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Please refer to the 51���� Schedule of Classes for each term before registering to confirm which classes are offered.

Fall 2026 Course Descriptions 51���� Philosophy Department

PHILOS 101 – Introduction to Philosophy��

• 201 ONLINE Agust Magnusson (magnusso@uwm.edu) 
• 001 TR 8:30 – 9:45 TBD 
• 401 MW 10:30 – 11:20 Agust Magnusson (magnusso@uwm.edu) 
• Enrollment in 401 requires enrollment in a discussion section. 

This course will serve as an introduction to philosophy, both as an academic discipline and as a way of life. We will examine key texts from various diverse philosophical traditions, such as Stoicism, Platonism, Hedonism, and existentialism. We will explore all of the great philosophical questions and issues, such as figuring out how to be happy, how to live the coolest life possible, the true nature of reality, and what it means to be a good person. No previous background in philosophy is required to take this course. 

PHILOS 111 – Introduction to Logic – Critical Reasoning��

• 201 ONLINE Matthew Knachel (knachel@uwm.edu) 
• 401 MW 9:30 – 10:20 Matthew Knachel (knachel@uwm.edu) 
• 402 MW 2:30 – 3:20 Matthew Knachel (knachel@uwm.edu) 
• Enrollment in 401 or 402 requires enrollment in a discussion section. 

Prereq Enforcement: Level 10 on Math Placement Test; or a grade of C or better in MATH 90, MATH 95, or MATH 102; or a grade of D in MATH 94; or an ACT math score of 18 or higher. &�Բ�����;

There’s an ancient view, still widely held, that what makes human beings special—what distinguishes us from the “beasts of the field”—is that we are rational. What does rationality consist in? That is a vexed question, but one possible response goes roughly like this: we manifest our rationality by engaging in certain activities, chief among them the activity of making claims and backing them up with reasons—that is, constructing arguments. This reasoning activity can be done well and it can be done badly—it can be done correctly or incorrectly. Logic is the discipline that aims to distinguish good reasoning from bad. &�Բ�����;

Since reasoning is central to all fields of study—indeed, since it’s arguably central to being human—the tools developed in logic are universally applicable. Anyone can benefit from studying logic by becoming a more self-aware, skillful reasoner. &�Բ�����;

It is possible to approach the study of logic more or less formally. A more formal approach abstracts from natural language and develops sophisticated artificial symbol-languages within which it’s possible precisely to identify the logically relevant features of arguments. This approach has many virtues, but it is only one among many, and it focuses on only one kind of argument (deductive). In this class, we explore a diverse collection of methods and principles for evaluating many different kinds of arguments. We take a very brief look at the formal techniques mentioned above, but spend most of our time studying arguments presented in natural language, as they occur in everyday reasoning. &�Բ�����;

PHILOS 192 – First-Year Seminar – AI, Machine Learning, and Philosophy of Technology��

• 001��MW 8:30 – 9:45��William Penn (pennw@uwm.edu)��

Large language models and machine learning algorithms are increasingly being integrated into our lives.  The promises of these technological advancements are manifold, and the growing industries around these technologies promise even greater benefits with increased funding.  Concurrently, the philosophical ramifications of these technologies are being studied more and more, with both positive and negative assessments being offered about their ethics, epistemology, and even metaphysics.   

This course will act as an introduction to these literatures.  We will study the models themselves (non-technically, but at a high enough level to understand their functions and potential uses).  Following this, we will investigate how we should approach these technologies philosophically, and how these technologies can have implications for other areas of philosophy, science, and society.  Topics covered include:  What sort of model can be relied upon, how does the collection of evidence shape the explanations offered, what are the ethics of the data collection and use involved in these models, what sort of epistemic status do these models have compared to other scientific or technological knowledge generators, how should we conceive of the models as relating to human cognition, how might we develop these models and how should we develop them, how will the models shape future research and social purposes, and are these models indeed a kind of intelligence?   

This course has no requirements.  This course requires no purchases.   

PHILOS 204 – Introduction to Asian Religions��

• 201 ONLINE��Agust��Magnusson (magnusso@uwm.edu)��

Is there a God? What is the nature of reality? How do we overcome suffering and pain? These are some of the philosophical questions we will tackle in our exploration of the great wisdom traditions of Asia. We will explore various practices, theories, and teachings from traditions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, and Taoism and learn about specific spiritual techniques such as meditation and yoga. We will learn about the historical and cultural contexts of these traditions but also use them to critically examine our own understanding of human nature, the nature of reality, and the nature of the divine. No previous background in philosophy is required to take the course.    

PHILOS 211 – Elementary Logic��

• Prereq: Satisfacation of QL-A  
• 201 ONLINE Matthew Knachel (knachel@uwm.edu) 
• 401 MW 11:30 – 12:20 Matthew Knachel (knachel@uwm.edu) 
• Enrollment in 401 requires enrollment in a discussion section 

Humans are reasoning animals, and logic is the study of the rules and principles of correct reasoning, the science of what follows from what. Logic know-how is a skill, one of the most important skills you will ever develop, both for your college and later career and for your everyday life. It teaches you how to analyze concepts, ideas, arguments, and break them down into their simplest components. You are then in a position to recognize the relationships between those components, to see how they are connected together (or not), and thereby to understand how and why one thing follows from another. At the same time, it teaches you how to construct ‘paths of reasoning’, how to get from one idea to another, how, for example, to determine what is the best course of action in a particular situation. &�Բ�����;

Apart from its application in virtually every field of study, the study of logic will help you develop your analytical and quantitative skills, your writing skills, your communication skills, and your day to day reasoning. You’ll become a better thinker and a better reasoner. You may not be aware that you are doing so, but you’re using logic now, and you’ll use it every day, for the rest of your life. &�Բ�����;

This is an introductory course in formal (symbolic) logic intended for students who have had no previous work in logic. There will be 3 exams and weekly homework assignments. The course satisfies General Education Humanities and QLB requirements. The course also satisfies the L&S Formal Reasoning Requirement for the B.A. degree. &�Բ�����;

PHILOS 217 – Introduction to Metaphysics 

• 001 MW 10:00 – 11:15��Joshua Spencer (spence48@uwm.edu)��

Metaphysics is a wide-ranging field of study focused on the nature and structure of reality. In this course, we will learn about metaphysics by focusing on the metaphysics of comics. What are comics? Does a story have to have a certain sort of structure to be a comic? Does it have to have a story and pictures? Do the fictional characters that appear in comics exist and, if so, what kind of entities are they? And what makes something true in a comic? In what ways are the “realities” within comics similar to or different from our own reality? By focusing on questions like these, students will learn both about what sorts of investigations are metaphysical investigations and about how to carry out a metaphysical investigation.   

PHILOS 237 – Technology, Values, and Society��

• 201 ONLINE��Stan Husi (husi@uwm.edu)��

PHILOS 243 – Moral Problems��

• May be taken w/chg in topic to 6 cr max. Prereq: none. &�Բ�����;
• 201 ONLINE Miren Boehm (boehmm@uwm.edu) 
• 202 ONLINE Miren Boehm (boehmm@uwm.edu) 
• 203 ONLINE��Miren Boehm (boehmm@uwm.edu)����

201���ձ�����ǰ���������

This course introduces students to the concept of terrorism and the challenges of responding to it. We begin by examining competing definitions of terrorism and why they matter for law, politics, and moral judgment. We then explore the causes of terrorism, including psychological, social, and political explanations, and analyze how terrorist organizations operate and sustain themselves. In the second half of the course, we turn to counterterrorism strategies, evaluating military, intelligence, and preventative approaches. Throughout, we pay particular attention to the ethical and legal dilemmas raised by counterterrorism practices, including surveillance, human rights, and targeted killings. By the end of the course, students will be able to critically assess both terrorism and the responses to it in a historically informed and philosophically reflective way. &�Բ�����;

202 Abortion 

This course examines one of the most enduring questions in moral philosophy: is abortion morally permissible? We begin by situating the issue in its legal and historical context, from Roe v. Wade to the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Dobbs v. Jackson. We then turn to the central philosophical question of the course: what gives a being moral status? Does the morality of abortion depend on whether the fetus is a person, and what does it mean to be a person? We examine influential arguments on all sides, including those of Judith Jarvis Thomson, Don Marquis, and Mary Anne Warren. Throughout, we also consider issues of autonomy, bodily rights, and the broader social and political position of women. By the end of the course, students will be able to clearly articulate and critically evaluate the major arguments in the abortion debate and engage in informed discussion about a topic that raises deep moral disagreement. &�Բ�����;

203 The Internet 

This course examines the ethical challenges raised by life online. We begin by asking what privacy is and why it matters in a world where vast amounts of personal data are constantly collected and analyzed. We then explore how digital platforms track behavior, make inferences about individuals, and shape choices in ways that are often invisible to users. In the second half of the course, we focus on the limits of consent in the digital environment, the role of algorithms and data in reinforcing bias, and the broader social consequences of these technologies. We conclude by examining problems of knowledge and trust in the Internet age, including misinformation, echo chambers, and the erosion of shared standards of truth. By the end of the course, you will be able to critically evaluate the ethical implications of digital technologies and reflect on your own position as both a user and a subject of data-driven systems. &�Բ�����;

PHILOS 244 – Ethical Issues in Health Care – Biomedical Ethics��

• 201 ONLINE����Elizabeth Silverstein (silvers2@uwm.edu)��

In this course we will begin by overviewing the ethical theories that shape our answers to serious ethical dilemmas. In this part of the course we will first introduce philosophical moral theories, and look more closely at theories that apply particularly in biomedical ethics, and finally introduce and develop an understanding of the concept of autonomy and how it relates to issues in biomedical ethics, paying particularly close attention to how different social and cultural factors effect health care interactions. The course will be framed around issues of autonomy and especially on the autonomy of traditionally vulnerable populations. For the second half of the course we will apply these theories to particular moral dilemmas currently confronting health care providers, patients and their families, and society at large. These topics will include issues related to death and dying, pregnancy and birth, genetic testing and therapies, health care allocation, and research ethics. We will be particularly solicitous of issues that pertain to the health care issues of diverse populations and those that historically socially disadvantaged. &�Բ�����;

PHILOS 250 – God,��Faith��and Reason��

• 001 MW 1:00 – 2:15��Elizabeth��Sliverstein��(silvers2@uwm.edu)��

PHILOS 324/ 324G – Philosophy of Science��

• 001 MW 11:30 – 12:45��William Penn (pennw@uwm.edu��

Prerequisite: jr st & 3 cr in PHILOS  

Philosophy of science aims at understanding our best methods of knowing and understanding the world around us to date through a philosophical lens.  In particular, we are interested in answering questions such as:  Is science a series of claims or a set of practices?  What sort of world is being described by science?  What sorts of things in scientific theories and models can we infer exist in the world?  How are theories confirmed?  How are theories and models built?  What is the nature of data and evidence?  How do theories relate to data and evidence?  What are the social contexts and prerequisites for successful scientific endeavors?  What sorts of ethical responsibilities do scientists and those who understand science have to the world at large?  What lessons can we draw from the history of science for the future of both science and human endeavor at large?    

This course will lay the foundation for answering these and more questions about science.  It is suitable for those familiar with science and those who have little to no background in science. &�Բ�����;

PHILOS 337/ 337G – Environmental Ethics��

• 001 MW 10:00 – 11:15��Elizabeth��Sliverstein��(silvers2@uwm.edu)��

Prereq: jr st. 

The course will cover major theories of environmental ethics and their practical applications. We will cover various theoretical approaches to environmental ethics including: Animal rights, the Land Ethic; deep ecology; social ecology; ecofeminism; and rethinking the good life. This will include discussions about the moral value of non-human life and nature; human responsibility to the environment; and various contemporary moral issues related to the environment including: wildlife conservation; poverty as an environmental problem; the ecology of property rights; cost-benefit analysis and environmental policy; and environmental activism. We will pay particular attention to moral dilemmas that arise from the intersection of social justice issues, health disparities, and the climate crisis through a locally focused and ethically guided individual project. &�Բ�����;

PHILOS 349/ 349G – Great Moral Philosophers��

• 001 TR 5:30 – 6:45 (hybrid 20 – 50%��online)��Stan Husi (husi@uwm.edu)��

PHILOS 430/430G – Great Thinkers of the Ancient Period��

• 001 TR 11:30 – 12:45��Agust��Magnusson (magnusso@uwm.edu)��

PHILOS 532/532G – Philosophical Problems��– Necessity, Essence, & Explanation (It All Depends)��

• 001 M 2:30 – 5:10��Joshua Spencer (spence48@uwm.edu)��

Metametaphysics is the study of metaphysics itself. Questions in metametaphysics include (but are not limited to) the following: What are we doing when we do metaphysics? Are we searching for necessary truths about reality? Are we hoping to find the essences of various entities in the world? Are we aiming to explain, in a special metaphysical sort of way, various mysterious features of reality? In this course we will investigate these and related questions. We will focus on ways in which what is necessary, what is essential, and what counts as an explanation depend on other factors.   

PHILOS 562/562G –��Liberty, Autonomy, and Political Liberalism��

• 001 T 2:30 – 5:10��Blain Neufeld (neufeld@uwm.edu)��

In this course we will explore the concepts of “political libety” and “political autonomy,” and the roles that they play in the theory of “political liberalism.” Freedom and autonomy are complex ideas, both conceptually and normatively, and political philosophers continue to debate their main properties. We will begin the course by spending a few weeks examining some core conceptual issues, including the positive/negative liberty distinction, and the differences between liberty and autonomy. We then will explore the role of liberty and autonomy in the theory of political liberalism, as developed by John Rawls and other political liberals. Attention will be paid to the special status of the “political liberties” (as opposed to other kinds of liberties) and the relation between political autonomy and “public reason.” Criticisms of political liberalism and alternative perspectives on the ideas of freedom and autonomy also will be considered. 

PHILOS 681/681G – Social Philosophy: Rousseau, Hegel, Marx��

• 001 TR 1:00 – 2:15��Bill Bristow (bristow@uwm.edu)��

In this course we study three European thinkers who have profoundly shaped social criticism and philosophy in the modern western world:  Jean-Jacques Rousseau, G.W.F. Hegel and Karl Marx.  Each of the subsequent thinkers on this list was deeply influenced by the social criticism and philosophy of the preceding thinkers.  We will study first Rousseau’s influential criticism of modern society in his Discourse Concerning the Origin of Inequality (1755).  In this essay, Rousseau argues, through recounting a conjectural history of the social development of humanity, that the manifold ways in which we have come to depend on each other in modern society for the satisfaction of needs has resulted in the loss of our natural freedom, equality, happiness and goodness.  We turn then to Hegel’s Philosophy of Right (1821).  Hegel presents modern society as a complex whole of intersecting, interacting spheres (the family, civil society or the economic sphere, the state, the moral sphere) which function together to meet human needs and also realize human freedom and goodness.  Hegel’s social philosophy is considerably less critical, more affirmatory, of the fundamental organization of modern society, but his social philosophy develops much further than Rousseau’s the philosophical analysis of the complexities of social organization in the modern world.  Lastly, we turn to Marx’s writings, in order to understand how Marx’s famously influential and impactful critiques of capitalism both draw on the philosophies of Rousseau and Hegel and go beyond them.    

PHILOS 758 – Seminar in Major Philosophers – Hume’s Theoretical Philosophy��

• 001 MW 1:00 – 2:15��Miren Boehm (boehmm@uwm.edu)��

This course examines the core elements of Hume’s theoretical philosophy across the Treatise, the (first) Enquiry, and the Dialogues. We focus on Hume’s account of ideas and impressions, his analysis of causation and induction, his theory of belief, and his skeptical challenge to reason. Particular attention is given to the development of Hume’s views across texts and to the role of naturalism in responding to skepticism. The final part of the course explores the extension of Hume’s epistemology to religion in the Dialogues. &�Բ�����;

PHILOS 790-001 – Writing Workshop��

• 001 R 2:30 – 5:10��Blain Neufeld (neufeld@uwm.edu)��

In this course students will work on a single substantive paper, which by the end of the term should be a piece of high-quality philosophy. Most weeks two students will submit drafts of their papers for the workshop. Other students will submit comments and questions on those papers. Students also will have the option to discuss drafts of their application statements. 

PHILOS 790-002 – Advanced Topics in Philosophy – Process Philosophy��

• 002 W 2:30 – 5:10��William Penn (pennw@uwm.edu)��