22 courses with the subject PHIL, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
PHIL 127Introduction to Philosophy (3.0 CH) An introduction to philosophy through a study of selected
problems. Attention is given to problems concerning good and evil, free will and determinism, moral judgments, and knowledge and skepticism. Suitable for non-major. PHIL 137 – Critical Thinking (3.0 CH) A study of various terms and methods for analyzing language and evaluating statements and arguments. Attention is focused on forms and functions of language, material fallacies, definition, and deductive logic. Suitable for non-major.
PHIL 157Mod Ideas: Science, the Soul, Good Life (3.0 CH) An introduction to, and survey of, philosophical
ideas that ushered in the modern era. Emphasis will be placed on Descartes, the British Empiricists, and selected contemporary philosophers. Suitable for non-major.
PHIL 250World Philosophy (3.0 CH) Students will explore the ideas of sages from around the world and across
the ages, with an eye toward helping our lives here and now. This course provides a philosophical context of major ideas from cultures around the world. We will engage with ideas from various places and times, such as: Ancient China, India, the Middle East/ North Africa, East Africa, and Indigenous America.
PHIL 307Ethics and Technology (3.0 CH) The accelerated rise of technological innovation, particularly in
computational architecture and software, renews a spotlight on what technology is, what minds do, and what intelligence might be. How is humanity related to the construction of tool use? We will explore the philosophical inspiration for and consequences of the rise of the internet, robotics, and artificially intelligent devices. We will try to answer how we should understand these technologies, and how they might produce both postivie and negative ends. What are the ethical, political, and human implications of such technologies? Will the presence of AI produce a better world, or worse? Do technological developments redefine the good life or reflect our pre-existing hopes and dreams? Is the virtual life worth living?
PHIL 325Communication Ethics (3.0 CH) To develop students' abilities to identify issues and reflect upon
ethical dimensions of political, social and professional life, and to understand the ways in which they can exercise responsibility and practice professional civility. Examines the moral and ethical problems posed by communication practices. (P: Junior or Senior standing).
PHIL 327Philosophy of Art (3.0 CH) An introduction to aesthetics and an examination of such problems as the
nature of art, the character of the aesthetic experience, the relation of the arts to one another, and the language of describing, interpreting, and evaluating works of art. PHIL 337 – Freedom, Justice & Political Power (3.0 CH) An analysis of the major concepts of social and political thought, including justice, authority, and legitimate coercive force. Special attention is given to attempts to justify various forms of social organization.
TOTAL: 43 CH Students electing to double major in sociology and criminal justice studies may not use the same elective courses to satisfy the elective requirement in both majors. An elective, experiential educational opportunity in criminal justice studies areas is strongly encouraged. Internships may be in the local area, Washington, D.C., via Thiel College’s Washington Semester programs or in another region accessible to the student and approved by the program’s administrators (e.g. Harrisburg, PA, a nearby city or near the student’s home.) Credit hours awarded are variable (1 to 16), depending on the program selected. A declaration of a major in criminal justice studies must be filed no later than the first semester of the junior year.
