Humanities and Philosophy Courses with Carlos Briones

Humanities 122: Contemporary Culture and the Arts

The course explores the culture and art of Latin America of the last 50 years.  After covering some historical background we explore some of the most significant examples of Latin American painting, literature, film, music and sports.  We also briefly review the cultural contributions of Latinos in the USA.  

Throughout this study we use different concepts from cultural theory which help us understand:  a) the way cultures develop and influence each other and b) the way Latin Americans have searched for better socio economic conditions, liberation and a sense of identity.  Although the course concentrates on Latin America, the course uses concepts that can be used to study other cultures.

Philosophy 106: Ethics

The course explores what it means to live an ethical life. It considers two different approaches: one asks what constitutes a good life to live; the other, what constitutes the right thing to do.  We consider the answers that Aristotle, Kant, John Stuart Mill and Daoism have offered.  We also explore the different conceptions of the self that go with these different answers. 

In the second part of the course we reflect on some more specific examples of what constitutes the good life -- such as being virtuous, and having friendship and love – and examples of right actions in specific areas -- such as helping the poor, respecting the environment and being fair to others.   We investigate why these things and actions are part of the ethical life and the best way to achieve them.    

For more information contact Carlos Briones

Click here to read more about Carlos Briones

If you have questions about the Department web pages, please contact Hollace Graff
Please direct questions or comments about the web site to the Ananda Spike