Helps students develop a personal framework for ethical action. Emphasis on identification of ethical theories; applications to contemporary problems utilized as exercises to strengthen each student's own ethical position.
Careful study of selected important texts in the history of philosophy with the purpose of developing reading and writing skills. Intended to prepare new majors for upper-level courses, required for philosophy majors and recommended for minors.
Analysis of the complexity of problems concerning the nature of beauty and artistic value. Topics include attempts to define "the aesthetically pleasing," the role of formal and sensuous components in a work of art, the relationships of art to emotions and to intellect, the debate about the "moral" component of art, the dialogue between the artist and the beholder, the nature of value judgments and role of the critic.
Provides a general introduction to the Buddhist philosophy of the Indian subcontinent, Tibet, China and Japan. Discusses the teachings of the historical Buddha before concentrating on a number of Buddhist schools that developed from these teachings. Emphasis will be on Buddhist metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and philosophy of mind.
Examines the sources, types, methods, structure and validity of knowledge. A study is made of classical, modern and contemporary sources of meaning, truth and perception giving students an acquaintance with, and appreciation of, the scope and limits of knowledge.
Offers advanced students in philosophy an opportunity to research and reflect on an issue or theme more thoroughly and intensely than is possible in an ordinary course. Content varies semester to semester.
Survey of many important mathematical tools of classical physics. Topics include: coordinate systems, complex algebra, linear algebra, Fourier series, special functions, differential equations and vector calculus. Computer algebra system software is used.
Theory and application of Newtonian mechanics with an introduction to the Lagrange formalism. Major topics include kinematics and dynamics of single particles and systems of particles, rigid bodies, non-inertial reference frames and the simple harmonic oscillator.
Study of electricity and magnetism. Topics include Coulomb's law, electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, Maxwell's equations and an introduction to electromagnetic waves.
Mathematical treatment of the theory of conduction in solids with particular attention to semiconductors. Topics include band theory of solids, conduction in metals and crystals, intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, two-terminal and three-terminal devices.
Study of analog electronic devices and systems. Topics include operational amplifiers, active filters, oscillators and function generators, linear integrated circuits.
Emphasizes the individuals, organizations and procedures involved in American foreign policy making; the major approaches of American foreign economic and national security policy; and the current international issues facing the U.S.
Examines the structure and role of courts in the American political process. State and federal court systems and the role of judges are explored. Emphasis is on how courts function within the legal and political environment while acting as policy makers.
In-depth study of the governmental decision-making process within the American federal government. Provides students with an explanation of the primary governmental activities associated with the basic steps in the policy-making process. Some of these steps include policy formulation, implementation and evaluation.
Study of the principles, nature and meaning of the U.S. Constitution as determined by the holdings and opinion of the Supreme Court. Emphasis on the historical development of the Constitution and a study and analysis of the U.S. court system, judicial review, separation of powers, commerce powers and powers of Congress and the president.
Investigates the political, social, cultural, economic and psychological roots of several types of political violence: international terrorism, state terrorism, inter-communal and secessionist violence, genocide, revolution and civil war. For each type of violence, the course examines theories that explain the cause of violence and case examples from historical experience.
