Philosophy
The discipline of philosophy is a fundamental course of study for all college students. Philosophy courses explore enduring human concerns regarding the nature of knowledge, reality, the mind, and values. Students are trained to understand and analyze classic philosophical texts as well as to think critically about contemporary issues relating to social justice, human rights, the environment, technology, art, and religion. Philosophy courses help to instill lifelong habits of questioning, analyzing, and exploring alternative viewpoints. The study of philosophy also develops critical reading, writing, and thinking skills that are crucial for success at the university level. The overall mission of this program is to aid students in developing the requisite knowledge and skills to excel upon transfer to the CSU and UC systems.
PHIL 1 (C-ID SJS 130) 3 units
Philosophy of LGBTQIA+ Studies
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This introductory course examines theories about sex, (such as man, woman, intersex, trans); gender, (such as male, female, queer, non-binary); and sexual orientation, (such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual); and examines those theories in the context of political philosophy and moral issues.
PHIL 1H (C-ID SJS 130) 3 units
Honors Philosophy of LGBTQIA+ Studies
54 hours lecture
Prerequisite: Qualification for the Honors Program.
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This introductory course examines theories about sex, (such as man, woman, intersex, trans); gender, (such as male, female, queer, non-binary); and sexual orientation, (such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual); and examines those theories in the context of political philosophy and moral issues.
PHIL 2 3 units
Latinx Philosophy
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This introductory course explores the metaphysics / ontology, epistemology, and value theory of Latinx Philosophy.
PHIL 3 3 units
Intro to Issues/Phil, Psych & Religion
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
The course compares and integrates insights from three interrelated disciplines – philosophy, psychology, and religion that correspond to the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of human existence. Students learn the four basic foundations of knowledge: reason, authority, the senses, and experience that are used by each of the three disciplines in their search for truth. Following this framework, the course surveys a wide variety of theories and beliefs and offers a critical analysis comparing their similarities and differences. Students explore, discuss, and evaluate the basic positions of most of the world's great philosophers, psychologists, and theologians - from Socrates and Descartes to Sartre, from Freud and Skinner to Maslow, and from Buddha and Jesus to Buber.
PHIL 4 (C-ID PHIL 130) 3 units
History of Ancient Philosophy
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade.
This course addresses ancient western philosophy with emphasis on the development of Greek philosophy from the Pre-Socratics through Aristotle and may also include Stoic, Hellenistic, Roman, medieval or non-western thinkers. An emphasis will be placed on reading ancient primary texts critically.
PHIL 5 (C-ID PHIL 140) 3 units
History of Modern Philosophy
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade.
This course surveys 16th through 18th century European philosophical perspectives with an emphasis on the metaphysical, and epistemological developments of the period. Emphasis will also be placed on critically reading the primary texts from this period.
PHIL 6 (C-ID PHIL 100) 3 units
Introduction to Philosophy
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This course examines some of the fundamental questions and methods of philosophy. Central topics may include the nature of reality, knowledge and skepticism, free will, morality and social justice, personal identity, the nature of consciousness, and the existence of God. Source materials will include both classic and contemporary texts and Western and non-Western philosophical traditions.
PHIL 6H (C-ID PHIL 100) 3 units
Honors Introduction to Philosophy
54 hours lecture
Prerequisite: Qualification for the Honors Program.
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This course examines some of the fundamental questions, texts, and methods of philosophy. Central topics may include the nature of reality, knowledge and skepticism, free will, morality and social justice, personal identity, the nature of consciousness, and the existence of God. Source materials will include both classic and contemporary texts, and Western and non-Western philosophical traditions.
PHIL 7 (C-ID PHIL 120) 3 units
Introduction to Ethics
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This course examines moral theories and the application of moral theories, arguments, and principles to contemporary moral issues. Topics covered include: Can moral claims be objectively true? How do major moral theories attempt to provide an objective basis for morality? How should we resolve contemporary moral issues such as (but not limited to) abortion, animal rights, censorship, economic justice, global warming, immigration, mass incarceration, racism, and terrorism?
PHIL 7H (C-ID PHIL 120) 3 units
Honors Introduction to Ethics
54 hours lecture
Prerequisite: Qualification for the Honors Program.
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This course examines moral theories and the application of moral theories, arguments, and principles to contemporary moral issues. Topics covered include: Can moral claims be objectively true? How do major moral theories attempt to provide an objective basis for morality? How should we resolve contemporary moral issues such as (but not limited to) abortion, animal rights, censorship, economic justice, global warming, immigration, mass incarceration, racism, and terrorism?
PHIL 8 3 units
Philosophies of Global East and South
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This course provides a broad introduction to some of the main philosophical traditions from around the world, such as Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam, Jainism, Sikhism, Shinto, and American Indian Philosophy. The major themes to be examined include the metaphysical nature of reality, humanity and divinity; the meaning of life; the role of the individual and society; and the effects of history, geography, religion and culture on belief systems.
PHIL 9 3 units
Introduction to Existentialism
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This course will examine the philosophical thought of existentialist writers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, Husserl, Tillich, Heidegger, Camus, and Dostoevsky. Emphasis will be placed on the analysis of recurring themes such as freedom, individuality, meaning and value, and the existence of God.
PHIL 10 (C-ID SJS 120) 3 units
Introduction to Feminist Philosophy
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This course will examine feminist thought on philosophical issues in the history of feminist philosophy, metaphysics and epistemology, feminist philosophy of language and science, intersectionality, and ethics, politics, and aesthetics.
PHIL 10H (C-ID SJS 120) 3 units
Honors Intro to Feminist Philosophy
54 hours lecture
Prerequisite: Qualification for the Honors Program.
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This course will examine feminist thought on philosophical issues in the history of feminist philosophy, metaphysics and epistemology, feminist philosophy of language and science, intersectionality, and ethics, politics, and aesthetics.
PHIL 11 3 units
Critical Thinking
54 hours lecture
Prerequisite: ENGL C1000, ENGL C1000H, ENGL C1000E, or ESL 1S.
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This course focuses on the improvement of practical reasoning skills through writing and metacognition. Students will learn to detect and avoid common argument fallacies. Students will develop the knowledge and habits needed to make decisions between conflicting ideas and beliefs. Applications are made to both contemporary and perennial issues, such as current political events, conspiracy theories, science vs. pseudoscience, media, and obstacles to critical thought. Students will also learn the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning, and will learn some basic deductive argument forms.
PHIL 12 (C-ID PHIL 110) 3 units
Introduction to Logic
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This course introduces some principles of valid reasoning with an emphasis on deductive logic. Ordinary language will be translated into sentential logic, and syntax versus semantics will be discussed. Methods of determining validity will be explored including truth tables and the proof method in sentential logic.
PHIL 14 3 units
Philosophy of Religion
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This course will focus on understanding and critically analyzing the claims of the world's religions. Central questions include: Does God or an intelligent creator exist? How can God be known? What is the nature of God/Ultimate Reality? Why is there evil? Can multiple and conflicting religions be true?
PHIL 15 3 units
Introduction to Political Philosophy
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This course examines some of the main issues within political philosophy. Topics include the justification of political authority, property and the state, the individual and the state, as well as special topics. This course examines various perspectives including those of marginalized groups and special populations.
PHIL 16 3 units
Introduction to Business Ethics
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
This course will examine ethical issues in business. Topics will include environmental concerns, the distribution of wealth, informational ethics, privacy and autonomy, and affirmative action. These will be discussed in the context of moral theories such as utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, and care ethics. This course is not open for credit to students who have completed Management 16.
PHIL 22 (C-ID PHIL 210) 3 units
Symbolic Logic
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade.
This course is an introduction to the formal techniques of evaluating arguments. These formal techniques include propositional logic, truth trees, natural deduction, and quantificational logic.