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PH-199H Philosophy in the Real World. The purpose of this class is to explicitly explore how some of the most central areas of philosophy interact with different disciplines. In particular, we will be looking at how philosophical concepts and theories may affect one’s understanding and handling of non-philosophical problems. In addition, this class will engage the various interdisciplinary discussions within the context of trying to develop various intellectual virtues. Periodic offering.
PH-255H Faith, Philosophy, and Science. Are science and religion in conflict? Or is there concord between them? What is the difference between science and non-science, and why does it matter? Does contemporary science rely on philosophical assumptions? If so, what are these assumptions, and in which worldviews can they find a home? What might the history of science teach us about the relationship between science and theology? Do contemporary scientific theories (e.g., evolution) make it irrational to believe in God? Do religious miracle claims conflict with science? Should belief in God be explained away as a trick of the brain? What challenges might contemporary science pose for atheism scientific naturalism? And, how might learning about the structure of scientific theories inform Christian approaches to the problem of religious doubt? The answers to these questions are central to understanding and operating within contemporary Western culture. This course is devoted to addressing them. Typically offered Spring.
PH-319H Ethics Bowl. This course constitutes the research and practice leading up to the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl, Northwest Regional, in November. It also includes the competition. As a team, students analyze, present on, and argue complex ethical cases. Course can be taken repeatedly for credit. Offered Fall and Spring semesters.
PH-329H God, Knowledge, and Language. This course explores a number of issues at the intersection of postmodern thought, theology, and Anglo-American (analytic) philosophy. We’ll begin with the question, What is the nature of truth?, a question that is sharply to be distinguished from the following two: . Which claims or propositions are true? . How do we know what is true? After a detailed inquiry regarding the nature of truth, we’ll consider the extent to which it’s sensible to think that some theological claims are true. In this connection, we’ll examine classical and contemporary views of the Divine nature. We’ll then proceed to consider postmodern views of knowledge and interpretation, taking Descartes’ philosophical project as our backdrop. During this part of the course, we’ll examine recent debates between postmodernists and their critics. Finally, we’ll consider the question, Can Christian belief be reasonable in today’s intellectual climate? This inquiry will require a deep investigation of the nature of human rationality and the prospective sources for reasonable belief. Periodic Offering.
PH-355H Feminist/Multicultural. Mainstream Western philosophy faces significant challenges from feminist and multicultural critics. Those challenges range from exposure of bias in methodology, to critiques of injustice in ethics and politics, to presentation of new theories to rival or replace longstanding conceptions. This course will examine some of the historical development of these critiques and will survey a number of issues covered by those critiques. Typically offered Spring.
PH-390H Honors Internship. Students of junior or senior standing wishing to enroll in an Honors-designated internship must first identify a professor to oversee the internship. Students will then register for a 390H in the discipline of the supervising professor and complete the Honors Internship form. Any semester.
PH-391H Honors Independent Study. Students of junior or senior standing wishing to enroll in an Honors-designated independent study or creative project must first identify a professor who will oversee this work. Students will then register for a 391H (first time) or 491H (second time) in the discipline of the supervising professor using this online form located at Pirate Port. Any semester.
PH-392H Honors Study Abroad. Students wishing to enroll in an Honors-designated Off-Campus Program will enroll online at Pirate Port. Students must also complete the Off-Campus Programs application. Any semester.
PH-491H Honors Independent Study. Contact your advisor for more information.
Ethics Bowl is the perfect opportunity for Honors students who are looking to get more out of their Whitworth experience by tackling tough philosophical questions and growing with a team. This competition is structured around 15 different cases, which the team of 5-6 students study in preparation for an ethical question that will be asked of them during the Ethics Bowl. The team meets weekly with the two coaches, and the culmination of their practice is a Bowl between different Ethics teams toward the end of the semester. This is a one-credit course and often offers scholarships. To try out for the team or learn more information, contact Coach Keith Wyma.
Ethics Minor: This interdisciplinary minor offered through the Philosophy department is a good addition for an Honors student. Designed to help students tackle the tough questions of life, it consists of 15 credits from a variety of ethics and philosophy classes. Ethics Minor: This interdisciplinary minor offered through the Philosophy department is a good addition for an Honors student. Designed to help students tackle the tough questions of life, it consists of 15 credits from a variety of ethics and philosophy classes.
