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Departmental Notes
Subject Code for Philosophy: PHIL
Subject Code for Politics-Philosophy-Economics: PPEC
World Wide Web Address: www.queensu.ca/philosophy
Head of Department: Rahul Kumar
Departmental Office: Watson Hall, Room 312
Departmental Telephone: 613-533-2182
Departmental Fax: 613-533-6545
Undergraduate Office E-Mail Address: philug@queensu.ca
Chair of Undergraduate Studies: Kerah Gordon-Solmon
Coordinator of Graduate Studies: Meena Krishnamurthy
Overview
Philosophy will help you develop critical reasoning, as well as effective written and oral communication skills. You will be able to read critically so that you can find hidden assumptions, identify core premises, and evaluate arguments. You will study a range of key ideas and look closely at the work of a number of central philosophers from Plato to the present.
Courses become more focused and go into more depth as you move through your upper years of the program. You will be able to choose from a range of types of courses: from historical to contemporary, and from broad, theoretical investigations to more specifically problem-based inquiries.
Our classes create many opportunities for discussion, whether in small break-out groups or in our senior seminars. Students taking our Major or Joint Honours Plans will be well prepared for graduate work in Philosophy or in other professional programs.
Advice to Students
Not all Philosophy courses are offered every year, so it is important to check the course offerings for the upcoming year on the department website at https://www.queensu.ca/philosophy/undergraduate. The department aims to keep the departmental website up to date. In case of discrepancies between websites, please refer to the Arts and Science Academic Calendar for the most current program information and requirements.
Upper-level courses in PHIL have prerequisites, including minimum GPA requirements. Please consult the course descriptions in the Faculty of Arts and Science Calendar or our website. For admission to all 500-level courses, students need the consent of a supervising faculty member of the Department and permission of the Undergraduate Chair based on the submission proposal.
Philosophy Courses as Electives
The department provides several options for students who wish to take one or more courses in Philosophy as electives. Many of our electives have no PHIL prerequisites and are open to students with second-year or third-year standing. Please consult the course offerings to find courses suitable for you.
Timelines for Completing a Philosophy Plan
YEAR 1 - 6.00 units in PHIL at the 100-level (all Plans).
YEAR 2 - PHIL 250 or (PHIL 251 and PHIL 252) and PHIL 257 or (PHIL 242 and PHIL 243) (Major and Joint Honours Plans), and PHIL 260 or PHIL 266 (Major Plans).
YEAR 4 - 6.00 units in PHIL at the 400- or 500-level (Major and Joint Honours Plans).
All other required 200-level and 300-level units may be taken in years 2, 3, and 4 (subject to prerequisites, if any), though students are urged to take courses at the level that matches their year. Students who, through late decision or change of Plan, cannot adhere to the recommended pattern, should seek advice from the Undergraduate Chair.
Faculty
For more information, please visit: https://www.queensu.ca/philosophy/people
- David J. Bakhurst
- Cheryl Cline
- Jacqueline M. Davies
- Paul Fairfield
- Colin Farrelly
- Kerah Gordon-Solmon
- Leslie Green
- Lisa Guenther
- Deborah Knight
- Meena Krishnamurthy
- Rahul Kumar
- Will Kymlicka
- Daryn Lehoux
- Andrew Lister
- Dolleen Tisawii'ashii Manning
- Adèle Mercier
- Jon Miller
- Margaret Moore
- Joshua Mozersky
- Ram Murty
- Elliot Samuel Paul
- Michael Pratt
- Dalitso Ruwe
- Nancy Salay
- Udo Schüklenk
- Sergio Sismondo
- Mark C.R. Smith
- Mick Smith
- Catherine Stinson
- Christine Sypnowich
- Jean Thomas
- Grégoire Webber
Courses
Philosophy (PHIL)
PHIL 111 What is Philosophy? Units: 6.00
An introduction to philosophy through the examination of a number of classic philosophical works, with an evaluation of the positions and arguments offered in each.
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered at Bader College, UK (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered at Bader College, UK (Learning Hours may vary).
Learning Hours: 240 (72 Lecture, 168 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite None.
Exclusion PHIL 151/3.0.
Note Students considering a Major or Joint Honours Plan in PHIL are strongly encouraged to take PHIL 111/6.0 or PHIL 115/6.0 in their first year of study.
Course Equivalencies: PHIL111; PHIL111A
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 115 Fundamental Questions Units: 6.00
Representative basic philosophical issues will be explored, such as: good and bad arguments, the source of moral obligation, the justification of knowledge claims, free will and determinism, the social enforcement of gender roles, taking responsibility for the environment, and the meaning of life.
Learning Hours: 240 (48 Lecture, 24 Tutorial, 168 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite None.
Note Students considering a Major or Joint Honours Plan in PHIL are strongly encouraged to take PHIL 111/6.0 or PHIL 115/6.0 in their first year of study.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 151 Great Works of Philosophy Units: 3.00
An examination of some major milestones in the development of philosophical thought. The course will involve both the exposition of texts and discussion of the philosophical issues which they raise.
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered at Bader College, UK (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered at Bader College, UK (Learning Hours may vary).
Learning Hours: 120 (24 Lecture, 12 Tutorial, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite None.
Exclusion PHIL 111/6.0.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 153 The State and the Citizen Units: 3.00
An introduction to political philosophy which explores the relationship between state and citizen. Issues include: civil disobedience, nationalism, the welfare state, anarchism and the capitalist state.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite None.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 157 Moral Issues Units: 3.00
An introduction to ethics via an examination of controversial moral issues. Special topics: abortion; animal rights; euthanasia.
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered at Bader College, UK (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered at Bader College, UK (Learning Hours may vary).
Learning Hours: 120 (24 Lecture, 12 Group Learning, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite None.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 203 Science and Society Units: 3.00
Philosophical issues - both epistemological and ethical - involved in specific debates about the relationship between science and social issues. The course may focus, for instance, on recent 'popular' sociobiology efforts by biologists and others to establish scientific theories of human nature and human potential.
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 204 Life, Death, and Meaning Units: 3.00
An examination of whether life has 'meaning', and a consideration of different philosophical interpretations of the meaning of life, the significance of death for the meaning of life, and whether it even makes sense to speak of life as having meaning.
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 205 Bioethics: An Introduction Units: 3.00
This is a bioethics introductory course. It requires no prerequisites because students will use the first four weeks of the course to get a better understanding of what ethics is, we take a closer look at various influential competing ethical theories, zoom in on bioethics itself, and get clarity on common mistake people make in bioethical argument.
Learning Hours: 120 (24 Lecture, 96 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 2 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 206 Philosophy in Science Fiction Units: 3.00
This course explores philosophical ideas through science fiction. Possible topics include personal identity, time and memory, robot rights, machine intelligence, scientists' moral responsibilities, privacy and autonomy, race and gender, eco-justice. Course materials will be a mix of canonical and non-canonical novels, films, graphic novels, games.
Learning Hours: 120 (24 Lecture, 96 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 2 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 224 Africana Philosophy I Units: 3.00
This course will introduce students to a selection of major themes, figures, or movements within the black intellectual tradition, which spans Africa and the African diaspora. Potential focuses include African Sovereignty, Slave Revolts, Maroon Societies, Black Religious Fraternities, Black Loyalists, and Black Abolitionists.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 2 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 233 Greek Philosophy Units: 3.00
This course will survey central works of Ancient Greek Philosophy from Thales and the other Pre-Socratics through the seminal works of Plato and Aristotle, and may include examples of later works by Post-Hellenic Philosophers including Plotinus, the Stoics, and the Skeptics.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 240 Philosophy of Education Units: 3.00
An examination of key issues and texts in the philosophy of education. Possible topics include the nature and aims of the learning process, progressive and conservative education, the politics of education, and contemporary debates regarding the canon.
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 242 History of Moral Philosophy Units: 3.00
This course will immerse students in questions animating the history of moral philosophy that remain resonant today. Examples may include: what constitutes a good life for a human being? Why should we be moral? Are there facts about moral right and wrong, and if so, how can we discern them? Readings will draw from western and non-western texts that have been historically influential; thinkers from distinct eras and traditions will be put into conversation with one another. Close textual analysis will be emphasized.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (A minimum GPA of 2.00 in 6.0 units of PHIL) or (a minimum grade of B- in 3.0 units of PHIL).
Exclusion PHIL 257/6.0.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Integrate content from the course readings and in-class discussions to produce a portfolio of written work that reveals an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the history of moral philosophy that approximately tracks the progression of the course in real time.
- Communicate their assimilation of a reasonable subset of the course readings and in-class discussions via organized, cogent prose.
- Support and enhance the learning of their peers via oral contributions to discussions, active listening, or other means provided or required by the syllabus.
- Reconstruct arguments from the philosophical texts being studied and raise interpretive questions about or accurately targeted objections to those arguments, in written or oral forms as required by the syllabus, at an intermediate level.
PHIL 243 History of Political Philosophy Units: 3.00
This class will immerse students in the history of political philosophy. It may focus on traditional canonical issues (such as how to justify political authority, or particular forms governments or societal structures) and/or the ideas of thinkers who argue for radical political change (such as the abolitionists, suffragists, anti-colonialists or civil-rights activists). A connective thread will be the question of canon construction: what gets included in, or excluded from the political philosophy canon, and why?
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (A minimum GPA of 2.00 in 6.0 units of PHIL) or (a minimum grade of B- in 3.0 units of PHIL).
Exclusion PHIL 257/6.0.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Integrate content from the course readings and in-class discussions to produce a portfolio of written work that reveals an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the history of political philosophy (and the construction of its canon) that approximately tracks the progression of the course in real time.
- Communicate their assimilation of a reasonable subset of the course readings and in-class discussions via organized, cogent prose.
- Support and enhance the learning of their peers via oral contributions to discussions, active listening, or other means provided or required by the syllabus.
- Reconstruct arguments from the philosophical texts being studied and raise interpretive questions about or accurately targeted objections to those arguments, in written or oral forms as required by the syllabus, at an intermediate level.
PHIL 246 Normative Ethics Units: 3.00
This course will explore central themes in late-20th- and 21st-century normative ethics. Possible topics include moral theory and anti-theory, conceptions of rights, conceptions of wronging, the doctrines of double effect and doing and allowing, aggregation, the scope of our duty to aid, and nonidentity and its permutations.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Integrate content from the course readings and in-class discussions to produce a portfolio of written work that reveals an increasingly sophisticated understanding of normative ethics (in the Anglo-American philosophical tradition) that approximately tracks the progression of the course in real time.
- Communicate their assimilation of a reasonable subset of the course readings and in-class discussions via organized, cogent prose.
- Support and enhance the learning of their peers via oral contributions to discussions, active listening, or other means provided or required by the syllabus.
- Reconstruct arguments from the philosophical texts being studied and raise interpretive questions about or accurately targeted objections to those arguments, in written or oral forms as required by the syllabus, at a lower-intermediate level.
PHIL 247 Practical Ethics Units: 3.00
This course will subject a range of issues in practical ethics to philosophical scrutiny. Topics may include obligations to future generations, the ethics of war and self-defence, whether torture is ever permissible, the ethics of deception, the morality of genetic enhancement, the nature of exploitation, and moral objections to organ sales.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 250 Epistemology and Metaphysics Units: 6.00
An examination of the development of central debates in epistemology and metaphysics from the early modern period to the present. Focusing on the work of thinkers like Descartes, Kant, Wittgenstein and Quine, such questions as the nature and justification of knowledge, mind and body, personhood and community, truth and meaning will be discussed.
Learning Hours: 240 (72 Lecture, 168 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (A minimum GPA of 2.00 in 6.0 units of PHIL) or (a minimum grade of B- in 3.0 units of PHIL).
Exclusion Maximum of 6.0 units from: PHIL 250/6.0; PHIL 251/3.0; PHIL 252/3.0.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 251 Metaphysics Units: 3.00
Metaphysics is the attempt to uncover the most general structure of reality. This course is an introduction to metaphysical topics such as the nature of time and space, universals vs. particulars, possibility and necessity, and the nature of causation. These issues will be examined from both historical and contemporary perspectives; ways in which the purview of metaphysics has expanded over time will emerge.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (A minimum GPA of 2.00 in 6.0 units of PHIL) or (a minimum grade of B- in 3.0 units of PHIL).
Exclusion PHIL 250/6.0.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Integrate content from the course readings and in-class discussions to produce a portfolio of work that reveals an increasingly sophisticated understanding of metaphysics that approximately tracks the progression of the course in real time.
- Communicate their assimilation of a reasonable subset of the course readings and in-class discussions via organized, cogent prose.
- Support and enhance the learning of their peers via oral contributions to discussions, active listening, or other means provided or required by the syllabus.
- Reconstruct arguments from the philosophical texts being studied and raise interpretive questions about or accurately targeted objections to those arguments, in written or oral forms as required by the syllabus, at an intermediate level.
PHIL 252 Epistemology Units: 3.00
Epistemology is the philosophical study of the nature, scope and sources of knowledge, and of related phenomena such as evidence and justification for belief. We will investigate competing answers to epistemological questions such as: To what extent can we have knowledge, in the face of skeptical arguments? What justifies holding a belief: evidence that it is true, or can we justify believing contrary to our evidence if doing so benefits us? Are our beliefs about other people or ourselves shaped by implicit biases? If so, to what extent do such biases undermine our knowledge of ourselves and others?
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (A minimum GPA of 2.00 in 6.0 units of PHIL) or (a minimum grade of B- in 3.0 units of PHIL).
Exclusion PHIL 250/6.0.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Integrate content from the course readings and in-class discussions to produce a portfolio of work that reveals an increasingly sophisticated understanding of epistemology that approximately tracks the progression of the course in real time.
- Communicate their assimilation of a reasonable subset of the course readings and in-class discussions via organized, cogent prose.
- Support and enhance the learning of their peers via oral contributions to discussions, active listening, or other means provided or required by the syllabus.
- Reconstruct arguments from the philosophical texts being studied and raise interpretive questions about or accurately targeted objections to those arguments, in written or oral forms as required by the syllabus, at an intermediate level.
PHIL 256 Existentialism Units: 3.00
Representative figures from Kierkegaard to de Beauvoir will be the focus of attention in this overview of the main ideas of existentialism, a vital movement in contemporary philosophy. The foundations of existential thought, its distinctive style of argumentation and its relationship to the perennial concerns of philosophy will be explored.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 257 Ethics Units: 6.00
A study of problems in moral and/or political philosophy from the ancient or early modern period to the present.
Learning Hours: 244 (76 Lecture, 168 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (A minimum GPA of 2.00 in 6.0 units of PHIL) or (a minimum grade of B- in 3.0 units of PHIL).
Exclusion Maximum of 6.0 units from: PHIL 242/3.0; PHIL 243/3.0; PHIL 257/6.0.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 259 Critical Thinking Units: 3.00
A discussion of the general principles of reasonable discourse, with a focus on persuasive and cogent writing.
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered at Bader College, UK (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered at Bader College, UK (Learning Hours may vary).
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite None.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 260 Introduction to Logic Units: 3.00
When we uncover the formal structure of our thoughts and utterances, we gain a deeper understanding of what we think and say. When we study the formal structures themselves, we learn something of the processes underlying cognitive activity in general.
Learning Hours: 120 (24 Lecture, 12 Group Learning, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 261 Philosophy of Mathematics Units: 3.00
A discussion of some ontological and epistemological problems associated with mathematics.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 263 Philosophy of Religion Units: 3.00
A consideration of traditional and/or contemporary religious conceptions and arguments. Possible topics include: the nature and existence of God, and bases of religious claims.
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 266 Introduction to Probability and Inductive Logic Units: 3.00
This course introduces the basic concepts, tools, and techniques of probability and inductive logic. Topics to be covered include: calculating probabilities; chance and risk; paradoxes of decision; theories of probability; probability statistics; the philosophical problem of induction; anthropic reasoning and the simulation hypothesis.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 2 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Use the axioms of logic and probability, including Boyes' Theorem, to calculate the probabilities of propositions/events given information presented in natural language.
- Construct payoff-matrices from natural language descriptions of situations where a risky decision is necessary and explain the paradoxes of group decisions.
- Explain the strengths and weaknesses of the four major theories of probability.
- Demonstrate understanding of the logical structure of statistical propositions by defining and calculating confidence intervals, p-values, standard deviations, and related quantities.
- Explain the philosophical problem of induction, its significance, and its proposed solutions.
- Explain the logic of anthropic reasoning and its application to experience.
PHIL 270 Minds and Machines Units: 3.00
A survey of the contribution of philosophy to the cognitive sciences. The focus will be on providing a synthesis of the different perspectives brought by each of the disciplines, in particular, cognitive psychology, computer science, neurophysics, and linguistics, through an investigation of how the various approaches ultimately frame and answer our questions about the mind.
NOTE Each week, students will be assigned a number of articles or chapters for reading and will be expected to be able to discuss the readings in class.
NOTE Each week, students will be assigned a number of articles or chapters for reading and will be expected to be able to discuss the readings in class.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 271 Philosophy and Literature Units: 3.00
A broad introduction to philosophical method and the nature of philosophical issues through a consideration of philosophic assumptions and theses present in important literary works.
NOTE Also offered at Bader College, UK (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered at Bader College, UK (Learning Hours may vary).
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 273 Continental Philosophy, 1800-1900 Units: 3.00
This lecture course provides an analysis of key figures and texts in nineteenth-century continental European philosophy. Possible figures include Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Soren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Wilhelm Dilthey. Possible topics include post-Kantian idealism, existentialism, and hermeneutics.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 275 Thinking Gender, Sex, and Love Units: 3.00
What is at stake in how we think about gender, sex, and love? How do these concepts inform each other? What else defines them? Using classic and contemporary philosophical texts we examine presuppositions and alternative possibilities. Old and new insights are explored. Emphasis is on careful reading and critical thinking skills.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 276 Critical Perspective on Social Diversity Units: 3.00
An introduction to philosophical issues regarding sexism, racism, ageism, homophobia, classism, imperialism and other forms of oppression.
NOTE The course is intended to prepare students for upper level courses in feminist philosophy and the philosophy of culture.
NOTE The course is intended to prepare students for upper level courses in feminist philosophy and the philosophy of culture.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 293 Humans and the Natural World Units: 3.00
An introduction to environmental philosophy through a study of readings that have exercised a formative influence on Western thinking about the relationship between humans and the rest of nature, and hence also about human nature itself. The course will offer an environmental perspective on the history of philosophy from ancient to recent times.
NOTE Also offered at Bader College, UK (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered at Bader College, UK (Learning Hours may vary).
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 296 Animals and Society Units: 3.00
This course introduces students to historical and contemporary debates regarding the treatment of nonhuman animals within Western societies, and explores our ethical responsibilities toward them. The course examines a range of human-animal relations, involving domesticated, working, research subjects and wild animals.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 301 Bioethics Units: 3.00
An investigation of some moral issues arising in connection with health care, including: the relationship between patient and health care provider; reproductive decision-making; euthanasia and the nature of death; and the development of health care policy.
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
NOTE Also offered online, consult Arts and Science Online (Learning Hours may vary).
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 303 Markets and Morals Units: 3.00
An examination of the moral principles involved in the evaluation of business institutions, practices and decisions. Sample topics include: liberty, efficiency and the free market ideal; the market and justice in distribution.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above.
Exclusion COMM 338/3.0.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 311 Philosophy of Psychology Units: 3.00
A philosophical understanding of the background to psychology. Topics may include the nature of mental representation, the place of 'folk psychology,' individualism in psychology, the nature of mental causation and explanation.
Requirements: Prerequisite PHIL 250/6.0 or PHIL 251/3.0 or PHIL 252/3.0 or 12.0 units in PSYC or permission of the Department.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 314 Creativity Units: 3.00
This course will be concerned with questions such as these: What is creativity? Is there a general structure to the creative process? In what sense, if any, does creativity involve freedom? Could a computer program be creative? What role, if any, does creativity play in living well, or in moral thought or action? Is there any truth to the popular idea that mental illness is linked to creative genius? Can creativity be measured? Can it be explained? Can it be learned? Can it be taught? Readings will be drawn from philosophy as well as cognitive science.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 316 Philosophy of Art Units: 3.00
A study of what is involved in enjoying, understanding and interpreting works of art, and of the place of the arts in human culture. Writings of artists and critics, as well as those of philosophers, will be used.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 318 Philosophy of Law Units: 3.00
A survey of the central issues in the philosophy of law including a consideration of current jurisprudential controversies about the nature of law and philosophical treatments of problems arising from within the law such as paternalism, privacy, responsibility, and civil liberties.
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 324 Africana Philosophy II Units: 3.00
This course will be an in-depth exploration of one or more major themes, figures, or movements within the black intellectual tradition, which spans Africa and the African diaspora. Potential focuses include the Haitian Revolution, the Back to Africa Movement, Black Nationalism, Black Anti-Colonial Movements, and Black Power.
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 328 Ancient Philosophy Units: 3.00
A study of selected topics in ancient philosophy.
Requirements: Prerequisite PHIL 242/3.0 or PHIL 243/3.0 or PHIL 250/6.0 or PHIL 251/3.0 or PHIL 252/3.0 or PHIL 257/6.0 or (registration in a CLST Major or Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL) or permission of the Department.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 329 Early Modern Philosophy Units: 3.00
A study of selected topics in early modern philosophy.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite PHIL 242/3.0 or PHIL 243/3.0 or PHIL 250/6.0 or PHIL 251/3.0 or PHIL 252/3.0 or PHIL 257/6.0 or permission of the Department.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 330 Investigations in the History of Philosophy Units: 3.00
An examination of perennial topics and/or important authors and schools of thought within the History of Philosophy. While the course will target material that has proven important to contemporary thinking, the emphasis will be on understanding the topics/authors/movements within their historical milieu.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite PHIL 242/3.0 or PHIL 243/3.0 or PHIL 250/6.0 or PHIL 251/3.0 or PHIL 252/3.0 or PHIL 257/6.0 or permission of the Department.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 332 Comparative Classical Philosophies Units: 3.00
A comparative study of Greek, Chinese and Indian philosophies, 6th cent. BCE - 2nd cent. CE. Themes may include metaphysics, mind, self and non-self, logic, ethics, and political philosophy. Authors/texts to be studied may include Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Kongzi (Confucius), Mengzi (Mencius), Xunzi, the Dhammapada, Kautilya, and Nagarjuna.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 335 Introduction to Kant Units: 3.00
An examination of the Critique of Pure Reason.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite PHIL 250/6.0 or PHIL 251/3.0 or PHIL 252/3.0 or permission of the Department.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 343 Social and Political Philosophy Units: 3.00
An examination of some of the principles and theories to which appeal is commonly made when social institutions and practices (and the policies associated with their establishment and maintenance) are subjected to critical scrutiny.
Requirements: Prerequisite PHIL 242/3.0 or PHIL 243/3.0 or PHIL 257/6.0 or ([POLS 250/3.0 and POLS 350/3.0] or POLS 250/6.0*] and 6.0 units of PHIL).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 347 Contemporary Moral Philosophy Units: 3.00
A critical survey of some recent trends in moral philosophy. Study will begin with the emotive theory of ethics, and end with very recent works of importance in the field.
Requirements: Prerequisite PHIL 242/3.0 or PHIL 243/3.0 or PHIL 257/6.0 or permission of the Department.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 348 Freedom of the Will Units: 3.00
An examination of the concept of freedom of the will, with emphasis on the problems generated by causation and the notion of responsibility.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite PHIL 242/3.0 or PHIL 243/3.0 or PHIL 250/6.0 or PHIL 251/3.0 or PHIL 252/3.0 or PHIL 257/6.0 or permission of the Department.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 351 Philosophy of Mind Units: 3.00
A discussion of concepts and issues in the philosophy of mind. Sample topics include identity, action, emotion, intention, belief and desire.
Requirements: Prerequisite PHIL 250/6.0 or PHIL 251/3.0 or PHIL 252/3.0 or permission of the Department.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 352 Metaphysics Units: 3.00
The nature and varieties of metaphysics, including rationalistic 'Platonist' and empirical/descriptive 'Aristotelian' approaches. Positivistic and pragmatic anti-metaphysical 'critiques' and verificationism. Contemporary analytical metaphysics after Quine and Strawson.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite PHIL 250/6.0 or PHIL 251/3.0 or PHIL 252/3.0 or permission of the Department.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 359 Philosophy of Language Units: 3.00
Central issues include: the distinction between language and speech; the syntax/semantics/pragmatics trio; reference, denoting, names and descriptions; meaning, truth and verifiability; realism and anti-realism; linguistic forms of pragmatism, behaviourism, idealism, etc.
Requirements: Prerequisite PHIL 250/6.0 or PHIL 251/3.0 or PHIL 252/3.0 or permission of the Department.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 362 Further Studies in Logic Units: 3.00
From first-order monadic predicate calculus to polyadic predicate calculus with identity. Symbolization, rules of inference, derivation and refutation of arguments. Introduction to modal logics.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 367 Jewish Philosophy Units: 3.00
An examination of key Jewish thought from Philo to Fackenheim, exploring such themes as the relationship between philosophy, literature, law, and religion; developments within Jewish philosophy; non-Jewish influences on Jewish thought and vice-versa. Contributions to contemporary philosophical work such as those in bioethics and postmodernism may also be considered.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite (6.0 units in PHIL or JWST) or permission of the Department.
Course Equivalencies: PHIL267, PHIL367
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 373 Continental Philosophy, 1900-1960 Units: 3.00
This lecture course provides an analysis of key figures and texts in continental European philosophy between 1900 and 1960. Possible figures include Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger, Karl Jaspers, Gabriel Marcel, Hannah Arendt, and Hans-Georg Gadamer. Possible topics include phenomenology, existentialism, and hermeneutics.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 374 Continental Philosophy, 1960-Present Units: 3.00
This lecture course provides an analysis of key figures and texts in continental European philosophy from 1960 to the present. Possible figures include Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, Jurgen Habermas, Emmanuel Levinas, Jean-Francois Lyotard, and Julia Kristeva. Possible topics include hermeneutics, postmodernism, critical theory and feminism.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 376 Philosophy and Feminism Units: 3.00
An introduction to topics and issues in feminist philosophy. The influence of feminist perspectives on the framing and study of philosophical problems, and the contribution of philosophy to the development of feminist theory and practice will be central concerns. This course can be counted towards a minor, major, or joint honours concentration in Gender Studies.
Requirements: Prerequisite ([6.0 units in PHIL or GNDS at the 200-level or above] and [6.0 units in PHIL or GNDS]) or permission of the Department.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 378 Philosophy and Intersectionality Units: 3.00
An in-depth exploration of one or more philosophical issues regarding intersectional identities (formed through the relation and interaction of sex, race, disability, age, sexuality, gender expression, class, and Indigeneity) and/or intersecting forms of oppression (such as sexism, racism, ableism, ageism, heterosexist, transphobia, classism, and colonialism).
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 381 Philosophy of the Natural Sciences Units: 3.00
Topics may include the nature of scientific method; the meaning of laws of nature; theoretical entities; scientific explanation; causality, induction, and probability.
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 382 Space-Time, Matter, and Reality Units: 3.00
Contemporary physics has revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and matter. This has raised many fascinating philosophical issues, such as: Is time real? Is time travel possible? Is reality determinate, or does it depend on human observation? We will examine these and other questions in the context of physical theory.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 384 Consciousness Units: 3.00
A theoretical and applied inquiry into the nature of consciousness from a variety of perspectives including any or all of Buddhism, Stoicism, phenomenology, and embodied cognitive science. Alongside readings, discussion, and writing, students will develop a regular meditation practice, guided by both instruction and practice.
Learning Hours: 114 (24 Lecture, 12 Laboratory, 78 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 390 Philosophical Practice Units: 6.00
This is a skills course for students considering graduate study in philosophy. The fall term gives intensive training in philosophical writing. Its topic is one of the department's core areas: metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, or history. The winter term is a practicum: students serve as writing tutors for 1st-year Philosophy.
NOTE This course is capped at 15 students. Admission is by application: a letter of interest, a letter of reference from a Philosophy faculty member, and an informal transcript. Normally, successful applicants will (i) be registered in a Philosophy Major or Joint Honours Plan and (ii) have a GPA of at least 3.0 in each of PHIL 250 and PHIL 257.
NOTE This course is capped at 15 students. Admission is by application: a letter of interest, a letter of reference from a Philosophy faculty member, and an informal transcript. Normally, successful applicants will (i) be registered in a Philosophy Major or Joint Honours Plan and (ii) have a GPA of at least 3.0 in each of PHIL 250 and PHIL 257.
Learning Hours: 222 (36 Seminar, 42 Practicum, 144 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above and permission of the Department.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 402 Current Issues in Moral Philosophy I Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in contemporary moral philosophy. Topics to be studied may include contractualism, objectivity, practical reason, relativism and value realism.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 403 Current Issues in Moral Philosophy II Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in contemporary moral philosophy. Topics to be studied may include contractualism, intergenerational obligations, moral encroachment, moral responsibility, normative theories, practical reasoning, theories of value, or theories of well-being.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Seminar, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 404 Social and Political Philosophy I Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in contemporary social and political philosophy. Possible topics to be studied include critical race theory, democracy, distributive justice, equality, intergenerational justice, interspecies justice, legitimacy, libertarianism, reparations, or social justice.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Seminar, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Integrate content from the course readings and in-class discussions to produce a portfolio of written work that reveals an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the relevant area of political philosophy that approximately tracks the progression of the course in real time.
- Communicate orally to their classmates (i) the arguments within the philosophical texts being studied, and (ii) interpretive questions about, and objections to, those arguments.
- Enhance the learning of their peers via their oral contributions to discussions, class presentations, active listening, or other means.
- Communicate their assimilation of a reasonable subset of the course readings and in-class discussions via organized, cogent prose.
PHIL 405 Social and Political Philosophy II Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in contemporary social and political philosophy. Possible topics to be studied include communitarianism, liberalism, multi-culturalism, the nation-state, and utopias.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Seminar, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 406 Walls to Bridges - Socio-Legal Issues Units: 3.00
This is an experiential learning course based on the Walls to Bridges program model, which brings together students from Queen's University ('outside students') with students from a local federal prison ('inside students') to learn and share knowledge based on their lived experience and critical analysis of academic scholarship. Topics may vary.
NOTE This course will take place off campus at a local federal prison, as part of the Walls to Bridges prison education program - http://wallstobridges.ca/.
NOTE This course will take place off campus at a local federal prison, as part of the Walls to Bridges prison education program - http://wallstobridges.ca/.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Exclusion SOCY 406/3.0.
Note Interested students (both inside and outside) will need to submit an expression of interest followed by an interview with the course instructor. Students register for the course with instructor permission.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 407 Walls to Bridges - Philosophical Issues Units: 3.00
This is an experimental learning course based on the Wall to Bridges model, which brings together students from Queen's University ('outside students') with students from a local federal prison ('inside students') to learn and share knowledge based on their lived experience and critical analysis of academic scholarship. Topics may vary.
NOTE This course takes place off campus at a local federal prison, as part of the Walls to Bridges prison education program - http://wallsto bridges.ca.
NOTE This course takes place off campus at a local federal prison, as part of the Walls to Bridges prison education program - http://wallsto bridges.ca.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Exclusion SOCY 407/3.0.
Note Interested students (both inside and outside) will need to submit an expression of interest followed by an interview with the course instructor. Students register for the course with instructor permission.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 408 Topics in Philosophy of Law Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in the philosophy of law. Possible topics to be studies include definitional questions, interpretivism, positivism, punishment and the relationship between law and morality.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Course Equivalencies: PHIL408, PHIL458
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 410 History of Philosophy I Units: 3.00
This course examines issues and theorists in the History of Philosophy. Possible topics include the nature of substance, explanation, causality, rights and obligations, primary and secondary qualities. Possible theorists include, Descartes, Spinoza, Hegel, Frege.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 411 History of Philosophy II Units: 3.00
This course examines issues and theorists in the history of philosophy, with a possible focus on non-western philosophies (i.e., Indian Philosophy). The emphasis might be on a particular school, movement, text or tradition; alternatively, it might be on the development of a particular problem or theme over time or across contexts.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Seminar, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Integrate content from the course readings and in-class discussions to produce a portfolio of written work that reveals an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the relevant arc within the history of philosophy that approximately tracks the progression of the course in real time.
- Communicate orally to their classmates (i) the arguments within the philosophical texts being studied, and (ii) interpretive questions about, and objections to, those arguments.
- Enhance the learning of their peers via their oral contributions to discussions, class presentations, active listening, or other means.
- Communicate their assimilation of a reasonable subset of the course readings and in-class discussions via organized, cogent prose.
PHIL 412 Topics in Philosophy of Culture Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in the philosophy of culture. Possible topics to be studied include: the history of the philosophy of culture; the relationship between culture and identity or the self; the relationship between culture and progress; and various forms of cultural relativism.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Course Equivalencies: PHIL412, PHIL461
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 420 Ethical Issues I Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in ethics. Possible topics to be considered include political violence, coercion, punishment, immigration, suicide, drug policy, leisure and akrasia.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Seminar, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 421 Ethical Issues II Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in ethics. Possible topics to be considered include bioethical issues (such as abortion, biotechnology, drug policies, health-care access, or suicide), civil disobedience, immigration and refugees, liberation movements, or punishment.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Seminar, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 431 Ancient Philosophy Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in ancient philosophy. Possible topics to be considered include the appearance/reality distinction, causation, the emotions, happiness (eudaimonia) and substance.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 440 20th Century Philosophy I Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in 20th century philosophy, with a possible focus on the continental tradition (including, in particular, the phenomenological tradition). Theorists may include Fanon, Heidegger, Husserl, Levinas or Merleau-Ponty.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Seminar, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Integrate content from the course readings and in-class discussions to produce a portfolio of written work that reveals an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the relevant tradition of 20th century philosophy that approximately tracks the progression of the course in real time.
- Communicate orally to their classmates (i) the arguments within the philosophical texts being studied, and (ii) interpretive questions about, and objections to, those arguments
- Enhance the learning of their peers via their oral contributions to discussions, class presentations, active listening, or other means.
- Communicate their assimilation of a reasonable subset of the course readings and in-class discussions via organized, cogent prose.
PHIL 441 20th Century Philosophy II Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in 20th century philosophy. Possible topics to be studied include debates about modality, the development of logic, the natural language movement, pragmatism and verificationism.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 444 Philosophy in the Community Units: 3.00
A unique experiential course for 3rd and 4th year Philosophy concentrators involving a volunteer internship in such fields as rehabilitation healthcare, local government, prisoners' advocacy, LGBTQ cultural activities, immigrant support, animal rescue, or speech therapy. The course also involves class meetings, regular reports, and a final essay.
NOTE Students are admitted by application: Admission is at the discretion of the instructor. Interested students will need to complete an application form, obtain a reference, and if shortlisted, come for interview.
NOTE Students are admitted by application: Admission is at the discretion of the instructor. Interested students will need to complete an application form, obtain a reference, and if shortlisted, come for interview.
Learning Hours: 120 (9 Seminar, 27 Practicum, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 3 or above and registration in a Philosophy Plan and permission of the instructor.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 445 Major Figures I Units: 3.00
An examination of the key ideas from a major figure in the history of philosophy. Philosophers studied will vary from offering-to-offering, including Aristotle, Aquinas, Kant, Mill and Rawls.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 446 Major Figures II Units: 3.00
An examination of the key ideas or texts from a major figure in the history of philosophy. Philosophers studied will vary from offering-to-offering; possibilities include Thomas Aquinas, Aristotle, René Descartes, Immanuel Kant, Martin Luther King, Iris Murdoch, John Rawls, or Judith Jarvis Thomson.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Seminar, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 451 Current Issues in Epistemology Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in contemporary epistemology. Possible topics include justification, internalism and externalism, foundationalism and coherentism, and social epistemology.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 452 Current Issues in Metaphysics I Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in contemporary metaphysics. Possible topics include causation, properties, time, modal theory, and induction.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 454 Topics in Feminist Philosophy Units: 3.00
This course examines issues in Feminist Philosophy. Possible topics may include gender and sex; feminist ethics, epistemologies and metaphysics; disputes about essentialism; the intersections of gender, sexuality, racialization, imperialism, and class.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 459 Current Issues in the Philosophy of Language Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in contemporary philosophy of language. Possible topics to be studied include: the nature of meaning; the relationship between language and the mind, as well as language and the world; and the syntax, semantics and pragmatics of natural language.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 463 Current Issues in Metaphysics II Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in contemporary metaphysics. Possible topics include causation, properties, time, modal theory, or induction.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Seminar, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 464 Topics in Philosophy of Mind Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in contemporary philosophy of mind. Possible topics to be considered include: consciousness; definitional questions (what is the mind?); mental causation; mental events; mental properties; and various theories about the nature of the mind.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 466 Topics in the Philosophy of Art Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in the philosophy of art. Possible topics include: the definition of art, art and the emotions, art and interpretation, art and the aesthetic, and the philosophy of particular artforms (i.e., literature, film).
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 467 Hermeneutics Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in hermeneutics or the theory of interpretation. Possible topics to be studied include the history of hermeneutics, objectivity and relativism, critiques of ideology, semiotics, and pragmatism.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Course Equivalencies: PHIL416, PHIL467
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 470 Topics in Philosophy of Science I Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in the philosophy of science. Possible topics to be considered include explanation, realism versus instrumentalism scientific progress, the social dimensions of science and the unity of the sciences.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 471 Topics in Philosophy of Science II Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in the philosophy of science, with a possible orientation toward value-informed science: not just epistemic and metaphysical questions, but also the social contexts in which sciences (including medical sciences) are practiced and technologies are used and developed, and the moral implications thereof.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Course Equivalencies: PHIL401, PHIL471
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 473 Topics in Philosophy of Logic Units: 3.00
An examination of major issues in the philosophy of logic. Possible topics to be considered include deviant logics, the nature of identity, modal logics and the paradoxes of material implication and strict conditionals.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 493 Ethics and the Environment Units: 3.00
This course examines issues in Ethics and the Environment. Possible topics include sustainable development, humans and nature, moral obligations to future generations.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 500 Directed Special Studies Units: 6.00
This course involves a directed study of a philosophical topic. Topics chosen may be from any area of philosophy, and should be determined in consultation with a proposed supervising instructor.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 510 Directed Special Studies Units: 3.00
This course involves a directed study of a philosophical topic. Topics chosen may be from any area of philosophy, and should be determined in consultation with a proposed supervising instructor.
Requirements: Prerequisite {(Level 4 or above and PHIL 250/6.0 or [PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0] and [PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0] or PHIL 257/6.0 and [a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and ([registration in a PHIL Major Plan and 9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level] or [registration in a PHIL Joint Honours Plan and 6.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level])}.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 594 Independent Study Units: 3.00
Exceptionally qualified students entering their third- or fourth-year may take a program of independent study provided it has been approved by the Department or Departments principally involved. The Department may approve an independent study program without permitting it to be counted toward a concentration in that Department. It is, consequently, the responsibility of students taking such programs to ensure that the concentration requirements for their degree will be met.
NOTE Requests for such a program must be received one month before the start of the first term in which the student intends to undertake the program.
NOTE Also offered at Bader College, UK.
NOTE Requests for such a program must be received one month before the start of the first term in which the student intends to undertake the program.
NOTE Also offered at Bader College, UK.
Requirements: Prerequisite Permission of the Department or Departments principally involved.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 595 Independent Study Units: 6.00
Exceptionally qualified students entering their third- or fourth-year may take a program of independent study provided it has been approved by the Department or Departments principally involved. The Department may approve an independent study program without permitting it to be counted toward a concentration in that Department. It is, consequently, the responsibility of students taking such programs to ensure that the concentration requirements for their degree will be met.
NOTE Requests for such a program must be received one month before the start of the first term in which the student intends to undertake the program.
NOTE Requests for such a program must be received one month before the start of the first term in which the student intends to undertake the program.
Requirements: Prerequisite Permission of the Department or Departments principally involved.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 596 Independent Study Units: 12.00
Exceptionally qualified students entering their third- or fourth-year may take a program of independent study provided it has been approved by the Department or Departments principally involved. The Department may approve an independent study program without permitting it to be counted toward a concentration in that Department. It is, consequently, the responsibility of students taking such programs to ensure that the concentration requirements for their degree will be met.
NOTE Requests for such a program must be received one month before the start of the first term in which the student intends to undertake the program.
NOTE Requests for such a program must be received one month before the start of the first term in which the student intends to undertake the program.
Requirements: Prerequisite Permission of the Department or Departments principally involved.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
PHIL 597 Independent Study Units: 18.00
Exceptionally qualified students entering their third- or fourth-year may take a program of independent study provided it has been approved by the Department or Departments principally involved. The Department may approve an independent study program without permitting it to be counted toward a concentration in that Department. It is, consequently, the responsibility of students taking such programs to ensure that the concentration requirements for their degree will be met.
NOTE Requests for such a program must be received one month before the start of the first term in which the student intends to undertake the program.
NOTE Requests for such a program must be received one month before the start of the first term in which the student intends to undertake the program.
Requirements: Prerequisite Permission of the Department or Departments principally involved.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPEC)
PPEC 200 Introduction to the Study of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics Units: 3.00
This course will emphasize the analysis of conceptual complementarities, the assessment of arguments, and the application of principles in factual contexts that are the focus of study within the disciplines of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics.
Learning Hours: 120 (24 Lecture, 12 Group Learning, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite 12.0 units from (ECON 110/6.0, [ECON 111/3.0 and ECON 112/3.0], POLS 110/6.0*, [POLS 111/3.0 and POLS 112/3.0], PHIL at the 100-level).
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Explain in words and illustrate with examples basic economic concepts that can have broader political or philosophical dimensions and applications. These concepts could include: comparative advantage; collective action problems; or Pareto efficiency.
- Distinguish different values relevant to the assessment of economic and political institutions, including: liberty; equality; or wellbeing.
- Describe and apply different philosophical approaches to these assessments, including consequentialist or rights-based approaches.
- Formulate arguments appealing to different normative standards (not just prosperity or practicality) for and against contemporary public and social policy proposals, which could include: international trade agreements; labour market regulations; or the creation of unconditional basic income guarantees.
- Identify and assess positions originating from different ideological and disciplinary perspectives, including positions students may find challenging to support.
PPEC 300 Topics in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics Units: 3.00
This course is devoted to the study of ethical and political aspects of economic institutions. It focuses on practical applications of ideas within the context of contemporary issues, and it will include a diversity of ideological views.
NOTE This course is the required third-year core course for the PPEC degree plan, but it is open to other students with the prerequisites.
NOTE This course is the required third-year core course for the PPEC degree plan, but it is open to other students with the prerequisites.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 36 Online Activity, 48 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite PPEC 200/3.0.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Distinguish normative from empirical questions, while also recognizing that empirical theories may bring with them normative assumptions.
- Formulate arguments both for and against contemporary policy proposals by appealing to different normative standards.
- Identify and think from the perspective of different ideological positions, including positions one rejects.
PPEC 400 Research Seminar in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics Units: 3.00
Politics, Philosophy, and Economics approach problems from discipline specific perspectives, but the questions asked have fundamental similarities. In this course students will be exposed to research methods from all three different disciplines, while completing a research intensive project. Peer review and presentation skills will be emphasized.
Learning Hours: 120 (12 Lecture, 12 Seminar, 12 Group Learning, 84 Private Study)
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 4 or above and registration in the PPEC Specialization Plan and a minimum Plan GPA of 2.60 and permission of the Department.
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Recognize, distinguish, and critique a range of discipline-specific research methods employed in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics.
- Select a question or topic with a multi-disciplinary dimension for research intensive study.
- Critique and develop topics and research approaches in small peer review sessions.
- Analyze and explore the chosen question or topic.
- Write up and present a synthesis of their research findings.
- Engage in collaborative peer review and assessment.