HUM 170 Myth, Story and Symbol FA 3 s.h.
The course will investigate mythology from a variety of world cultures, storytelling and the oral tradition, and symbolism, as it relates to the human experience. Coursework will enlighten students about the powerful connection of the three course topic areas to modern media, societal beliefs, and social mores. Group activities, oral presentations, and a culminating creative project presentation will comprise the bulk of the coursework. Prerequisite: “C” or better in ENG 103 or permission of Instructor. Hours of class per week: 3. General Education: H.
HUM 171 Comparative Religions 3 s.h.
A survey of world religions, major and minor, past and present, from both Eastern and Western cultures. The course traces the historical development of religion through the mythologies of Egypt, Greece, etc., as well as the historical progression of the Semitic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The course emphasizes similarities and differences among the various religions but also deals with the influence of religion on science, art, politics, etc., and their influence on religion. Prerequisite: “C” or better in ENG 103 or permission of Instructor. Hours of class per week: 3. General Education: H.
HUM 180 Survey of American Popular Music 3 s.h.
This course will survey a wide range of American popular music, from the middle of the 19th century to the present, in order to illustrate how music influences and reflects cultural, political, economic, and regional issues in the United States. The basic European and nonEuropean origins of popular music in America, prior to the mid-19th century, will be addressed, as will the similarities and differences among popular American music styles, artists, genres, and contexts of popular music, since the middle of the 19th century. Attention will also be given to the impact of technology on American popular music. Prerequisite: “C” or better in ENG 103 or permission of Instructor. Hours of class per week: 3. General Education: H.
HUM 290 Special Topics in the Humanities 3 s.h.
An interdisciplinary course that examines a subject not covered extensively in other Humanities courses. Topics vary with each offering but generally involve multicultural perspectives. Specific topics are announced before registration. The course may be repeated for credit, but prior topics may not be repeated for additional credit. Prerequisite: “C” or better in ENG 103 or permission of Instructor. Hours of class per week: 3.
PHI 150 Introduction to Philosophy FA 3 s.h.
An introduction to fundamental philosophical problems in some of the basic divisions of philosophy — metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, and philosophy of religion. The course includes the arguments of several major philosophers. It emphasizes the development of critical thinking — i.e., “doing philosophy” — in addition to studying philosophical issues. Prerequisite: “C” or better in ENG 103 or permission of Instructor. Hours of class per week: 3. General Education: H.
PHI 258 Ethics SP 3 s.h.
An introduction to the basic ethical theories and their applications to human behavior and choices. Students study and compare non-normative theories such as subjectivism and relativism, and normative theories such as utilitarianism, deontology, virtue theories, natural law, natural rights, and Platonism. Prerequisite: “C” or better in ENG 103 or permission of Instructor. Hours of class per week: 3. General Education: H.
PHI 260 Introduction to Philosophy of the Arts 3 s.h.
Introduction to Philosophy of the Arts confronts issues related to the production, interpretation, critical analysis, and media of art (which includes painting, music, architecture, photography and film, literature, and popular/mass art) within Western culture. This course asks: 1) what is deemed to be art, and by what philosophical, cultural, and historical standards are such determinations made; 2) what can be considered a philosophical study of art; 3) can one objectively interpret art, or is such interpretation always based one’s personal beliefs, attitudes, values, and experiences; 4) what are the historical, ethical, and cultural ramifications of art and the philosophical analysis of it; 5) how has technological advancement, from the alphabet to contemporary forms of “new media,” transformed the creation, experience, interpretation, and place of art within Western culture? Prerequisites: “C” or better in ENG 103 or permission of Instructor. Hours of class per week: 3. General Education: H.
