School of Humanities
Philosophy Undergraduate Course Descriptions
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Summer 2026
**This is not a complete list of course offerings. Please use the Course Catalog in SOAR for accurate advising.**
PHI 151
Dr. Paula Smithka
Online
Dr. Paula Smithka
Online
Aristotle says, 鈥淔or it is owing to their wonder that people both now begin and at first began to philosophize鈥�. Philosophy begins in wonder. It鈥檚 about asking fundamental questions鈥攓uestions like, 鈥淒oes God exist?鈥�; 鈥淲hat is the nature of reality?鈥�; 鈥淚s what I perceive really the way things are?鈥�; 鈥淲hat is a Self?鈥�; 鈥淎m I the same person over time?鈥�; 鈥淲hat makes an action morally right?鈥� 鈥淲hat is justice?鈥� Study philosophy and unlock your mind!
Fall 2026
**This is not a complete list of course offerings. Please use the Course Catalog in SOAR for accurate advising.**
PHI 151
Dr. Paula Smithka
M/W 9:30am - 10:45am or M/W 11:00am - 12:15pm
Aristotle says, 鈥淔or it is owing to their wonder that people both now begin and at first began to philosophize鈥�. Philosophy begins in wonder. It鈥檚 about asking fundamental questions鈥攓uestions like, 鈥淒oes God exist?鈥�; 鈥淲hat is the nature of reality?鈥�; 鈥淚s what I perceive really the way things are?鈥�; 鈥淲hat is a Self?鈥�; 鈥淎m I the same person over time?鈥�; 鈥淲hat makes an action morally right?鈥� 鈥淲hat is justice?鈥� Study philosophy and unlock your mind!
Dr. Paula Smithka
M/W 9:30am - 10:45am or M/W 11:00am - 12:15pm
Aristotle says, 鈥淔or it is owing to their wonder that people both now begin and at first began to philosophize鈥�. Philosophy begins in wonder. It鈥檚 about asking fundamental questions鈥攓uestions like, 鈥淒oes God exist?鈥�; 鈥淲hat is the nature of reality?鈥�; 鈥淚s what I perceive really the way things are?鈥�; 鈥淲hat is a Self?鈥�; 鈥淎m I the same person over time?鈥�; 鈥淲hat makes an action morally right?鈥� 鈥淲hat is justice?鈥� Study philosophy and unlock your mind!
PHI 151
Dr. Sam Bruton
T/Th 8:00am - 9:15am
Dr. Sam Bruton
T/Th 8:00am - 9:15am
What is real? What is it to know something? What makes me me? Do I have free will? What鈥檚 the difference between right and wrong? These are some of the classic philosophical puzzles to be explored in this class. Learn how great philosophers from the past and the best contemporary minds have answered these questions, and find out how their answers apply to real world issues we all confront daily. The class will be taught in an engaging and interactive way, and it fulfills GEC requirements.
PHI 320/PHI 480
Dr. Sam Bruton
Online
Come explore key moral issues of our time. We will discuss the ethics of AI, abortion, assisted dying, moral emotions, epistemic injustice, capital punishment, the ethics of protest, peace, having children and automated warfare. Collectively, we will read and discuss key articles on these topics and students will select a particular issue as their focus. Taught asynchronously online, this class will serve as the Capstone class for Philosophy majors.
PHI 451/551
Dr. Paula Smithka
M/W 2:30pm - 3:45pm
What is justice? What is the best form of government? In political philosophy, we鈥檒l explore the big, timeless questions that shape how societies ought to work. From ancient debates about justice to modern arguments about democracy, rights, equality, and power, students will encounter bold ideas, challenge assumptions, and learn to think critically about our own and other political systems in the world.
HUM 301/501: Topics in the Humanities/Intro to Digital Humanities
Dr. Jennifer Andrella
T/Th 11:00am 鈥� 12:15pm ONLINE CHAT
Intro to Digital Humanities (DH) explores how digital methods transform the way we do humanities research. Build practical skills by experimenting with data visualizations, digital archiving and exhibit design, content management, text analysis, digital mapping, video gaming, web publishing, and audio/visual production! This course applies DH through the lens of cultural heritage. Also known as Cultural Heritage Informatics, this field examines how material culture, texts, media, architecture, memorials, and traditions are collected, preserved, and shared in digital contexts. Together, we will consider how digital access and storytelling shape the preservation and presentation of cultural memory.