Program Contacts: QC Campus William Desmond, 309-796-5437, desmondw@bhc.edu East Campus Vashti Berry, 309-854-1711, berryv@bhc.edu
Students taking the recommended courses in philosophy will study the writings of philosophers who have made crucial contributions to the way we think about subjects such as ethics, religion, psychology, aesthetics, political theory, the nature of science, and what it means in general to think clearly. Students will participate in class discussions as well as express in writing their views on a variety of philosophical issues.
Since advancement in most occupations depends on one’s ability to speak and write clearly and logically and to understand the beliefs of others, philosophy is an important part of any educational program. Selected philosophy courses fit well into various academic majors such as business, health careers, history, government, psychology, sociology, literature, pre-law, and the natural sciences. An awareness of the philosophical background of our culture deeply enriches our view of the world, helping us understand the world and our place within it.
Students majoring in philosophy may enter advanced degree programs in preparation for teaching, law, political science, and business.
ENG 101 Composition I Prerequisite: ACT English score of 22-30 or appropriate COMPASS score; or English 091 “C” or better.
English 101 is designed for students who are competent in the fundamentals of composition. Students will write essays using a variety of expository strategies and will apply standard techniques of documentation when appropriate.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: C1 900 (Grade of “C” or higher required for this course to be eligible to be included in the IAI General Education Core Curriculum.)
ENG 102 Composition II Prerequisite: English 101 “C” or better.
English 102 is a continuation of English 101, is a required composition course that involves reading, discussion, and analysis of a body of literature to generate ideas for critical and persuasive papers, including one documented research paper.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: C1 901R (Grade of “C” or higher required for this course to be eligible to be included in the IAI General Education Core Curriculum.)
HIST 222 Comparative Religions
This course compares and contrasts the great religions of the world from the scholarly point of view as they emerged in Asia and developed throughout the world; the course focuses on their beliefs, practices, and work of inspiration.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: H5 904N
PHIL 100 Logic
Introduces the student to formal and informal logic. Examines logical fallacies that are found in everyday arguments as well as the basics of symbolic logic.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: H4 906
PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy Prerequisite: Appropriate COMPASS score or ENG 091 or REA 098 “C” or better.
Some of the basic problems of philosophy. A consideration of the great philosophical systems dating from Socrates to the present.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: H4 900
PHIL 103 Ethics Prerequisite: Appropriate COMPASS score or ENG 091 or REA 098 “C” or better.
Presents an introduction to the moral problems of society with an emphasis on concepts and systems.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: H4 904
PHIL 205 Studies in Philosophy Prerequisite: Appropriate COMPASS score or REA 098 “C” or better; ENG 091 “C” or better; one course in philosophy or instructor consent.
Intensive study of one or more philosophical topics, philosophical traditions, or major philosophers. Philosophy of science and language, social and political philosophy, philosophy of law, rationalism, empiricism, analytic philosophy, Aristotle, Hume, Quine, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and aesthetics are among the offerings.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week.
PHIL 206 Philosophy of Religion Prerequisite: Appropriate COMPASS score or REA 098 “C” or better; or ENG 091 “C” or better.
Discusses the intellectual problems of the religious experience.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: H4 905
SPEC 101 Principles of Speech Communication
The oral communication course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. The oral communication course: (1) develops awareness of the communication process; (2) provides inventional, organizational, and expressive strategies; (3) promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in listening, reading, thinking and speaking.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: C2 900
Course of Study Outline First Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
ENG 101 — Composition I (3)
Life Science (4)
PHIL 100 — Logic (3)
Social and Behavioral Science (3)
SPEC 101 — Principles of Speech Communications (3)
Second Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
ENG 102 — Composition II (3)
Fine Arts (2)
HIST 222 — Comparative Religions (3)
PHIL 101 — Introduction to Philosophy (3)
Physical Science (4)
Third Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
Foreign Language (4)
Humanities or Fine Arts (3)
Mathematics (3)
PHIL 206 — Philosophy of Religion (3)
Social and Behavioral Science (3)
Fourth Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
Foreign Language (4)
Mathematics or Computer Science (3)
PHIL 103 — Ethics (3)
PHIL 205 — Topics in Philosophy (3)
Social and Behavioral Science (3)
