This 2008-2009 Bridgewater State College Catalog Addenda contains the most up-to-date information. Information in this Catalog Web Addenda supersedes the published version of this catalog.

Only changes made to program requirements, courses or academic policies are outlined here. This Web Addenda should be used in conjunction with the 2008-2009 print or Online Catalog.

PHILOSOPHY (PHIL)

PHIL 211 Inductive Logic (3 credits) (NEW)

Prerequisite: PHIL 111
This course explores the ideas and techniques of inductive logic that are of use in understanding, developing and appraising inductive arguments as they occur in philosophy, education and science. Specifically, the course examines sampling and statistics, Mill's methods, the probability calculus, the traditional problem of induction, Goodman's paradox and the new problem of induction. (CHUM)

PHIL 247 Existentialism (3 credits) (NEW)

Prerequisite: PHIL 111
Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? This course covers the existential analysis of the quest for meaning in a human's life. We will consider how we understand ourselves, the world, and our relationship with the world. These considerations will include notions of self-identity, the role and limits of reason/rationality, the role of emotions and passions, the role of faith and religion, human freedom, views of the world self-estrangement, anxiety and fear, death, and the relation of the self to other human beings. We will grapple with these questions as we analyze and interpret the philosophies of famous 'existentialist' thinkers such as Soren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger and Jean-Paul Sartre. (CHUM)

PHIL 260 Philosophy of Science (3 credits) (NEW)

Prerequisite: PHIL 111
This course introduces students to foundational issues in the philosophy of science. Topics discussed may include issues such as the science/non-science distinction, the nature of scientific explanation, the interactions between theory and observation, causation, and the existence of natural kinds. Also, some application issues may be discussed like whether science is objective, sexist or racist, or how to apply science to policy questions like school science curricula and funding of large-scale scientific initiatives. (CHUM)

PHIL 304 19TH Century Philosophy (3 credits) (NEW)

Prerequisite: PHIL 111
This course examines some of the predominant thinkers in the 19th century, and the philosophical questions addressing the tension between reason as a central aspect of human beings and nature on the one hand, and the collapse of reason and the human being's possible descent into nihilism on the other. This tension will be examined in such topics as metaphysics, epistemology and ethics. The course will begin with Kant to help students move from 18th to 19th century philosophy, and then turn to German Idealism, Hegel, Mill, Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, and see not only how each philosopher responds to Kant and relates to one another, but also how they all help to influence various philosophies of the 20th century. (CHUM; CWRT)

PHIL 405 Metaphysics (3 credits) (NEW)

Prerequisite: PHIL 111
This course focuses on the study of fundamental metaphysical issues. Topics may include issues such as the nature of existence, the mind-body problem, issues in space and time, the finite vs. the infinite, personal identity and causation plus its implications for freedom. The course explores classical as well as contemporary readings. (CHUM; CWRT)