Philosophy Program
Philosophy Program
Philosophy Program
Prospectus
The Field
Philosophy is the discipline that engages in a critical inquiry into the most fundamental questions of humanity: What is truth? What is knowledge? How should I live? Answering these questions requires a critical, yet sympathetic, mind to understand a broad range of perspectives.
Relevance and Demand
Philosophy prepares students to become strong thinkers and provides students with a set of intellectual skills -- including reading, writing, and oral presentation skills -- that can be applied to problems in their everyday lives and at work.
Philosophy also acts as an excellent complementary major to a range of courses of study, offering a rigorous theoretical perspective on topics in science, business, medicine, legal studies, literary studies, and the study of history and society. For this reason, no matter what else students study at the University, philosophy provides essential skills that allow students to approach their work in a more careful, rigorous, and engaged way.
Why UOG?
The Philosophy Program at the University of Guam has an especially strong focus on preparing students to:
- analyze problems imaginatively and sympathetically, from a range of points of view, including the points of view of those from very different cultural backgrounds;
- reason about complex issues; and
- express their ideas carefully and clearly.
Graduates of the Philosophy Program are typically open-minded and thoughtful individuals who can solve even novel problems in a rigorous and creative manner. The skills cultivated in our program are highly sought-after in a wide range of roles and by the admissions committees for all graduate degrees, including medicine, law, and business. In other words, no matter what students plan to do post-graduation, a degree in philosophy will provide the tools to do it more successfully.
Program Learning Objectives
By the end of a philosophy degree, students will be able to:
- justify positions with reasoned argument in a rigorous way;
- express themselves orally and in writing precisely and clearly;
- understand and engage with perspectives different to their own;
- analyze real-world problems using philosophical tools;
- reconstruct the positions of authors through the close reading of texts; and
- practice philosophical virtues in their interactions with others.
Philosophy Minors
- Philosophy
- Ethics
Certificate
- Ethics
See Degree Requirements tab/section for list of required courses for the minors and certificate.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Philosophy Major Requirements (30 credit hours)
Required Courses (21 credit hours)
Choose 2 of the following 100-level courses:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI101 | INTRODUCTION TO WESTERN PHILOSOPHY + This course introduces the student to the nature of philosophy and to philosophical
thinking, through a discussion of various important topics in Western philosophy.
Issues can include the philosophy of mind, death and immortality, knowledge, time
and time travel, free will, personality identity,the nature of morality, the existence
of God and more.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PI102 | CONTEMPORARY ETHICAL PROBLEMS + This course provides a careful and critical examination of the moral issues in our
society, including (but not limited to) the ethics of food, climate change, ethics
and the city, robotics, population ethics, space exploration, human enhancement, medical
ethics, animal ethics and environmental ethics. This course develops students' abilities
to engage in ethical reasoning through the application of ethical theories and moral
concepts to concrete, real-world cases.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PI103 | INRODUCTION TO ASIAN AND NON-WESTERN PHILOSOPHY + This course introduces the student to philosophical thinking as it developed in non-western
intellectual traditions. The course may cover philosophical thought that has grown
out of Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Islamic, African, and indigenous civilizations.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
Choose 2 of the following 200-level courses:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI210 | INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC + This is a philosophy methods course that provides an introduction to the study of
formal and informal arguments. Skills to be covered include the identification and
analysis of arguments, recognition of fallacies, and modern techniques for analyzing
and symbolizing certain kinds of arguments.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ODD YEARS |
| PI220 | ETHICAL THEORY + This is a philosophy methods course on ethical reasoning and an essential course for
anyone interested in personal, social, or professional ethics. It examines classical
and contemporary theories on morality, from both western and non-western philosophical
perspectives. The course helps the student to think through the different theories
and concepts that we rely on to guide our actions.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI230 | INDIGENOUS PHILOSOPHY + This course offers a close look at various "indigenous" intellectual traditions, which
may include chamoru and Micronesian, Melanesian, Hawaiian, Maori, north American first
nations, Inuit, Aztec, Polynesian, Sami, Okinawan and Ainu philosophies. We will engage
with different perspectives, worldviews, with an aim to appreciating the contributions
indigenous philosophies can make a universal human questions about the nature of human
beings, the world, and our place in it, as well as to debates about concrete issues,
such as health care and environmental protection.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/EVEN YEARS |
Choose 2 of the following 300-level courses:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI301 | HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY I + This survey course provides an historical study of philosophical concepts and issues
during the ancient, medieval, and renaissance period. The focus of the course is on
prominent Western thinkers and a study of the philosophical systems they devised and
the problems that they addressed.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/EVEN YEARS |
| PI302 | HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY II + This course is a continuation of the philosophical survey begun in PI301 covering
principal issues and philosophical figures that dominate the modern and contemporary
periods of philosophy. Emphasis again is on pivotal Western philosophers and their
influence on the development of Twentieth Century philosophy.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ODD YEARS |
| PI306 | PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION + This course acquaints the student topics central to the philosophy of religion. this
may include issues such as the evidentialist and anti-evidentialist attempts to support
or discredit the religious hypothesis; proofs of Gods, existence; the interrelationship
between reason, faith, revelation, and science; God's attributes; the problem of evil;
the nature of mysticisms and religious experience; reaction sot the theism.; and more.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI331 | PHILOSOPHY OF ART + This course is a study of the major philosophical positions taken in relation to the
arts. Prerequisites: FA231 or consent of instructor.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/EVEN YEARS |
And:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI398 | PHILOSOPHY INTERNSHIP + This course provides an internship experience of at least 150 hours, where majors
or minors in the Philosophy program apply skills and knowledge they possess to, as
well as gain new skills and knowledge through, practical experience working in a professional-level
capacity for an organization, government agency, research lab, planning group, advocacy
organization, or other groups that solve problems or develop policies. Students enrolled
in this course benefit from practical experience under the supervision of professionals
who provide a service to the community. The experience gained through this internship
provides students opportunities to apply writing, speaking, and critical thinking
skills, as well as develop networks and additional practical skills that are desirable
for employment and/or graduate studies. Prerequisite: Philosophy major or minor with
at least Junior standing.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI492 | CAPSTONE RESEARCH SEMINAR IN PHILOSOPHY + This course is the final requirement for the philosophy major. Advanced students in
philosophy develop a previous project/paper into a publishable essay. To achieve this
aim the class develops students' research and writing skills. Special attention is
given to strategies for selecting a suitable publication venue and to the submissions
and editorial processes. Prerequisite: PI-481. Additional Prerequisite: Philosophy
major with senior standing and instructors consent.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
Elective Courses (9 credit hours)
Take 9 credits of any Philosophy (PI) courses. Six credits must be upper division or PS-326.
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI101 | INTRODUCTION TO WESTERN PHILOSOPHY + This course introduces the student to the nature of philosophy and to philosophical
thinking, through a discussion of various important topics in Western philosophy.
Issues can include the philosophy of mind, death and immortality, knowledge, time
and time travel, free will, personality identity,the nature of morality, the existence
of God and more.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PI102 | CONTEMPORARY ETHICAL PROBLEMS + This course provides a careful and critical examination of the moral issues in our
society, including (but not limited to) the ethics of food, climate change, ethics
and the city, robotics, population ethics, space exploration, human enhancement, medical
ethics, animal ethics and environmental ethics. This course develops students' abilities
to engage in ethical reasoning through the application of ethical theories and moral
concepts to concrete, real-world cases.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PI103 | INRODUCTION TO ASIAN AND NON-WESTERN PHILOSOPHY + This course introduces the student to philosophical thinking as it developed in non-western
intellectual traditions. The course may cover philosophical thought that has grown
out of Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Islamic, African, and indigenous civilizations.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI210 | INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC + This is a philosophy methods course that provides an introduction to the study of
formal and informal arguments. Skills to be covered include the identification and
analysis of arguments, recognition of fallacies, and modern techniques for analyzing
and symbolizing certain kinds of arguments.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ODD YEARS |
| PI220 | ETHICAL THEORY + This is a philosophy methods course on ethical reasoning and an essential course for
anyone interested in personal, social, or professional ethics. It examines classical
and contemporary theories on morality, from both western and non-western philosophical
perspectives. The course helps the student to think through the different theories
and concepts that we rely on to guide our actions.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI230 | INDIGENOUS PHILOSOPHY + This course offers a close look at various "indigenous" intellectual traditions, which
may include chamoru and Micronesian, Melanesian, Hawaiian, Maori, north American first
nations, Inuit, Aztec, Polynesian, Sami, Okinawan and Ainu philosophies. We will engage
with different perspectives, worldviews, with an aim to appreciating the contributions
indigenous philosophies can make a universal human questions about the nature of human
beings, the world, and our place in it, as well as to debates about concrete issues,
such as health care and environmental protection.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/EVEN YEARS |
| PI301 | HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY I + This survey course provides an historical study of philosophical concepts and issues
during the ancient, medieval, and renaissance period. The focus of the course is on
prominent Western thinkers and a study of the philosophical systems they devised and
the problems that they addressed.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/EVEN YEARS |
| PI302 | HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY II + This course is a continuation of the philosophical survey begun in PI301 covering
principal issues and philosophical figures that dominate the modern and contemporary
periods of philosophy. Emphasis again is on pivotal Western philosophers and their
influence on the development of Twentieth Century philosophy.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ODD YEARS |
| PI306 | PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION + This course acquaints the student topics central to the philosophy of religion. this
may include issues such as the evidentialist and anti-evidentialist attempts to support
or discredit the religious hypothesis; proofs of Gods, existence; the interrelationship
between reason, faith, revelation, and science; God's attributes; the problem of evil;
the nature of mysticisms and religious experience; reaction sot the theism.; and more.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI331 | PHILOSOPHY OF ART + This course is a study of the major philosophical positions taken in relation to the
arts. Prerequisites: FA231 or consent of instructor.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/EVEN YEARS |
| PI398 | PHILOSOPHY INTERNSHIP + This course provides an internship experience of at least 150 hours, where majors
or minors in the Philosophy program apply skills and knowledge they possess to, as
well as gain new skills and knowledge through, practical experience working in a professional-level
capacity for an organization, government agency, research lab, planning group, advocacy
organization, or other groups that solve problems or develop policies. Students enrolled
in this course benefit from practical experience under the supervision of professionals
who provide a service to the community. The experience gained through this internship
provides students opportunities to apply writing, speaking, and critical thinking
skills, as well as develop networks and additional practical skills that are desirable
for employment and/or graduate studies. Prerequisite: Philosophy major or minor with
at least Junior standing.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI410 | COMMUNITY ENGAGED PHILOSOPHY + This course explores ways philosophical concepts and skills can serve communities
outside of academia and make positive changes in society. In addition to learning
how to convey concisely, accessibly, and engagingly moral and other philosophical
issues raised by current events and popular culture, the course focuses on various
principles and practices of engaging communities in philosophical conversation and
inquiry: Deweyan inquiry, Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Philosophy for Children
(P4C), Logic-Based Therapy (LBT), Experimental Philosophy, or others. As such, this
course is highly recommended not just for students interested in philosophy, but also
for those interested in education, psychology, social work, politics, law, or community
organizing. As a course with the Carnegie Foundation's Elective Classification for
Community Engagement, students in this course are required to complete a project or
to conduct fieldwork beneficial to the public.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI481 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY + Each time this course is offered it covers one specific area of philosophy or one
particular philosopher in a seminar format. The course is particularly recommended
for those students who wish to develop their skills in careful reading, discussion
and debate, and analysis to a high level. The skill cultivated in this course gives
students an advantage when it comes to any kind of learning at university (and beyond).
The course may be repeated for credit under different topics.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PI486 | TRAVEL STUDIES IN ASIA + This course provides experiential learning in Asian philosophy. Students study a major
school of thought or philosophical issue connected to a particular Asian locale, culminating
in travel to engage directly with its cultural and philosophical traditions. While
especially valuable for students focusing on Asian philosophy, the course offers a
unique and immersive experience for anyone interested in exploring philosophy in its
lived setting. The course may be repeated for a maximum of six credits, provided neither
the theme nor the destination is duplicated.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/EVEN YEARS |
| PI492 | CAPSTONE RESEARCH SEMINAR IN PHILOSOPHY + This course is the final requirement for the philosophy major. Advanced students in
philosophy develop a previous project/paper into a publishable essay. To achieve this
aim the class develops students' research and writing skills. Special attention is
given to strategies for selecting a suitable publication venue and to the submissions
and editorial processes. Prerequisite: PI-481. Additional Prerequisite: Philosophy
major with senior standing and instructors consent.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PS326 | POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY + This course examines and analyzes the thought of political philosophers from classical
antiquity to the present. The intent of the course is to explain what political philosophy
is and to explore the relationship between politics and philosophy. Prerequisite:
PS101 or instructor's consent.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
General Education Requirements (Recommended Courses)
See the Student Advisement Sheet of the General Education Requirements and include under:
Tier II: Direction Building (6 credit hours)
1) CF, DF, or UU as prerequisite (can be within a declared major):
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI102 | CONTEMPORARY ETHICAL PROBLEMS + This course provides a careful and critical examination of the moral issues in our
society, including (but not limited to) the ethics of food, climate change, ethics
and the city, robotics, population ethics, space exploration, human enhancement, medical
ethics, animal ethics and environmental ethics. This course develops students' abilities
to engage in ethical reasoning through the application of ethical theories and moral
concepts to concrete, real-world cases.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
2) DF or major exploration:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI301 | HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY I + This survey course provides an historical study of philosophical concepts and issues
during the ancient, medieval, and renaissance period. The focus of the course is on
prominent Western thinkers and a study of the philosophical systems they devised and
the problems that they addressed.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/EVEN YEARS |
Tier III: Capstone Experience
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI481 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY + Each time this course is offered it covers one specific area of philosophy or one
particular philosopher in a seminar format. The course is particularly recommended
for those students who wish to develop their skills in careful reading, discussion
and debate, and analysis to a high level. The skill cultivated in this course gives
students an advantage when it comes to any kind of learning at university (and beyond).
The course may be repeated for credit under different topics.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
MINOR REQUIREMENTS
Philosophy Minor Requirements (18 credit hours)
Required Courses (12 credit hours)
Choose 1 of the following 100-level courses:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI101 | INTRODUCTION TO WESTERN PHILOSOPHY + This course introduces the student to the nature of philosophy and to philosophical
thinking, through a discussion of various important topics in Western philosophy.
Issues can include the philosophy of mind, death and immortality, knowledge, time
and time travel, free will, personality identity,the nature of morality, the existence
of God and more.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PI102 | CONTEMPORARY ETHICAL PROBLEMS + This course provides a careful and critical examination of the moral issues in our
society, including (but not limited to) the ethics of food, climate change, ethics
and the city, robotics, population ethics, space exploration, human enhancement, medical
ethics, animal ethics and environmental ethics. This course develops students' abilities
to engage in ethical reasoning through the application of ethical theories and moral
concepts to concrete, real-world cases.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PI103 | INRODUCTION TO ASIAN AND NON-WESTERN PHILOSOPHY + This course introduces the student to philosophical thinking as it developed in non-western
intellectual traditions. The course may cover philosophical thought that has grown
out of Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Islamic, African, and indigenous civilizations.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
Choose 1 of the following 200-level courses:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI210 | INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC + This is a philosophy methods course that provides an introduction to the study of
formal and informal arguments. Skills to be covered include the identification and
analysis of arguments, recognition of fallacies, and modern techniques for analyzing
and symbolizing certain kinds of arguments.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ODD YEARS |
| PI220 | ETHICAL THEORY + This is a philosophy methods course on ethical reasoning and an essential course for
anyone interested in personal, social, or professional ethics. It examines classical
and contemporary theories on morality, from both western and non-western philosophical
perspectives. The course helps the student to think through the different theories
and concepts that we rely on to guide our actions.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI230 | INDIGENOUS PHILOSOPHY + This course offers a close look at various "indigenous" intellectual traditions, which
may include chamoru and Micronesian, Melanesian, Hawaiian, Maori, north American first
nations, Inuit, Aztec, Polynesian, Sami, Okinawan and Ainu philosophies. We will engage
with different perspectives, worldviews, with an aim to appreciating the contributions
indigenous philosophies can make a universal human questions about the nature of human
beings, the world, and our place in it, as well as to debates about concrete issues,
such as health care and environmental protection.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/EVEN YEARS |
Choose 1 of the following 300-level courses:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI301 | HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY I + This survey course provides an historical study of philosophical concepts and issues
during the ancient, medieval, and renaissance period. The focus of the course is on
prominent Western thinkers and a study of the philosophical systems they devised and
the problems that they addressed.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/EVEN YEARS |
| PI302 | HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY II + This course is a continuation of the philosophical survey begun in PI301 covering
principal issues and philosophical figures that dominate the modern and contemporary
periods of philosophy. Emphasis again is on pivotal Western philosophers and their
influence on the development of Twentieth Century philosophy.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ODD YEARS |
| PI306 | PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION + This course acquaints the student topics central to the philosophy of religion. this
may include issues such as the evidentialist and anti-evidentialist attempts to support
or discredit the religious hypothesis; proofs of Gods, existence; the interrelationship
between reason, faith, revelation, and science; God's attributes; the problem of evil;
the nature of mysticisms and religious experience; reaction sot the theism.; and more.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI331 | PHILOSOPHY OF ART + This course is a study of the major philosophical positions taken in relation to the
arts. Prerequisites: FA231 or consent of instructor.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/EVEN YEARS |
And:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI481 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY + Each time this course is offered it covers one specific area of philosophy or one
particular philosopher in a seminar format. The course is particularly recommended
for those students who wish to develop their skills in careful reading, discussion
and debate, and analysis to a high level. The skill cultivated in this course gives
students an advantage when it comes to any kind of learning at university (and beyond).
The course may be repeated for credit under different topics.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
Elective Courses (6 credit hours)
Take 6 credit hours from any 300- or 400-level Philosophy (PI) courses or PS-326:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI301 | HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY I + This survey course provides an historical study of philosophical concepts and issues
during the ancient, medieval, and renaissance period. The focus of the course is on
prominent Western thinkers and a study of the philosophical systems they devised and
the problems that they addressed.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/EVEN YEARS |
| PI302 | HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY II + This course is a continuation of the philosophical survey begun in PI301 covering
principal issues and philosophical figures that dominate the modern and contemporary
periods of philosophy. Emphasis again is on pivotal Western philosophers and their
influence on the development of Twentieth Century philosophy.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ODD YEARS |
| PI306 | PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION + This course acquaints the student topics central to the philosophy of religion. this
may include issues such as the evidentialist and anti-evidentialist attempts to support
or discredit the religious hypothesis; proofs of Gods, existence; the interrelationship
between reason, faith, revelation, and science; God's attributes; the problem of evil;
the nature of mysticisms and religious experience; reaction sot the theism.; and more.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI331 | PHILOSOPHY OF ART + This course is a study of the major philosophical positions taken in relation to the
arts. Prerequisites: FA231 or consent of instructor.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/EVEN YEARS |
| PI398 | PHILOSOPHY INTERNSHIP + This course provides an internship experience of at least 150 hours, where majors
or minors in the Philosophy program apply skills and knowledge they possess to, as
well as gain new skills and knowledge through, practical experience working in a professional-level
capacity for an organization, government agency, research lab, planning group, advocacy
organization, or other groups that solve problems or develop policies. Students enrolled
in this course benefit from practical experience under the supervision of professionals
who provide a service to the community. The experience gained through this internship
provides students opportunities to apply writing, speaking, and critical thinking
skills, as well as develop networks and additional practical skills that are desirable
for employment and/or graduate studies. Prerequisite: Philosophy major or minor with
at least Junior standing.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI410 | COMMUNITY ENGAGED PHILOSOPHY + This course explores ways philosophical concepts and skills can serve communities
outside of academia and make positive changes in society. In addition to learning
how to convey concisely, accessibly, and engagingly moral and other philosophical
issues raised by current events and popular culture, the course focuses on various
principles and practices of engaging communities in philosophical conversation and
inquiry: Deweyan inquiry, Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Philosophy for Children
(P4C), Logic-Based Therapy (LBT), Experimental Philosophy, or others. As such, this
course is highly recommended not just for students interested in philosophy, but also
for those interested in education, psychology, social work, politics, law, or community
organizing. As a course with the Carnegie Foundation's Elective Classification for
Community Engagement, students in this course are required to complete a project or
to conduct fieldwork beneficial to the public.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI481 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY + Each time this course is offered it covers one specific area of philosophy or one
particular philosopher in a seminar format. The course is particularly recommended
for those students who wish to develop their skills in careful reading, discussion
and debate, and analysis to a high level. The skill cultivated in this course gives
students an advantage when it comes to any kind of learning at university (and beyond).
The course may be repeated for credit under different topics.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PI486 | TRAVEL STUDIES IN ASIA + This course provides experiential learning in Asian philosophy. Students study a major
school of thought or philosophical issue connected to a particular Asian locale, culminating
in travel to engage directly with its cultural and philosophical traditions. While
especially valuable for students focusing on Asian philosophy, the course offers a
unique and immersive experience for anyone interested in exploring philosophy in its
lived setting. The course may be repeated for a maximum of six credits, provided neither
the theme nor the destination is duplicated.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/EVEN YEARS |
| PI492 | CAPSTONE RESEARCH SEMINAR IN PHILOSOPHY + This course is the final requirement for the philosophy major. Advanced students in
philosophy develop a previous project/paper into a publishable essay. To achieve this
aim the class develops students' research and writing skills. Special attention is
given to strategies for selecting a suitable publication venue and to the submissions
and editorial processes. Prerequisite: PI-481. Additional Prerequisite: Philosophy
major with senior standing and instructors consent.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PS326 | POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY + This course examines and analyzes the thought of political philosophers from classical
antiquity to the present. The intent of the course is to explain what political philosophy
is and to explore the relationship between politics and philosophy. Prerequisite:
PS101 or instructor's consent.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
Ethics Minor Requirements (18 credit hours)
Required Courses (9 credit hours)
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI102 | CONTEMPORARY ETHICAL PROBLEMS + This course provides a careful and critical examination of the moral issues in our
society, including (but not limited to) the ethics of food, climate change, ethics
and the city, robotics, population ethics, space exploration, human enhancement, medical
ethics, animal ethics and environmental ethics. This course develops students' abilities
to engage in ethical reasoning through the application of ethical theories and moral
concepts to concrete, real-world cases.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PI220 | ETHICAL THEORY + This is a philosophy methods course on ethical reasoning and an essential course for
anyone interested in personal, social, or professional ethics. It examines classical
and contemporary theories on morality, from both western and non-western philosophical
perspectives. The course helps the student to think through the different theories
and concepts that we rely on to guide our actions.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI481 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY + Each time this course is offered it covers one specific area of philosophy or one
particular philosopher in a seminar format. The course is particularly recommended
for those students who wish to develop their skills in careful reading, discussion
and debate, and analysis to a high level. The skill cultivated in this course gives
students an advantage when it comes to any kind of learning at university (and beyond).
The course may be repeated for credit under different topics.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
Elective Courses (9 credit hours)
Choose 9 credit hours from the following:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI410 | COMMUNITY ENGAGED PHILOSOPHY + This course explores ways philosophical concepts and skills can serve communities
outside of academia and make positive changes in society. In addition to learning
how to convey concisely, accessibly, and engagingly moral and other philosophical
issues raised by current events and popular culture, the course focuses on various
principles and practices of engaging communities in philosophical conversation and
inquiry: Deweyan inquiry, Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Philosophy for Children
(P4C), Logic-Based Therapy (LBT), Experimental Philosophy, or others. As such, this
course is highly recommended not just for students interested in philosophy, but also
for those interested in education, psychology, social work, politics, law, or community
organizing. As a course with the Carnegie Foundation's Elective Classification for
Community Engagement, students in this course are required to complete a project or
to conduct fieldwork beneficial to the public.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI481 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY + Each time this course is offered it covers one specific area of philosophy or one
particular philosopher in a seminar format. The course is particularly recommended
for those students who wish to develop their skills in careful reading, discussion
and debate, and analysis to a high level. The skill cultivated in this course gives
students an advantage when it comes to any kind of learning at university (and beyond).
The course may be repeated for credit under different topics.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| BA406 | ETHICS FOR THE ACCOUNTANT + This course is designed to provide accounting professionals and intensive treatment
of post-Sarbanes-Oxley ethics (also post Enron-WorldCom era). Prerequisite: Graduating
Senior and Instructors consent.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA405 | LEADERSHIP ETHICS IN THE PROFESSIONS + This course emphasizes Best Practices in Leadership Ethics and Governance in Business,
Government, and Societal Institutions. The course examines ethics in the workplace
and the roles of organizational leaders in fostering ethical behavior. Contemporary
ethical challenges, scenarios and ethics case studies from the United Statas, Guam,
Asia, and the Western Pacific provide the framework for the course. The course takes
an SBPA interdisciplinary approach to leadership Ethics in order to prepare students
for professional employment and/or advancement in an increasing diverse technological
and global society. Lectures, case studies, simulations, scenarios, self-assessment
exercises, reading assignments and field activities explore the basic frameworks of
ethical and moral leadership. The course emphasizes leadership development, team building,
ethical decision making, enhanced communication skills, strategic thinking, and people
skills. Upon completion of the course, students are expected to demonstrate a competency
in critical thinking skills to both identify and remedy ethical issues typically encountered
d in organizational setting and interaction. Successful graduate of the course normally
pursues careers in government, business, accounting, finance, nonprofits, social work,
and education organizations. The course is available to all University of Guam students.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| NU326 | NURSING MANAGEMENT + This course focuses on issues and trends within the healthcare system, including management
and leadership styles. This course also covers professional development, ethical/legal
situations, community resources, local and federal policies and licensure relevant
to a beginning nurse. Prerequisite: NU310. Corequisites: NU302B, NU303B, NU304B, NU305B
or consent of instructor.
|
2 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| NU420 | TRENDS IN NURSING + This course includes a comprehensive study of the major historical, social, political,
and educational changes that have influenced the practice of nursing, nursing education,
and health care. The focus of this course is on the ethical and legal problems affecting
nursing care. Building from this overview, the students are prepared to meet the challenge
of the rapidly changing environment in which nurse's practice. Prerequisites: NU403,
NU412, and NU416. Corequisites: NU415, NU418, NU419.
|
2 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
Ethics Certificate Requirements (12 credit hours)
Required Courses (6 credit hours)
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI102 | CONTEMPORARY ETHICAL PROBLEMS + This course provides a careful and critical examination of the moral issues in our
society, including (but not limited to) the ethics of food, climate change, ethics
and the city, robotics, population ethics, space exploration, human enhancement, medical
ethics, animal ethics and environmental ethics. This course develops students' abilities
to engage in ethical reasoning through the application of ethical theories and moral
concepts to concrete, real-world cases.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PI220 | ETHICAL THEORY + This is a philosophy methods course on ethical reasoning and an essential course for
anyone interested in personal, social, or professional ethics. It examines classical
and contemporary theories on morality, from both western and non-western philosophical
perspectives. The course helps the student to think through the different theories
and concepts that we rely on to guide our actions.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
Elective Courses (6 credit hours)
Choose 6 credit hours from the following:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PI410 | COMMUNITY ENGAGED PHILOSOPHY + This course explores ways philosophical concepts and skills can serve communities
outside of academia and make positive changes in society. In addition to learning
how to convey concisely, accessibly, and engagingly moral and other philosophical
issues raised by current events and popular culture, the course focuses on various
principles and practices of engaging communities in philosophical conversation and
inquiry: Deweyan inquiry, Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Philosophy for Children
(P4C), Logic-Based Therapy (LBT), Experimental Philosophy, or others. As such, this
course is highly recommended not just for students interested in philosophy, but also
for those interested in education, psychology, social work, politics, law, or community
organizing. As a course with the Carnegie Foundation's Elective Classification for
Community Engagement, students in this course are required to complete a project or
to conduct fieldwork beneficial to the public.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PI481 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY + Each time this course is offered it covers one specific area of philosophy or one
particular philosopher in a seminar format. The course is particularly recommended
for those students who wish to develop their skills in careful reading, discussion
and debate, and analysis to a high level. The skill cultivated in this course gives
students an advantage when it comes to any kind of learning at university (and beyond).
The course may be repeated for credit under different topics.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PI492 | CAPSTONE RESEARCH SEMINAR IN PHILOSOPHY + This course is the final requirement for the philosophy major. Advanced students in
philosophy develop a previous project/paper into a publishable essay. To achieve this
aim the class develops students' research and writing skills. Special attention is
given to strategies for selecting a suitable publication venue and to the submissions
and editorial processes. Prerequisite: PI-481. Additional Prerequisite: Philosophy
major with senior standing and instructors consent.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| BA406 | ETHICS FOR THE ACCOUNTANT + This course is designed to provide accounting professionals and intensive treatment
of post-Sarbanes-Oxley ethics (also post Enron-WorldCom era). Prerequisite: Graduating
Senior and Instructors consent.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA405 | LEADERSHIP ETHICS IN THE PROFESSIONS + This course emphasizes Best Practices in Leadership Ethics and Governance in Business,
Government, and Societal Institutions. The course examines ethics in the workplace
and the roles of organizational leaders in fostering ethical behavior. Contemporary
ethical challenges, scenarios and ethics case studies from the United Statas, Guam,
Asia, and the Western Pacific provide the framework for the course. The course takes
an SBPA interdisciplinary approach to leadership Ethics in order to prepare students
for professional employment and/or advancement in an increasing diverse technological
and global society. Lectures, case studies, simulations, scenarios, self-assessment
exercises, reading assignments and field activities explore the basic frameworks of
ethical and moral leadership. The course emphasizes leadership development, team building,
ethical decision making, enhanced communication skills, strategic thinking, and people
skills. Upon completion of the course, students are expected to demonstrate a competency
in critical thinking skills to both identify and remedy ethical issues typically encountered
d in organizational setting and interaction. Successful graduate of the course normally
pursues careers in government, business, accounting, finance, nonprofits, social work,
and education organizations. The course is available to all University of Guam students.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| NU326 | NURSING MANAGEMENT + This course focuses on issues and trends within the healthcare system, including management
and leadership styles. This course also covers professional development, ethical/legal
situations, community resources, local and federal policies and licensure relevant
to a beginning nurse. Prerequisite: NU310. Corequisites: NU302B, NU303B, NU304B, NU305B
or consent of instructor.
|
2 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| NU420 | TRENDS IN NURSING + This course includes a comprehensive study of the major historical, social, political,
and educational changes that have influenced the practice of nursing, nursing education,
and health care. The focus of this course is on the ethical and legal problems affecting
nursing care. Building from this overview, the students are prepared to meet the challenge
of the rapidly changing environment in which nurse's practice. Prerequisites: NU403,
NU412, and NU416. Corequisites: NU415, NU418, NU419.
|
2 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
Program Chair
Fulkerson-Smith A. Brett
Office Location: Mailing Address:
Expertise
Affiliated Faculty