The purpose of the course "Philosophy in Latin America" is to introduce students to the depth and diversity of philosophy in Latin America. The course examines how philosophy in Latin America develops in response to the larger socio-political context, re-thinking European ideas to make sense of the unique realities of Latin America.
This course introduces students to basic aspects of how systems of artificial intelligence operate and the wide variety of challenges (and opportunities) that AI systems pose for human beings. The course will explore the role AI plays in understanding/modeling human thought, exploring the nature of consciousness, shaping social interaction, and organizing society.
This course is an introduction to the study of the philosophy of nature as articulated in terms of the relationship between humans and the environment in which they live. One key theme of course class is whether concerns of justice demand we expand our moral concepts and legal institutions to include other non-human animals and even aspects of the larger natural environment. Exploring this problem will introduce us to a variety of related concerns like environmental racism, the rationale of global capitalism and link between the objectification of nature and the objectification of women.
Philosophical examination of the assumption of religion. Possibility of proofs for the existence of the Divine. Western and Oriental concepts of God. The contemporary scene: belief and unbelief. An examination of relations among God, humans, and nature. PMI
This course introduces students to some of the questions and themes that marked the time period of Modern Philosophy, but which are still very much of interest today. Questions regarding the basis of ethics, the appropriate sources and limitations of knowledge, the nature of the interaction between mind and body, whether human beings have free will or are determined, as well as the relationship between faith, skepticism, and reason will be explored in this course. Modern philosophy is characterized as the time period from the 16th through the early 19th Century.
This course examines the major themes and divisions in the development of philosophy from the late 19th century to the present. In exploring different positions on problems like the nature of language, the mind, and concerns over technology, the class shows students how many of the defining philosophical issues of the 20th century continue to influence, both directly and indirectly, how we understand and shape the world. PMI
This course presents an introductory survey of the history of western medicine, the evolution of the major doctrines of health and illness, and the changing position of health care providers in society during the past 2500 years. It examines the ancient Greek innovations in healing, the medieval rise of hospitals and the changes to medicine brought about by the Scientific Revolution. The course culminates with the professionalization of medicine and the rise of the modern hospital system. HA
A study of the three great religions/civilizations of the Mediterranean region in the middle ages-Islam, Byzantine Christianity, and western Christianity-from about 400-1500, focusing on their basic beliefs and religious practices, and their economic, social, political, and cultural characteristics. It also studies the points of contact and conflict among the civilizations, including the crusades, the Reconquista, and the Islamic intellectual influence on Western Europe through Sicily and Spain. The role and experience of the Jews through the centuries are also explored. HA
Courses on topics of interest to history students offered on the basis of need, interest, or timeliness. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher. May be repeated for credit. For specific section description, click to the Section Details in VitNet.
Advanced non-classroom experiences in the field of history. Placements are off-campus, and may be full- or part-time, and with or without pay. Credit for experiences must be sought prior to occurance, and learning contracts must be submitted before the end of the first week of the semester. See the experiential learning: internship section of this catalog for more details. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher. Graded CR/NC.