The following undergraduate courses are offered by the Department of Philosophy.
Current Course Descriptions

PHILOS 101 - Introduction to Philosophy: (3 units; U)

Introduction to the philosophical thinking through examination of such topics as Plato's and Aristotle's contribution to Western civilization; free will and moral responsibility; God, morality, and knowledge. May not be retaken for add'l cr; may be repeated for higher grade. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 111 - Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning (3 units; U)

Students learn a broad variety of fundamental logical methods - techniques used to identify, analyze, model, evaluate, and criticize different types of real-world reasoning. Jointly offered w/ Math 111; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: ACT math subscore of 18 or higher, or Math Placement Level 10, which is earned by any of the following: (a) Level 10 on Math Placement Test; (b) grade of C or better in Math 090; or (c) grade of D in Math 094.

PHILOS 192 - First-Year Seminar: (3 units; U)

Specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered. Open only to freshmen. Students may earn cr in just one L&S First-Year Sem (course numbers 192, 193, 194). Prereq: none.

PHILOS 199 - Independent Study (1-3 units; U)

For further information, consult dept chair. May be retaken to 6 cr max. Prereq: 2.5 gpa; writ cons instr, dept chair, & asst dean for SAS.

PHILOS 204 - Introduction to Asian Religions (3 units; U)

Philosophy of Asian religions; emphasis on the Indian experience of Hinduism and Buddhism, and the Chinese experience of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 207 - Religion and Science (3 units; U)

The alleged conflict between science and religion: case histories, analysis of the issues, implications for the concepts of religious beliefs and scientific knowledge. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 211 - Elementary Logic (3 units; U)

Introduction to traditional and modern logic; the concepts of argument, validity; proof, fallacy, persuasion, and reasoning; the development of certain practical skills. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 212 - Modern Deductive Logic (3 units; U)

A second course in symbolic logic that develops the skills in symbolic translation and proof construction acquired in Philos 211, investigates more abstractly the properties of formal systems of proof. Prereq: grade C or better in Philos 211(P).

PHILOS 213 - Introduction to the Philosophy of Science (3 units; U)

Course for beginning students dealing with such problems as induction vs deduction; hypotheses and theories and their relation to observation; explanation and prediction. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 215 - Belief, Knowledge, and Truth: An Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge (3 units; U)

Grounds of rational belief and knowledge and methods used for obtaining them, with particular emphasis on problems of evidence and truth. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 217 - Introduction to Metaphysics (3 units; U)

Introduction to the major problems of metaphysics, such as the mind-body problem, the free will-determinism issue, and the nature of causality. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 232 - Topics in Philosophy: (3 units; U)

A course for beginning students dealing with such philosophical problems as freedom of will, skepticism, or a historical figure or movement. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 6 cr max. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 235 - Philosophical Aspects of Feminism (3 units; U)

A course for beginning students dealing with selected philosophical issues underlying feminist ideas and problems. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 237 - Technology, Values, and Society (3 units; U)

Discussion of controversies over whether modern technology is a progressive or regressive force in human life; impact of technology on individual and institutional values. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 241 - Introductory Ethics (3 units; U)

Development of moral ideas. Criticism of ethical theories and of social institutions such as state, property, and family. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 242 - Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy (3 units; U)

Opposing philosophical views about man and his political and social life. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 243 - Moral Problems: (1 units; U)

Intensive study of one moral issue of current relevance. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 6 cr max. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 244 - Ethical Issues in Health Care: (3 units; U)

Study of ethical issues facing patients, providers, and public policy planners: e.g., ethical response to terminal illness, equity in health care delivery. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 6 cr max. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 245 - Critical Thinking and the Law: (3 units; U)

Development of critical and analytical skills using legal reasoning as a model and law texts as sources. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 6 cr max. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 250 - God, Faith and Reason (3 units; U)

Major questions: What is God? Can God's existence (or non-existence) be proved? How? What is religious faith? Is faith rational? Is faith ethical or wise? Prereq: none.

PHILOS 253 - Philosophy of the Arts (3 units; U)

The creation, appreciation, and criticism of works of art. Sources and use of standards. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 271 - Philosophical Traditions: (3 units; U)

Survey of one significant philosophical tradition. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 6 cr max. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 272 - Philosophical Classics: (1 units; U)

Intensive study of one short work of special importance in the philosophic literature. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 6 cr max. Prereq: none.

PHILOS 289 - Internship in Philosophy, Lower Division (1-6 units; U)

Application of basic principles of philosophy in a business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting. One cr earned for academic work based on 40 hours in internship. May be retaken to 6 cr max. Prereq: intro course in philos; 2.25 gpa; cons supervising faculty member.

PHILOS 297 - Study Abroad: (1-12 units; U)

Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined, and/or in specially prepared program course work. May be retaken w/chg in topic. Prereq: acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.

PHILOS 299 - Ad Hoc: (1-6 units; U)

Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem. May be retaken w/chg in topic. Prereq: none; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.

PHILOS 303 - Mind and Knowledge (3 units; U/G)

Studies the natures of action, belief and knowledge and the constraint that knowledge imposes on responsible action and belief, both in individuals and across society. Prereq: jr st; Philos 101(P) or 215(P).

PHILOS 317 - Metaphysics (3 units; U/G)

Study of perennial philosophical issues about the nature of the world and our relation to it; realism, idealism, causality, the mind-body problem, time, truth. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 324 - Philosophy of Science (3 units; U/G)

Study of traditional and recent views about the nature, aim and ways of evaluating scientific theories, with reference to both the natural and social sciences. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 332 - Philosophical Problems: (3 units; U)

Specific philosophical topic or issue, such as contemporary aesthetics, personal identity, the mind-body problem, the nature of beauty, equality, the just-war doctrine. Not open for cr to students w/cr in Philos 381 w/similar subtitle. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: jr st; 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 335 - Philosophy of Biology (3 units; U/G)

Philosophical study of topics in the biological sciences, such as evolutionary explanations, genetic determinism, the definition of life, what constitutes a biological individual. Prereq: jr st; 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 337 - Environmental Ethics (3 units; U/G)

Theories of environmental ethics, practical application. Responsibilities to nature/future generations; moral value/status of environment and organisms; philosophical issues concerning environmental studies and ecology. Prereq: jr st.

PHILOS 337G - Environmental Ethics (3 units; U/G)

Theories of environmental ethics, practical application. Responsibilities to nature/future generations; moral value/status of environment and organisms; philosophical issues concerning environmental studies and ecology. Prereq: jr st.

PHILOS 341 - Modern Ethical Theories (3 units; U)

Ethical theories and problems as discussed in the late nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty first-centuries. Prereq: jr st; 3 cr in philos; satisfaction of OWC-A.

PHILOS 349 - Great Moral Philosophers (3 units; U/G)

Major themes of moral philosophy from Plato and Aristotle to Bentham and Mill, with critical study of the outstanding works. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 350 - Introduction to the Comparative Study of Religion (3 units; U/G)

Analysis of the nature of religion, of various comparative typological classifications and methodological approaches; basic problems in understanding the varieties of religious experience and expression. Prereq: jr st; Philos 204(P), Philos/Hist/Hebr St 275(P) or Anthro 203(P).

PHILOS 351 - Philosophy of Mind (3 units; U/G)

Critical study of the nature of mind and its relation to body and matter, with emphasis on recent advances in philosophy and psychology. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 355 - Political Philosophy (3 units; U/G)

Philosophical doctrines involved in justification of political decisions; analysis of fundamental concepts such as the common good, authority, justice, natural law, and natural rights. Prereq: jr st; Philos 242(P) or a course in ethics.

PHILOS 358 - Action, Will, and Freedom (3 units; U/G)

The nature of the will, agency, intentional action, and the problem of free will and determinism. Prereq: jr st, 3 cr philos; or grad st.

PHILOS 360 - Philosophy of Perception (3 units; U/G)

Major issues in the philosophy of perception: the nature of sensation, perception and inference, the relationship of perception and belief. Prereq: jr st; 3 cr in Philos.

PHILOS 381 - Honors Seminar: (3 units; U)

Intensive study of selected philosophers, movements, or philosophical problems. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: soph st; Honors 200(P);cons Honors College dir.

PHILOS 384 - The Philosophy of Law (3 units; U/G)

The idea of law and its relationship to morality. Issues of legal obligation, rights, responsibility, and punishment. Philos 384 & Pol Sci 384 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: jr st; 3 cr philos or previous course in political theory or law studies recom.

PHILOS 430 - Great Thinkers of the Ancient Period (3 units; U/G)

An examination of, and engagement with, the thought of some of the major philosophers of the ancient period, including the Pre-Socratics, Plato, and Aristotle. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 430G - Great Thinkers of the Ancient Period (3 units; U/G)

An examination of, and engagement with, the thought of some of the major philosophers of the ancient period, including the Pre-Socratics, Plato, and Aristotle. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 431 - History of Medieval Philosophy (3 units; U/G)

Critical and historical examination of writings of medieval philosophers such as Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Duns Scotus, Ockham, Al Farabi, Maimonides. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 432 - Great Thinkers of the Modern Period (3 units; U/G)

An examination of the thought of representative philosophers of the 17th and 18th centuries. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 433 - Nineteenth-Century Philosophers (3 units; U/G)

Hegel, Schopenhauer, Marx, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and others. The conflict of idealistic, materialistic, and irrationalist philosophies of the nineteenth century and their influence on its social, literary, and religious movements. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 434 - Survey of Contemporary Philosophy (3 units; U/G)

Comparison of problems and solutions dealt with by currently active movements and philosophers, including Carnap, Croce, Dewey, Heidegger, Husserl, Moore, Russell, Sartre, and Wittgenstein. Prereq: jr st; 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 435 - Existentialism (3 units; U/G)

Analysis of existentialist thinkers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, and Merleau-Ponty. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 437 - Phenomenology (3 units; U/G)

Husserl's phenomenological method and its impact on recent continental philosophy, e.g. Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 461 - Islamic Philosophy and Mysticism (3 units; U/G)

Problems central to Islamic theology, philosophy, and mysticism, and their relations to the teachings of Islam. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 474 - Contemporary Religious Thought: (3 units; U/G)

Analysis of two or more contemporary religious thinkers (e.g., Buber, Heschel, Tillich, Barth, Bultmann, death-of-God theologians, Moltmann, Pannenberg, Rahner, Chardin). Difficulties and objections are discussed. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: jr st, 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 475 - Special Topics in Indian Religious Thought: (3 units; U/G)

Intensive study of selected Hindu and Indian Buddhist thinkers and schools of thought, e.g. the Vedanta of Sankara and Ramanuja, Mahayana thought, modern Vedanta, Gandhi. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Pereq: jr st; 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 489 - Internship in Philosophy, Upper Division (1-6 units; U)

Application of advanced principles of philosophy in a business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting. One cr earned for academic work based on 40 hours in internship. May be retaken to 6 cr max. Prereq: jr st; 300-level or above course in philos; 2.25 gpa; cons supervising faculty member.

PHILOS 497 - Study Abroad: (1-12 units; U/G)

Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work. May be retaken w/chg in topic. Prereq: jr st; acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.

PHILOS 499 - Ad Hoc: (1-6 units; U)

Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem. May be retaken w/chg in topic. Prereq: jr st; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.

PHILOS 511 - Symbolic Logic (3 units; U/G)

First-order predicate calculus; formal properties of theoretical systems; chief results of modern mathematical logic; advanced topics such as completeness and computability. Jointly-offered w/& counts as repeat of CompSci/Math 511. Prereq: jr st, either Philos 212(P) or 6 cr math at the 300-level or above; or grad st.

PHILOS 516 - Language and Meaning (3 units; U/G)

Philosophical issues of the semantics, syntax and pragmatics of language; relations between philosophy of language and metaphysics, epistemology and philosophy of science. Prereq: jr st & Philos 101(P) or 432(P).

PHILOS 516G - Language and Meaning (3 units; U/G)

Philosophical issues of the semantics, syntax and pragmatics of language; relations between philosophy of language and metaphysics, epistemology and philosophy of science. Prereq: jr st & Philos 101(P) or 432(P).

PHILOS 517 - Special Problems in the Philosophy of Language and Linguistics: (3 units; U/G)

In depth study of one or more topics concerning the nature of language; its acquisition, use and formal structures. May be retaken w/chg in topic & cons advisor & instr to 6 cr max. Prereq: jr st; 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 518 - Philosophy of History (3 units; U/G)

The nature of historical knowledge and belief in terms of the justification of historical narration, explanation and prediction. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 519 - Special Problems in Metaphysics and Epistemology: (3 units; U/G)

Intensive study in such topics as perception, skepticism, induction, mathematical knowledge, universals, causality, substance, determinism, possibility. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 519G - Special Problems in Metaphysics and Epistemology: (3 units; U/G)

Intensive study in such topics as perception, skepticism, induction, mathematical knowledge, universals, causality, substance, determinism, possibility. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 520 - Philosophy of the Natural Sciences (3 units; U/G)

The nature and function of science; the logic of scientific method; clarification of such concepts as cause, law, theory, probability, determinism, and teleology. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 521 - Philosophy of the Social Sciences (3 units; U/G)

The nature and scope of the social sciences; explanatory, interpretive, and normative concerns in theory construction, their interconnection, and their methodological implications. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 522 - Special Topics in the Philosophy of Science: (3 units; U/G)

Consideration of one or more of the following: logic of theory construction, theoretical entities, measurement, nature of laws, conventionalism, operationalism, and induction. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: jr st.

PHILOS 532 - Philosophical Problems: (3 units; U/G)

Intensive study of one or two particular problems, such as determinism and freedom, ethical relativism, memory, or perception. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 532G - Philosophical Problems: (3 units; U/G)

Intensive study of one or two particular problems, such as determinism and freedom, ethical relativism, memory, or perception. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 535 - Philosophical Topics in Feminist Theory: (3 units; U/G)

Study of selected feminist theorists with an emphasis on past or contemporary thinkers. Attention will be paid to the philosophical importance of the problems raised. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 6 cr max. Philos 535 & Wmns 535 are jointly offered; with same topic, they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: jr st; a course in philos or women's stds.

PHILOS 542 - Punishment and Responsibility (3 units; U/G)

Views on the moral permissibility of punishment and other forms of penalization; the foundations of a general theory of moral responsibility. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos. Philos 241(R) or social science background recom.

PHILOS 551 - Aristotle (3 units; U/G)

Intensive study of one or more of Aristotle's major works or of themes and problems in Aristotle's thought. Particular attention to careful analysis of the texts. Prereq: jr st; 3 cr philos; Philos 430(R).

PHILOS 554 - Special Topics in the History of Modern Philosophy: (3 units; U/G)

Intensive study of a philosopher, movement, or historical problem in modern philosophy, e.g., Spinoza, British empiricists, Locke's influence upon the Enlightenment, overthrow of Hegelian idealism. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: jr st; 3 cr philos; Philos 432(R); or cons instr.

PHILOS 555 - Recent Philosophy: (3 units; U/G)

Intensive study of one or more philosophers or philosophical movements of the recent past. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: jr st; 3 cr philos.

PHILOS 562 - Special Topics in Ethics and Social and Political Philosophy: (3 units; U/G)

Intensive study of issues such as the concept of law, punishment, liberty, civil disobedience, the public good, and the applicability of scientific method to social issues. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: jr st & 3 cr in philos.

PHILOS 681 - Seminar in Advanced Topics: (3 units; U/G)

Seminar on a philosopher, philosophical movement, issue, or problem for majors and graduate students. Research papers required. Additional prereqs announced in Schedule of Classes each time course is offered. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: sr st & 12 cr in philos at 300-level or above; or grad st.

PHILOS 685 - Senior Capstone Research Seminar: (3 units; U)

Seminar study of a philosopher, philosophical movement, text, or topic for senior philosophy majors. Research paper and presentation required. Satisfies L&S research req. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 6 cr max. Prereq: sr st; declared Philos major; or cons instr.

PHILOS 699 - Independent Work (2-3 units; U)

See Advanced Independent Work, undergrad bulletin. May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Only 6 cr count toward Philos major. No more than 3 cr with any one instr except with writ cons dept. Prereq: jr st; 3.0 in major or 3.0 overall gpa, & writ cons instr, dept chair, & asst dean for SAS.