Philosophy (PHIL)

Subject-area course lists indicate courses currently active for offering at the University of Louisville. Not all courses are scheduled in any given academic term. For class offerings in a specific semester, refer to the Schedule of Classes.

500-level courses generally are included in both the undergraduate- and graduate-level course listings; however, specific course/section offerings may vary between semesters. Students are responsible for ensuring that they enroll in courses that are applicable to their particular academic programs.

Course Fees

Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.

PHIL 501. Independent Study1-3 Units

Description: Opportunity for the student, under the supervision of a sponsoring faculty member, to pursue individualized study related to research or practice that is not included in regular courses in the curriculum.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 502. Philosophy Capstone Seminar - CUE3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): 24 hours of PHIL courses; major in Philosophy.

Description: Seminar with variable content consisting in sustained and rigorous primary philosophical study and reflection; required of all philosophy majors as close to graduation as feasible.

Course Attribute(s): CUE - This course fulfills the Culminating Undergraduate Experience (CUE) requirement for certain degree programs. CUE courses are advanced-level courses intended for majors with at least 90 earned credits/senior-level status.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 505. Selected Topics1-3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): To be determined by instructor, in the light of the topic chosen for that semester.

Description: Intensive investigation of one or more topics in Philosophy. May be repeated for credit when topic changes.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 516. African-American Philosophy3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 205 or PHIL 303 or PHIL 304.

Description: Analysis of works and theories of major recent and contemporary African-American philosophers within the themes of Pan-African debates.

Note: Cross-listed with PAS 516.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 518. Feminist Philosophical Literature3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing.

Description: Examination of central works by feminist philosophers in such subdisciplines as ethics, political philosophy, and epistemology.

Note: Cross-listed with WGST 560.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 519. Topics in Philosophy of Race and Racism3 Units

Description: Focused examination of philosophical issues involved in interdisciplinary inquires into the nature and functioning of race and racism.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 521. Ethical Theory3 Units

Prerequisite(s): For students enrolled in BETH 621/PHIL 621, admission to a graduate program in Applied Philosophy or Health Care Ethics, or consent of instructor.

Description: Recent developments in ethical theory, such as examination of the status of moral facts, moral realism, impartiality and personal attachments, or moral agency.

Note: Cross-listed with BETH 621, PHIL 621.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 528. Philosophy of Mind3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or consent of instructor.

Description: Focuses on philosophical questions concerning the nature of mind. Central topics include the relation between mind and matter, and the nature of consciousness.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 529. Philosophy of Emotions3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): One course in philosophy or consent of instructor.

Description: A philosophical study of the nature of emotions. The course often also includes an examination of emotions' relationship to cognition and behavior, and of their moral, political, and aesthetic values.

Note: Cross-listed with PHIL 629.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 531. Aesthetics3 Units

Description: An examination of philosophical theories of art, works of art, creative activity, and aesthetic experience, from Plato to the present.

Note: Credit may not be earned for both PHIL 531 and PHIL 631.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 535. Political Philosophy3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Two courses in philosophy and/or political science.

Description: Theories of political forms and ideals, and core concepts in political life, such as justice, freedom, and equality. Attention to how ideals may be realized or frustrated.

Note: Credit may not be earned for both PHIL 535 and PHIL 635.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 536. Philosophy of Science3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): For students enrolled in PHIL 536, junior standing or consent of instructor; for students enrolled in BETH 636, admission to a graduate program in Applied Philosophy or Health Care Ethics, or consent of instructor.

Description: This course provides an introduction to the main philosophical questions concerning scientific knowledge and methodology.

Note: Cross-listed with BETH 636.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 538. Critical Social Theory3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Description: Critical Theory examines the relation between conceptual thinking and concrete social reality. It focuses on concepts such as social justice, freedom, progress, identity, and culture by studying their real-life meanings and implications. This course focuses on the school of thought known as the "Frankfurt School" as well as on its legacy and significance for feminism, gender and queer theory, and critical philosophy of race.

Note: Cross-listed with SCHG 538.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 540. Epistemology - WR3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or consent of instructor.

Description: This course focuses on philosophical questions concerning knowledge and belief. It will examine such issues as how beliefs are acquired and justified, the possible limits to knowledge, and issues of epistemic justice.

Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
Note: Credit may not be earned for both PHIL 540 and PHIL 640.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 541. Recent Topics in the Philosophy of Language3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or consent of instructor Current theory and research in the philosophy of language.

Description: Note: cross-lists with PHIL 641 and LING 641

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 557. African Philosophy3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 301, or PHIL 302, or PHIL 303, or PHIL 304.

Description: Descriptive and analytical introduction to the ideas and themes in African philosophy through careful readings of texts which address a cluster of topics.

Note: Cross-listed with PAS 557.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 572. Phenomenology3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PHIL 303 or consent of instructor.

Description: The development of the phenomenological method and its use from Husserl to the present.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 580. Foundations of Bioethics3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Odd Years

Prerequisite(s): For students enrolled in BETH 680/PHIL 680, admission to a graduate program in Applied Philosophy or Health Care Ethics, or consent of instructor.

Description: Grounding in the major theories and methods of bioethical decision-making, including contemporary controversies about the role of theory, principles, cases, narrative, and virtues.

Note: Cross-listed with BETH 680 and PHIL 680.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 581. Current Controversies in Health Care Ethics3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Odd Years

Prerequisite(s): Restricted to graduate students.

Description: Topics in health care ethics currently attracting the most attention in both professional and public discussions. A variety of viewpoints on these topics will be considered.

Note: Cross-listed with BETH 681 and PHIL 681.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 582. Health and Social Justice3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Even Years

Prerequisite(s): For students enrolled in BETH 682/PHIL 682, admission to a graduate program in Applied Philosophy or Health Care Ethics, or consent of instructor.

Description: An interdisciplinary approach to a wide array of issues pertaining to health and health care that arise at the intersection of gender, race, sex, disability, class, and culture.

Note: Cross-listed with PHIL 682, WGST 682, PHIL 582, WGST 582.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 583. Health Care, Justice & Community3 Units

Prerequisite(s): One Philosophy course at 300-level or above, or consent of instructor.

Description: Examines theories of justice and equality as they apply to issues in health care delivery, considers explanations for why disparities exist, and the practical ways that communities have addressed inequalities.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 584. Clinical Ethics3 Units

Prerequisite(s): For students enrolled in BETH 684/PHIL 684, admission to a graduate program in Applied Philosophy or Health Care Ethics, or consent of instructor; for students enrolled in PHIL 684, junior standing or consent of instructor.

Description: Application of ethical principles, virtues, and cases in the context of clinical care, with a practical approach toward ethics consultation and conflict resolution.Credit may not be earned for more than one of PHIL 684, PHIL 684, and BETH 684, except by consent of instructor and program director.

Note: Cross-listed with BETH 684 and PHIL 684.

Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 590. Philosophical Foundations of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: This course will provide an overview of the theory and practice of diversity. Diversity is understood as the many sociocultural differences between individuals and the differences that those differences make for those individuals. In this course, we will explore the historical context of oppression, the oppression framework for understanding diversity, privilege, social identity, the role of the body in diversity, stereotypes, and the personal experiences of both those who are oppressed and those who are privileged. Students will also have a substantial opportunity to examine how these general themes impact their particular area of study, work, or interest.This is the core course for the Diversity Literacy Certificate. Students pursuing that certificate should enroll in PHIL 690.

Note: Cross-listed with PHIL 690.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 601. Independent Study1-3 Units

Description: Directed study and research.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 602. Independent Study1-3 Units

Description: Directed study and research.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 605. Special Topics1-3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): To be determined by instructor, in the light of the topic chosen for that semester.

Description: Intensive investigation of one or more topics in Philosophy. May be repeated for credit when topic changes.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 616. African-American Philosophy3 Units

Description: Analysis of works and theories of major recent and contemporary African-American philosophers within the themes of Pan-African debates.

Note: Cross-listed with PAS 616.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 619. Topics in Philosophy of Race and Racism3 Units

Description: Focused examination of philosophical issues involved in interdisciplinary inquiries into the nature and functioning of race and racism.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 621. Ethical Theory3 Units

Prerequisite(s): For students enrolled in BETH 621/BETH 621, admission to a graduate program in Applied Philosophy or Health Care Ethics, or consent of instructor.

Description: Recent developments in ethical theory, such as examination of the status of moral facts, moral realism, impartiality and personal attachments, or moral agency.

Note: Cross-listed with PHIL 521, BETH 621.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 627. Philosophy and the Environment3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Description: Philosophical investigation of key aspects of human/environment interaction and issues that arise for human social relations within social-ecological systems. Emphasis on recent scholarly work. Course may be repeated for credit with consent of instructor and advisor, provided topics and readings have changed.

Note: Cross-listed with PHIL 427.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 629. Philosophy of Emotions3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): One course in philosophy or consent of instructor.

Note: Cross-listed with PHIL 529.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 630. Proseminar in Applied Philosophy3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Even Years

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or consent of instructor Introduction to graduate study in Applied Philosophy.

Description: The course uses a specific topical focus to introduce and practice the distinctive methods of applied philosophy. The course also introduces Publicly Engaged Philosophy by including a service learning option. Note: may be repeated when the topic changes, with consent of program director

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 631. Aesthetics3 Units

Description: An examination of philosophical theories of art, works of art, creative activity, and aesthetic experience, from Plato to the present.

Note: Credit may not be earned for both PHIL 531 and PHIL 631.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 635. Political Philosophy3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Two courses in philosophy and political science.

Description: The main concepts of contemporary political thought: rights, law, power, ideology, legitimacy, democracy, tyranny, the state, and justice, with the focus on the topic of political action in both its individual and collective forms.

Note: Credit cannot be earned for both PHIL 535 and PHIL 635.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 638. Critical Social Theory3 Units

Description: A critical examination of interdisciplinary theories that seek to understand and explain social formations while at the same time uncovering ways that such formations can be unjust and irrational.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 640. Epistemology3 Units

Description: Conceptual and historical background to analysis of knowledge claims; intensive study of theoretical approaches to knowledge, such as naturalized epistemology, socialized epistemology, feminist epistemology, postmodern critiques of normative conceptions of knowledge.

Note: Credit may not be earned for both PHIL 540 and PHIL 640.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 641. Recent Philosophy of Language3 Units

Description: Intensive study of current theory and research in the philosophy of language.

Note: Cross-listed with LING 641.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 657. African Philosophy3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing.

Description: Descriptive and analytical introduction to the ideas and themes in African philosophy through careful readings of texts which address a cluster of topics.

Note: Cross-listed with PAS 657.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 658. Mind and Brain: Introduction to Cognitive Science3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Odd Years

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing (for PHIL 458 only).

Description: Introduction to the philosophy of cognitive science, an interdisciplinary approach to the study of cognition and intelligence that synthesizes research from psychology, computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, and philosophy. Course examines the foundations and prospects of cognitive science and grapples with philosophical questions that arise in cognitive science research.

Note: Cross-listed with PHIL 458.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 659. Philosophy of Technology3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Odd Years

Prerequisite(s): For students enrolled in 459: junior standing or consent of instructor.

Description: No prerequisites for students enrolled in 659. The course explores the nature of technology, the historical role it has played in society, and the ethical implications of various technologies, even ones that aim to alleviate conditions or improve our lives. This course focuses on a diverse set of questions: What is technology? How should we understand its relation to nature and humanity? What is the relation of science to technology, and what can we learn about one from the other? What is the impact of technology on society? Where is technology beneficial, and where is it problematic? What is the impact of technology on human lives?Credit may not be earned for both PHIL 459 and PHIL 659, except with consent of program director and professor.

Note: Cross-listed with PHIL 659.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 680. Foundations of Bioethics3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Odd Years

Prerequisite(s): For students enrolled in BETH 680/PHIL 680, admission to a graduate program in Applied Philosophy or Health Care Ethics, or consent of instructor.

Description: Grounding in the major theories and methods of bioethical decision-making, including contemporary controversies about the role of theory, principles, cases, narrative, and virtues.

Note: Cross-listed with BETH 680 and PHIL 580.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 681. Current Controversies in Health Care Ethics3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Odd Years

Prerequisite(s): For students enrolled in BETH 681/PHIL 681, admission to a graduate program in Applied Philosophy or Health Care Ethics, or consent of instructor.

Description: Topics in health care ethics currently attracting the most attention in both professional and public discussions. A variety of viewpoints on these topics will be considered.

Note: Cross-listed with BETH 681 and PHIL 581.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 682. Health and Social Justice3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Even Years

Prerequisite(s): For students enrolled in BETH 682/PHIL 682, admission to a graduate program in Applied Philosophy or Health Care Ethics, or consent of instructor.

Description: An interdisciplinary approach to a wide array of issues pertaining to health and health care that arise at the intersection of gender, race, sex, disability, class, and culture.

Note: Cross-listed with PHIL 682, WGST 682, PHIL 582, WGST 582.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 683. Race, Medicine, and Health3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Even Years

Prerequisite(s): Admission to a graduate program in Applied Philosophy or Health Care Ethics, or consent of instructor.

Description: An in-depth study of racial disparities in health outcomes and in interactions with the health care system, and an examination of initiatives within the system to advance racial equity

Note: Cross-listed with PHIL 683.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 684. Clinical Ethics3 Units

Description: Application of ethical principles, virtues, and cases in the context of clinical care, with a practical approach toward ethics consultation and conflict resolution.Credit may not be earned for more than one of PHIL 584, PHIL 684, and BETH 684, except by consent of instructor and program director.

Note: Cross-listed with BETH 684 and PHIL 584.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 685. Health Care Ethics Internship 3 Units

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): Admission to Bioethics MA program or consent of instructor.

Description: Capstone for Bioethics MA program. Students will complete a community internship and present their results to their peers and program faculty.

Note: Cross-listed with BETH 685.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 690. Philosophical Foundations of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Note: Cross-listed with PHIL 590.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 691. Capstone in Diversity Literacy3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Diversity Literacy program or consent of instructor; PHIL 690.

Description: Students will build upon their prior coursework to conceive and develop a culminating project that advances diversity in each student's chosen field.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 695. Thesis Guidance3 Units

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PHIL 696. Thesis Guidance3 Units

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

Philosophy (PHIL)

Course Fees

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