Philosophy and Values

The College of Letters and Science Seven-Course Breadth requirement and American Cultures Breadth requirement are the foundation of the college's liberal arts program. It can only be fulfilled with college coursework; AP exams and other high school work do not count toward this requirement.

Investigation of the intellectual and ethical motivations that inspire the record of humanity's social and cultural achievement and to ponder the types of questions that will enhance their ability to understand their heritage, their contemporaries, and themselves. Courses fulfilling this requirement include those with a major focus on religion, ethics, legal values, or leading philosophical figures.

* - Courses that also fulfill the American Cultures Breadth requirement

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Ancient Greek and Roman Studies 10A (formerly known as Classics 10A)—Introduction to Greek Civilization (4 units)

Department Abbreviation: XAGRS 10A

Prerequisite: None; however, this is a writing- and reading-intensive course, and your writing skills should exceed the College Writing course level

Satisfies: Either the Arts and Literature, Historical Studies, or Philosophy and Values breadth category if completed with a C− or better or a Passed grade

Course Description: Study of the major developments, achievements, and contradictions in Greek culture from the Bronze Age to the 4th century BCE. Key works of literature, history, and philosophy (read in English translation) will be examined in their political and social context, and in relation both to other ancient Mediterranean cultures and to subsequent developments in Western civilization.

Schedule of Classes

Environmental Science Policy and Management 50AC—Introduction to Culture and Natural Resource Management (4 units)*

Also Fulfills AC Requirement

Department Abbreviation: XESPM 50AC

Prerequisite: None

Satisfies: Both the American Cultures requirement and either the Historical Studies, Philosophy and Values, or Social and Behavioral Sciences breadth category if completed with a C- or better or a Passed grade

Course Description: An introduction to how culture affects the way we use and manage fire, wildland and urban forests, rangelands, parks and preserves, and croplands in America. The basic concepts and tools for evaluating the role of culture in resource use and management are introduced and used to examine the experience of American cultural groups in the development and management of western natural resources.

Schedule of Classes

History 30—Science and Society (4 units)

Department Abbreviation: XHISTOR 30

Prerequisite: None

Satisfies: Either the Historical Studies, Philosophy and Values, or Social and Behavioral Sciences breadth category if completed with a C− or better or a Passed grade

Course Description: Science as we know it is the product of a historical process. In this course, we will explore the emergence of its concepts, practices, goals, and cognitive authority by surveying its roots in their social and cultural setting. We will trace the development of conceptions of the natural world from antiquity through the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment and up to the modern age. All the sciences fall within our purview, from their early forms up to today.

Schedule of Classes

Philosophy 2—Individual Morality and Social Justice (4 units)

Department Abbreviation: XPHILOS 2

Prerequisite: None; however, this is a writing- and reading-intensive course, and students' writing skills should exceed the College Writing course level.

Satisfies: Either the Philosophy and Values or Social and Behavioral Sciences breadth category if completed with a C- or better or a Passed grade.

Course Description: Is there anything to be said in a principled way about “right” and “wrong” action? Is there some conception of “the good” that governs how we should conduct our lives and justifies our moral practices? In virtue of what is it possible that we are free to be held accountable for our deeds?

Schedule of Classes

Philosophy 3—The Nature of Mind (4 units)

Department Abbreviation: XPHILOS 3

Prerequisite: None; however, this is a writing- and reading-intensive course, and students' writing skills should exceed the College Writing course level.

Satisfies: Philosophy and Values breadth category if completed with a C- or better or a Passed grade.

Course Description: What is the nature of the mind and consciousness? What can we know about the existence of other minds and their contents? What is the relation between mental entities and physical entities? Is the mind just the brain, or is the mind immaterial? We will be examining major issues in the philosophy of mind and some issues in epistemology.

Schedule of Classes