PHEL - Philosophy Elective

PH103 - Introduction to Philosophy

This course is an introduction into the basic issues of philosophy from the four major branches of Ethics, Logic, Epistemology, and Metaphysics as they are found and presented in the history of Western Philosophy.  Special attention is given to critical thinking skills and moral issues of relevance.

Credits: 3

PH107 - Logical Reasoning and Decision Making

Prerequisite: High school Regents mathematics or equivalent or MA099

This course introduces students to both informal and formal logic; and students will use the developed logic to evaluate decisions for given situations. Topics include: informal logical games, logical fallacies, truth tables, logical equivalence, and sentential logic with proofs, categorical logic, probability, expected value, and decision making.

Cross listed with MA107. Credit will not be granted for both PH107 and MA107

Credits: 3

PH201 - Ethics

A study of the main ethical systems found in Western Philosophy. Investigation of particular ethical concepts such as morality and the moral ideal, good and evil, right and obligation, conscience, moral responsibility and value, and how these, along with moral principle(s), are used to guide the moral life.

Credits: 3

PH204 - Business Ethics

This course is designed to examine many of the philosophies presently operative in the business world and society. Special attention is given to such issues as corporate responsibility, morality in advertising, conflicts of interest, preferential hiring, personal morality vs. loyalty to employer, and capitalism vs. socialism.

Credits: 3

PH205 - Ethics in Health Care

Modern medicine and health care have created new human ethical problems. This course will explore a number of medical ethical dilemmas, such as end-of-life decisions, defining the concept of death, ordinary versus extraordinary means of treatment, assisted reproduction, informed consent, confidentiality, truth-telling, withholding treatment, and the distribution of scarce medical resources, in the light of the principles of autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice.

Credits: 3

PH206 - Ethics in Data Science

This course explores the ethical impact of the use of data and technology to solve real world problems, as well as the policies, regulations and moral principles that help to delineate the proper use of data. Students will be exposed to key issues in the ethics of data science including data availability responsibility, data privacy, security, bias, and legal requirements. Students completing the course will emerge with an understanding of their social responsibility when using data in the light of the principles of autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice.

Credits: 3

PH207 - Marriage and the Family

This course is designed to investigate the inner dynamism and nature of marriage and family relationships. It addresses itself to a variety of philosophical tenets, and the historical development and sociological ramifications of the institution.

Credits: 3

PH208 - Death & Dying

Geared to the very heart of the question:  What is death? The course will examine the phenomenon as well as the human response to it both yesterday and today by great men and women and not so famous men and women of the East and West.

Credits: 3

PH215 - Logic

An introductory course to the science of logic and the principles of deductive reasoning, correct thinking and valid argumentation. Special emphasis will be placed on the traditional Aristotelian syllogism. 

Credits: 3

PH301 - Philosophy of World Religions

Prerequisite: PH103 or permission from Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs

This course will introduce students to the philosophical approach to religion and also to religious and ethical ideas from several global cultures. It will also prepare students in medicine, business and related fields for the diversity of religious and moral views they will encounter in the modern workplace in general and health care institutions in particular.

Credits: 3

PH304 - Social/Political Philosophy

Course content will introduce students to the philosophical approach to ethical issues that arise in social, political and civic life. As such, it will address ethical problems at both the individual and group levels.  Specifically, an overview of the major issues and theories in social-political philosophy will be discussed as well as an introduction to many of the key ethical thinkers in politics and civics arenas. This course will prepare students for careers in the medical field and similar occupations for ethical situations they will encounter in the social and political culture of the modern work place.

Credits: 3

PH350 - Topics in Bioethics

Prerequisite:  PH205 or permission from Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs

This course will provide students with in depth coverage to various topics in Bioethics.  The course will guide students through a wide range of Bioethical issues which may include topics such as abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research, cloning, scarce medical resources, and universal healthcare.

Credits: 3