Philosophy Curriculum
Earlham College

Last revised September 1, 2006

This page of our web site presents the same information that is available in the Curriculum Guide, although in a more accessible and up-to-date form. We can change this page more easily and more often than the Guide can be reprinted. So assume that any differences between this page and the published Guide represent deliberate changes. But if you are unsure, please ask us. 

Codes used in the descriptions below:
A = Course is offered only in alternating years
F = Course includes a Foreign Languages in the Curriculum (FLIC) component
G = Course includes significant out-of-class group work
P = Course has prerequisites

 

We've marked our entry-level courses with the open-door icon. 

None of these courses has a philosophy prerequisite. Some, however, require the consent of the instructor.

Caveat: When we say that a course is offered (say) "every Fall semester," we mean that such is our hope and expectation. Most years we live up to our hopes and expectations, but now and then we must accomodate a sabbatical or other staff shortage. Sometimes we even reform our curriculum! 

We renumbered all our courses in the spring of 2000-01. If you need to compare the new and old numbers, see our online table.

 
120, 121. Philosophical Inquiry. A section of this course is offered each semester. Although the specific focus of the course is different each semester, the general aim is to help students to think and argue sensitively about questions of fact and value. Discussion and careful reading of primary sources are stressed. Recent topics include food ethics, consent and coercion, ethics and political life, and postmodernism. (R)
  • 4 credit hours.
  • No prerequisites.
  • Philosophy 120 is offered Fall semester, Philosophy 121 Spring semester.
  • Philosophy 120 and 121 are separate and independent courses. They do not form a series. You may take 121 without having had 120. 
  • Syllabus from Ferit Güven's course, Fall 2001-02.
  • Syllabus from Kevin Miles's course, Fall 2004-05.

 
130. Symbolic Logic. The study of formal, deductive logic emphasizing the methods for demonstrating the validity of arguments. It includes truth-functional propositional logic and quantification theory through the logic of relations. 
  • 3 credit hours.
  • No prerequisites.
  • Earns general education credit in Analytical Reasoning.
  • Syllabus from Peter Suber's course, Spring 1996-97.
  • Syllabus from Marya Bower's course, Fall 2004-2005.

 
155. Ancient Greek Philosophy. An examination of Greek philosophy beginning with the pre-Socratic period and including an emphasis upon the works of Plato and Aristotle. Reading is in the primary sources. 
  • 4 credit hours.
  • No prerequisites.
  • Earns general education credit in Comparative Practices.
  • Offered every Spring semester.
  • Syllabus from Liffey Thorpe's course, Winter 1995-96.
  • Required for the Classical Studies major and minor.

 
160. Dialectic and Dialogue in Philosophy. This entry-level course in philosophy will explore a topic or set of related topics that is under discussion in the philosophical communities. Primary texts, with commentary as appropriate, will be read and analyzed. The course will emphasize developing the student’s ability to read a text critically and to enter into careful dialogue with divergent points of view and opinions
  • 4 credit hours.
  • Offered as staffing permts.

 
 
180. Existentialism. This course explores the question of the meaning of human existence as it has been discussed primarily from the late 19th century into the present day. Drawing on a variety of resources, including plays, short stories, films, and traditional philosophical texts in the existentialist tradition, topics such as the notion of individuality, the nature of freedom and its limits, one's relationship to God, and one's responsibility to the community often form the focus of the class. (A)
  • 3 credit hours.
  • Offered biennally. 
  • Earns general education credit in Comparative Practices.
  • Syllabus from Ferit Güven's course, Fall 2001-02. 


 
210. Medieval Philosophy. A study of the thinkers and topics in the Western philosophical tradition between the 4th and 14th centuries of the Common Era. A typical semester's study will include selections from many of the following thinkers: Augustine, Boethius, Eriugena, Anselm, Abailard, Ibn Sina, Al-Ghazali, Ibn Rushd, Maimonides, Bonaventure, Aquinas, Scotus, Ockham. Topics include issues in epistemology, metaphysics, philosophical psychology, ethics and political philosophy. Special attention is given to the particularly close relationship between philosophical reflection and the three dominant religious traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) within which most philosophical thought is carried on during the period. (A, P)
  • 3 credit hours.
  • Prerequisites: One previous philosophy course, or consent of the instructor. 
  • Offered as staffing permits.

 
220. American Philosophy. The course covers the rise of distinctly American philosophy in 19th century transcendentalism, pragmatism, and liberalism and investigates the development of these movements in the 20th century. Emphasis is on the connection between the philosophical growth and parallel movements in our political, legal, scientific, religious, and literary history. (P, R)
  • 3 credit hours.
  • Prerequisite: One previous philosophy course, or permission of the instructor.
  • Offered as staffing permits.

 
230. Topics in Aesthetics. This introductory course in aesthetics will examine a topic or issue that is of importance to historical or contemporary philosophical aesthetics. Possible topics include: the experience of art and the philosophical implications of its creation and reception; the relationship between politics and art; and the relationship and impact of various art media, including but not limited to, literature, film, and classical representational pieces. Depending upon the topic, readings will be chosen from works by classical and contemporary philosophers, art critics, and artists themselves.
  • 3 credit hours. 
  • Earns general eduction credit in fine arts.

 
235. Social and Political Philosophy. In addition to studying ideas and theories on society, politics and culture, this course critically examines the history of philosophy as a social and political discourse. The course may address issues and themes such as justice, power, democracy, legitimacy, the politics of state, status of minorities, cosmopolitanism, class, and equality. Prerequisite: Successful completion of IP or consent of the instructor. Offered as staffing permits.

 
250. Rationalism and Empiricism. A study of the modern European philosophy in the 17th and 18th centuries. Reading in primary sources, with a concentration in Descartes, Spinoza, Locke, Leibniz, Berkeley, and Hume.

 
252. Philosophy and Film Theory. This course investigates the relationship between philosophical ideas and visual narratives. It examines the philosophical foundations of various theories of film and interprets visual narratives in terms of philosophical ideas. Prerequisite: Successful completion of IP. Offered as staffing permits. (CP, A)
  • 4 credit hours.
  • Earns general education credit in Comparative Practices. 
  • Offered as staffing permits. 

255. African American Philosopohy. Asking what is justice, thinking the meaning of identity, and questioning freedom hold a peculiar gravity in the constellation of concern and care that situates the emergent experience of being Black in America. This course investigates, interprets, and criticizes theories of race and racism, social elevation, civil disobedience, black feminism, and other themes that have developed historically in African American culture. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. Offered as staffing permits. (D-D)
  • 4 credit hours.
  • Earns general education credit in Comparative Practices. 
  • Offered as staffing permits. 

 

270. Philosophy of Law. The course asks, "What is law?" in light of the many species of legal structure, power, rule and obligation. Of primary importance are the relations between legal rules and the rules of ethics and custom, the case for civil disobedience, the difference between law and mere coercion, the social and ethical foundation of law and legitimacy, the limits of law and the state, citizens' rights against the state and one another, and the norms of our legal system, their beneficiaries and alternatives.
  • 3 credit hours.
  • Offered as staffing permits.
  • Syllabus from Peter Suber's course, Fall 1999-2000.

 
280. Seminar. See the description of Philosophy 480, below. (P, R)
  • 4 credit hours.
  • Prerequisite: One previous philosophy course, or consent of the instructor.

 
285. Independent Study.
  • 1-4 credit hours

 
286. Student Research.
  • 1-4 credit hours

 
315. Marxism. See Economics 315. 
  • 3 credit hours.

 
320. Philosophy of Religion. A study of the phenomenology of religion and an examination of the problems of meaning and truth in religious language. Also listed as REL 320.
  • 3 credit hours.

 
330. Postcolonial Theory. A study of selected topics in Postcolonial Theory.  The course investigates the philosophical presuppositions of these topics and the relationship between Modern Philosophy and European Colonialism.
  • 4 credit hours.
  • Earns general education credit in International Diversity and Comparative Practices.
  • Prerequisite: One previous philosophy course, or consent of the instructor. 
  • Offered bienially.
  • Syllabus from Ferit Güven's course, Fall 2004-2005.

 
350. Kant. A study of The Critique of Pure Reason, Kant's attempt to meet the problems of scientific understanding and moral action by radical analysis and reconstruction of rationalist and empiricist claims in philosophy. (F, P)
  • 4 credit hours.
  • Prerequisite: Philosophy 250. 
  • Offered every Spring semester.
  • Syllabus from Ferit Güven's course, Spring 2003-2004.

 
355. Philosophy of Education. This course examines a variety of historical and contemporary texts that present alternative views regarding the nature and goals of education. Specific topics covered may include:  feminist pedagogies and contemporary education; interdisciplinary perspectives on multicultural education; the role of education in historical and modern democracies; and teaching toward social justice in the contemporary classroom. Also listed as Education 355. (P) 
  • 3 credit hours.
  • Offered biennally. 
  • Prerequisite: One previous in Education or consent of the instructor. 
  • Syllabus from Howard Richard's course, Spring 1997-98.

 
360. Philosophy of Natural Science. An examination of the philosophical problems of science, with special emphasis on the concept of explanation. The course considers theory construction and testing, the ontological status of theories in natural science, causality, demonstration, probability, scientific method, and the relation of science and ethics. (A, P, R)
  • 3 credit hours.
  • Prerequisite: One course beyond the introductory course in one of the natural sciences or mathematics, or consent of the instructor. 
  • Offered biennally.

 
361. Western Political Philosophy I. See Politics 361. (A)

 
362. Western Political Philosophy II. See Politics 362. (A)

 
365. Philosophy of Language. This course examines current topics in the philosophy of language as it is discussed in both the continental and analytic traditions of philosophy. These topics include the nature and structure of language, how meaning emerges in language, the relationship of language and the world, the role of ambiguity in dialogue, the evolution of language in community, and feminist critique of linguistic philosophy. (P)
  • 3 credit hours.
  • Prerequisite: One previous philosophy course, or consent of the instructor. 

 
370. Philosophy of Social Science. The course investigates the philosophical problems of the social sciences, including problems of theory, research methods, interpretation, ideology, and ethics. Especially for students majoring in one of the social sciences. (P)
  • 3 credit hours.
  • Prerequisite: One previous course in social science or philosophy, or both, and permission of the instructor. 
  • Offered every Spring semester.
  • Syllabus from Ferit Güven 's course, Fall 2004-05.

 
375. Topics in Ethics. This course examines ethical issues by drawing upon both historical ethical texts and the work of contemporary authors. Students are encouraged to explore how rigorous theoretical position can be applied to real-life experiences and to evaluate critically their own ethical actions in the world. Topics vary from year to year. Recent topics include self-deception, feminist ethics, and the justice/care debate. (P)
  • 4 credit hours.
  • Prerequisites: This course may have prerequisites. Consult the instructor.
  • Offered every Fall semester.
  • Syllabus from Peter Suber's course, Fall 1997-98, whose topic was Self-Deception.
  • Syllabus from Marya Bower's course, Fall 1999-2000, whose topic was Feminist Ethics

 
380. Seminar. See the description of Philosophy 480, below. (P, R)
  • 4 credit hours.
  • Prerequisite: One previous philosophy course, or consent of the instructor.

 
382. Philosophy, Race, and Racisms. This course explores some key moments in the history of western philosophy, disclosing the extent to which this history participates in the production of the concepts of race and racisms. Readings are performed in classical, modern, and contemporary discourses. Prerequisite: Successful completion of IP and one prior philosophy course. Offered as staffing permits. (CP, D-D or D-I)
  • 4 credit hours.
  • Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. 
  • Offered as staffing permits. 

 
384. Theorizing Race.
  • 1-4 credit hours

 
385. Independent Study.
  • 1-4 credit hours

 
386. Feminist Philosophies.
  • 1-4 credit hours

 
387. Philosophy, Sexualities and Genders.
  • 1-4 credit hours

 
410. Philosophy of History. An examination of the nature and structure of historical writing, and the nature of evidence as conducted by close readings of the works of historians from ancient Greece to the present. Also included is a study of selected philosophies of history. Emphasizes nineteenth and twentieth century historians. Cross-listed as History 410. (A, P)
  • 3 credit hours.
  • Offered biennally.
  • Prerequisites: This course may have prerequisites. Consult the instructor.

 
450. Nineteenth Century Continental Philosophy. The course covers the movement of thought in Europe after Kant, focusing on such topics as the study of culture and the human sciences, the rise and fall of idealism, philosophy's turn to historicism, the concept and consciousness of modernity, and the fate of critical philosophy —or philosophy as critique— after Kant. Figures studied may include Fichte, Schelling, Schiller, Schopenhauer, Hegel, Dilthey, Feuerbach, Marx, Dostoevsky, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche, depending upon recent offerings in other courses. (P)
  • 4 credit hours.
  • Prerequisite: Philosophy 350. 
  • Offered every Fall semester.
  • Syllabus from Ferit Güven's course, Fall 2003-2004.

 
460. Contemporary Philosophy. This course covers a number of the main figures and movements in twentieth and twenty-first century continental philosophy. Figures studied may include Arendt, Butler, Derrida, Foucault, Gadamer, Habermas, Harding, Heidegger, Husserl, Irigaray, Merleau-Ponty, Sartre, and Wittgenstein. Movements studied may include classical phenomenology, hermeneutics, existentialism, feminism, critical theory, philosophy of language, and contemporary epistemology. Depending upon the focus of the course, a selection of analytic philosophers so as to explore the relationship between analytic and continental philosophy. (P)
  • 4 credit hours.
  • Prerequisite: Philosophy 350, or consent of the instructor.
  • Offered as staffing permits.
  • Syllabus from Ferit Güven's course, Fall 1999-2000.

 
480. Seminar. An advanced seminar on a single figure, topic, or movement. Oral participation is as important as written work. Recent topics include feminist philosophies, skepticism, postcolonial theory, Kant's second and third Critiques, Heidegger, and the ethics of belief. (P)
  • 4 credit hours.
  • Prerequisite: Philosophy 350, or consent of the instructor.
  • Offered every semester.
  • Syllabus from Peter Suber's seminar on Kant's Second and Third Critiques, Fall 2000-01.
  • Syllabus from Ferit Güven's seminar on Deconstruction, Spring 2003-2004.
  • Syllabus from Kevin Miles's seminar on Anti-black Racism and Philosophy, Fall 2004-05.

 
485. Independent Study.
  • 1-4 credit hours

 
486. Comprehensive Independent Study. A student-led seminar in which seniors prepare for the comprehensive exam. For more details, see our hand-out on philosophy comps.
  • 2 credit hours
  • Prerequisites: Senior standing

 
487. Thesis Independent Study. An independent study in which philosophy majors write a senior thesis. For more details, see our hand-out on philosophy comps.
  • 2 credit hours
  • Prerequisites: Philosophy 450 and senior standing.

 
488. Metaphilosophy. An examination of the nature and value of philosophy, through the study of specifically metaphilosophical works and the rereading of selected classic texts from the history of philosophy. (P)
  • 4 credit hours.
  • Offered on demand.

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