Graduate Courses

Winter 2024


PHIL 673/CLAS 461/PHIL 403 — SEM 001

Cosmology: Plato to Galileo

Responding to their naked-eye observations of the world and divergent philosophical commitments, ancient Greek philosophers and mathematicians constructed competing theories of the cosmos’ composition and structure.  This course examines the variety of cosmological theories advanced by ancient Greek philosophers and mathematicians as well as their reception from the medieval Islamic tradition to early modern Europe.  Analyzing texts by Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, and Ptolemy in English translation, students will familiarize themselves with the content and range of ancient Greek cosmologies as well as their relation to various epistemological and metaphysical theories.  In addition, students will examine these cosmologies’ reception by Ibn Tufayl, Copernicus, and Galileo, who responded to earlier cosmologies in light of their own philosophical commitments and, in the case of Galileo, the observation of phenomena inaccessible before the invention of the telescope. 

PHIL 673/PHIL 675/ PHIL 452 — SEM 002

Social Epistemology: Conspiracy Theories

This discussion-based course will offer a deep dive into philosophical work on conspiracy theories.  We will discuss how to define “conspiracy theory”; whether it’s rational to believe in conspiracy theories; and what, if anything, we should do about the recent apparent rise in conspiracy theorising.  Throughout this topic, one particular challenge comes from the fact that some conspiracies (Watergate, Julius Caesar’s assassination, etc) are real.  Students will be required to do close and collaborative reading of texts, oral presentations, and a substantial final essay.
 

PHIL 673/PHIL 402/GSJ 402 — SEM 003

Feminist Standpoint Theory

Standpoint theorists have had much to say about the harms imposed on those who are socially marginalized as knowers but, by contrast with ‘deficit’ theories, their emphasis has been on the epistemic resources, resilience, and insights that can arise from the situated experience of oppression. This orientation has been influential as a rationale for “starting inquiry from the margins” in the social sciences and as a framework in science studies for understanding the impact of transformative critique on scientific inquiry. 

PHIL 674/676 — SEM 001

Reproductive Ethics

In this course, we will survey recent work in reproductive ethics, with an emphasis on feminist approaches. Drawing from reproductive justice approaches, we will consider how reproductive choices and experiences are situated within systems of power. Our primary (but not exclusive) mode of engagement will be to examine specific reproductive technologies or practices, which will provide contexts for discussing important bioethical and philosophical concepts, such as vulnerability.

PHIL 680B- SEM 001

Autonomy

Autonomy is a contested concept that is at the heart of debates in metaphysics, moral psychology, moral philosophy, political philosophy, medical ethics, feminist philosophy, the philosophy of disability, and more. In this course, we will explore the nature and value of autonomy and consider the role in plays in a wide range of sub-disciplines of philosophy. PHIL 680 is also the departmental ‘pro-seminar’, so philosophical discussions of autonomy will be combined with professional development topics including applying for funding, presenting work at conferences, publishing, and the job market. 

Need help or have a question? Please contact Ashley Price, Philosophy Graduate Coordinator.