WCSU Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024 : Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences

Philosophy and Humanistic Studies

Anna Malavisi, Co-Chair (Philosophy)
malavisia@wcsu.edu
White Hall 021b, Midtown campus
(203) 837-3271
(203) 837-8905 (fax)

Çiğdem Üsekes, Co-Chair (Interdisciplinary Studies)
usekesc@wcsu.edu
White Hall 021C, Midtown campus
203-837-3294
(203) 837-8905 (fax)

Carol O’Connor, Department Secretary
oconnorc@wcsu.edu
Warner Hall 304, Midtown campus
(203) 837-8470
(203) 837-8905 (fax)

 

Faculty

S. Dalton A. Malavisi, Co-Chair D.L. Stephenson
Ç. Üsekes, Co-Chair

 

Adjunct Faculty

D. Capps J. Carignan J. Clark
X. Hodza S. Ironbiter A. Kouremenos
G. Lebanidze J. Lott C. Paone
CD. Richmond D. Shafer

 


Overview

Philosophy courses explore  the fundamental questions of human existence, which are: What is the ultimate nature of reality? What is the ultimate nature of truth and knowledge? What is the ultimate nature of moral and aesthetic value? All philosophy courses emphasize close and careful reading, precise and persuasive writing, and creative and collaborative problem solving.

Humanistic studies courses are interdisciplinary courses. Every Humanistic Studies course focuses on a topic that is naturally interdisciplinary, and it explores this topic from the perspective of at least 3 different disciplines. Humanistic Studies courses emphasize creative and critical thinking in addressing the complex questions and challenges of an interconnected world.

 

Mission

The mission of the philosophy and humanistic studies department is to:

  1. offer philosophy courses that cover all of the most important philosophical questions and also every period of the history of philosophy.
  2. offer interdisciplinary humanistic studies courses on relevant and contemporary topics that are best understood from a variety of different disciplinary perspectives;
  3. offer major and minor degree programs in both philosophy and interdisciplinary studies.

 

Learning Outcomes

Students who take courses in philosophy will develop:

  1. An understanding of the meaning and the connections between the 3 areas of philosophy: metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology.
  2. An understanding of the characteristics and the accomplishments of the main periods in the history of philosophy: ancient, medieval; modern; contemporary.
  3. Skills in close and careful reading, logical analysis, and textual criticism.
  4. Communication skills. Students learn to express themselves with clarity and precision through assignments involving spoken presentations and written essays.

Students who take courses in humanistic studies will develop:

  1. Knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines. Humanistic studies courses include at least 3 disciplinary perspectives and therefore students will gain knowledge and skills from a variety of different disciplines including the physical sciences, the social sciences, the humanities, and the arts.
  2. Skill in synthesizing ideas from multiple disciplines. Students learn to think beyond the traditional limits of departments and disciplines. They learn to clarify questions and solve problems using the best ideas from every tradition.
  3. Skills in close and careful reading, critical analysis and textual criticism.
  4. Communication skills. Students learn to express themselves with clarity and precision through assignments involving spoken presentations and written essays.

 

Degrees in Philosophy

B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies

B.A. Contract Major in Philosophy

Minors
Humanistic Studies
Intellectual History
Logic
Philosophy
Science and Society
Sustainability
Theoretical and Applied Ethics


BA in Interdisciplinary Studies

Description This major allows students to combine two different fields to best suit their interests and career plans. With two courses designed to help students integrate their learning combined with concentrations in two different fields, students design their learning experiences around specific academic and career goals. Please contact the Department of Philosophy and Humanistic Studies to initiate a major in Interdisciplinary Studies. 

Degree Requirements
All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH). This includes major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.   

Required Courses in the Major: 42 SH.  

HUM 151 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies (CP, OC)  3 SH 
Concentration I: Any discipline in the Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences: 18 credits (usually six courses) in one subject. At least two classes must be at the 300/400 level.  18 SH 
Concentration 2: Any discipline at the University. 18 credits (usually six courses) in one subject. At least two classes must be at the 300/400 level.  18 SH 
HUM 451 Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies (CE, W3)  3 SH 
Minimum GPA for the BA in Interdisciplinary Studies = 2.0 overall. 


General Education
: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad/academic-programs-degrees/ 

Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.  

Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours.  Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.  


Sample Four Year Plan: BA Interdisciplinary Studies

Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.  

Semester 1  SH  Semester 2  SH 
HUM 105 FY for the Humanities (FT)   1  Concentration 1 any level**  3 
HUM 151 Intro. to Interdisciplinary Studies (CP, OC)  3  Concentration 2 any level  3 
WRT 101 Composition I (W1)  3  Gen Ed: Writing Tier 2 (W2)  3 
MAT 100(P) Intermediate Math OR Gen Ed: Quantitative Reasoning  3-4  Gen Ed: Quantitative Reasoning (QR) OR Gen Ed: Breadth Elective  3 
Gen Ed: Intercultural Comp. (IC)*  3  Gen Ed: Intercultural Comp. (IC, Rpt. 1)  3 
       
Semester 3  SH  Semester 4  SH 
Concentration 1 any level  3  Concentration 1 any level  3 
Concentration 2 any level  3  Concentration 2 any level  3 
Gen Ed: Information Literacy (IL)  3  Gen Ed: Scientific Inquiry (SI)  4 
Gen-Ed: Critical Thinking (CT)   2  Gen Ed: Health and Wellness (HW)  2 
Gen-Ed: Repeat Competency 2  3  Gen Ed: Repeat Competency 3  3 
       
Semester 5  SH  Semester 6  SH 
Concentration 1 any level  3  Concentration 1 300-400 level  3 
Concentration 2 any level  3  Concentration 2 300-400 level  3 
Gen Ed: Breadth  3  Gen Ed: Breadth  3 
Free Elective  3  Free Elective  3 
Free Elective  3  Free Elective  3 
       
Semester 7  SH  Semester 8  SH 
Concentration 1 300-400 level  3  HUM 451: Adv. Interdisciplinary Studies (CE, W3)  3 
Concentration 2 300-400 level  3  Free elective  3 
Free Elective  3  Free Elective  3 
Free Elective  3  Free Elective  3 
Free Elective  3  Free Elective  3 
Total Credits Required for the BA in Interdisciplinary Studies = 120; Minimum GPA 2.0 

*All Bachelor of Arts degrees at WCSU require that students complete a language at or above the elementary II level. Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a minimum of C average in high school have met this requirement. However, they must still complete at least one Intercultural Competency course. 

** Upper level courses usually have pre-requisites. Be sure to check this as you plan your concentrations.  

 


BA Contract Major in Philosophy

Students who major in philosophy at WCSU design their own program of study in the form of a contract major. A contract major in philosophy gives students the opportunity to customize their major and graduate with a degree that is uniquely their own.

Please contact the Department of Philosophy and Humanistic Studies to initiate a contract major in philosophy.

 

Minors

Please consult your advisor for all program requirements.

Minor in Humanistic Studies (18 SH)

Required Course (3 SH):
HUM 151 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies

Fifteen credits (15 SH) in Approved HUM electives. (15 SH)
At least nine credits (9 SH) at the 200-level or above. All current HUM courses can be applied toward the minor.


Minor in Intellectual History (18 SH)

A minor in intellectual history requires 18 credits: 9 credits of History and 9 credits of Philosophy selected from the following courses. (New courses may be added to those listed below so please contact the Department for an up to date list.)

History Courses (select 9 SH):

  • HIS 211 American Legal History (prereq: HIS 148 and HIS 149)
  • HIS 262 The History of the American Constitution
  • HIS 287 History of Chinese Religions
  • HIS 288 Renaissance, Reformation and the Age of Exploration
  • HIS 289 Scientific Revolution and Age of Enlightenment (prereq: Sophomore standing or instructor permission)
  • HIS 302 The American Revolution: 1763-1789 (prereq: HIS 148)
  • HIS 303 The Age of Jefferson (prereq: HIS 148)
  • HIS 304 The Antebellum Era, 1815-1861 (prereq: HIS 148)
  • HIS 388:  Modern Vietnam:  Memory and History
  • HIS 415 American Intellectual History (prereq: HIS 148)
  • HIS 450 Historiography (prereq: HIS 100 and Junior or Senior standing)

Philosophy Courses (select 9 SH):

  • PHI 231 Ancient Philosophy
  • PHI 232 Medieval Philosophy
  • PHI 233 Modern Philosophy
  • PHI 234 19th & 20th Century Philosophy
  • PHI/WS 339 Women in the History of Philosophy (prereq: any PHI course)


Minor in Logic (15 SH)

A minor in logic requires 15 credits, including: PHI 209 Informal Logic and PHI 211 Formal Logic, at least one more class in informal logic from the list below, at least one more class in formal logic from the list below, and at least one other class in either formal or informal logic from the list below. (New courses may be added to those listed below so please contact the Department for an up to date list.)

Required Courses (6 SH):
PHI 209 Informal Logic
PHI 211 Symbolic Logic

Select one Formal Logic Course (3 SH)
MAT 141 Foundational Discrete OR
MAT/CS 165 Introductory Discrete Mathematics (only one of these 2 classes can be applied to the minor)
MAT 207 Proofs
MAT 242 Foundations of Geometry
MAT 342 Topics in Geometry
MAT 359 Introduction to Theory of Computation
CS 215 Computer Architecture
CS 285 Artificial Intelligence
CS 355 Programming Languages

Select One Informal Logic Course ( 3 SH)
COM 200 Language and Communication
COM 263 Persuasion and Propaganda
COM 264 Argumentation and Debate
COM 268 Public Communication
COM 276 Debate Workshop
COM 408 Strategies of Persuasion
WRT 103W Composition II: Research and Writing
WRT/JLA 321W Legal Writing
WRT 335W Fact-Based Opinion Writing
WRT 371W Writing the Weird: Conspiracy Theories

Select one (1) more course in either Formal Logic course list OR Informal Logic course list above (3 SH).


Minor in Philosophy (18 SH)

A minor in philosophy requires 18 PHI credits, including at least 9 credits at the 200-level or above, at least one course in logic, at least one course in the history of philosophy, and at least one course in ethics. Courses in logic, history of philosophy and ethics must be chosen from the list below; all current PHI courses can be applied toward the remaining 9 elective credits. (New courses may be added to those listed below so please contact the Department for an up to date list.)

Select One Logic Course ( 3 SH)
PHI 209 Informal Logic
PHI 211 Formal Logic

Select One History of Philosophy Course (3 SH)
PHI 231 Ancient Philosophy
PHI 232 Medieval Philosophy
PHI 233 Modern Philosophy
PHI 234 19th and 20th Century Philosophy

Select One Ethics Courses (3 SH)
PHI 120 Introduction to Ethical Theory
PHI 106 Philosophy of Happiness
PHI 205 Engaged Philosophy: Peace and Justice Issues
PHI 221 Ethical Issues in Business
PHI 223 Ethical Issues in Healthcare
PHI 225 Ethics and the Animals
PHI 226 Environmental Philosophy
PHI 227 Ethics in Computing
PHI 229 Philosophy of Law & Legal Theory
PHI 245 Philosophy of Death and Dying
PHI 262 Philosophy of Love & Friendship
PHI 320 Social and Political Philosophy
PHI 334 Existentialism
PHI 421 Developmental & Humanitarian Ethics

Three (3) approved Philosophy courses (9 SH)


Minor in Science and Society 

The Minor in Science and Society requires 17-18 credits, including HUM 292 Science and Society (3 credits) and the remaining 14-15 elective credits to be selected from the two groups specified below. No more than 9 credits may be taken within the student’s major, and no more than 9 credits may be taken within the same discipline. Students must maintain a 2.0 minimum GPA in the minor.

Required Course (3 SH):
HUM 292 Science and Society

Group I Electives: (Choose 8-9 credits from the following courses. Choose either two 4-credit courses or three 3-credit courses.)
BIO 100 Concepts of Biology
BIO 107/202 Scientific Inquiry in the Field
BIO 150 Science of Climate Change
CHE 102 Everyday Chemistry I
CHE/HUM 293 The Science and Culture of the Atomic Bomb
CS 102 3D Modeling and Printing
CS 103 Computer Animation and Scripting
CS 110 Website Production
CS 135 Problem Solving with Computers
CS 140 Introduction to Programming
CS 172 Intermediate Java Programming
MAT 110 Great Ideas in Mathematics
MAT 113 Introduction to the History of Mathematics
MAT 127 Introduction to Cryptology
MAT 363 History of Mathematics
PSY 230 Introduction to Brain and Behavior
PSY 251 Psychology of Cognition
PSY 352 Cognitive Neuroscience

Group II Electives: (Choose six (6) credits from the following courses.)
HUM 213 Artificial Intelligence: Minds and Machines
HUM 222 Sustainability: Economics, Ecology, Ethics
HUM 290 Science and Technology in Film
HUM 391 Big Data and Society
PSY 260 Health Psychology
PSY 270 Psychology of Sustainability
PSY 309 Social Psychology and the Law
PSY 347 Developmental Psychology and Social Policy


Minor in Sustainability (18 SH)

A minor in sustainability requires 18 credits, including HUM 222 Sustainability: Economics, Ecology, Ethics (3), and 15 more credits derived from the following elective courses. (New courses may be added to those listed below so please contact the Department for an up to date list.) No more than 9 credits in this minor may be taken within a student’s major.

Required Course (3 SH):
HUM 222 Sustainability: Economics, Ecology, Ethics

Five (5) courses from the approved lists below (15 SH):

Biology Courses
BIO 200 Ecology (4) (prereq: C- or better in both BIO 103 & BIO 104)
BIO 422 Conservation Ecology (4) (prereq: BIO 200, BIO 260 & one BIO 300-level course)
BIO 375 Climate Ecology (3) (prereq: C- or better in BIO 200, BIO 260 and either MAT 115 or MAT 120)

Earth Science Course
ES 103 Planet Earth (4)

Economics Courses
ECO 211 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECO 213 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
ECO 240 Environmental Economics (3)
ECO 317 Economic Development and Growth (3) (prereq: ECO 211)

Environmental Studies Courses
ENV 100 Environmental Resources (4)
ENV/BIO 156 Biology of the Environment (3)
ENV/MTR 162 Air Pollution Sources (4)
ENV/SS 250 Society and the Environment (3)

Physics Courses
PHY/ENV 136 Energy (4)

Geography Courses
GEO 100 Principles of World Geography (3)
GEO/ENV 150 Urban Environment as a human Ecological Problem (3)
GEO 270 The Geography of the Environment and Development (3) (prereq: GEO 100)

Health Promotion & Exercise Courses
HPX 100 Health Promotion and Maintenance (3)
HPX 240 Introduction to Principles of Holistic and Integrative Health (3)
HPX/HUM 246 Indigenous Spirituality & Environmental Activism (3)
HPX/HUM 247 Approaches to Well Being in Indo-Tibetan Philosophy (3)
HPX 353 Environmental and Global Health (3)

Humanistic Studies Courses
HUM/HPX 246 Approaches to Well Being in Indo-Tibetan Philosophy (3)
HUM/HPX 247 Indigenous Spirituality & Environmental Activism (3)

Management Courses (All students must take 9 credits outside the required classes of their major.)
MGT 405 Small Business Entrepreneurship (prereq: ACC 202, FIN 310, MKT 301 and GPA 2.3 or higher.)
MGT 410 Current Issues in Management (prereq: senior standing and GPA 2.3 or higher)

Marketing Courses
MKT 305 Global Environment of Business (3) (prereq: GPA >2.3, Junior standing, MKT 200, MGT 250, FIN 310)

Meteorology Courses
MTR 150 Meteorology (4)
MTR 240 Climatology (4) (prereq: MTR 150)

Philosophy Courses
PHI 225 Ethics and Animals (3)
PHI 226 Environmental Philosophy (3)
PHI 421 Developmental & Humanitarian Ethics (3)

Political Science Courses
PS 315 Environmental Issues in International Relations (3)

Psychology Courses
PSY 270 Psychology of Sustainability (3) (prereq: PSY 100)


Minor in Theoretical and Applied Ethics (18 SH)

A minor in theoretical and applied ethics requires 18 credits, including PHI 120 Introduction to Ethical Theory, and 5 more classes from the following list. (New courses may be added to those listed below so please contact the Department for an up to date list.)

Required Course (3 SH):
PHI 120 Introduction to Ethical Theory

Five (5) courses from the approved lists below (15 SH):

Anthropology Courses
ANT/SOC 206 Culture and Law
ANT/COM 208 Intercultural Communication

Communication Courses
COM 219 Communication Ethics
COM 247 Live News & Election Coverage

Humanistic Studies Courses
HUM 110 Moral Issues in Modern Society

Justice and Law Administration Courses (only 2 JLA courses can apply toward the minor)
JLA 201 Criminology
JLA 205—Juvenile Delinquency
JLA 336—White Collar Crime
JLA 408 Human Rights

Philosophy Courses
PHI 221 Ethical Issues in Business
PHI 223 Ethical Issues in Healthcare
PHI 225 Ethics and Animals
PHI 226 Environmental Philosophy
PHI 227 Ethics in Computing
PHI 421 Developmental & Humanitarian Ethics

Political Science Courses
PS 201 Political Theory
PS 401 Global Conflict Resolution
PS 402 Violent and Nonviolent Conflict Resolution

Psychology Courses
PSY 309 Social Psychology & the Law
PSY 346 Moral Development

Social Science Courses
SS 401 Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution
SS 402 Mediation: Theory and Practice

 

 

Course Restrictions

For a complete list of prerequisites, corequisites and other restrictions for all courses, please consult the Course Description section of this catalog.