This course investigates the extent to which the available scientific evidence supports the materialist view of the world over the theistic one. It explores the philosophical arguments regarding the origin of the Universe, fine-tuning, irreducible complexity, intelligent design, miracles and the laws of nature, miracles and the conservation of energy, religious experience and behaviour, near-death […]
The idea of gender, of being a woman or a man, permeates our entire lives. This course explores the philosophical implications of the concept of gender and examines the role that transgender persons and theorists play in our understanding of it.Prerequisites: At least nine credits in Philosophy or Women's Studies, including one of AP/PHIL 2250 […]
An intensive investigation into the aesthetics and ontology of film as a form of art and human expression. Particular concentration varies from year to year.Prerequisite: At least nine credits in philosophy.
An in depth exploration of selected topics in the theory of knowledge.Prerequisites: At least nine credits in philosophy including three credits from: AP/PHIL 3030 3.00 or AP/PHIL 3035 3.00. Course credit exclusion: GL/PHIL 4217 3.00, GL/PHIL 4217 6.00 (may be waived with permission of the Department).
An examination of recent works in argumentation theory deriving from both the dialectical and rhetorical perspectives. The approaches, theoretical similarities and differences between these two perspectives are considered.Prerequisite: At least nine credits in philosophy.
An intensive study of one or more theories of argument. These may include field theory, critical thinking and pragma-dialectic approaches.Prerequisite: At least nine credits in philosophy including AP/PHIL 3220 3.00.
An intensive study of Plato's Gorgias and the Apology. These texts provide the Platonic teaching about rhetoric: the Gorgias states the principles; the Apology is a case study. Their teaching is at the foundation of rhetoric as a liberal art.
The study of semantics is at the root of philosophical logic, as well as the philosophy of language and linguistics. This course studies a topic in this central area of philosophical inquiry.Prerequisite: AP/PHIL 3101 3.00 or AP/PHIL 3200 3.00. Course credit exclusion: AP/PHIL 4215 3.00.
Explores contemporary analytic and existential/phenomenological work to understand: 1) the role of values in psychiatric diagnosis and treatment; 2) the meaning of a mentally disordered person's experiences, beliefs and utterances; 3) conceptual and scientific foundations of psychiatry; 4) ethical issues pertaining to psychiatric research and care.Prerequisites: At least nine credits in philosophy.
An advanced seminar on some contemporary theories of the nature of law and legal reasoning.Prerequisite: AP/PHIL 2050 6.00 and one of AP/PHIL 3020 3.00, AP/PHIL 3110 3.00, AP/PHIL 3190 3.00, AP/PHL 3195 3.00.