The Design of Cottey's Courses in Philosophy and Religion

At the core of Cottey's curriculum in philosophy are three courses, each one focused on major philosophical concerns and debates.

• Introduction to Philosophical Quests (101)
  
• Ethics: Pursuits of Right and Good (103)
  
• Human Nature: Visions and Disputes (121)
  
  

In addition to these, the department offers Logic (PHI 112), a foundational course in methods of reasoning and argumentation. None of the courses in philosophy are devoted to a broad smattering of names, dates, and superficially examined problems. Instead, each course is designed

• to be accessible and worthwhile on its own
  
• to be relevant to ways in which concerned persons may think and live
  
• to confront writings from traditional and non-traditional philosophers
  
• to integrate intelligibly with any and all of the other courses in philosophy
  

A student who pursues any one of these courses will have a significant first encounter with serious philosophical thought. For students who press further—taking two, three, or four of these courses—a more extensive and integrated foundation for philosophical understanding and pursuits may be secured (as well as the basis for a meaningful minor or major in philosophy).

In Cottey's world religions courses, care is taken to focus upon more than just diverse details. Aiming to better understand the outlook, nature, and feel of religions, their key writings and developments are particularly stressed. Between them, World Religions I and II examine a significant number of major Middle Eastern, Indian, and East Asian schools and thinkers.

Combined, our course offerings in philosophy and religion offer the interested student an opportunity to pursue both breadth and depth in her understanding of some of the profounder currents of human thought and experience.

Department of Philosophy and Religion

• Dr. Kevin Rouintree
  

Course Descriptions

• The Design of Cottey's Courses in Philosophy and Religion