Philosophy is the study of the most basic ways by which we understand ourselves and our universe. It is the reasoned objective attempt to answer questions such as Is there a God? Can we know anything? Are there really minds and souls, or just brains and bodies? Do humans have free will? How should I conduct my life? and many others. It seeks to establish standards of evidence and techniques for evaluating our theories of the world.

The philosophy curriculum at UL Lafayette offers a number of courses in philosophy, representing areas of logic, the history of philosophy, ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of religion, philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, etc. In order to obtain this degree, students must take 33 hours in philosophy and must also earn an 18 hour "minor" in another field ( such as the social and physical sciences, pre-law, cognitive science, the humanities and business) that is in some way related to philosophy or the student's career interests. The curriculum also requires courses in such areas as English, history, modern language, biological and physical sciences, arts, behavioral science and computer science. The flexible curriculum provides both a breadth of background knowledge while allowing the student to pursue their own intellectual interests.

A complete listing of course requirements is available in PDF.
(open PDF in free Adobe Reader to view or print course requirements)

2005-2007 / 2007-2009 / 2009-2011

101.  Introduction to Philosophy. (3, 0, 3). An introduction to the major problems of philosophy through a critical reading of selections from great philosophers. Coreq:  Eligibility for ENGL 101.

111.  Contemporary Moral Dilemmas. (3, 0, 3).  A critical, philosophical examination of important ethical issues for individuals, the professions and society today.  Includes:  abortion, euthanasia, animal rights, and capital punishment.

  151.  Honors Introduction of Philosophy. (3, 0, 3).  Restr:  Permission of instructor is required.

202.  Critical Thinking.  (3, 0, 3).  Introduction, inductive logic, logical fallacies, and basic forms of valid reasoning.  Rest.  Eligibility for ENGL 101.

210.  Practical Agumentation.  (3, 0, 3).  Introduction to the nature of scientific reasoning and the application of inductive and critical thinking and discourse skills to claims regarding folk theories, evolution, and other controversial issues.

231.  Topics in World Religions. (3, 0, 3).   A philosophical study in one or more of the world religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  May be repeated for credit with a different topic.

234.  Introduction to the Old Testament.  (3, 0, 3).  Academic survey of the Old Testament with particular attention given to the early beginnings, history, and prophets.

235.  Introduction to the New Testament. (3, 0, 3).  Academic, non-sectarian survey of the New Testament with specific attention given to the exegesis of one of the gospels and the Pauline Epistles.

240.  Aesthetics. (3, 0, 3)  Analysis of the nature of art, and a critical examination of various criteria for determining aesthetic value.

314.  Ethics. (3, 0, 3). An analysis of the principal theories of the nature of the good.

316.  Professioinal Ethics. (3, 0, 3). A study of some of the  moral problems encountered in the professions of business, medicine, law, and engineering; different conceptions of the nature and source of moral obligation in the professions.

319.  Philosophy of Law.  (3, 0, 3).  An introduction to the nature and philosophical and moral problems of law; e.g. legal enforcement of morality, justification of punishment, civil disobedience, jurisprudence.

321  Plato, Aristotle, and the Ancients.  (3, 0, 3)  An examination of the roots of western philosophy with emphasis on the works of Plato and Aristotle.  Prereq:  ENGL 101.

322.  History of Modern Philosophy.  (3, 0, 3).  Examination of the roots of contemporary philosophy, focusing on the major philosophers and Descartes to Kant.  Prereq:  ENGL 101.

327.  Existentialism and Phenomenology. (3, 0, 3).  Examination of major theories and figures; e.g. Nietzsche, Sartre, Husserl, Camus, etc.

329.  Topics in the History of Philosophy. (3, 0, 3).  Examination of either a philosophical movement, a philosophical period, or the works of a particular philosopher.  Can be repeated for credit three times with different topics. 

331.  Philosophy of Religion. (3, 0, 3). A discussion of the basic philosophical problems in the great religions of the world.

340.  Philosophy of Mind.  (3, 0, 3).  Discussion of the nature of the mind and its relation to the world.  Survey of topics to include the mind/body problem, consciousness, artifical intelligence, mental representation, perception.

342.  Philosophy of Science. (3, 0, 3).  An analysis of the nature of science and of scientific method. The philosophical problems of the various sciences are emphasized. Prereq: PHIL 202 or PHIL 361.  Restr:  If prerequisites not met, permission of instructor is required.

349.  Topics in Mind and Cognition. (3, 0, 3).  A philosophical study of a topic in the philosophy of mind or cognitive science, such as computer models of the mind, explanation of behavior, or the evolution of the mind.  May be repeated for credit with a different topic.

361.  Introduction to Symbolic Logic. (3, 0, 3).  Introduction to formal language, Boolean logic, and the classical first order predicate logic, as well as syllogistic logic.

371.  Topics in Philosophy.  (3, 0, 3).  In-depth study of an important philosophical issue, area or movement.  Alternate subtitles will appear  on students’ transcripts.  May be repeated for credit with a different topic.

To enroll in any 400-level course, students must be admitted to the Upper Division.

402.  Metaphysics. (3, 0, 3). An analysis of the ultimate nature of reality. Sp, odd-numbered years. Prereq: Six hours of philosophy.

428(G). Seminar in the History of Philosophy.  (3, 0, 3).  Content varies.  May be repeated for credit.  Alternate subtitles will appear on students’ transcripts.  Examination of a philosophical movement, period, issue, or philosopher.  Prereq:  Six hours of philosophy. 

441(G).  Theory of Knowledge. (3, 0, 3).  Critical examination of the nature and limits of knowledge.  Prereq:  Six credits of philosophy. 

448(G).  Seminar in Mind and Cognition. (3, 0, 3). Specific problems related to understanding the nature of the human mind and/or human cognitive ability.  Prereq:  PHIL 342, 349, 441, or permission of instructor.

483(G).  Philosophy in Literature. (3, 0, 3).  Basic philosophical problems in great works of literature.  Fa, odd-numbered years.  Prereq:  Three hours of philosophy, or permission of instructor. 

497.  Individual Study. (1-3). May be repeated for credit with different topic.  An in-depth study of one of the major philosophical problems.  Fa, Sp.  Prereq:  Twelve hours of philosophy.  Restr:  Permission of instructor required.

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Department of Philosophy
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
P. O. Box 43770
Lafayette, LA 70504-3770

Office located in H. L. Griffin, Room 560
Phone: (337) 482-5400
Fax: (337) 482-5002
Email: kak7409@louisiana.edu

Web Site: http://www.louisiana.edu/Academic/LiberalArts/PHIL/