Philosophy is the search for an understanding of how the world as a whole hangs together and of how we are to assume our place in the world. Philosophy pursues its goal first of all historically. It is the trustee of the heritage of great philosophical texts, and it engages those texts in conversation with contemporary problems. Second, philosophy turns to the contemporary world directly and tries to illuminate and advance its concerns with ethics and art, with science and technology, with ecology and feminism, with law and medicine. Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees are offered. More information is available online: www.cas.umt.edu/phil/.
Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog. See index.
The following requirements must be completed for the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in philosophy: a minimum of 33 credits including PHL 233, 243, 261Y and 262Y (PHIL 210, 215, 251Y and 252Y); at least 21 credits in courses numbered 300 and above, including PHL 311E, 499 (PHIL 300E, 480) and one course from each of the following groups: History (PHL 462, 464, 465, 466 (PHIL 452, 453, 461, 463)); Value Theory (PHL 324, 327,421, 422, 423, 427, 429, 450, 455 (PHIL 325E, 340L, 421E, 427E, 429E, 444, 441, 422E, 477)); Continental (PHL 467, 468 (PHIL 465, 467)); Logic and Analytic Philosophy (PHL 405, 406, 455 (PHIL 469, 471, 411)). A PHL 391 or 491 (PHIL 395 or 495) Special Topics course may be used to count as a course from any of the above four groups as its topic makes appropriate (consult the Department advisor). Majors are expected to complete lower-division requirements before beginning upper-division work. No credit toward the major will be awarded for any course (including required language courses) in which the student receives a grade less than a C-.
The approved writing course requirement may be met by successfully completing PHL 311E (PHIL 300E). The upper-division writing requirement must be met by successfully completing PHL 499 (PHIL 480). All philosophy majors must complete at least three semesters of a foreign language (though four semesters are recommended) or certify equivalent competency. Recommended languages for philosophy are Greek, Latin, French, and German.
| First Year | A | S |
|---|---|---|
| PHL 101 or 102 (PHIL 100 or 105) Introduction to Philosophy and Topical Intro to Philosophy | 3 | - |
| PHL 233 (PHIL 210) Introduction to Logic: Deduction | - | 3 |
| WRIT 101 (ENEX 101) College Writing I | 3 | - |
| Foreign language | 5 | 5 |
| HSTR 101H and 102H (HIST 104H, 105H) Western Civilization I and II | 4 | 4 |
| College mathematics course | - | 3 |
| Total | 15 | 15 |
| Second Year | A | S |
| PHL 243 (PHIL 215) Philosophical Reasoning | 3 | - |
| PHL 261Y (PHIL 251Y) History of Ancient Philosophy | 3 | - |
| PHL 262Y (PHIL 252Y) History of Modern Philosophy | - | 3 |
| PHL 311E (PHIL 300E) Moral Philosophy | - | 3 |
| Foreign language | 4 | - |
| LS 151L and 152L Introduction to the Humanities | 4 | 4 |
| Electives and General Education | - | 6 |
| Total | 14 | 16 |
Students should not neglect mathematics and the physical and biological sciences in choosing elective courses. Philosophy majors are encouraged to pursue a minor in another discipline.
To earn a minor in philosophy the student must complete: PHL 233, 237, 261Y, 262Y, 311E (PHIL 210, 215, 251Y, 252Y, 300E), and an additional course numbered above 300.
U = for undergraduate credit only, UG = for undergraduate or graduate credit, G = for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R. Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.
U 101 (PHIL 100) Introduction to Philosophy 3 cr. (R-12) Offered yearly. An introduction to philosophy through examination of the thought of selected great philosophers or of traditional positions on classical philosophical problems.
U 102 (PHIL 105) Topical Introduction to Philosophy 1-4 cr. (R-9) Offered yearly. An introduction to philosophy through examination of selected themes. Themes will vary; existentialism, technology and the good life, philosophy of religion, philosophy of film, and science and society are examples.
U 110E (200E) Introduction to Ethics 3 cr. Offered every term. An examination of the Western vision of morality through the careful study of selected writings from Aristotle, Kant and Mill. Additional works in ethics may supplement primary readings.
U 112E (PHIL 202E) Introduction to Ethics and the Environment 3 cr. Offered intermittently. An introductory-level ethics course with a special interest in the natural environment. The course will (a) introduce students to the three classical traditions in ethics - virtue, Kantianism, and utilitarianism, (b) ground these theories in questions about the moral status of non-humans and our moral duties to non-humans, (c) include an applied section of the course that will cover animal welfare, biotechnology, and other current topics.
U 114E (PHIL 201E) Introduction to Political Ethics 3 cr. Offered yearly. An examination of the issues of political ethics through the careful study of selected writings from the three great Western political traditions: classical natural law theory, modern individualism, and contemporary distributive justice.
U 151H (PHIL 119) Philosophical Perspectives on Women 3 cr. Offered Spring. Same as LS and WGS 119H. Introduction to the discipline and scope of Western philosophy focusing on women as the subject rather than men. A chronological study following the ideological development in the West of social attitudes and scientific theses.
U 191 (PHIL195) Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 198 (PHIL 198) Internship 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.
U 220E (PHIL 223E) Business Ethics 3 cr. Offered intermittently. An analysis of ethical conflicts that may arise in business.
U 233 (PHIL 210) Introduction to Logic: Deduction 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Understanding general principles of reasoning and the habits of clear and correct thinking. Emphasis on the analysis of the logical structure of claims in natural language and the skills of elementary deductive inference.
U 235 (PHIL 211) Introduction to Logic: Induction 3 cr. Offered yearly. Prereq., PHL 233 (PHIL 210) or equivalent, or consent of instr. A study of the formal principles of reasoning from evidence.
U 241H (PHIL 240H) History and Philosophy of Science 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Same as HSTR 242H (HIST 240H). The epistemological and metaphysical developments of natural philosophy or science. The origins of science in ancient Greece, and its subsequent developments during the scientific revolution. Developments in biology, especially Darwinism and genetics, and developments in physics.
U 243 (PHIL 215) Philosophical Reasoning 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., philosophy major or minor, or consent of instr. Focus on basic skills essential to success in philosophy; careful reading, critical analysis, and well-structured writing. Emphasis on repeated practice in recognizing, reading, analyzing, and writing philosophical arguments. Intended primarily for philosophy majors and minors.
U 261Y (251Y) History of Ancient/Medieval Philosophy 3 cr. Offered autumn. Introduction to the central works of Plato and Aristotle, with an overview of Presocratic and Hellenistic philosophy.
U 262Y (PHIL 252Y) History of Modern Philosophy 3 cr. Offered spring. A survey of the history of philosophy from Descartes to Kant, which includes other continental rationalists and the British Empiricists.
U 291 (PHIL 295) Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 292 (PHIL 296) Independent Study 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently.
U 298 (PHIL 290) Internship Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office.. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.
U 311E (PHIL 300E) Moral Philosophy 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., PHL 243 (PHIL 215). Development of the fundamental principles grounding moral reasoning in the Western tradition. A more thorough treatment of the material offered in PHL 110E (PHIL 200E). Intended for philosophy majors or prepared students who are interested in a rigorous introduction to the foundations of ethics.
U 324 (PHIL 325) Morality and the Law 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., lower-division course in Group VIII (E) or consent of instr. Analysis of moral reasoning in Anglo-American law, emphasizing certain ethical and legal concepts and the role of the Supreme Court.
U 327 (PHIL 340) Aesthetics and the Arts 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., upper-division standing. This course examines the nature of aesthetic experience, the standards of art criticism, and the kinds of knowledge communicated by art. Readings from philosophers, artists, and art critics.
U 363 (PHIL 362) Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Same as MCLG 362 and LS 362. Examination of the thought of the philosophers of Greece and Rome as expressed in original works read in English translation. Ancient philosophy studied within its historical, linguistic and cultural setting.
U 366 (MCLG 365) The Roots of Western Ethics 3cr.
U 390 (PHIL 397) Research Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr.
U 391 (PHIL 393/395) Special Topics Variable cr. ( R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 392 (PHIL 396) Independent Study Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr.
U 394 (PHIL 394) Seminar Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr.
U 398 (PHIL 390/398) Internship 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.
UG 405 (PHIL 469) 20th Century Analytic Philosophy 3 cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., upper division standing and PHL 233 (PHIL 210), or consent of instr. Intensive study of the work of one or more philosophers (Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, etc.) or historical introduction to the major issues and figures of 20th century philosophy in the analytic tradition (with readings from Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, Quine and others).
UG 406 (PHIL 471) Contemporary Issues in Analytic Philosophy 3 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., upper-division standing and PHL 233 (PHIL 210), or consent of instr. Examination of contemporary issues in analytic philosophy focusing on one or more of the following topics: philosophy of language, epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind.
UG 412 (PHIL 443) Ethics and Public Affairs 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., lower-division course in Group VIII (E) or consent of instr. Examination of morally relevant issues in government, journalism, education and other social institutions. Issues considered may include deception, confidentiality, conflict of interest, privacy, paternalism responsibilities in conflict with other institutions, and responsibilities across national boundaries, and just war theory among others.
UG 421E (PHIL 421E) Ethical Issues in Medicine 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., upper-division standing and lower-division course in Group VIII (E), or consent of instr. An examination of ethical problems raised by the practice of medicine and by recent developments in medically-related biological sciences.
UG 422 (PHIL 427E) Environmental Philosophy 3 cr. Offered every other year. Prereq., PHL 112E (PHIL 202E) or PHL 311E (PHIL 300E). Same as EVST 427. Critical exploration of selected philosophical and literary texts pertinent to the ethics of human relationships with the natural environment.
UG 423 (PHIL 429) Feminist Philosophy 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., lower-division course in Group VIII (E) or consent of instr.; PHL 110E (PHIL 200) strongly recommended. Same as WGS 429. Study of what distinguishes feminist from traditional approaches to ethics. May also examine relevant areas of philosophy, including epistemology, political theory, philosophy of science and environment.
UG 427 (PHIL 444) Topics in Philosophy of Arts 1-4 cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., upper-division standing. Examination of philosophical problems related to the particular arts and discussion of the nature of the arts. Topics considered may include music, visual arts, literature, and film.
UG 429 (PHIL 441) Philosophy in Literature 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., upper-division standing or consent of instr. Philosophical thought in selected works of literature.
UG 445 ( PHIL 411) Central Issues in Philosophy of Science 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., upper-division standing. A consideration of philosophical issues relating to the nature of modern physical science: method, explanation, theory, progress, space/time, causality, relation of science to philosophy.
UG 450 (PHIL 422) Contemporary Moral and Political Theory 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., upper-division standing and PHL 110E (PHIL 200E) or PHL 114E (PHIL 201E), or consent of instr. Recent theories in ethics and their implications; recent work in political theory, emphasizing contemporary liberalism and its critics.
UG 455 (PHIL 477) Philosophy of Society and Culture 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., upper-division standing. A philosophical examination of cultural forces shaping modern society, forces such as science, technology, or domesticity.
UG 462 (PHIL 452) Early Modern Philosophy 3 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., PHL 262Y (PHIL 252Y) or consent of instr. Intensive study of the work of one or more of the major philosophers from the early modern period (Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume).
UG 464 (PHIL 453) Kant 3 cr. Offered spring even numbered years. Prereq., PHL 262Y (PHIL 252Y) or PHL 462 (PHIL 452), or consent of instr. Reading and interpretation of selected works.
UG 465 (PHIL 461) Plato 3 cr. Offered every other spring. Prereq., PHL 261Y (PHIL 251Y). Reading and interpretation of selected works.
UG 466 (PHIL 463) Aristotle 3 cr. Offered every other spring. Prereq., PHL 261Y (PHIL 251Y). Reading and interpretation of selected works.
UG 467 (PHIL 465) 19th Century Continental Philosophy 3 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., PHL 262Y (PHIL 252Y) or consent of instr. Intensive study of the work of one or more 19th century continental philosophers (Hegel, Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, Marx, Nietzsche, etc.).
UG 468 (PHIL 467) 20th Century Continental Philosophy 3 cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., upper-division standing. Intensive study of the work of one or more 20th century continental philosophers (Heidegger, Husserl, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Ricoeur, Derrida, etc.) or several texts representing a major movement in 20th century continental thought (Phenomenology, Existentialism, Hermeneutics, Post-structuralism, etc.).
UG 470 (PHIL 430) Topics in Philosophy of Religion 3 cr. Offered intermittently. An examination of one or more of the classic problems of Western philosophy of religion, such as the traditional arguments for and against the existence of God, the relationship of faith and reason, the status of religious experience, the problem of evil, and the problem of reconciling divine omniscience with human freedom.
U 490 (PHIL 497) Research Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr.
UG 491 (PHIL 493/495) Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 492 (PHIL 496) Independent Study Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr.
UG 494 (PHIL 494) Seminar Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr.
U 498 (PHIL 490/498) Internship 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.
U 499 (PHIL 480) Senior Seminar 3 cr. (R-9) Offered spring. Prereq., senior standing. Research in problems in philosophy.
G 501 (PHIL 501) Topics in Epistemology, Philosophy of Technology and Philosophy of Science 3 cr. (R-6) Offered every year.
G 502 (PHIL 502) Topics in Value Theory 3 cr. (R-6) Offered every year.
G 503 (PHIL 503) Topics in the History of Philosophy 3 cr. (R-6) Offered every year.
G 504 (PHIL 504) Topics in Environmental Philosophy 3 cr. (R-9) Offered every year. Same as EVST 504. Critical study/discussion of current (as well as benchmark) texts and issues in environmental ethics, environmental politics, and the philosophy of ecology. Interdisciplinary; open to concerned students from all disciplines.
G 505 (PHIL 505) Topics in Contemporary Philosophy 3 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently.
G 510 (PHIL 510) Philosophy Forum Colloquium 1 cr. (R-3) Offered every semester. Prereq., graduate standing. Discussion and further exploration of issues presented at the weekly Philosophy Forum.
G 521 (PHIL 521) Theory and Skills for Teaching Ethics 3 cr. Offered every summer. Exploration and critical reflection of concepts and significant issues in the teaching of practical ethics in classroom and corporate settings.
G 530 (PHIL 530) Research Ethics Online 1 cr. Offered every term. Online asynchronous instruction in ethical issues in research; interpersonal, institutional, and professional responsibility; research with animals and human participants. Interactive case studies in biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences.
G 581 (PHIL 581) Thesis Proposal Preparation Variable cr. (R-2) Offered every semester.
G 590 (PHIL 590) Research Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Directed individual research and study appropriate to the background and objectives of the student.
G 591 (PHIL 595) Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
G 592 (PHIL 596) Independent Study Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr.
G 593 (PHIL 593) Professional Paper Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently.
G 594 (PHIL 594) Seminar Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently.
G 598 (PHIL 598) Internship 1-12 cr. (R-12) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus.
G 599 (PHIL 599) Thesis Variable cr. (R-9) Offered every semester. Prereq., approval of a thesis proposal by the student's thesis committee.
Albert Borgmann, Ph.D., University of Munich, 1963
David Sherman, Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin, 1999
Deborah Slicer, Ph.D., University of Virginia, 1989 (Chair)
Bridget Clarke, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, 2003
Armond Duwell, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, 2004
Paul Muench, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, 2006
Christopher Preston, Ph.D., University of Oregon, 1999
Soazig Le Bihan, Ph.D., joint program at University of Nancy and University of Bielefeld, 2008
Matthew Strohl, Ph.D., Princeton University, 2008
Mark Hanson, Ph.D., University of Virginia, 1993
Sean O'Brien, Ph.D., University of Colorado, 1989
Thomas Birch, Ph.D., University of Texas, 1969
Thomas P. Huff, Ph.D., Rice University, 1968
Ray Lanfear, Ph.D., Rice University, 1968
Fred McGlynn, M.A., Northwestern University, 1965
Burke A. Townsend, Ph.D., University of Hawaii, 1976
Richard E. Walton, M.A., Claremont Graduate School, 1970
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Lommasson Center 201
Phone: (406) 243-2995
Fax: (406) 243-4807
