.
0273. Greek Philosophy (3 s.h.) S
Detailed critical examination of ancient Greek thought on topics such as the nature of reality, knowledge, the self, and the good life.
0279/0479. Kant (3 s.h.) F
In this course, we shall extensively read and discuss Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, one of the great books of western philosophy. This will help us not only to understand Kant's philosophy, but also to understand a major influence on contemporary western thought. The prerequisite for the course is acquaintance with the history of modern philosophy and also a willingness to work through a difficult but exciting text.
0281. 19th Century Philosophy (3 s.h.) S
Selected European philosophers from Hegel to Bradley.
0291. Special Topics (3 s.h.) S
Study of a philosophical topic or philosophy to be announced by the instructor.
0292. Special Topics (3 s.h.) S
Study of a philosophical topic or philosophy to be announced by the instructor.
0293. Pre-Law Tutorial (3 s.h.) FS
An alternative to senior seminar for students intending to go to law school. Intensive studies of key issues in the context of law and philosophy. Open only to juniors and seniors. (Capstone W course)
0295-0296-0297. Undergraduate Tutorial (2-3 s.h., respectively) FS
Open to juniors and seniors. Available only by permission of adviser and instructor for the purpose of study of topics not covered in regularly offered courses.
0298. Senior Seminar (3 s.h.) F
Required of all senior philosophy majors. In-depth study of special topics. (Capstone W course).
0299. Honors Thesis (3 s.h.) FS
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NOTE: Students should check the course descriptions below or consult their adviser to find which of the sequences C081-C082, C083-C084, C085-C086, C087-C088, or 0121-0122 satisfies the Physics requirements for their undergraduate major or graduate degree program. Students who are interested only in satisfying a Core requirement may combine any initial with any final course to complete the sequence, provided that the mathematics requirements are met. Students may receive credit for only one course in each of the two groups.
LOWER LEVEL
C053. Physics: Matter and Motion (4 s.h.) (SA/D2) FS
An introduction to the ideas and techniques used in the study of motion. Application to a wide variety of physical systems ranging from air molecules to footballs to black holes. Mostly descriptive using photographic techniques, films, and demonstrations. No laboratory.
C054. Physics: Waves and Modern Physics (4 s.h.) (SB/D2) S
Prerequisite: Physics C053 or 0067. An introduction to the ideas and techniques used in the study of waves. Applications to a wide variety of physical systems ranging from sound, music, light, and color to atoms, nuclei, and elementary particles. Mostly descriptive, using photography, films, and demonstrations. No laboratory.
C055. Light, Art, and Nature (4 s.h.) (SA/D2) F
An introduction to the properties of light, whether interpreted as rays, waves, or photons. Discussion of the basic ideas of geometric and wave optics, with application to the analysis of photography, color, vision, and modern physics. Emphasis is on factors which permit the artist and observer to understand and more fully control the design and interpretation of images of all kinds. Demonstrations, experiments, and video and computer simulations to analyze signals received by the eyes or instruments. Course is primarily designed for students interested in the visual arts, but is open to anyone. Minimal mathematics.
C056. Introduction to Astronomy (4 s.h.) (SB/D2) FS
Prerequisite: Physics C053, C055 or C067. After a description of local space which includes the universe of galaxies, red shift, and the big bang will be discussed. White dwarfs, red giants, pulsars, black holes, and quasars will be covered. The treatment will be mostly descriptive, utilizing slides, NASA films, and several trips to our planetarium. No laboratory.
C067. Acoustics (3 s.h.) (SA/D2) F
Elementary principles of wave motion and discussion and analysis of musical sounds from a large variety of sources including live voices, instruments, oscillators, synthesizers, and recording media of all sorts. Factors which permit the performer and listener to understand and more fully control musical sounds. Demonstrations and video to relate the signals received by the ears to visual and technical analysis. For music students, but useful to anyone interested in communications. Open to all students. Minimal mathematics.
0068. Descriptive Astronomy (4 s.h.) (D2) FS
A primarily descriptive survey of modern astronomy. Methods of exploring the universe from the naked eye through structure of the solar system, the stars, the galaxy, and the observable universe as well as theories of their origin and evolution. Also, white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, black holes, and quasars. Occasional use of the planetarium or observatory. No laboratory.
0078. Descriptive Astronomy (2 s.h.) FS
A selection of the material in Physics 0068.
C081. Introductory Engineering Physics I (4 s.h.) (SA/D2) FS
Corequisite: Mathematics C075 or C085. Principles and applications of Newtonian mechanics, gravitation, fluids, waves, and heat. Intended primarily for engineering technology students. Engineering students should take Physics C087 instead. Lecture, laboratory, and recitation.
C082. Introductory Engineering Physics II (4 s.h.) (SB/D2) FS
Prerequisite: Physics C081 or C087; Corequisite: Math C076 or C086. Optics, electricity and magnetism, waves, and atoms. Intended primarily for engineering technology students. Engineering students should take Physics C088 instead. Lecture, laboratory, and recitation.
C083. College Physics I (4 s.h.) (SA/D2) F
Prerequisite: Mathematics 0073 or 0074 or equivalent. Recommended for, but not restricted to, architecture students and those preparing to enter the College of Allied Health Professions. Not intended as preparation for advanced courses in physics. Selected topics from mechanics. Lecture, laboratory, and recitation.
C084. College Physics II (4 s.h.) (SB/D2) S
Prerequisite: One of Physics C081, C085, or C087. Recommended for, but not restricted to, architecture students and those preparing to enter the College of Allied Health Professions. Not intended as preparation for advanced courses in physics. Heat, light, electricity, and magnetism, and modern physics. Lecture, laboratory, and recitation.
C085. Introduction to General Physics I (4 s.h.) (SB/D2) F
Prerequisite: Mathematics 0073, 0074, or equivalent. Open to freshmen and other students in pre-professional programs, including pre-dental and pre-medical programs. Preprofessional students who are biology majors should take Physics 0121 instead. Not intended as a preparation for advanced courses in physics. Physics of motion, gravitation, and heat. Lecture, laboratory, and recitation.
C086. Introduction to General Physics II (4 s.h.) (SB/D2) S
Prerequisite: One of Physics C081, C085, or C087. Normally follows Physics C085. Open to freshmen and others in preprofessional programs, including pre-dental and pre-medical programs. Preprofessional students who are biology majors should take Physics 0122 instead. Optics, electricity and magnetism, waves, and atoms. Lecture, laboratory, and recitation.
C087. Elementary Classical Physics I (4 s.h.) (SA/D2) FS
Pre- or Corequisite: Mathematics C075 or C085. Primarily for physics, chemistry, engineering, geology, and mathematics majors, but open to others. Elementary vector algebra, one-dimensional motion, particle dynamics, work and energy, conservation of energy, conservation of linear momentum, collisions, rotational kinematics and dynamics, conservation of angular momentum, oscillations, waves, and gravitation. Lecture, laboratory, and recitation.
C088. Elementary Classical Physics II (4 s.h.) (SB/D2) FS
Prerequisite: Mathematics C075 or C085; Corequisite: Mathematics C076 or C086. Primarily for physics, chemistry, engineering, geology, and mathematics majors, but open to others. Temperature, heat and the first law of thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases, entropy and the second law of thermodynamics, electrical charges, the electric field, Gauss' law, electrostatic potential, capacitors and dielectrics, current, resistance, the magnetic field, Ampere's law, Faraday's law, inductance, geometrical optics, and interference and diffraction of light. Lecture, laboratory, and recitation.
H091. Physics: Matter and Motion (4 s.h.) (SA/D2) F
Honors section of Physics C053.
H093-H094. Fundamental Physics Honors Seminar I-II (4 s.h. each) FS
Honors section of Physics C087, C088.
0095. Independent Study (3 s.h.) FS
May be repeated.
H096. Astronomy Honors Seminar (4 s.h.) (SB/D2) S
Honors section of Physics C056.
UPPER LEVEL
0121. General Physics I (SA/D2) F
Prerequisites: Two semesters of calculus. Primarily for biology majors but open to others. Students are expected to have completed a year of college level biology, chemistry, or geology. Newtonian mechanics, gravitation, energy conservation, and thermodynamics. Biological applications discussed where appropriate. Lecture, laboratory, and recitation.
0122. General Physics II (4 s.h.) (SB/D2) S
Prerequisites: Two semesters of calculus and one of Physics C081, C085, C087, and 0121. Normally follows Physics 0121. Primarily for biology majors but open to others. Students are expected to have completed a year of college level biology, chemistry, or geology. Optics, electricity and magnetism, atomic, molecular, and nuclear physics. Biological applications discussed where appropriate. Lecture, laboratory, and recitation.
0161. Computing for Scientists (3 s.h.) F
Prerequisites: Two semesters of calculus and two semesters of an introductory science course for science majors. An overview of computer systems, hardware, and software. Designing, writing, debugging, and testing programs using realistic scientific problems. Programming with style and structure. Displaying results in graphical form. Numerical techniques, data analysis, simulation, Fourier transforms. Use of available software packages. Practical experience in laboratory data acquisition and control of experiments. Laboratory.
0171 Optics (3 s.h.) F
Prerequisite: One year of introductory physics. Nature and propagation of light, reflection and refraction, lenses, optical instruments, polarization, interference, diffraction, modern optics. Lecture and laboratory.
0182. Mathematical Physics with Engineering Applications (3 s.h.) S
Prerequisites: Calculus 0127 and General Physics. Algebra of complex numbers, Fourier series, complete sets, linear operators and eigenvectors, solution of sets of linear equations, additional topics from matrices, coordinate systems, and transformations.
0184. Mathematical Physics (3 s.h.) S
Prerequisites: Calculus 0127 and General Physics. Algebra of complex numbers, Fourier series, complete sets, linear operators and eigenvectors, solution of sets of linear equations, additional topics from matrices, coordinate systems, and transformations.
0185. Nuclear Arms: An Interdisciplinary Framework for Decision Making (3 s.h.) S
One of the most challenging dilemmas facing us today is the nuclear arms race. This course provides background information necessary for us to join the debate. The physics and effects of nuclear weapons, the history of Soviet-American relations, efforts at arms control, varied views on national security, and the philosophical and moral questions involved. Students view films; read; analyze the facts, assumptions, and arguments of opposing positions; and formulate their own opinions through discussion, debate, and by keeping a journal. (Cross-listed with Philosophy 0184, Political Science 0184, and Speech 0184.)
0187. Electricity and Magnetism (4 s.h.) F
Pre- or Corequisites: One year of Introductory Physics, and Mathematics 0127. Electrostatics, magnetostatics, microscopic interpretation of polarization P and magnetization M, electrostatic and magnetostatic energy, Faraday's law, self and mutual inductance, magnetic circuits; integral and differential forms of Gauss, Ampere, and Faraday laws; AC circuits; introduction to the displacement current and Maxwell's equations.
0187L. Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory (0 s.h.) F
Corequisite: Physics 0187. Laboratory investigation on DC and AC circuits, bridge circuits, sources of emf, Hall effect, and operational amplifier circuits.
0188. Introduction to Modern Physics (4 s.h.) S
Prerequisite: One year of Introductory Physics; Corequisite: Mathematics 0127. Special relativity, kinetic theory, blackbody radiation, photoelectric effect, X-rays, Compton effect, Rutherford scattering, etc. Wave mechanics.
0188L. Modern Physics Laboratory (0 s.h.) S
Corequisite: Physics 0188. Laboratory investigations on the properties of electrons and photons, atomic structure, and nuclear structure and decay.
0195-0196. Independent Study (3 s.h. each) FS
Undergraduate independent study in physics. May be repeated for credit.
0201. Classical Mechanics (3 s.h.) S
Prerequisites: Math 0127 and Physics 0187. Newton's laws of motion, one-dimensional motion, second order differential equations, harmonic oscillators (damped, forced), vector analysis, conservation laws, three-dimensional motion, central forces, motion in electromagnetic fields, collisions, center-of-mass transformations, two-body problem, numerical/computer solutions, coupled oscillators. Rigid body rotation, statics, elasticity, fluid equilibrium, gravitation.
0202. Analytical Mechanics (3 s.h.) F
Prerequisite: Physics 0201. Moving coordinate systems, three-body problems, partial differential equations, wave propagation (strings, membranes, fluids), boundary value problems, normal modes, fluid equations of motion, viscosity; virtual work, Lagrange's equations, Hamilton's equations; angular momentum of a rigid body, inertia tensor, Euler's equations, Euler angles, tops and gyroscopes, small vibrations.
0211. Classical Electromagnetism (3 s.h.) S
Prerequisites: Physics 0184 and 0187. Solutions to the equations of Poisson and Laplace; multipole expansions; electrostatic and magnetostatic energy, forces and torques; Maxwell's equations; the wave equation; radiation fields, Poynting's Theorem, microwave and optical waveguides.
W215. Experimental Physics (3 s.h.) S
Prerequisites: Physics 0171 and 0188. An intermediate laboratory course with an introduction to data analysis and error estimation. Students independently perform two or three experiments, with suitable reports. (Capstone W course)
0221. Electronics (3 s.h.) S
Prerequisite: Physics 0187 or equivalent. Basic circuit ideas, Thevenin/Norton theorems, input/output impedance, diodes, transistors, feedback, operational amplifiers, elements of digital electronics, transducers for physical measurements.
0231. Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory (3 s.h.) F
Prerequisites: One year of general physics, and Mathematics 0127. First, second, and third laws, thermodynamic potentials, kinetic theory, and applications to simple systems. The basic ideas of statistical mechanics.
0251. Science and Science Fiction (3 s.h.) S
Science fiction as a genre; its purposes and styles. The existence of intelligent life in the universe. Communication with other civilizations; problems and probabilities. Interplanetary and interstellar travel. Time travel. Analysis of devices and themes common in science fiction, such as faster-than-light travel. The parallel development of science and science fiction and recent changes and new directions.
0295. Independent Study (3 s.h.) FS
May be repeated.
0306. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (3 s.h.) F
Prerequisites: Physics 0184 and 0188. Dual nature of light and matter, de Broglie waves, Schrodinger equation, one-dimensional systems, Hermitian operators, eigenfuctions and eigenvalues. Spin and isospin. Two- and three-dimensional systems. Approximation methods. Theory of scattering.
0321. Introduction to Solid State Physics (3 s.h.) S96 and even-numbered years
Prerequisite: Physics 0306. Elementary theory of the solid state. Survey of mechanical, thermal, optical, electrical, and magnetic properties of solids.
0341. Introduction of Atomic, Nuclear, and Particle Physics (3 s.h.) S97 and odd-numbered years
Prerequisite: Physics 0306. Atomic, molecular, and nuclear structure; interaction of ionizing radiation with matter; applications; introduction to sub-nuclear particles.
0391-0392. Undergraduate Thesis (3-6 s.h.) FS
Credit will be given either semester or both.
0395. Problems in Theoretical Physics (2-4 s.h.) FS
Prerequisite: Permission of the faculty member who will direct the research. Special problems in the field of theoretical physics. Primarily for undergraduate students in conjunction with graduate courses.
Return to the list of courses.
This web version written by Mary England 9/97
Updates in maroon print
Comments and questions concerning this web version of the bulletin or requests for adding reference marks for linking to subsections of a page may be sent to Mary England.