Philosophy and Humanities

LT 501 - Elementary Latin I (3)
This course focuses on mastery of the morphology and syntax of classical Latin in order to provide students with a solid basis to read classical, patristic, medieval, and Renaissance Latin literature of all genres.

PH 501 - Introduction to the Life and Works of St. Thomas Aquinas (3)
The aim of this course is to introduce the student to an understanding of Thomas's authentic thought in light of contemporary Thomistic scholarship.  Given that his life as a Dominican friar influenced his writings, particular attention will be paid to this relationship.  Not all of Aquinas's works will be treated. 

PH 511 - Ancient Philosophy (3)
The course begins with a detailed study of the fragments of the major Pre-Socratic philosophers. This study prepares the way for extensive reading of primary Platonic and Aristotelian texts, exploring the fundamental issues with which they are engaged and the central elements in their respective positions.

PH 521 - Logic (3)
With a view to practical application, this course will first examine elementary principles and informal fallacies before presenting an in-depth study of Aristotelian syllogistic logic. A secondary focus will be upon logic's relationship to philosophy in its instrumental and epistemological roles.

PH 523 - Philosophy of Nature (Cosmology) (3)
This course will offer an Aristotelian-Thomistic consideration of natural philosophy, the science that studies nature in general.  The course will begin by identifying the subject matter and scope of this science, and it will then proceed to examine the principles, causes, and elements of natural things.  Topics to be addressed include the phenomenon of change, the constitution of material things in general, the relationship between the soul and the body in living things, and the structure of time.

PH 524 - Philosophy of Knowledge (Epistemology) (3)

After an introductory survey of divergent views concerning the philosophy of knowledge, this course will treat of sense and intellect, knowledge, judgment, truth, linguistic-logical considerations, and noetic domains.

PH 551 - Philosophy of Being (Metaphysics) (3)

This course offers a Thomistic consideration of metaphysics, the science that studies being in general.  The course begins by identifying the subject matter and scope of this science, the nature of being, its attributes, its divisions, and its causes.  Topics to be addressed include the problem of the one and the many, the analogous nature of being, participation theory, and the existence and attributes of the first being, vis., God.  The course presumes that students have a basic familiarity with Aristotelian natural philosophy (supplementary readings will be provided for students who do not).