Philosophy

Program Description

Philosophy explores fundamental questions such as: Who am I? What is important? What is valuable? Why am I here? How do we tell truths from falsehoods? How should we behave? What is the best way to live? How do we know what we know? What is beautiful? The answers to these questions apply to other disciplines, problems, and life endeavors. As Michael Morgenstern explains, philosophy can help us to be "better, more critical thinkers and communicators in our jobs. It can teach us to be skeptical of political rhetoric and advertising. It can help us to consider what is worth caring about and so perhaps to begin to make the world a better place." And Edward Tenner reminds us that, "Philosophy majors also score highest among disciplines in verbal reasoning and analytical writing on the GRE aptitude test." Rebecca Newberger Goldsteinit adds that philosophy is "always a good thing to know, no matter what you go on to study—to be able to think critically. To challenge your own point of view. Also, you need to be a citizen in this world. You need to know your responsibilities. You’re going to have many moral choices every day of your life. And it enriches your inner life. You have lots of frameworks to apply to problems, and so many ways to interpret things. It makes life so much more interesting. It’s us at our most human. And it helps us increase our humanity. No matter what you do, that’s an asset." In short, philosophy exemplifies a university education: you encounter iconic works, engage in rigorous debate, and learn to think critically. Studying philosophy complements any major.

Contact Information

Department of Languages, Literature, and Mass Communication
Escalante Hall 237
970.248.1687

PHIL 105 Critical Thinking-GTAH33 Credits

Introduction to the basic skill of critical reading, writing, and thinking needed for the intelligent, responsible, and ethical construction of one's worldview, conduct of one's life, and execution of one's civic duties. Topics include: argument identification, analysis, and construction; avoidance of common fallacies of reasoning; common deceptive and manipulative uses of language; writing clear and convincing argumentative essays.

Essential Learning Categories: Humanities
Colorado Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways General Education Curriculum

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

PHIL 110 Introduction to Philosophy-GTAH33 Credits

Orientation to the discipline's concerns, branches, major schools of thought, and its relationship to other disciplines; a selection of readings from philosophers of all historical periods concerning major philosophical issues; practice in the process of philosophical reasoning, the critical analysis of philosophical writings, and the most basic rules of logic.

Essential Learning Categories: Humanities
Colorado Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways General Education Curriculum

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

PHIL 120 Ethics-GTAH33 Credits

Introduction to theoretical and applied ethics. Major moral philosophers and moral theories surveyed. A general approach to moral reasoning developed. Development applied to discussion of recent writings on issues such as: euthanasia, abortion, war, capital punishment, or affirmative action.

Essential Learning Categories: Humanities
Colorado Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways General Education Curriculum

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

PHIL 130 Philosophy of Religion-GTAH33 Credits

Exploration of fundamental issues regarding religion and examination of the principles of inquiry involved in dealing with such issues philosophically. Issues include the concept of God, arguments for the existence of God, the relationship between faith and reason, the validity of religious experience, and pluralism in world religions.

Essential Learning Categories: Humanities
Colorado Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways General Education Curriculum

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

PHIL 275 Introduction To Logic3 Credits

Forms of reasoning, valid versus fallacious inferences, strong versus weak arguments. Designed to increase the ability to reason clearly and correctly, as well as to follow and critically evaluate the reasoning of others.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

PHIL 296 Topics1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

PHIL 340 The Examined Life3 Credits

Introduction to practical philosophy. The application of philosophy to one's life in order to work toward the Socratic goal of living well. Topics covered include: Socratic thought, wisdom, Epicureanism, Stoicism, mindfulness, limiting beliefs, acceptance of reality, the self, creativity.

PHIL 350 The Roots of Western Thought3 Credits

Examination of the development of Western philosophical thought from its inception with the ancient Hellenes, through the Hellenistic and Medieval periods. Philosophical methods and problems will be discussed, including (but not limited to): ontology, metaphysics, political and social thought, death and the afterlife, the influence of philosophy on Christianity, the nature of the universe, human nature, the development of science and logic. Philosophers covered will include: The Presocratics, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, and others.

PHIL 395 Independent Study1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 6 credit hours.

PHIL 396 Topics1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

PHIL 410 Major Thinker3 Credits

In-depth study of one or two important philosophers. Attention paid to their historical, cultural, scientific, and philosophical contexts. Examination of relevant portions of the philosophers' works, arguments, objections, and responses. Additional emphasis on the place of the thinkers in the "great conversation" that is philosophy via related primary and secondary texts.

Course may be taken 4 times for credit.

PHIL 420 Major Works3 Credits

In-depth study of the major and classic philosophical works of a philosopher or philosophical school. Emphasis on the historical, cultural, scientific, and philosophic contexts of the works. Examination of texts as they are situated in the philosopher's or school's opus, along with important influential writings preceding and following works influenced by these texts.

Course may be taken 4 times for credit.

PHIL 430 Major Issues3 Credits

In-depth study of major and classic philosophical issues, with attention to their historical development, major contributors, and seminal texts. Exploration of the important works surrounding the issue and important objections and responses, with a view to developing individual positions.

Course may be taken 4 times for credit.

PHIL 495 Independent Study1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 6 credit hours.

PHIL 496 Topics1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.