Philosophy Seminar Courses - Spring 2025

Looking for an interesting seminar to take this semester? 

PHIL 426/526.001 Indian Philosophies of the Self

PHIL 441.001 Philosophy of Education

PHIL 442/542.001 Later Wittgenstein and his Interpreters

PHIL 457/557.001 Friends of the Forms: Reading Plato's Phaedo in light of his Sophist

PHIL 458/558.001 Ethics of Climate Crisis

PHIL 480/580.001 Philosophy and Literature

PHIL 486/586.001 Derrida

Spring 2025

In this course, students will be introduced to some of the key questions of philosophy through the study of classical and contemporary thinkers. Some of the questions students might consider are: Do we have free will? What is knowledge? What is the mind? What are our moral obligations to others? Students will engage with and learn to critically assess various philosophical approaches to such questions. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 5: Humanities.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
CANCELLED
001
51262Lecture Staff 35
00251263

MWF 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Dane Smith Hall 334

Lecture
Sanghyeon Kim - skim1@unm.edu319
00551266

TR 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Mitchell Hall 220

Lecture
William H Barnes - whb100@unm.edu327
00651267

TR 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM

Lecture
Klara M Hedling - khedling@unm.edu315
00779805

TR 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM

Web Enhanced - Lecture
Jack Swick - jswick1@unm.edu324
00879808

MWF 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM

Lecture
Michael R Candelaria - mcandel@unm.edu343

The purpose of this course is to teach students how to analyze, critique, and construct arguments. The course includes an introductory survey of important logical concepts and tools needed for argument analysis. These concepts and tools will be use to examine select philosophical and scholarly texts. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 1: Communication.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00151304

MWF 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Dane Smith Hall 227

Lecture
Daniel C Smith - dsmith31@unm.edu314
00251306

MWF 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Dane Smith Hall 325

Lecture
Abigail Harrison - aharrison9@unm.edu3 Section Full
Waitlist: 23
00452659

MWF 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Bandelier Hall East 105

Lecture
Addison E Hinton - ahinton1@unm.edu35
00579810

TR 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM

Web Enhanced - Lecture
Jason Barton - jdb14@unm.edu3 Section Full
Waitlist: 23
00651310

TR 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Mitchell Hall 220

Lecture
Arlo J OBlaney - aoblaney@unm.edu31
00752661

TR 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Dane Smith Hall 227

Lecture
Rui Teng Phoebe Mak - pmruiteng@unm.edu330

This course is an introductory survey of early modern Western philosophy. Through an in-depth reading of primary source material, this course will examine the traditions of Rationalism and Empiricism that emerged during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Concepts to be discussed might include theories of knowledge and metaphysics, early modern scientific thought, and theories of the self. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 5: Humanities.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00251318

MWF 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM

Lecture
Michael R Candelaria - mcandel@unm.edu319

This course is an introductory survey of early and classical Greek philosophy. The course will include discussion of such philosophers as the Pre-Socratics, the Sophists, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Topics to be discussed may include the beginnings of scientific thought, theories of the self, the concept of being, virtue ethics, happiness, and theories of justice.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00379813

TR 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM

Lecture
Sara L Ben Asher - sbenasher@unm.edu317

Upanishads, Bhagavad-gita, Jainism, Buddhism, the six Hindu systems and recent developments.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00181113

TR 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Lecture
Kedar Patwary - kpatwary@unm.edu327

An investigation of some important philosophic debates.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
T: Indian Philosophy
CANCELLED
001
56968Web Enhanced - Topics Staff 311

Problems and theories of metaphysics. Topics may include: investigation into the structure of things and their properties, identity and individuation, causation, necessity and possibility, universals, mind and body, space and time, God, truth and naturalism. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00179814

TR 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM

Lecture
Brent A Kalar - kalar@unm.edu311

Inquiry concerning goodness, rightness, obligation, justice and freedom. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00138489

MWF 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Mitchell Hall 122

Web Enhanced - Lecture
Jason Barton - jdb14@unm.edu316

Background of the intellectual issues facing Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions today. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy or Religious Studies.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00179815

TR 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Lecture
Brent A Kalar - kalar@unm.edu333

Close reading of contemporary writings by naturalists, lawyers, theologians and philosophers on the philosophical aspects of environmental problems.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00179828

TR 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM

Lecture
Lisa A Gerber - lgerber@unm.edu323

Philosophic analysis of some major concepts and problems in religion. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy or Religious Studies.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00179827

W 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Lecture
Joachim L Oberst - joberst@unm.edu322

From Plato to Hobbes. Prerequisite: 1115 or 2220 or 2225.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00179830

MWF 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM

Web Enhanced - Lecture
William H Barnes - whb100@unm.edu321

Course emphasizes investigation, evaluation, and discussion of areas of specialized knowledge or inquiry relevant to the profession or field of study. Figure varies. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
Sem: Indian Phil of the Self
00179840

M 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Seminar
John A Taber - jataber@unm.edu312

A course exploring a topic not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester. Topic varies. Prerequisite: one Philosophy course 200-level or above.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
Philosophy of Education
00179832

TR 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM

Web Enhanced - Topics
Carolyn A Thomas - cthom@unm.edu316

Course emphasizes investigation, evaluation, and discussion of areas of specialized knowledge or inquiry relevant to the profession or field of study. Figure varies. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
Sem: Later Wittgenstein
00155815

T 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Seminar
Paul M Livingston - pmliving@unm.edu312

A close and critical examination of issues in the history of philosophy. Emphasis may be placed on a particular philosophical figure or on the development of a particular trend in the history of philosophy. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours Philosophy course work.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
Sem: Friend of the Forms Plato
00179845

R 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Seminar
Sara L Ben Asher - sbenasher@unm.edu314

A study of advanced topics in ethics. Possible topics include: priactical reason; the connection between ethics and agency; metaehtics; the nature of normativity. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours Philosophy course work.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
Sem: Ethics of Climate Crisis
00179842

W 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Seminar
Emily McRae - emcrae@unm.edu36

This seminar offers graduate and advanced undergraduate students an in-depth engagement with a specific philosopher or philosophical orientation situated in the context of twentieth-century Europe. It focuses on French and/or German philosophies in particular. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours Philosophy course work.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
Sem: Merleau-Ponty
00179850

M 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Seminar
Ann V Murphy - avmurphy@unm.edu3 Section Full

Selected philosophical movements and their relationships to literary masterpieces. Prerequisite: one course in Philosophy.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00136479

TR 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Lecture
Iain D Thomson - ithomson@unm.edu37

A close reading of a leading figure in contemporary continental philosophy, typically focusing on that thinker's most influential work, such as Sartre's Being and Nothingness, Levinas's Totality and Infinity, Gadamer's Truth and Method, etc. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours Philosophy course work.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
Sem: Derrida
00179853

W 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Seminar
Iain D Thomson - ithomson@unm.edu37

For departmental honors in philosophy. {Offered upon demand}

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00130017SeminarPierre-Julien Harter - pjharter@unm.edu325
00230018SeminarAnn V Murphy - avmurphy@unm.edu325
00430020SeminarKelly M Becker - kbecker@unm.edu325
00730043SeminarIain D Thomson - ithomson@unm.edu325
00830044SeminarBrent A Kalar - kalar@unm.edu325
01030141SeminarJohn A Taber - jataber@unm.edu325
01130142SeminarMary A Domski - mdomski@unm.edu325
01230143SeminarEmily McRae - emcrae@unm.edu325
01334259SeminarAdrian O Johnston - aojohns@unm.edu325
01435109SeminarPaul M Livingston - pmliving@unm.edu325

A faculty-supervised course culminating in a comprehensive paper or research proposal that integrates knowledge attained through coursework, research, and experience.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00130144LecturePierre-Julien Harter - pjharter@unm.edu1 TO 325
00230147LectureMary A Domski - mdomski@unm.edu1 TO 325
00530156LectureKelly M Becker - kbecker@unm.edu1 TO 325
00636294


Lecture
Paul M Livingston - pmliving@unm.edu1 TO 325
01130149LectureAnn V Murphy - avmurphy@unm.edu1 TO 324
01230150LectureIain D Thomson - ithomson@unm.edu1 TO 325
01330151LectureBrent A Kalar - kalar@unm.edu1 TO 325
01530153LectureJohn A Taber - jataber@unm.edu1 TO 325
01730154


Lecture
Emily McRae - emcrae@unm.edu1 TO 325
01830155LectureLisa A Gerber - lgerber@unm.edu1 TO 325
01934260LectureAdrian O Johnston - aojohns@unm.edu1 TO 325

For departmental honors. {Offered upon demand}

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00130157


Independent Study
Pierre-Julien Harter - pjharter@unm.edu325
00230158


Independent Study
Ann V Murphy - avmurphy@unm.edu325
00530162


Independent Study
Kelly M Becker - kbecker@unm.edu325
00630178


Independent Study
Mary A Domski - mdomski@unm.edu325
01230180


Independent Study
Iain D Thomson - ithomson@unm.edu325
01330181


Independent Study
Brent A Kalar - kalar@unm.edu325
01530183


Independent Study
John A Taber - jataber@unm.edu325
01730184


Independent Study
Emily McRae - emcrae@unm.edu325
01834261


Independent Study
Adrian O Johnston - aojohns@unm.edu325
01935111


Independent Study
Paul M Livingston - pmliving@unm.edu324

Course emphasizes investigation, evaluation, and discussion of areas of specialized knowledge or inquiry relevant to the profession or field of study.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
Sem: Indian Phil of the Self
00179841

M 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Seminar
John A Taber - jataber@unm.edu35

Course emphasizes investigation, evaluation, and discussion of areas of specialized knowledge or inquiry relevant to the profession or field of study.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
Sem: Later Wittgenstein
00179837

T 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Seminar
Paul M Livingston - pmliving@unm.edu35

Individual research into an area proposed by the student and conducted under the direction of a faculty member.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00131339Independent StudyPierre-Julien Harter - pjharter@unm.edu1 TO 325
00231340Independent StudyMary A Domski - mdomski@unm.edu1 TO 325
CANCELLED
003
80705Independent Study Staff 3 Section Full
00481128


Independent Study
Carolyn A Thomas - cthom@unm.edu1 TO 323
00531345Independent StudyKelly M Becker - kbecker@unm.edu1 TO 325
01131346Independent StudyAnn V Murphy - avmurphy@unm.edu1 TO 325
01231347Independent StudyIain D Thomson - ithomson@unm.edu1 TO 325
01331353Independent StudyBrent A Kalar - kalar@unm.edu1 TO 325
01531355Independent StudyJohn A Taber - jataber@unm.edu1 TO 325
01634262Independent StudyAdrian O Johnston - aojohns@unm.edu1 TO 325
01831357


Independent Study
Emily McRae - emcrae@unm.edu1 TO 325
01931358Independent StudyLisa A Gerber - lgerber@unm.edu1 TO 325
02035112Independent StudyPaul M Livingston - pmliving@unm.edu1 TO 325

A close and critical examination of issues in the history of philosophy. Emphasis may be placed on a particular philosophical figure or on the development of a particular trend in the history of philosophy. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours Philosophy course work.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
Sem: Friend of the Forms Plato
00179846

R 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Seminar
Sara L Ben Asher - sbenasher@unm.edu39

A study of advanced topics in ehtics. Possible topics include: practical reason; the conncection between ethics and agency; metaethics; the nature of mormativity. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours Philosophy course work.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
Sem: Ethics in Climate Crisis
00179848

W 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Seminar
Emily McRae - emcrae@unm.edu36

An in-depth examination of the genesis of modern aesthetics in the 18th and early 19th centuries, with a special focus on the aesthetic theory of Immanuel Kant. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours Philosophy course work.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
Sem: Thinking Cinema
00181105

R 4:00 PM - 6:45 PM

Seminar
Rajeshwari S Vallury - rvallury@unm.edu32

This seminar offers graduate and advanced undergraduate students an in-depth engagement with a specific philosopher or philosophical orientation situated in the context of twentieth-century Europe. It focuses on French and/or German philosophies in particular. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours Philosophy course work.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
Sem: Merleau-Ponty
00162197

M 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Seminar
Ann V Murphy - avmurphy@unm.edu3 Section Full

Selected philosophical movements and their relationships to literary masterpieces.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00179851

TR 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Lecture
Iain D Thomson - ithomson@unm.edu38

A close reading of a leading figure in contemporary continental philosophy, typically focusing on that thinker's most influential work, such as Sartre's Being and Nothingness, Levinas's Totality and Infinity, Gadamer's Truth and Method, etc. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours Philosophy course work.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
Sem: Derrida
00179854

W 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Seminar
Iain D Thomson - ithomson@unm.edu38

Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a master’s thesis. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00131380ThesisMary A Domski - mdomski@unm.edu1 TO 625
00531387ThesisKelly M Becker - kbecker@unm.edu1 TO 625
00931391ThesisAnn V Murphy - avmurphy@unm.edu1 TO 625
01131394ThesisPierre-Julien Harter - pjharter@unm.edu1 TO 625
01231395ThesisIain D Thomson - ithomson@unm.edu1 TO 625
01331399ThesisBrent A Kalar - kalar@unm.edu1 TO 625
01531406ThesisJohn A Taber - jataber@unm.edu1 TO 625
01634263ThesisAdrian O Johnston - aojohns@unm.edu1 TO 625
01731408ThesisEmily McRae - emcrae@unm.edu1 TO 625
01835113ThesisPaul M Livingston - pmliving@unm.edu1 TO 625

Individual research into an area proposed by the student and conducted under the direction of a faculty member. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00131410Independent StudyPierre-Julien Harter - pjharter@unm.edu1 TO 325
00231413Independent StudyMary A Domski - mdomski@unm.edu1 TO 325
00381129


Independent Study
Carolyn A Thomas - cthom@unm.edu1 TO 325
00531418Independent StudyKelly M Becker - kbecker@unm.edu1 TO 325
01131424Independent StudyAnn V Murphy - avmurphy@unm.edu1 TO 323
01231425Independent StudyIain D Thomson - ithomson@unm.edu1 TO 325
01331426Independent StudyBrent A Kalar - kalar@unm.edu1 TO 325
01531429Independent StudyJohn A Taber - jataber@unm.edu1 TO 325
01634264Independent StudyAdrian O Johnston - aojohns@unm.edu1 TO 325
01731430Independent StudyEmily McRae - emcrae@unm.edu1 TO 325
01835114Independent StudyPaul M Livingston - pmliving@unm.edu1 TO 325

Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a doctoral dissertation. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00131439DissertationPierre-Julien Harter - pjharter@unm.edu3 TO 1225
00261128


Dissertation
John A Taber - jataber@unm.edu3 TO 1225
00531443DissertationKelly M Becker - kbecker@unm.edu3 TO 1225
01131446DissertationAnn V Murphy - avmurphy@unm.edu3 TO 1225
01231447DissertationIain D Thomson - ithomson@unm.edu3 TO 1225
01331448DissertationBrent A Kalar - kalar@unm.edu3 TO 1225
01531452DissertationMary A Domski - mdomski@unm.edu3 TO 1225
01634265DissertationAdrian O Johnston - aojohns@unm.edu3 TO 1225
01731453DissertationEmily McRae - emcrae@unm.edu3 TO 1225
01835115DissertationPaul M Livingston - pmliving@unm.edu3 TO 1225

Spring 2025-Online

In this course, students will be introduced to some of the key questions of philosophy through the study of classical and contemporary thinkers. Some of the questions students might consider are: Do we have free will? What is knowledge? What is the mind? What are our moral obligations to others? Students will engage with and learn to critically assess various philosophical approaches to such questions. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 5: Humanities.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00351264

Online MAX UNM CANVAS

Online - Lecture
Capucine Mercier - cmercier@unm.edu3 Section Full
Waitlist: 25
00455697

Online MAX UNM CANVAS

Online - Lecture
Carolyn A Thomas - cthom@unm.edu3 Section Full
Waitlist: 20
00980787

Online MAX UNM CANVAS

Accelerated Online Programs - Lecture
Carolyn A Thomas - cthom@unm.edu37

The purpose of this course is to teach students how to analyze, critique, and construct arguments. The course includes an introductory survey of important logical concepts and tools needed for argument analysis. These concepts and tools will be use to examine select philosophical and scholarly texts. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 1: Communication.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00951309

Online MAX UNM CANVAS

Online - Lecture
Brian S Gatsch - bgatsch@unm.edu3 Section Full
Waitlist: 16
01055696

Online MAX UNM CANVAS

Online - Lecture
Lisa A Gerber - lgerber@unm.edu3 Section Full
Waitlist: 11
01158465

Online MAX UNM CANVAS

Accelerated Online Programs - Lecture
Lisa A Gerber - lgerber@unm.edu36

This course focuses on some of the ethical issues that arise in the context of professional life. Beginning with an overview of several major ethical theories, the course will consider how these theories, which traditionally concern personal morality, apply to life in a professional setting. The course will focus on issues that might include lying and truth-telling, whistleblowing, confidentiality, the obligations of businesses toward the public, and the ethical concerns of privacy in journalism. Using a combination of readings, case studies, and discussion, students will explore these issues by critically evaluating ethical principles and also applying them to real-world settings.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00161925

Online MAX UNM CANVAS

Online - Lecture
Brian S Gatsch - bgatsch@unm.edu327

This course is an introductory survey of early modern Western philosophy. Through an in-depth reading of primary source material, this course will examine the traditions of Rationalism and Empiricism that emerged during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Concepts to be discussed might include theories of knowledge and metaphysics, early modern scientific thought, and theories of the self. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 5: Humanities.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00362005

Online MAX UNM CANVAS

Online - Lecture
Jason Barton - jdb14@unm.edu3 Section Full
Waitlist: 11

This course is a survey of the main epistemological, ontological and conceptual issues that arise from or concern the methodology and content of the empirical sciences.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00180788

Online MAX UNM CANVAS

Online - Lecture
Brian S Gatsch - bgatsch@unm.edu31

An examination of the nature and possibility of knowledge. Topics include skepticism, the analysis of knowledge, and the nature and structure of epistemic justification. Prerequisite: 2210.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
00158360

Online MAX UNM CANVAS

Online - Lecture
Kelly M Becker - kbecker@unm.edu320

(Also offered as MATH **356) This is a first course in logical theory. Its primary goal is to study the notion of logical entailment and related concepts, such as consistency and contingency. Formal systems are developed to analyze these notions rigorously.

Sections
#CRNTime/LocationInstructorCreditsSeats Available
CANCELLED
003
57698Online - Lecture Staff 330
00481073

Online MAX UNM CANVAS

Online - Lecture
Kelly M Becker - kbecker@unm.edu415