PHIL 330 - Epistemology: Knowing and Not Knowing

Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-3; Social Justice
An exploration of such issues as evidence, knowledge, skepticism, relativism, truth, and the nature of understanding.

Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-UD-3 - Upper Division Arts or Humanities, Overlay - Social Justice
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Areas 1A, 1B, 1C and GE-2 with grade C- (CR) or better (GE Areas A1, A2, A3 and B4 for students on the 2024-25 or earlier catalogs).
Strongly Recommended Preparation: Upper division status (greater than 60 earned semester units) and completion of lower division Area 3 requirements (lower division Area C requirements for students on the 2024-25 or earlier catalogs).
Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground, or Hybrid, or Online-Asynchronous, or Online-Synchronous.
Grading: A-F or CR/NC (student choice).
Course Typically Offered: Fall ONLY

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

read complex texts, create original arguments, analyze the arguments of others, and express these criticisms orally and in writing
demonstrate knowledge of the study of epistemology, including relevant concepts, theories, methods, and historical contexts
write clear, academically rigorous, argumentative essays.
understand how standards of knowledge and belief drive social dynamics.

GE-UD-3. Upper-division Arts or Humanities Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply principles, methodologies, values systems, and thought processes employed in the arts and humanities.
Analyze cultural production as an expression of, or reflection upon, what it means to be human.
Demonstrate how the perspectives of the arts or humanities are used by informed, engaged, and reflective citizens to benefit local and global communities.

Social Justice Overlay Learning Outcomes
1. Use a disciplinary perspective to analyze issues of social justice and equity.
2. Describe the challenges to achieving social justice.
3. Identify ways which individuals and/or groups can contribute to social justice within local communities, nations, and/or the world.