Philosophy &100: Introduction to Philosophy

Investigating foundational questions regarding reality, knowledge, and value allows us to examine the underlying assumptions that shape human experience. In Green River's PHIL &101 course, students formulate original arguments on classic philosophical problems (such as free will, the existence of God, or the nature of mind) and systematically test the logical validity and soundness of their positions through scaffolded drafting and peer critique.

By enrolling in PHIL &101, students will develop the following transferable skills:

  • Formulate and Construct Arguments (Bloom: Create | Fink: Application): Build structured philosophical arguments by clearly articulating premises, evidence, and logical conclusions.
  • Translate Technical Concepts (Bloom: Understand/Apply | Fink: Foundational Knowledge & Application): Translate complex academic jargon and abstract theory into accessible language for non-specialist audiences.
  • Critique and Defend Logically (Bloom: Evaluate | Fink: Application): Anticipate counterarguments, identify potential fallacies, and defend positions using rigorous methods like Reductio ad Absurdum.
  • Engage in Collaborative Peer Review (Bloom: Analyze | Fink: Human Dimension): Offer and integrate constructive feedback through structured dialogue, building interpersonal and collaborative revision skills.
  • Practice Intellectual Humility and Tact (Bloom: Evaluate | Fink: Caring & Human Dimension): Communicate differing viewpoints with professional courtesy, nuance, and open-mindedness.

Philosophy 111: Science, Technology, and Value

Analyzing the ethical and social implications of emerging technology helps us navigate the complex intersection between technological advancement and human values. In Green River's PHIL 111 course, students select a pressing technological issue (such as artificial intelligence, digital privacy, or climate technology) and construct a scaffolded philosophical defense evaluating its practical and moral consequences.

By enrolling in PHIL 111, students will develop the following transferable skills:

  • Evaluate Socio-Technical Systems (Bloom: Evaluate | Fink: Integration): Assess the social, environmental, and ethical impacts of emerging technologies on everyday life and professional settings.
  • Apply Moral Frameworks (Bloom: Apply | Fink: Application): Apply normative ethical theories to evaluate policies, digital innovations, and scientific advancements.
  • Deconstruct Policy Vulnerabilities (Bloom: Analyze | Fink: Application): Analyze complex tech policy arguments to identify hidden assumptions, edge cases, and systemic risks.
  • Refine Projects Iteratively (Bloom: Create | Fink: Learning How to Learn): Self-correct and improve written arguments across multiple stages of feedback and revision.
  • Bridge Ethics and Innovation (Bloom: Apply/Evaluate | Fink: Human Dimension & Integration): Connect technical functionality with human values to communicate ethical design responsibilities to diverse stakeholders.

Philosophy 112: Ethics in the Workplace

Applying moral frameworks to organizational challenges equips individuals to resolve complex workplace conflicts and maintain professional integrity. In Green River's PHIL 112 course, students select authentic workplace dilemmas (such as whistle-blowing, employee rights, or corporate responsibility) and develop a rigorous, multi-stage argument defending a specific ethical course of action.

By enrolling in PHIL 112, students will develop the following transferable skills:

  • Analyze Professional Case Studies (Bloom: Analyze | Fink: Application): Identify core ethical dilemmas, organizational constraints, and conflict points within real-world workplace scenarios.
  • Apply Codes of Ethics (Bloom: Apply | Fink: Integration): Utilize professional codes of conduct and ethical frameworks to propose actionable, compliant solutions.
  • Construct Actionable Solutions (Bloom: Create/Evaluate | Fink: Application): Formulate well-reasoned, multi-stage proposals that justify selected courses of action under organizational constraints.
  • Navigate Professional Dialogue (Bloom: Evaluate | Fink: Human Dimension): Test proposed solutions against peer critiques with diplomatic communication and professional poise.
  • Articulate Personal and Corporate Values (Bloom: Understand/Apply | Fink: Caring & Human Dimension): Clarify personal values and align them with broader workplace responsibilities and professional standards.

Philosophy 200: Philsophy of Religion

Examining the metaphysical and epistemological foundations of religious claims enables a deeper understanding of diverse theological worldviews. In Green River's PHIL 200 course, students construct and evaluate arguments surrounding core issues in philosophy of religion—such as the problem of evil, religious pluralism, or the justification of belief—using both Western and non-Western philosophical methods.

By enrolling in PHIL 200, students will develop the following transferable skills:

  • Deconstruct Abstract Epistemology (Bloom: Analyze | Fink: Foundational Knowledge & Integration): Break down complex metaphysical and epistemological claims across global religious traditions.
  • Execute Formal Logical Methods (Bloom: Apply/Evaluate | Fink: Application): Employ formal argumentative methods to evaluate the logical consistency of theological positions.
  • Synthesize Cross-Tradition Insights (Bloom: Create | Fink: Integration): Integrate Western Abrahamic and Non-Western Eastern philosophical perspectives to build nuanced comparative analyses.
  • Engage Worldviews Empathetically (Bloom: Evaluate | Fink: Human Dimension & Caring): Evaluate deeply held ideological claims while maintaining academic objectivity and respect for pluralism.
  • Self-Reflect on Belief Systems (Bloom: Analyze | Fink: Learning How to Learn & Human Dimension): Reflect on the logical justification of personal beliefs through iterative self-assessment and peer feedback.

Philosophy 206: Gender and Philosophy

Analyzing how gender informs traditional fields of thought reveals subtle biases and expands our understanding of social and political structures. In Green River's PHIL 206 course, students engage in scaffolded research examining feminist perspectives on ethics, epistemology, or political philosophy, constructing original positions that respond directly to classical and contemporary debates.

By enrolling in PHIL 206, students will develop the following transferable skills:

  • Deconstruct Theoretical Frameworks (Bloom: Analyze | Fink: Integration): Identify implicit gender assumptions, power structures, and systemic biases within historical and contemporary philosophy.
  • Formulate Intersectional Critiques (Bloom: Create/Evaluate | Fink: Application & Human Dimension): Apply feminist methodologies to construct original arguments addressing social, political, and ethical issues.
  • Evaluate Competing Claims (Bloom: Evaluate | Fink: Application): Systematically test thesis arguments by identifying disanalogies, counterexamples, and logical counterarguments.
  • Collaborate in Inclusive Discourse (Bloom: Apply | Fink: Human Dimension): Participate in constructive, peer-led critical dialogues that challenge assumptions and refine collective reasoning.
  • Advocate with Accessible Prose (Bloom: Apply/Create | Fink: Caring & Application): Translate complex socio-philosophical concepts into persuasive, clear communication designed for broader public discourse.

Philosophy 210: Comparative Religion

Comparing the philosophical underpinnings of world religions highlights shared human inquiries into value, reality, and human nature. In Green River's PHIL 210 course, students develop a research project that analyzes key concepts across major global traditions, using formal philosophical methodology to evaluate theological arguments within their historical contexts.

By enrolling in PHIL 210, students will develop the following transferable skills:

  • Synthesize Cross-Cultural Systems (Bloom: Create | Fink: Integration): Compare and contrast core philosophical concepts across global religious traditions to identify underlying thematic connections.
  • Contextualize Historical Texts (Bloom: Understand/Analyze | Fink: Foundational Knowledge & Integration): Interpret literary and sacred texts by accurately mapping them to their social, historical, and intellectual backgrounds.
  • Critique Internal Validity (Bloom: Evaluate | Fink: Application): Assess the internal logic and soundness of diverse worldviews without relying on ethnocentric biases.
  • Strengthen Ideas Through Review (Bloom: Evaluate | Fink: Learning How to Learn): Critique peer arguments collaboratively to help refine comparative methodology and writing precision.
  • Navigate Cultural Pluralism (Bloom: Apply | Fink: Human Dimension & Caring): Communicate cross-cultural analysis with cultural awareness, respect, and academic clarity.

Philosophy 216: Women & World Religions

Exploring feminine perspectives and roles within sacred texts provides critical insight into the historical and modern dynamics of faith traditions. In Green River's PHIL 216 course, students research specific gendered themes or historical narratives across classical and indigenous traditions, building a scaffolded defense of an original thesis through rigorous text-based evaluation.

By enrolling in PHIL 216, students will develop the following transferable skills:

  • Critique Sacred Narratives (Bloom: Analyze | Fink: Integration): Analyze primary sacred texts and oral traditions to evaluate how gender roles and divine imagery are constructed.
  • Differentiate Institutional vs. Personal Practice (Bloom: Analyze/Evaluate | Fink: Foundational Knowledge & Human Dimension): Distinguish between formal religious institutional structures and lived, personal spiritual expressions.
  • Construct Text-Based Claims (Bloom: Create | Fink: Application): Develop well-supported research theses that address complex intersectional social and theological questions.
  • Iterate Research Writing (Bloom: Evaluate/Create | Fink: Learning How to Learn): Utilize multi-stage peer feedback to revise, strengthen, and polish analytical writing.
  • Foster Respectful Cultural Dialogue (Bloom: Apply | Fink: Human Dimension & Caring): Discuss sensitive topics surrounding faith, gender, and culture with scholarly rigor and tact.

Philosophy 220: Eastern Philosophy

Engaging with South and East Asian philosophical systems expands our conceptual approaches to ethics, reality, and knowledge. In Green River's PHIL 220 course, students construct a formal philosophical argument centered on East Asian traditions (such as Buddhism, Daoism, or Confucianism) and apply these historical frameworks to address contemporary issues.

By enrolling in PHIL 220, students will develop the following transferable skills:

  • Deconstruct Non-Western Texts (Bloom: Analyze | Fink: Foundational Knowledge & Integration): Interpret key concepts from Asian philosophical systems and place them accurately within their historical-cultural contexts.
  • Apply Historical Frameworks to Modern Problems (Bloom: Apply | Fink: Application & Integration): Adapt ancient Eastern methodologies to propose solutions for contemporary ethical, social, or environmental issues.
  • Construct Cross-Methodological Arguments (Bloom: Create | Fink: Application): Build structured, logical arguments that bridge distinct cultural and philosophical paradigms
  • Evaluate Argument Integrity (Bloom: Evaluate | Fink: Application): Identify false analogies, logical gaps, and premise vulnerabilities in self-directed and peer research.
  • Communicate Across Paradigms (Bloom: Apply | Fink: Human Dimension & Learning How to Learn): Translate distinct philosophical worldviews into clear, compelling arguments for non-specialist readers.

Philosophy 243: Environmental Ethics

Examining human obligations to the natural world is essential for addressing modern ecological and sustainability challenges. In Green River's PHIL 243 course, students construct a scaffolded argument defending an environmental ethic (addressing topics such as climate justice, animal rights, or resource consumption) and defend their thesis against competing moral theories.

By enrolling in PHIL 243, students will develop the following transferable skills:

  • Evaluate Environmental Theories (Bloom: Evaluate | Fink: Integration): Compare and critique competing moral theories regarding human responsibilities to non-human animals and ecosystems.
  • Construct Policy Ethics Proposals (Bloom: Create | Fink: Application): Formulate a well-reasoned environmental ethic addressing real-world crises like climate change and sustainability.
  • Analyze Opposing Stakeholder Claims (Bloom: Analyze | Fink: Human Dimension): Deconstruct the values and logical arguments of opposing stakeholders to anticipate objections effectively.
  • Refine Research Scaffolded Drafts (Bloom: Create/Evaluate | Fink: Learning How to Learn): Systematically incorporate peer evaluation and self-critique to refine argument structure across multiple iterations.
  • Advocate for Ecological Values (Bloom: Apply | Fink: Caring & Human Dimension): Communicate ethical positions persuasively to audiences holding divergent perspectives on environmental stewardship.