Philosophy
10 courses · Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
PHIL-01 Introduction to Philosophy
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHIL 100
This course introduces philosophical ideas and methods concerning self-identity, knowledge, reality and values. These topics will be discussed through reading primary philosophical texts taken from the traditional and modern Western philosophical canon, as well as from non-canonical sources. (04/20)
PHIL-01H Honors Introduction to Philosophy
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHIL 100
This course introduces philosophical ideas and methods concerning self-identity, knowledge, reality and values. These topics will be discussed through reading primary philosophical texts taken from the traditional and modern Western philosophical canon, as well as from non-canonical sources. There will be an emphasis on philosophical research and writing. Students taking this class must be enrolled in the Honors Program. See the college catalog for a description of enrollment requirements. (04/19)
PHIL-02 Social and Political Philosophy
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course examines philosophical issues concerning the nature of society and justifications for the authority of government. Concepts to be discussed include liberty, equality, justice, the common good, and the legitimate use of state power. (04/20)
PHIL-03 Ancient Philosophy
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHIL 130
This course presents an introduction to the history of philosophy from the ancient world through the Middle Ages, with emphasis on the development of Greek philosophy from the Pre-Socratics through Aristotle. (04/20)
PHIL-04 Modern Philosophy
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHIL 140
This course presents an introduction to the history of philosophy from the Renaissance to the present, with emphasis on Descartes through Kant. (04/20)
PHIL-05 Contemporary Ethical Issues
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHIL 120
This course examines the concept of morality and values, representative ethical theories, and their application to contemporary ethical issues such as capital punishment, abortion, war, animal rights and economic justice. (04/20)
PHIL-06 Introduction to Feminist Philosophy
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to Feminist Philosophy introduces students to how gender shapes human experience, knowledge, and society through a social and behavioral science lens. Students will explore how gender, power, and identity influence individual behavior and shape social institutions. Topics include feminist theories like intersectionality and social constructivism, as well as feminist approaches to identity, knowledge, language, and ethics. The course also examines the philosophical foundations of key feminist movements. Emphasis is placed on theoretical frameworks, research methods, and diverse perspectives, with a focus on understanding the social dynamics that influence behavior across historical and cultural contexts. (12/25)
PHIL-10 Critical Thinking
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This is a practical course in sound and logical reasoning. The focus of this course is to develop the abilities to analyze, to criticize, and to reach reasoned conclusions. This includes the ability to recognize and avoid common fallacies in reasoning, and to construct cogent arguments and essays. (04/20)
PHIL-12 Introduction to Logic
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- PHIL 110
This course explores symbolic logic, focusing on translating natural language arguments into formal symbolic form and evaluating their validity. Topics include deductive reasoning, truth tables, formal proofs, quantifiers, and rules of inference. Alongside formal exercises, students will write essays analyzing arguments, explaining logical methods, and reflecting on broader applications, with an emphasis on clarity, structure, and revision. (11/25)
PHIL-15 Comparative Religions
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL-C1000 (Formerly ENGL-01A)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course surveys the historical background and fundamental philosophical concepts of the major religions of the world, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and some typical basic religions. (02/20)