{"id":675,"date":"2015-05-28T16:33:21","date_gmt":"2015-05-28T21:33:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/philosophy\/?page_id=675"},"modified":"2026-04-06T15:02:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T20:02:04","slug":"course-descriptions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/philosophy\/students\/undergraduate\/all-philosophy-undergraduate-courses\/course-descriptions\/","title":{"rendered":"Course Descriptions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Please refer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/schedule\/\">51ÁÔÆæ Schedule of Classes<\/a> for each term before registering to confirm which classes are offered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fall-2026-course-descriptions-uwm-philosophy-department\">Fall 2026 Course Descriptions 51ÁÔÆæ Philosophy Department<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-101-introduction-to-philosophy\">PHILOS 101 \u2013 Introduction to Philosophy\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>201 ONLINE&nbsp;Agust&nbsp;Magnusson (magnusso@uwm.edu)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>001 TR 8:30 \u2013 9:45&nbsp;TBD&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>401 MW 10:30 \u2013 11:20&nbsp;Agust&nbsp;Magnusson (magnusso@uwm.edu)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enrollment in 401 requires enrollment in a discussion section.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>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&nbsp;all of&nbsp;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&nbsp;previous&nbsp;background in philosophy is&nbsp;required&nbsp;to take this course.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-111-introduction-to-logic-critical-reasoning\">PHILOS 111 \u2013 Introduction to Logic \u2013 Critical Reasoning\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>201 ONLINE&nbsp;Matthew&nbsp;Knachel&nbsp;(knachel@uwm.edu)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>401 MW 9:30 \u2013 10:20&nbsp;Matthew&nbsp;Knachel&nbsp;(knachel@uwm.edu)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>402 MW 2:30 \u2013 3:20&nbsp;Matthew&nbsp;Knachel&nbsp;(knachel@uwm.edu)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enrollment in 401 or 402 requires enrollment in a discussion section.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Prereq\u202fEnforcement: 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.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s\u202fan ancient view, still widely held, that what makes human beings special\u2014what distinguishes us from the \u201cbeasts of the field\u201d\u2014is that we are rational. What does rationality consist\u202fin? That is a vexed question, but one\u202fpossible response\u202fgoes\u202froughly like\u202fthis: we manifest our rationality by engaging in certain activities, chief among them the activity of making claims and backing them up with reasons\u2014that is, constructing arguments. This reasoning activity can be done\u202fwell\u202fand it can be done&nbsp;badly\u2014it can be done correctly or incorrectly. Logic is the discipline that aims to distinguish good reasoning from bad.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since reasoning is central to all fields of study\u2014indeed, since\u202fit\u2019s\u202farguably central\u202fto being human\u2014the tools developed in logic are universally applicable. Anyone can\u202fbenefit\u202ffrom studying logic by becoming a more self-aware, skillful reasoner.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is possible to approach the study of logic&nbsp;more or less formally.\u202fA more formal approach abstracts from natural language and develops sophisticated artificial symbol-languages within which\u202fit\u2019s\u202fpossible precisely to\u202fidentify\u202fthe 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).\u202fIn this class, we explore a diverse collection of methods and principles for evaluating\u202fmany different kinds of\u202farguments.\u202fWe take a very brief look at the formal techniques mentioned\u202fabove, but\u202fspend most of our time studying arguments presented in natural language, as they occur in everyday reasoning.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-192-first-year-seminar-ai-machine-learning-and-philosophy-of-technology\">PHILOS 192 \u2013 First-Year Seminar \u2013 AI, Machine Learning, and Philosophy of Technology\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>001\u00a0MW 8:30 \u2013 9:45\u00a0William Penn (<a href=\"mailto:pennw@uwm.edu\">pennw@uwm.edu<\/a>)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Large language models and machine learning algorithms are increasingly being integrated into our lives.&nbsp;&nbsp;The promises of these technological advancements are manifold, and the growing industries around these technologies promise even greater benefits with increased funding.&nbsp;&nbsp;Concurrently, the philosophical ramifications of these technologies are being studied&nbsp;more and more, with both positive and negative assessments being offered about their ethics, epistemology, and even metaphysics.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This course will act as an introduction to these literatures.&nbsp;&nbsp;We will study the models themselves (non-technically, but at a high enough level to understand their functions and potential uses).&nbsp;&nbsp;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.&nbsp;&nbsp;Topics covered include:&nbsp; 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?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This course has no requirements.&nbsp;&nbsp;This course requires no purchases.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-204-introduction-to-asian-religions\">PHILOS 204 \u2013 Introduction to Asian Religions\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>201 ONLINE\u00a0Agust\u00a0Magnusson (<a href=\"mailto:magnusso@uwm.edu\">magnusso@uwm.edu<\/a>)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u202fwisdom\u202ftraditions 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\u202fprevious\u202fbackground in philosophy is\u202frequired\u202fto take the course.\u202f\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-211-elementary-logic\">PHILOS 211 \u2013 Elementary Logic\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prereq:\u202fSatisfacation\u202fof QL-A\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>201 ONLINE&nbsp;Matthew&nbsp;Knachel&nbsp;(knachel@uwm.edu)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>401 MW 11:30 \u2013 12:20&nbsp;Matthew&nbsp;Knachel&nbsp;(<a href=\"mailto:knachel@uwm.edu\">knachel@uwm.edu<\/a>)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enrollment in 401 requires enrollment in a discussion section&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u202fknow-how\u202fis 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\u202fare then\u202fin a position\u202fto\u202frecognize the relationships between those components, to see how they are\u202fconnected together\u202f(or not), and thereby to understand how and why one thing follows from another. At the same time, it teaches you how to construct \u2018paths of&nbsp;reasoning\u2019,\u202fhow to get from one idea to another, how, for example, to\u202fdetermine\u202fwhat is the best course of action in a particular situation.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart from its application in\u202fvirtually every\u202ffield of study, the study of logic will help you develop your analytical and quantitative skills, your writing skills, your communication skills, and your\u202fday to day\u202freasoning.\u202fYou\u2019ll\u202fbecome a better thinker and a better reasoner. You may not be aware that you are doing so, but\u202fyou\u2019re\u202fusing logic now, and\u202fyou\u2019ll\u202fuse it every day, for the rest of your life.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is an introductory course in formal (symbolic) logic intended for students who have had no\u202fprevious\u202fwork 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&amp;S Formal Reasoning Requirement for the B.A. degree.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-217-introduction-to-metaphysics-nbsp\"><strong>PHILOS 217 \u2013 Introduction to Metaphysics<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>001 MW 10:00 \u2013 11:15\u00a0Joshua Spencer (<a href=\"mailto:spence48@uwm.edu\">spence48@uwm.edu<\/a>)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>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&nbsp;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 \u201crealities\u201d within comics\u202fsimilar to\u202for 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.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-237-technology-values-and-society\">PHILOS 237 \u2013 Technology, Values, and Society\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>201 ONLINE\u00a0Stan Husi (<a href=\"mailto:husi@uwm.edu\">husi@uwm.edu<\/a>)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-243-moral-problems\">PHILOS 243 \u2013 Moral Problems\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>May be taken w\/chg\u202fin\u202ftopic to\u202f6\u202fcr\u202fmax.\u202fPrereq: none.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>201 ONLINE&nbsp;Miren Boehm (<a href=\"mailto:boehmm@uwm.edu\">boehmm@uwm.edu<\/a>)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>202 ONLINE&nbsp;Miren Boehm (<a href=\"mailto:boehmm@uwm.edu\">boehmm@uwm.edu<\/a>)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>203 ONLINE\u00a0Miren Boehm (<a href=\"mailto:boehmm@uwm.edu\">boehmm@uwm.edu<\/a>)\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-201-terrorism\">201\u00a0Terrorism\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u202foperate\u202fand 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.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-202-nbsp-abortion-nbsp\">202&nbsp;Abortion&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u202f<em>Roe v. Wade<\/em>\u202fto the Supreme Court\u2019s recent decision in\u202f<em>Dobbs v. Jackson<\/em>.\u202fWe then turn to the central philosophical question of the course: what gives\u202fa being\u202fmoral 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.\u202fThroughout, 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.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-203-nbsp-the-internet-nbsp\">203&nbsp;The Internet&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>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&nbsp;focus&nbsp;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&nbsp;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\u202freflect on\u202fyour own position as both a user and a subject of data-driven systems.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-244-ethical-issues-in-health-care-biomedical-ethics\">PHILOS 244 \u2013 Ethical Issues in Health Care \u2013 Biomedical Ethics\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>201 ONLINE\u00a0\u00a0Elizabeth Silverstein (<a href=\"mailto:silvers2@uwm.edu\">silvers2@uwm.edu<\/a>)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In this\u202fcourse\u202fwe 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\u202fcourse\u202fwe will apply these theories to\u202fparticular moral\u202fdilemmas 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\u202fhistorically\u202fsocially disadvantaged.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-250-god-faith-and-reason\">PHILOS 250 \u2013 God,\u00a0Faith\u00a0and Reason\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>001 MW 1:00 \u2013 2:15\u00a0Elizabeth\u00a0Sliverstein\u00a0(<a href=\"mailto:silvers2@uwm.edu\">silvers2@uwm.edu<\/a>)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-324-324g-philosophy-of-science\">PHILOS 324\/ 324G \u2013 Philosophy of Science\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>001 MW 11:30 \u2013 12:45\u00a0William Penn (<a href=\"mailto:pennw@uwm.edu\">pennw@uwm.edu<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Prerequisite:\u202fjr\u202fst\u202f&amp; 3\u202fcr\u202fin PHILOS\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Philosophy of science aims at understanding our best methods of knowing and understanding the world around us to date through a philosophical lens. \u202fIn particular, we\u202fare interested in answering questions such as: \u202fIs\u202fscience a series of claims or a set of practices? \u202fWhat sort of world is being described by science? \u202fWhat sorts of things in scientific theories and models can we infer exist in the world? \u202fHow are theories confirmed? \u202fHow are theories and models built? \u202fWhat is the nature of data and evidence? \u202fHow do theories relate to data and evidence? \u202fWhat are the social contexts and prerequisites for successful scientific endeavors? \u202fWhat sorts of ethical responsibilities do scientists and those who understand science have to the world at large?\u202f\u202fWhat lessons can we draw from the history of science for the future of both science and human endeavor at large? \u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This course will lay the foundation for answering\u202fthese and more\u202fquestions about science. \u202fIt is suitable for those familiar with science and those who have little to no background in science.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-337-337g-environmental-ethics\">PHILOS 337\/ 337G \u2013 Environmental Ethics\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>001 MW 10:00 \u2013 11:15\u00a0Elizabeth\u00a0Sliverstein\u00a0(<a href=\"mailto:silvers2@uwm.edu\">silvers2@uwm.edu<\/a>)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Prereq:&nbsp;jr&nbsp;st.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The course will cover major theories of environmental ethics and their practical applications.\u202fWe will cover various theoretical approaches to environmental ethics\u202fincluding:\u202fAnimal rights, the Land Ethic; deep ecology; social ecology; ecofeminism; and rethinking the good life.\u202fThis will include discussions about\u202fthe moral value of non-human life and nature;\u202fhuman responsibility to the\u202fenvironment; and\u202fvarious contemporary moral issues related to the environment\u202fincluding:\u202fwildlife conservation; poverty as an environmental problem; the ecology of property rights; cost-benefit analysis and environmental policy;\u202fand environmental activism. We will pay particular attention to moral\u202fdilemmas\u202fthat arise from the intersection of social justice issues, health\u202fdisparities, and the climate crisis through a locally focused and ethically guided individual project.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-349-349g-great-moral-philosophers\">PHILOS 349\/ 349G \u2013 Great Moral Philosophers\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>001 TR 5:30 \u2013 6:45 (hybrid 20 \u2013 50%\u00a0online)\u00a0Stan Husi (husi@uwm.edu)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-430-430g-great-thinkers-of-the-ancient-period\">PHILOS 430\/430G \u2013 Great Thinkers of the Ancient Period\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>001 TR 11:30 \u2013 12:45\u00a0Agust\u00a0Magnusson (<a href=\"mailto:magnusso@uwm.edu\">magnusso@uwm.edu<\/a>)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-532-532g-philosophical-problems-necessity-essence-amp-explanation-it-all-depends\">PHILOS 532\/532G \u2013 Philosophical Problems\u00a0\u2013 Necessity, Essence, &amp; Explanation (It All Depends)\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>001 M 2:30 \u2013 5:10\u00a0Joshua Spencer (<a href=\"mailto:spence48@uwm.edu\">spence48@uwm.edu<\/a>)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Metametaphysics\u202fis the study of metaphysics itself. Questions in\u202fmetametaphysics\u202finclude (but are not limited to) the following:\u202fWhat\u202fare\u202fwe\u202fdoing\u202fwhen 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,\u202fvarious\u202fmysterious features of reality?\u202fIn 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.\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-562-562g-liberty-autonomy-and-political-liberalism\">PHILOS 562\/562G \u2013\u00a0Liberty, Autonomy, and Political Liberalism\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>001 T 2:30 \u2013 5:10\u00a0Blain Neufeld (<a href=\"mailto:neufeld@uwm.edu\">neufeld@uwm.edu<\/a>)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In this course we will explore the concepts of \u201cpolitical&nbsp;libety\u201d and \u201cpolitical autonomy,\u201d and the roles that they play in the theory of \u201cpolitical liberalism.\u201d 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 \u201cpolitical liberties\u201d (as opposed to other kinds of liberties) and the relation between political autonomy and \u201cpublic reason.\u201d Criticisms of political liberalism and alternative perspectives on the ideas of freedom and autonomy&nbsp;also will&nbsp;be considered.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-681-681g-social-philosophy-rousseau-hegel-marx\">PHILOS 681\/681G \u2013 Social Philosophy: Rousseau, Hegel, Marx\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>001 TR 1:00 \u2013 2:15\u00a0Bill Bristow (<a href=\"mailto:bristow@uwm.edu\">bristow@uwm.edu<\/a>)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In this\u202fcourse\u202fwe study\u202fthree\u202fEuropean thinkers who have profoundly shaped social criticism\u202fand philosophy\u202fin the modern\u202fwestern\u202fworld:\u202f Jean-Jacques Rousseau, G.W.F.\u202fHegel\u202fand Karl Marx.\u202f\u202fEach of the\u202fsubsequent\u202fthinkers\u202fon this list was deeply influenced by the\u202fsocial criticism and philosophy of&nbsp;the\u202fpreceding\u202fthinkers.\u202f\u202fWe will study\u202ffirst\u202fRousseau\u2019s influential criticism of modern society\u202fin his\u202f<em>Discourse Concerning the Origin of Inequality<\/em>\u202f(1755).\u202f\u202fIn this essay,\u202fRousseau argues, through\u202frecounting\u202fa conjectural history of the social development of humanity, that the\u202fmanifold\u202fways in which we have come to depend on each other\u202fin modern society\u202ffor the satisfaction of\u202fneeds\u202fhas\u202fresulted in the\u202floss of our\u202fnatural\u202ffreedom, equality, happiness and\u202fgoodness.\u202f\u202fWe\u202fturn then\u202fto Hegel\u2019s\u202f<em>Philosophy of Right<\/em>\u202f(1821).\u202f\u202fHegel\u202fpresents modern society as a complex whole of intersecting, interacting spheres (the family, civil society\u202for\u202fthe\u202feconomic sphere, the\u202fstate, the moral sphere)\u202fwhich function together to meet human needs\u202fand also\u202frealize\u202fhuman freedom and goodness.\u202f\u202fHegel\u2019s social philosophy is\u202fconsiderably less\u202fcritical, more affirmatory, of\u202fthe fundamental organization of modern society, but his\u202fsocial\u202fphilosophy develops much further than Rousseau\u2019s&nbsp;the\u202fphilosophical\u202fanalysis\u202fof the complexities of social organization in the modern world.\u202f\u202fLastly,\u202fwe turn to Marx\u2019s writings,\u202fin order to\u202funderstand how\u202fMarx\u2019s\u202ffamously influential\u202fand\u202fimpactful\u202fcritiques\u202fof capitalism\u202fboth draw on\u202fthe philosophies of\u202fRousseau\u202fand Hegel\u202fand go beyond them.\u202f\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-758-seminar-in-major-philosophers-hume-s-theoretical-philosophy\">PHILOS 758 \u2013 Seminar in Major Philosophers \u2013 Hume\u2019s Theoretical Philosophy\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>001 MW 1:00 \u2013 2:15\u00a0Miren Boehm (<a href=\"mailto:boehmm@uwm.edu\">boehmm@uwm.edu<\/a>)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This course examines the core elements of Hume\u2019s theoretical philosophy across the\u202f<em>Treatise<\/em>, the\u202f(first)\u202f<em>Enquiry<\/em>, and the\u202f<em>Dialogues<\/em>. We focus on Hume\u2019s account of ideas and impressions, his analysis of causation and induction, his theory of belief, and his skeptical challenge to reason.\u202fParticular attention\u202fis given to the development of Hume\u2019s views across texts and to the role of naturalism in responding to skepticism. The final part of the course explores the extension of Hume\u2019s epistemology to religion in the\u202f<em>Dialogues<\/em>.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-790-001-writing-workshop\">PHILOS 790-001 \u2013 Writing Workshop\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>001 R 2:30 \u2013 5:10\u00a0Blain Neufeld (<a href=\"mailto:neufeld@uwm.edu\">neufeld@uwm.edu<\/a>)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In this&nbsp;course&nbsp;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&nbsp;submit&nbsp;drafts of their papers for the workshop. Other students will&nbsp;submit&nbsp;comments and questions on those papers. Students&nbsp;also will&nbsp;have the&nbsp;option&nbsp;to discuss drafts of their application statements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philos-790-002-advanced-topics-in-philosophy-process-philosophy\">PHILOS 790-002 \u2013 Advanced Topics in Philosophy \u2013 Process Philosophy\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>002 W 2:30 \u2013 5:10\u00a0William Penn (pennw@uwm.edu)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Please refer to the 51ÁÔÆæ Schedule of Classes for each term before registering to confirm which classes are offered. Fall 2026 Course Descriptions 51ÁÔÆæ Philosophy Department PHILOS 101 \u2013 Introduction to Philosophy\u00a0 This course will serve as an introduction to &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":0,"parent":7442,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","uwm_wg_additional_authors":[]},"class_list":["post-675","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Philosophy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/philosophy\/students\/undergraduate\/all-philosophy-undergraduate-courses\/course-descriptions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Course Descriptions\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Please refer to the 51ÁÔÆæ Schedule of Classes for each term before registering to confirm which classes are offered. Fall 2026 Course Descriptions 51ÁÔÆæ Philosophy Department PHILOS 101 \u2013 Introduction to Philosophy\u00a0 This course will serve as an introduction to &hellip;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/philosophy\/students\/undergraduate\/all-philosophy-undergraduate-courses\/course-descriptions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Philosophy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-06T20:02:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"14 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uwm.edu\\\/philosophy\\\/students\\\/undergraduate\\\/all-philosophy-undergraduate-courses\\\/course-descriptions\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uwm.edu\\\/philosophy\\\/students\\\/undergraduate\\\/all-philosophy-undergraduate-courses\\\/course-descriptions\\\/\",\"name\":\"Course Descriptions - Philosophy\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uwm.edu\\\/philosophy\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2015-05-28T21:33:21+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-06T20:02:04+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uwm.edu\\\/philosophy\\\/students\\\/undergraduate\\\/all-philosophy-undergraduate-courses\\\/course-descriptions\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/uwm.edu\\\/philosophy\\\/students\\\/undergraduate\\\/all-philosophy-undergraduate-courses\\\/course-descriptions\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uwm.edu\\\/philosophy\\\/students\\\/undergraduate\\\/all-philosophy-undergraduate-courses\\\/course-descriptions\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uwm.edu\\\/philosophy\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Students\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uwm.edu\\\/philosophy\\\/students\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Undergraduate\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uwm.edu\\\/philosophy\\\/students\\\/undergraduate\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"All Philosophy Undergraduate Courses\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uwm.edu\\\/philosophy\\\/students\\\/undergraduate\\\/all-philosophy-undergraduate-courses\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":5,\"name\":\"Course Descriptions\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uwm.edu\\\/philosophy\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uwm.edu\\\/philosophy\\\/\",\"name\":\"Philosophy\",\"description\":\"UW-Milwaukee\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/uwm.edu\\\/philosophy\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Philosophy","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/philosophy\/students\/undergraduate\/all-philosophy-undergraduate-courses\/course-descriptions\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Course Descriptions","og_description":"Please refer to the 51ÁÔÆæ Schedule of Classes for each term before registering to confirm which classes are offered. 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