Montgomery College - Rockville
PHILOSOPHY COURSES
spring 2005

Classes in philosophy are useful for exploring the large questions, developing orderly thinking and preparing for many professions. These courses also fulfill humanities requirements and the HUMANITIES distribution requirement of Montgomery College. PL 203 also fulfills the MULTICULTURAL requirement.

PL 180, 201, 202, 203, 205 all fulfill a CORE requirement in the Maryland University System. Most other PL courses fulfill USP requirements and transfer almost anywhere; a transfer advisor should be consulted for further discussion and clarification.

Foundation Courses

PL 190 · Elementary Logic & Semantics: Truth, Lies, and Gullibility

An examination of language and reason, stressing logical analysis, deductive and inductive arguments, scientific reasoning, and avoidance of fallacious reasoning. Lecture and discussion; tests and papers.

30974 TR 11:00-12:15 pm [collins]

30972 MWF 10:00-10:50 am [collins]

31831 W 6:30-9:10 pm [lee]

PL 201 · Intro. To Philosophy: To Be, To Do, or To Think

An examination of fundamental questions about the nature of reality, the existence of God, beauty, morality, truth, and selfhood. Lecture and discussion; tests and papers.

30971 MWF 9:00- 9:50 am [white]

30970 TR 9:30-10:45 am [levitas]

30962 MWF 11:00-11:50 am [white]

30964 MWF 12:00-12:50 pm [chukwu]

30963 TR 2:00- 3:15 pm [soderberg]

30956 T 6:30- 9:10 pm [white]

Specialty Courses

PL 180 · Morality & Contemporary Law

Against a background of moral philosophy & philosophy of law, this course in applied ethics explores issues such as human rights & the Constitution, euthanasia & suicide, crime & punishment, equality, and privacy. Lecture and discussion; tests and papers.

30957 TR 2:00-3:15 pm [st. claire]

PL 202 · Intro. To Ethics: Good Deeds, Bad Rules

This is a discussion of contemporary issues in the areas of public policy and conduct, human and animal experimentation, euthanasia, affirmative action, and other areas. Different theoretical approaches to ethical issues are evaluated and employed. Lecture and discussion; tests and papers.

30961 MWF 11:00-11:50 am [soderberg]

31795 TR 11:00-12:15 pm [tba]

30955 M 6:30- 9:10 pm [soderberg]

PL 203 · Intro. To The Study Of Religion: Meaning and Religion: East and West

This class is an exploration of a variety of themes generally associated with philosophy of religion courses. Topics for discussion include science and religion, mysticism, near-death experiences, myth and ritual, the problem of evil, cults and meditation, shamanism, and the existence of God. Lecture and discussion; tests and papers

30959 MWF 12:00-12:50 pm [collins]

330960 MW 2:00- 3:15 pm [tba]

30958 TR 12:30- 1:45 pm [soderberg]

31100 R 6:30- 9:10 pm [collins]

PL 205 · Philosophy In Literature: Life, Death and Love

This course entails a consideration of texts from philosophers and literary figures, tracing philosophical themes in literary works. Topics

include the nature of reality, free will and determinism, and the problem of evil.

Naturalist, spiritualist, and existentialist themes are considered. Lecture and discussion; tests and papers.

34816 MW 2:00-3:15 pm [eckert]

PL 211 · Western Religions

An exploration of the philosophical, mythical, religious thought of the traditions of the West, examining secular thought and religious convictions. Judaism Christianity, and Islam, as well as some indigenous religions are discussed. Each tradition’s views of nature, society, self, deity, and afterlife are studied; attention is paid to the roles of women or minority groups with the traditions. Lecture and discussion; tests and papers.

31794 TR 11:00-12:15 pm [levitas]

AC216 Business Ethics

An exploration of ethics fundamentals as applied to personal, corporate, and public policy judgments and decisions in business. Lecture and discussion; tests and papers.

32324 T 6:30-9:00 pm [levitas]

HP 251 · Tutorial In Humanities: Women in Philosophy

Introduction to the variety, complexity, and originality of philosophical contributions by women in philosophy throughout history. Includes an overview of the particular issues that women in philosophy have been concerned with and the contributions that women have made.

30496 MW 2:00-3:15 pm [levitas]

HP 251 · Philosophy & Future Generations

Concerns over the environment and the uses of biotechnology have prompted several contemporary philosophers to address these issues. This course explores the thoughts of several authors from both the liberal and communitarian traditions who address environmental and bioethical issues. Among the authors to be discussed will be Jonathan Glover, Hans Jonas, John Rawls, Ronald Green, Alasdair MacIntyre, Sara Ruddick and Sara Goering. Papers and discussion--online and in class.

32437 TR 9:30-10:45 [Soderberg]

THE FACULTY

Professor Collins earned his MA in philosophy at West Chester University; he taught philosophy courses there as well as at Montgomery County Community College in Pennsylvania. He is interested in multiculturalism and specializes in the thought of John Dewey. Professor Collins also teaches at a local high school.

Professor Chukwu has MA degrees from American University and George Washington University. He brings a range of experiences that include teaching of philosophy at various colleges.

Professor Eckert received his MA and Ph.D. from the University of Florida; his dissertation was cross-disciplinary in both English and Philosophy. He has been teaching at Montgomery College since 1988

Professor Lee brings a background in philosophy to the classroom, with an M.A. from the University of Maryland. He has also managed his own automotive repair business.

Professor Levitas has a special personal background: she has connections with each of the three major religious traditions of the West, and hence is especially qualified for classes in religions. She has been a Fulbright scholar and a Smithsonian Fellow. She holds two master's degrees in philosophy, one from Boston University, the other from the University of Maryland.

Professor MacKay has served as an ethicist at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda. He has also taught medical ethics at the Georgetown University School of Medicine.

Professor Soderberg coordinates the philosophy program. He has an M.A. in English from Catholic University and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Georgetown University. His Ph.D. dissertation was entitled "Genetic Obligations to Future Generations."

Professor St. Claire (Tecola) has extensive experience as a senior government (Ethiopia) policy advisor on international law and relations, and economic and political development. He lectures in philosophy, medical ethics, and logic. He has graduate degrees from Georgetown University in liberal studies (philosophy), and law (international and comparative law). He has written several books and articles on political, economic, and human rights issues.

Professor White specializes in twentieth century philosophy, the philosophies of art and of religion, mysticism, shamanism and indigenous religions, Jungian thought, the near death experience, and paradigms of thought. He also teaches in the Montgomery Scholars program. Professor White holds the MFA degree from The University of Iowa.