PHIL 100: Informal Logic and Critical Thinking

Units: 3
Prerequisites: Eligibility for ENGL 100.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1509.00)

This course develops critical thinking skills through the study of informal logic. Topics include the structure and evaluation of arguments, fallacies, credibility, rhetorical devices, and explanations. Using examples from the news media, advertising, political speeches, and other real-life sources, students learn the distinction between claims and theories that make sense and claims and theories that do not survive rational scrutiny.

PHIL 101: Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality

Units: 3
Prerequisites: Eligibility for ENGL 100.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1509.00)

This introduction to philosophical inquiry emphasizes problems of knowledge and reality through analysis of classical and contemporary works on such issues as free will, personhood, knowledge and belief, the existence of God, and the nature of reality. The course encourages students to think independently and formulate their own tentative conclusions.

PHIL 102: Contemporary Moral Problems

Units: 3
Prerequisites: Eligibility for ENGL 100.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1509.00)

This course examines the nature of morality as it applies to a variety of personal and social issues through the reading and analysis of classical and contemporary works. It explores major ethical theories, including utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, natural law theory, social contract theories, and feminist ethics. The course emphasizes the application of ethical theory to contemporary moral issues, such as war, pornography, euthanasia, animal rights, and abortion.

PHIL 221: Philosophy of Religion

Units: 3
Prerequisites: Eligibility for ENGL 100.
Advisory: PHIL 101.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1509.00)

This course introduces the philosophical study of both religion and the central concepts found in Eastern and Western religious traditions with an emphasis on theism. It encourages students to think rationally, critically, and independently about the beliefs of religious adherents. Topics include arguments for theism and atheism, the validity of religious experience, the meaning of karma, concepts of God and Ultimate Reality, the possibility of miracles, and the value of religion.

PHIL 292: Internship Studies

Units: 0.5-3
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor, dept chair, and Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU

This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or intern at a new site upon each repetition. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.

PHIL 296: Topics in Philosophy

Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1 hour.
Lecture 2 hours.
Lecture 3 hours. (1509.00)

This course gives students an opportunity to study topics in Philosophy that are not included in regular course offerings. Each Topics course is announced, described, and given its own title and 296 number designation in the class schedule.

PHIL 298: Directed Study in Philosophy

Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor and department chair approval and successful completion of 12 units of college work with at least a 3.0 grade-point average.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 3 hours
Laboratory 6 hours
Laboratory 9 hours. (1509.00)

This course allows students to pursue a special area of interest in order to achieve specific goals beyond the scope of existing courses within the discipline. Students work independently and interact directly with an instructor on an individual basis and as prescribed by the Directed Study Agreement.