To the practice of the Christian religion, to the formation of character and the Christian conscience, which are fundamental elements for all the Faithful, you must associate a special and correct education and intellectual preparation, supported by Christian philosophy—that is, that philosophy which was truthfully called perennial philosophy.  (Pius XI)

PHI 100: Fundamentals of Philosophy. An introduction to Philosophy with an emphasis on the philosophy of nature and man. Topics will include: the meaning and nature of Philosophy, change and the four causes, the nature and powers of the soul, the immortality of the human soul, and philosophical knowledge of God. Readings will primarily be from the works of Plato, Aristotle, and St. Thomas Aquinas. Representative modern positions will also be examined. (3 credits, Fall. Pre-requisite: none. M. Schintgen)

PHI 141: Logic. This course introduces students to the principles of correct reasoning. The course begins with the components of the first act of the human intellect, simple apprehension including categorization, opposition, division, and definition before moving on to the second and third acts of the intellect, namely propositions, judgements of truth and falsity, and, finally, syllogistic reasoning. The exercises and examples emphasize the use and abuse of logic in everyday speech and actions. (3 Credits, Fall. Pre-requisite: none. M. Schintgen.)

PHI 200: Ethics. An introduction to the foundation and method of Ethics. Topics will include: how Ethics is possible, happiness, virtue, the morality of human acts, and the purpose of society. Readings will be from Plato, Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, The Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas, and select ancient and modern authors. 
(3 credits, Winter. Pre-requisite: PHI 100. M. Schintgen.)

PHI 243: Symbolic Logic. An introduction to the methods and applications of modern Symbolic Logic. Attention will also be given to the theoretical foundations of Symbolic Logic and its relationship to Aristotelian Logic. Pre-requisite: PHI 141: Logic. (3 Credits. Pre-requisite: PHI 141: Logic. Not offered 2011-2012.) 

PHI/THE 270: Augustinian Thought. Most Catholics today are unaware that Augustine’s contribution to Western Christianity in unequalled by that of any other Church Father. After his death in 430, Augustine’s thought dominated Western intellectual culture for 1000 years, and even today remains a point of major focus in the Church. It is impossible to imagine the Catholic theological tradition apart from his contributions. Furthermore, Augustine has profoundly shaped the Western philosophical tradition, especially in the areas of Metaphysics, Epistemology, and Ethics.   This class will explore the principal components of his thought, his intellectual development, the heresies he opposed, and his intellectual legacy. (3 Credits, Fall.  Pre-requisites: PHI 100: Fundamentals of Philosophy and HIS 101: History of Western Civilization. Kerr.)

THE/PHI 272: Introduction to St. Thomas Aquinas. This course provides an introduction to the life and thought of the ‘Universal Doctor of the Church,’ St. Thomas Aquinas, as well as an overview of his most important work, the Summa Theologiae. It is oriented toward providing the student with a general appreciation of his principles, terminology, and method. It is intended to endow the student with an appreciation of the value of Thomas’ contribution both to the Faith and to the Western intellectual tradition as a whole. It is likewise intended to prepare one for more advanced study in Thomistic thought. We will focus on following the Summa’s procedure, charting as it does the process of ‘exit’ of all things from God to their ultimate ‘return’ to Him at the end of time. This will be accomplished through the reading of certain key passages of the work: in particular, we will read qq. 1-5 and 109-114 of the Ia IIae and supporting questions. Before embarking on this overview of the Summa, the necessary historical groundwork will be laid with an examination of the characteristics of Thomas’ philosophical and theological sources, his historical period, and his intellectual culture. Finally, the question of his legacy will be considered, of his continuing relevance to theological and philosophical discourse. In this light, special attention will be paid to the issue of the unity of faith and reason in Thomas. (3 Credits, Winter. Pre-requisite: PHI 200: Ethics.  Kerr.)  

PHI 290: Introduction to Political Philosophy. This course presents an overview of political philosophy from its beginning in Plato and Aristotle to the present. The principles that emerge in the development of political thought will be examined, and their applicability to modern society will be discussed.  (3 credits, Will be offered 2012-2013.  Pre-requisite: PHI 200: Ethics.)

PHI 300: Ancient and Medieval Philosophy.  This course surveys the development of Philosophy from Classical Greece to the Renaissance. Readings in Ancient Philosophy will be from the Pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle, the Hellenistic and Roman Philosophers, and the Neo-Platonists. Readings in Medieval Philosophy will include St. Augustine, St. Anselm, St. Bonaventure, St. Thomas, Aquinas, Bl. Scotus, and Ockham. Emphasis will be given to the continuity of Medieval Philosophy with Ancient Philosophy, but also to its originality in reconciling Faith and Reason. Attention will also be given to the perennial value of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy. (3 credits. Pre-requisite: PHI 200: Ethics. Will be offered 2012-2013.)

PHI 303: Modern Philosophy. This course surveys Philosophers and the development of Philosophy since the Renaissance, with an emphasis on the ‘classical’ period of Modern Philosophy from Descartes to Kant. Important later figures such as Hegel, Nietzsche, and Wittgenstein will also be examined. (3 credits, Winter.  Pre-requisite: PHI 200: Ethics. M. Schintgen.)

PHI 325: Metaphysics. Metaphysics is the study of the common principles of all beings—both material and immaterial. This course will examine how Metaphysics is possible and how Metaphysical knowledge can be obtained. Topics will include: being and beings, substance, essence and existence, potency and act, and the transcendentals. (3 Credits, Fall. Pre-requisite: PHI 200: Ethics. M. Schintgen.)

PHI 404: Contemporary Philosophy. This course will survey the development of philosophy in the 20th century with emphasis upon those lines of thought that are being developed in the 21st century. Special attention will be given to currents of thought prominent in Catholic philosophical circles, such as the Thomistic Revival and Phenomenology. (3 credits, Winter.  Pre-requisite: PHI 303: Modern Philosophy or PHI 325: Metaphysics. M. Schintgen.)