Philosophy Spring 2026 Course Offerings
SO courses are online courses that meet Synchronously Online.
AO courses are online courses that meet Asynchronously Online.
BL is a class with reduced in-seat time due to a strong online component.
If nothing is listed, then this is an in-seat course.
There could be some adjustments in delivery mode options, like an additional SO section associated with an in-seat class. These changes will be found at classes.isu.edu.
PHIL 1101 (Objective 4A): Introduction to Philosophy
Multiple sections offered, see MyISU class schedule.
An introduction to major thinkers and major problems in philosophy. Topics may include the existence of God, the nature of knowledge, and the meaning of life.
For more information about this course, watch this video.
PHIL 1103 (Objective 4A): Introduction to Ethics
Multiple sections offered, see MyISU class schedule.
How should we live? This is the fundamental question of ethics, and it is in this sense that ethics, as a branch of philosophy, is practical rather than theoretical: it is concerned not primarily with what to believe or with what exists but with what to do, how to act. This course will introduce you to some of the most important questions that arise in ethics: What would constitute a good human life? What is the highest good? What is the foundation of morality? Can moral claims be objectively true or false? What could make them true or false? What is the content of morality? What (kinds of) actions are morally right or wrong, and why? Why should I be moral? What is the relationship between morality and self-interest? Is it always in my interest to behave morally? If so, how?
For more information about this course, watch this video.
PHIL 2201 (Objective 7): Introduction to Logic
01: MWF 10-10:50 with Mike Roche (CRN: 24727)
This course is an introduction to deductive logic. After a brief introduction to certain basic logical concepts, we will turn our attention to three systems of logic: propositional logic; basic predicate logic; and advanced predicate logic. Each system will allow us to precisely represent the logical structure that underlies certain of our own statements in natural language. We will first learn to translate English statements into each system. Once appropriately translated, we will then learn to test both individual statements and sets of statements for various interesting logical properties. The most important property for us will be validity. In addition to deductive logic, we will also study numerous informal fallacies.
PHIL 2210 (Objective 9): Introduction to Asian Philosophies
01: TR 11-12:15 with Evan Rodriguez (CRN: 21518)
02: TR 11-12:15 SO with Evan Rodriguez (CRN: 24310)
A study of Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, and Daoist approaches to topics such as
immortality, time, knowledge, reality, mystical experience, and the question of duty.
PHIL 2230: Medical Ethics
01: MW 10-10:50 BL with Jim Skidmore (CRN: 20677)
02: MW 10-10:50 SO with Jim Skidmore (CRN: 20678)
03: AO with Nobel Ang (CRN: 20679)
04: AO with Nobel Ang (CRN: 23758)
05: AO with Caroline von Klemperer (CRN: 23759)
The practice of medicine raises ethical issues unlike those encountered in other spheres of life. The purpose of this course is to explore a number of these issues, drawing out the ethical considerations involved and examining how ethical decisions are made. The course will begin with a brief overview of ethical theories and their application. The issues to be examined include refusing life-sustaining treatment, medical futility, making medical decisions for others, assisted suicide, managed care, abortion, etc.
For more information about this course as taught by Professor Ang, watch this video.
PHIL 3353: Philosophy of Law
01: MW 11-12:15 with Jim Skidmore (CRN: 24728)
02: MW 11-12:15 SO with Jim Skidmore (CRN: 24734)
What exactly is a law? What distinguishes laws from mere rules or commands? How should we interpret general constitutional phrases such as “cruel and unusual punishment” or “equal protection of the laws?” When is it permissible—or obligatory—for a citizen to break the law? Is there a constitutional right to privacy?
PHIL 3399: Feminist Philosophies
01: MW 1-2:15 with Caroline von Klemperer (CRN: 24729)
This course will explore some influential topics in Feminist Philosophies. Feminist Philosophy encompasses a broad range of inquiries, including but not limited to issues in ethics, social and political philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology, bioethics, philosophy of science, and philosophy of language. We will take up questions like: What are different strains of feminist ethics? What is gender? How does gender shape our concepts, practices, and institutions? How might gender confer special access to epistemic goods? How does gender bear on our capacity to communicate and be heard? Throughout, we will discuss the relationships between gender and power, and analyze how other dimensions of identity—such as race, sexual orientation, physical and mental capacity—further complicate this relationship. The aim is for students to develop the analytical tools to arrive at their own understanding of, questions about, and assessments of issues in Feminist Philosophies.
PHIL 4460/5560: Theory of Knowledge
01: TR 1-2:15 with Evan Rodriguez (CRN: 24730/24735)
02: TR 1-2:15 SO with Evan Rodriguez (CRN: 24736/24737)
What do we really know? How do we know it? Why care about the truth? In this course, we address such questions through a survey of philosophical accounts of knowledge and its role in our lives. We begin with ancient Greek and Indian philosophers, then look to contemporary reactions to and developments of these ancient perspectives. Along the way, we address specific problems of defining knowledge, understanding its structure, and seeing the ethical implications of the knowledge we have access to. We then take a step back and reflect on the very methodology we have been using to better equip ourselves for effectively seeking answers.
PHIL 4490: American Political Theory
01: TR 9:30-10:45 with Jim Skidmore (CRN: 24731)
02: TR 9:30-10:45 SO with Jim Skidmore (CRN: 24738)
This course will examine some of the most important recent work in American political philosophy, focusing especially on John Rawls’ theory of justice and critics of Rawls from perspectives such as feminism, conservatism, critical race theory, libertarianism, and communitarianism.