Philosophy | USC Schedule of Classes

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Philosophy (PHIL)

http://dornsife.usc.edu/phil/
D class assignments for undergraduates available in MHP108; phone 740-4085.

PHIL 101g: Philosophical Foundations of Modern Western Culture (4.0 units)

The influence on modern Western culture of philosophical thought about reality, knowledge and morality as developed by such philosophers as Descartes, Leibniz and Kant.

General Education: This course satisfies the university's general education requirement.
Note: Register for lecture and one discussion

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location
49300R	Lecture	10:00-11:50am	Mon, Wed	139 of 145	Janet Levin	GFS106
49301R	Discussion	12:00-12:50pm	Monday	23 of 26	Aness Webster, Julia Staffel	MHP102
49302R	Discussion	1:00-1:50pm	Monday	24 of 25	Aness Webster, Julia Staffel	MHP102
49303R	Discussion	9:00-9:50am	Tuesday	24 of 26	Julian Stone	VKC256
49304R	Discussion	10:00-10:50am	Tuesday	25 of 25	Julian Stone	VKC256
49305R	Discussion	9:00-9:50am	Thursday	19 of 25	John Hall	MHP102
49306R	Discussion	10:00-10:50am	Thursday	24 of 25	John Hall	ZHS360

PHIL 115g: Ancient Greek Culture and Society (4.0 units)

Focus on the literary achievement from the beginning of Greek literature to the 4th century with a special emphasis on the philosophers.

General Education: This course satisfies the university's general education requirement.
Note: Register for lecture and one discussion

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location
49307R	Lecture	12:30-1:45pm	Tue, Thu	149 of 150	Frank Lewis	THH201
49308R	Discussion	9:00-9:50am	Monday	25 of 25	Gopal Nair	MHP102
49309R	Discussion	10:00-10:50am	Monday	25 of 25	Gopal Nair	MHP102
49310R	Discussion	9:00-9:50am	Tuesday	25 of 25	Gregory Ackerman	VKC252
49311R	Discussion	10:00-10:50am	Tuesday	25 of 25	Gregory Ackerman	VKC252
49312R	Discussion	10:00-10:50am	Thursday	24 of 25	Evan Moreno-Davis	MHP102
49313R	Discussion	11:00-11:50am	Thursday	25 of 25	Evan Moreno-Davis	MHP102

PHIL 137gm: Social Ethics for Earthlings and Others (4.0 units)

A systematic study of contemporary issues in social and political philosophy engaging multimedia works of science fiction to illuminate classic Western moral and political theories.

General Education: This course satisfies the university's general education requirement.
Diversity: This course satisfies the university's diversity requirement.
Note: Register for lecture, one discussion, lab and one section of WRIT 140 listed below (unless you have already satisfied the Writing Requirement)
Concurrent enrollment: WRIT 140

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus
49560R	Lecture	3:30-5:20pm	Mon, Wed	148 of 152	Samuel Shpall	THH301	Word (56676 KB)
49561R	Discussion	11:00-11:50am	Monday	26 of 26	Ryan Walsh	VHE210
49562R	Discussion	10:00-10:50am	Monday	26 of 26	Ara Astourian	VHE210
49563R	Discussion	2:00-2:50pm	Thursday	25 of 25	Ryan Walsh	VHE206
49564R	Discussion	10:00-10:50am	Wednesday	23 of 25	Ara Astourian	VHE210
49565R	Discussion	11:00-11:50am	Wednesday	25 of 25	Nicholas Laskowski	VHE210
49566R	Discussion	11:00-11:50am	Friday	23 of 26	Nicholas Laskowski	VHE210

Concurrent Course
WRIT 140: Writing and Critical Reasoning (4.0 units)

Focuses on analytical and argumentative writing skills requisite to academic and professional writing. Emphasizes logical analysis of texts and other data, effective use of evidence, ethical argumentation, and stylistic and grammatical fluency. Requires concurrent enrollment with an affiliated General Education course in the Social Issues category. Students must achieve a satisfactory score on the verbal portion of the SAT, the USC Writing Examination, or credit for WRIT 120 or 121 before enrolling in WRIT 140.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location
64305D	Lecture	9:00-9:50am	MWF	17 of 17	Amy Schroeder	GFS223
64310D	Lecture	9:00-9:50am	MWF	14 of 17	Kevin Long	GFS105
64455D	Lecture	12:00-12:50pm	MWF	17 of 17	Kevin Long	GFS204
64460D	Lecture	12:00-12:50pm	MWF	17 of 17	Benjamin Pack	GFS205
64465D	Lecture	12:00-12:50pm	MWF	17 of 17	Chinmayi Sirsi	GFS210
66998D	Lab	7:00-8:50pm	Wednesday	794 of 2000		BOV AUD

PHIL 140g: Contemporary Moral and Social Issues (4.0 units)

Critical study of controversial social issues such as abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, war & terrorism, pornography, and economic justice.

General Education: This course satisfies the university's general education requirement.
Note: Register for lecture, one discussion, lab and one section of WRIT 140 listed below (unless you have already satisfied the Writing Requirement)
Concurrent enrollment: WRIT 140

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location
49314R	Lecture	2:00-3:20pm	Mon, Wed	197 of 200	Stephen Finlay	SGM124
49316R	Discussion	10:00-10:50am	Monday	25 of 25	Michael Milona	SOSB52
49318R	Discussion	10:00-10:50am	Wednesday	24 of 25	Alida Liberman	SOSB52
49319R	Discussion	10:00-10:50am	Friday	23 of 25	Justin Dallmann	SOSB52
49320R	Discussion	11:00-11:50am	Tuesday	26 of 26	Justin Dallmann	MHP102
49321R	Discussion	11:00-11:50am	Wednesday	24 of 25	Alida Liberman	SOSB52
49322R	Discussion	11:00-11:50am	Monday	25 of 25	Aaron Veek, Justin Dallmann	MHP102
49327R	Discussion	10:00-10:50am	Tuesday	25 of 25	Michael Milona	VKC258
49328R	Discussion	10:00-10:50am	Tuesday	25 of 25	Aaron Veek, Alida Liberman	WPH106

Concurrent Course
WRIT 140: Writing and Critical Reasoning (4.0 units)

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location
64315D	Lecture	9:00-9:50am	MWF	17 of 17	Philip Mc Niff	VKC105
64320D	Lecture	9:00-9:50am	MWF	16 of 17	Devin Toohey	GFS228
64470D	Lecture	12:00-12:50pm	MWF	16 of 17	Amanda Weldy Boyd	GFS212
64475D	Lecture	12:00-12:50pm	MWF	17 of 17	Philip Mc Niff	GFS202
64480D	Lecture	12:00-12:50pm	MWF	17 of 17	Lauren Weindling	GFS113
64485D	Lecture	12:00-12:50pm	MWF	17 of 17	Melissa Weiss	GFS114
66998D	Lab	7:00-8:50pm	Wednesday	794 of 2000		BOV AUD

PHIL 220g: Science, Religion, and the Making of the Modern Mind (4.0 units)

Philosophical and religious implications of the scientific revolution of the seventeenth century and the Darwinian revolution in the nineteenth century.

General Education: This course satisfies the university's general education requirement.
Note: Register for lecture and one discussion

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus
49351R	Lecture	2:00-3:15pm	Mon, Wed	137 of 150	John Dreher	THH101	Word (57344 KB)
49352R	Discussion	9:00-9:50am	Tuesday	21 of 25	Kenneth Silver	MHP102
49353R	Discussion	10:00-10:50am	Tuesday	25 of 25	Kenneth Silver	MHP102
49354R	Discussion	10:00-10:50am	Wednesday	24 of 25	Matthew Babb	MHP102
49355R	Discussion	11:00-11:50am	Wednesday	25 of 25	Matthew Babb	MHP102
49581R	Discussion	10:00-10:50am	Friday	22 of 25	Michael Hatcher	MHP102
49582R	Discussion	11:00-11:50am	Friday	20 of 25	Michael Hatcher	MHP102

PHIL 242: Theories of Art (4.0 units)

An introduction to general theories of art and to issues concerning particular arts such as literature and drama, photography and film, painting, architecture and music.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49363R	Lecture	9:00-9:50am	MWF	Canceled	Samuel Shpall		PDF (12920 KB)

PHIL 250a: Elementary Formal Logic (2.0 units)

Critical reasoning skills and their many everyday applications; theory of logically correct reasoning and its associated formal techniques.

Note: Class begins 8/23 ends 10/11

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49368R	Lecture-Discussion	5:00-6:30pm	Tue, Thu	14 of 40	Joshua Crabill	MHPB7B

PHIL 250b: Elementary Formal Logic (2.0 units)

Critical reasoning skills and their many everyday applications; theory of logically correct reasoning and its associated formal techniques.

Prerequisite: PHIL 250a
Note: Class begins 10/13 ends 12/1

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49369R	Lecture-Discussion	5:00-6:30pm	Tue, Thu	3 of 35	Joshua Crabill	MHPB7B

PHIL 285Lg: Knowledge, Explanation, and the Cosmos (4.0 units)

The nature and limits of knowledge and explanation, and challenges in understanding the origin of the universe and the place of intelligent life within it.

General Education: This course satisfies the university's general education requirement.
Note: Register for one lecture and one lab

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location
49383R	Lecture	2:00-3:15pm	Tue, Thu	192 of 200	Jacob Ross	SGM124
49571R	Lab	10:00-11:50am	Wednesday	17 of 17	Michael Pressman	VKC204
49572R	Lab	10:00-11:50am	Friday	17 of 17	Abelard Podgorski	VKC204
49573R	Lab	12:00-1:50pm	Friday	17 of 17	Jennifer Liderth	MHP102
49574R	Lab	8:00-9:50am	Wednesday	17 of 17	Michael Pressman	VKC208
49575R	Lab	10:00-11:50am	Monday	17 of 17	Kenneth Pearce	VKC204
49576R	Lab	8:00-9:50am	Monday	16 of 17	Kenneth Pearce	VKC208
49577R	Lab	8:00-9:50am	Thursday	15 of 17	Kenneth Pearce	VKC204
49578R	Lab	8:00-9:50am	Thursday	13 of 17	Jennifer Liderth	SOSB48
49579R	Lab	12:00-1:50pm	Wednesday	16 of 17	Michael Pressman	MHP102
49585R	Lab	8:00-9:50am	Tuesday	16 of 17	Jennifer Liderth	VKC204
49586R	Lab	8:00-9:50am	Tuesday	15 of 17	Abelard Podgorski	SOSB48
49587R	Lab	8:00-9:50am	Friday	16 of 17	Abelard Podgorski	VKC208

PHIL 315: History of Western Philosophy: Ancient Period (4.0 units)

Major figures in the history of Western philosophical thought from the presocratics to the Hellenistic period; emphasis on Plato and Aristotle.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49400R	Lecture	11:00-11:50am	MWF	34 of 35	Kevin Robb	VHE217

PHIL 337: History of Modern Political Philosophy (4.0 units)

Analysis of some of the main political philosophies of the modern era; emphasis on the ethical and metaphysical foundations of political philosophy.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49412R	Lecture	10:00-11:50am	Mon, Wed	26 of 30	Sharon Lloyd	VKC261	Word (31078 KB)

PHIL 340: Ethics (4.0 units)

Study of major philosophical theories of moral right and wrong, such as utilitarianism, Kantianism, egoism, virtue ethics, and theological ethics.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus
49414R	Lecture	3:30-4:45pm	Mon, Wed	36 of 50	John Dreher	ZHS252	Word (54272 KB)
49415R	Discussion	8:00-8:50am	Tuesday	20 of 25	Matthew Lutz	MHP102
49416R	Discussion	8:00-8:50am	Wednesday	16 of 25	Matthew Lutz	MHP102

PHIL 350: Symbolic Logic (4.0 units)

Introduction to basic techniques of propositional and quantificational logic, and elements of probability. Especially useful to philosophy, mathematics, science, and engineering majors.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49421R	Lecture	9:00-9:50am	MWF	22 of 35	Zlatan Damnjanovic	MHPB7B

PHIL 355: Existentialism (4.0 units)

A critical survey of major nineteenth and twentieth century existentialist writers, including Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Kafka, Kietzsche, Camus, and Sartre.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49422R	Lecture	9:30-10:50am	Tue, Thu	31 of 32	Edwin Mc Cann	THH119	Word (48128 KB)

PHIL 360: Epistemology and Metaphysics (4.0 units)

Examination of problems in metaphysics and/or epistemology. Conducted at the intermediate level.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49427R	Lecture	3:30-4:45pm	Tue, Thu	21 of 31	Shieva Kleinschmidt	VKC102	Word (125032 KB)

PHIL 411: Plato (4.0 units)

Detailed study of the evolution of Plato's thought as revealed in selected dialogues. Prerequisite: two courses in philosophy.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49436R	Lecture	2:00-3:15pm	Tue, Thu	14 of 14	Frank Lewis	VKC207

PHIL 427: Twentieth Century Anglo-American Philosophy (4.0 units)

The nature and function of analysis as a philosophical method; the development of major metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical views; Russell, Wittgenstein, Carnap, Quine and others.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49452R	Lecture	11:00-12:15pm	Tue, Thu	10 of 30	Karen Lewis	VKC207

PHIL 428: Anglo-American Philosophy Since 1950 (4.0 units)

The maturing of the analytic tradition from the later Wittgenstein through Ryle, Strawson, Hare, Austin, Grice, Quine, Davidson, Kripke, and beyond.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49453R	Lecture	11:00-12:15pm	Tue, Thu	Canceled	Scott Soames

PHIL 431: Law, Society, and Politics (4.0 units)

A systematic presentation of the main philosophical perspectives on the interactions between law and the social-political aspects of our lives.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49459R	Lecture	10:00-11:45am	Wed, Fri	25 of 27	Gary Watson	VKC210	Word (33792 KB)

PHIL 446: Aesthetics and the Film (4.0 units)

Problems in the philosophy of art raised by film, such as the notion of "cinematic"; the nature of interpretation of films; criteria for evaluating films.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49474R	Lecture	4:00-5:15pm	Mon, Wed	17 of 30	George Wilson	VKC154

PHIL 450: Intermediate Symbolic Logic (4.0 units)

Systematic study of the metatheory of quantificational logic, with applications to questions of decidability and completeness of formal systems, including Godel's Incompleteness Theorems.

Prerequisite: PHIL 350

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49477R	Lecture	12:00-1:45pm	Mon, Wed	9 of 30	Kenneth Easwaran	VKC207

PHIL 460: Metaphysics (4.0 units)

Systematic introduction to basic concepts, including identity, difference, existence, individuals, substance, quality, and relation; emphasis on idealism, materialism, and the ontology of intentionality.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49479R	Lecture	11:00-12:15pm	Tue, Thu	Canceled	Alejandro Perez Carballo

PHIL 462: Philosophy of Mind (4.0 units)

Examination of contemporary theories of mind and its place in the natural world.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49482R	Lecture	2:00-3:15pm	Mon, Wed	25 of 30	Janet Levin	VKC207

PHIL 463: Theories of Action (4.0 units)

Systematic investigation of action, the mental states involved in action, the reasoning processes that lead to action, and related concepts including intentionality and free will.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49483R	Lecture	9:30-10:45am	Tue, Thu	9 of 30	Kadri Vihvelin	VKC207

PHIL 465: Philosophy of Language (4.0 units)

The nature of communication, meaning, reference, truth, necessity, speech acts, convention, and language.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49484R	Lecture	11:00-12:15pm	Tue, Thu	29 of 31	Robin Jeshion	WPHB30

PHIL 490x: Directed Research (2.0-8.0 units, max 8)

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Junior, Senior

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location
49490D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	3 of 5	Dallas Willard	OFFICE
49491D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	1 of 5	Stephen Finlay	OFFICE
49492D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE
49493D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE

PHIL 494: Senior Thesis (4.0 units)

Independent studies for philosophy majors, and guidance in the preparation of the senior thesis for students who wish to graduate with honors in philosophy. Not open to graduate students.

Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location
49497D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	2 of 5	Dallas Willard	OFFICE
49498D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	1 of 5	Edwin Mc Cann	OFFICE
49499D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE

PHIL 500: Introduction to Contemporary Philosophical Literature (4.0 units)

Analysis of selected philosophical problems and theses of current interest; explication of major contemporary papers and/or books is emphasized.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49505R	Lecture	4:30-7:00pm	Tuesday	10 of 20	Scott Soames, Gabriel Uzquiano Cruz	MHP102

PHIL 501: Seminar in Recent Philosophy (4.0 units, max 16)

Contemporary philosophical issues and literature.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49506R	Lecture	2:00-4:20pm	Thursday	4 of 20	James Higginbotham	MHP102

PHIL 505: Pro-Seminar in Central Topics in Contemporary Philosophy (4.0 units)

Key developments in central areas of philosophy are used to provide training in philosophical analysis, criticism, and the writing of precise philosophical prose.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49554R	Lecture	4:30-7:00pm	Thursday	Canceled

PHIL 530: Seminar in Philosophy of Law (4.0 units)

Theories of the nature of law; emphasis on recent writing; legal concepts such as rights, powers, liability, legal responsibility, law, and morality.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49510R	Lecture	2:00-4:20pm	Monday	8 of 20	Andrei Marmor	MHP102

PHIL 560: Seminar in Metaphysics (4.0 units, max 16)

Advanced topics in metaphysics.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49516R	Lecture	2:00-4:20pm	Tuesday	5 of 20	Kadri Vihvelin	MHP102

PHIL 570: Seminar in Epistemology (4.0 units, max 16)

Advanced topics in epistemology.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49517R	Lecture	4:30-7:00pm	Wednesday	6 of 20	Dallas Willard	MHP102

PHIL 585: Seminar in Philosophy of Science (4.0 units, max 16)

Advanced topics in the philosophy of science.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49518R	Lecture	2:00-4:20pm	Wednesday	9 of 20	Kenneth Easwaran	MHP102

PHIL 590: Directed Research (1.0-12.0 units)

Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location
49519D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	2 of 5	Mark Schroeder	OFFICE
49520D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	2 of 5	Stephen Finlay	OFFICE
49522D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	1 of 5	James Van Cleve	OFFICE
49523D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	1 of 5	Gary Watson	OFFICE
49524D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	1 of 5	Robin Jeshion	OFFICE
49525D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	2 of 5	Scott Soames	OFFICE
49526D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	1 of 5	Kenneth Easwaran	OFFICE
49527D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	1 of 5	Karen Lewis	OFFICE
49528D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE
49529D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE
49530D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE
49531D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE

PHIL 594a: Master's Thesis (2.0 units)

Credit on acceptance of Thesis. Graded IP/CR/NC.

Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Master Student

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49534D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE

PHIL 594b: Master's Thesis (2.0 units)

Credit on acceptance of Thesis. Graded IP/CR/NC.

Prerequisite: PHIL 594A
Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Master Student

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49535D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	1 of 5		OFFICE

PHIL 594z: Master's Thesis (0.0 units)

Credit on acceptance of Thesis. Graded IP/CR/NC.

Prerequisite: PHIL 594B
Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Master Student

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
49536D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE

Crosslist PHIL 636: Seminar in Semantics (3.0 units, max 12)

Crosslist: This course is offered by the LING department but may qualify for major credit in PHIL. To register, enroll in LING 636.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
38985D	Lecture	4:30-6:50pm	Thursday	2 of 15	Barry Schein	GFS220

PHIL 790: Research (1.0-12.0 units)

Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Section	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location
49539D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	3 of 5	Scott Soames	OFFICE
49540D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE
49541D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE
49542D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE
49543D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE
49544D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE
49545D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE
49546D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE
49547D	Lecture	TBA	TBA	0 of 5		OFFICE