Rembrandt's Philosopher in Meditation (1632)


Humanities / Philosophy

& Honors Studies







. . . . Picture of Dr & Mrs Skubik in Cappadocia, May 2007 . . . .

Documents & Readings


Syllabus for Honors Seminar VIII - Capstone (HON 450) (Main Campus, Spring 2012)

We will use InsideCBU this term for any online activity [not Blackboard/Bb]. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) is posted in the "downloadable version" portion of that site.

Studies in the Holocaust: Perpetrators & Victims, Rescuers & Bystanders (HON 350) (Main Campus, Spring 2012)

We will use InsideCBU this term for any online activity [not Blackboard/Bb]. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) is posted in the "downloadable version" portion of that site.

Syllabus for The Holocaust: Historiographic, Philosophic & Religious Perspectives (HIS 435) (Main Campus, Spring 2012)

We will use InsideCBU this term for any online activity [not Blackboard/Bb]. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) is posted in the "downloadable version" portion of that site.


Syllabus for Cross & Crescent (HIS 430) (Main Campus, Fall 2011)

We will use InsideCBU this term for any online activity [not Blackboard/Bb]. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) is posted in the "downloadable version" portion of that site, along with several handouts as additional required readings.

Syllabus for Law & Literature (POL 330) (Main Campus, Fall 2011)

We will use InsideCBU this term for any online activity [not Blackboard/Bb]. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) is posted in the "downloadable version" portion of that site, along with several handouts as additional required readings.


Syllabus for Ethics After the Holocaust (HIS 402) (Main Campus, Spring 2011)

We will use InsideCBU this term for any online activity [not Blackboard/Bb]. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) is posted in the "downloadable version" portion of that site, along with several handouts as additional required readings.

Syllabus for Honors Seminar VIII - Capstone (HON 450) (Main Campus, Spring 2011)

We will use InsideCBU this term for any online activity [not Blackboard/Bb]. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) is posted in the "downloadable version" portion of that site.


Syllabus for Political Economy of Liberty (HON 400) (Main Campus, Fall 2010)

We will use Blackboard 6 this term for all online activity [not Bb 9]. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) and official CBU syllabus attachment (PDF format) are also posted in the Syllabus section in Bb.

Syllabus for History of Chocolate: Bitter & Sweet (HIS 402 B) (Main Campus, Fall 2010)

We will use Blackboard 6 this term for all online activity [not Bb 9]. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) and official CBU syllabus attachment (PDF format) are also posted in the Syllabus section in Bb.

Syllabus for The Cross and the Crescent (HIS 430) (Main Campus, Fall 2010)

We will use Blackboard 6 this term for all online activity [not Bb 9]. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) and official CBU syllabus attachment (PDF format) are also posted in the Syllabus section in Bb.


Syllabus for The Holocaust (HIS 435) (Main Campus, Spring 2010)

We will use Blackboard this term for all online activity. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) and official CBU syllabus attachment (PDF format) are also posted in the Syllabus section in Bb.

Syllabus for Honors Seminar VIII - Capstone (HON 450) (Main Campus, Spring 2010)

We will use Blackboard this term for all online activity. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) and official CBU syllabus attachment (PDF format) are also posted in the Syllabus section in Bb.



Studies in the Holocaust: Perpetrators & Victims, Rescuers & Bystanders (HON 300/400) (Main Campus, Fall 2009)

We will use Blackboard this term for all online activity. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) and official CBU syllabus attachment (PDF format) are also posted in the Syllabus section in Bb.

Syllabus for Law & Literature (ENG 549) (Main Campus, May-Jul Graduate program, 2009)

Click here for the Readings List to primary sources beyond our main texts..
We will use Blackboard (Bb) this term for any online activity. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format), and additional readings (like Kafka's Before the Law), are posted in their respective Syllabus and Course Documents sections in Bb.



Syllabus for Honors Seminar VIII - Honors Capstone Course (HON 450) (Main Campus, Spring 2009)


Syllabus for Honors Seminar II - Men at War (HON 150) (Main Campus, Spring 2009)

We will use Blackboard this term for any online activity. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format), and some additional suggested readings, are posted in the Course Documents section in Bb. There are also links to websites of interest in the External Links section in Bb.



Syllabus for Historical & Aesthetical Investigations of Chocolate (HIS 402A/AE) (Main Campus, Fall 2008)

This course meets on Wed evenings during Nov/Dec, and is open to traditional undergraduate and DCP students, alike. We will use Blackboard this term for all online activity. A copy of the syllabus is also posted in the Course Documents section in Bb.



Syllabus for The Holocaust: A Christian View (HIS 402A) (Main Campus, Spring 2008)

Click here for a list of suggested projects for group and individual research.
We will use Blackboard this term for all online activity. A copy of the syllabus and suggested projects (MS Word format) are also posted in the Course Documents section in Bb.

Syllabus for Honors Seminar VIII - Honors Capstone Course (HON 450) (Main Campus, Spring 2008)

We will use Blackboard this term for all online activity. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) is also posted in the Course Documents section in Bb.

Syllabus for Honors Seminar II - Love, Life, Heaven & Hell (HON 150) (Main Campus, Spring 2008)

We will use Blackboard this term for all online activity. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) is also posted in the Course Documents section in Bb.

Syllabus for History of Western Philosophy II (HIS/PHI 302) (Main Campus, Spring 2008)

We will use Blackboard this term for all online activity. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) is also posted in the Course Documents section in Bb.

Syllabus for Non-Western Culture & History (HIS 325 AE) (Main Campus, Spring 2008 [Mar/Apr])

We will use Blackboard this term for all online activity. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) is also posted in the Course Documents section in Bb.



Syllabus for The Holocaust: A Christian View (HIS 400A) (Main Campus, Spring 2007)

Click here for a list of suggested projects for group and individual research.
We will use Blackboard this term for all online activity. A copy of the syllabus and suggested projects (MS Word format) are also posted in the Course Documents section in Bb.

Syllabus for Honors Seminar II - Constructing Reality: Braiding Math, Music & Art (HON 150) (Main Campus, Spring 2007)

We will use Blackboard this term for all online activity. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) is also posted in the Course Documents section in Bb.

Syllabus for Law & Literature (POL/ENG 330) (Main Campus, Spring 2007)

Click here for the Readings List to primary sources beyond our main texts..
We will use Blackboard this term for all online activity. A copy of the syllabus and readings (MS Word format) are also posted in the Course Documents section in Bb, along with pdf copies of supplemental text selections.


Syllabus for Honors Seminar V - The Political Economy of Liberty (HON 300) (Main Campus, Fall 2006)

We will use Blackboard this term for all online activity. A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) is also posted in the Course Documents section in Bb.

Syllabus for Logic (MAT/PHI 300) (Main Campus, Fall 2006)

A copy of the syllabus (MS Word format) is also posted in the Course Documents section in Blackboard. There will be no formal Bb assignments this semester, though Discussion Board options will be discussed at the beginning of the semester.


Syllabus for Honors Seminar II (HON 150) (Main Campus, Spring 2005)

Click here for the Jenzabar LMS Student Tutorial to learn how to use the new online course system.
Click here for the Turnitin.com splash page to learn how to use the service and create an individual profile.


Syllabus for History of Western Philosophy II (HIS/PHI 302) (Main Campus, Spring 2005)

Click here for the Jenzabar LMS Student Tutorial to learn how to use the new online course system.
Click here for the Turnitin.com splash page to learn how to use the service and create an individual profile.


Syllabus for The Holocaust: A Christian View (HIS 400A) (Main Campus, Spring 2005)

Click here for the Jenzabar LMS Student Tutorial to learn how to use the new online course system.
Click here for the Turnitin.com splash page to learn how to use the service and create an individual profile.


Syllabus for Honors Seminar I (HON100) (Main Campus, Fall 2004)

Click here for the Revised Schedule of Readings & Assignments (MS Word document) as of 9/15/04.
Click here for the Jenzabar LMS Student Tutorial to learn how to use the new online course system.


Syllabus for Logic (Mat/PHI 300) (Main Campus, Fall 2004)

Click here for the First Printing Errata Sheets (MS Word document) for correcting errors in your text.
Click here for the Second Printing Errata Sheets (MS Word document) for correcting errors in your text.
Click here for the Jenzabar LMS Student Tutorial to learn how to use the new online course system.


Syllabus for History of Ethics (HIS 400B) (Main Campus, Fall 2004)

Click here for the Turnitin.com splash page to learn how to use the service and create an individual profile.
Click here for the Jenzabar LMS Student Tutorial to learn how to use the new online course system.


Syllabus for Law & Literature (ENG 599/400) (Main Campus, Jul/Aug Graduate program, 2004)

Click here for the Readings Outline to primary sources beyond our main texts..
This course is web enhanced, and will be conducted both via face-to-face weekly sessions and on Blackboard. You can here link to Blackboard, or login through the CalBaptist website.


Syllabus for Introduction to Philosophy (PHI 213) (Main Campus, Nov/Dec Evening College, 2003)

This course is web enhanced, and will be conducted both via face-to-face weekly sessions and on Blackboard. You can here link to Blackboard, or login through the CalBaptist website.

Syllabus for Non-Western Culture and History (HIS 325) (Main Campus, Sep/Oct Evening College, 2003)

This course is web enhanced, and will be conducted both via face-to-face weekly sessions and on Blackboard. You can here link to Blackboard, or login through the CalBaptist website.
For an interesting website with images and general information related to China and the Far East, see Internet East Asia History Sourcebook, with an accompanying link to the author's Chinese Cultural Studies page at Brooklyn College.
Follow this link to an NPR text + audio report on a Children's Village in China, run by the Philip Hayden Foundation. Additional links to related reports and to the Foundation can be found at the bottom of the text report.

Syllabus for Holocaust: A Christian View (HIS 400) (Main Campus, Spring 2003)

This course is not web enhanced, but will be conducted wholly within the traditional classroom setting. Still, students are encouraged to communicate with the instructor and one another via email. In addition, internet and other computer-based resources will be referenced throughout the term, so use of the web for research purposes is encouraged though not required for successful completion of the course.


Syllabus for Humanities I (HUM 213) (Main Campus, Fall 2002)

Dec 14:   I have finished marking your fourth and final essay papers, and also have finished marking the final exam papers. You can pick up your hard copy essay papers from James 366 (the College office), but I retain the final exams. (If you submitted your essay via email, I have sent my comments and your grade via return email.) I will not have your actual course grades computed before Wednesday, and federal law does not permit me to send you that info via email. So if you would like to learn your grade before your grade report is ready from the Registrar's office, give me a self-addressed and stamped envelope, and I will send you your final course grade. Thanks to all for your hard work and participation during the course. Have a peaceful Christmas break.
Dec 10:   Follow this link to a revised list of Group Assignments for the Final Examination. Changes are to groups E, X, BB, and EE.
Dec 7:   Follow this link to the Final Exam Study Guide. Hardcopy will be available on Tuesday morning.
Nov 24:   I have finished marking Essay #3. Emails have gone out for digital submissions; hardcopies are available from the College office in James 366. Quite a few high marks this time around; quality is improving. Thank you all for your patience and continuing efforts.
Nov 21:   Themes for Essay #4   Follow this link to a list of topics for the fourth and final essay assignment. This assignment should be completed and emailed to me or hardcopy brought to class no later than the due date/time noted in the syllabus, Dec 5th.
Nov 19: Changes have been made to our online syllabus for your review. Note that you are still permitted to do online quizzes for chapters 10 and 12, even though we will not be discussing them in class. A quiz for chapter 10 must reach my email inbox no later than Friday midnight, Nov 29th; a quiz for chapter 12 must reach me no later than Friday midnight, Dec 13th. Themes for Essay #4 -- which will cover weeks 12 & 13 (India, China and Japan) rather than weeks 13 & 14 -- will be posted next Tuesday, Nov 26. I should be finished marking and be able to return Essay #3 to you that same day in class or via email.
Themes for Essay #3   Follow this link to a list of topics for the third essay assignment. This assignment should be completed and emailed to me or hardcopy brought to class no later than the due date/time now noted in the syllabus.
Oct 24:   The Scantrons from today's Midterm Exam have been marked. You can pick up your Scantron from Ms. Linda Smith, in James 366. You'll find your mark (number correct/percentage correct) on the bottom backside of the Scantron. An analysis of the overall results indicates the following: If your mark was 78% or higher, you've done very well--congratulations on your good work; 68-77% means you're doing okay, though more attention to broader themes would likely be a benefit to future study and for the final exam; 58-67% means you're hanging in there, but further study of key details as well as broader themes will likely aid future performance; 57% and below suggests you're either really struggling with the material and have difficulty identifying key details and broader themes, or discovering that "winging it" on an objective exam doesn't deliver high marks. If it's the former, consider making an appointment so we can talk about how better to approach studying our material (text and lectures) for those details and themes.
Themes for Essay #2   Follow this link to a list of topics for the second essay assignment. This assignment should be completed and emailed to me or hardcopy brought to class no later than the due date/time now noted in the syllabus.
Sep 21: The due date for Essay #2 is being moved one week, and is now due at the beginning of class on October 10th rather than October 3rd. Topics will be posted soon, and will still cover weeks 4 & 5. Changes have been made to our online syllabus for your review.
** A QUICK NOTE ABOUT ESSAYS:   I have received 88 essays on time from a class of 95 students. I know of 2 persons who were unable to complete the essay when due, so that leaves 5 of you who neither submitted an essay nor contacted me about submitting late. I will read off a list of names on Tuesday of those who have successfully submitted their essays. If you are not on that list of names, see me after class so we can chat. **
Quiz Results for 9/5: We classified Architecture under Visual Arts -- TRUE; Liturgical music comes under what category? -- MUSIC; Fine for cell phone ringing during class -- $2 fine put towards party after Final Exam (by vote of 66-22).
Themes for Essay #1   Follow this link to a list of topics for the first essay assignment. This assignment should be completed and emailed to me no later than the due date noted in the syllabus.
Web Discussion Forum   This web forum will open for Humanities I class participants on Thursday, August 29th, and remain open through the end of December.

Syllabus for Introduction to Philosophy (PHI 213) (Main Campus, Fall 2002)

Nov 22: Follow this link to a recent WSJ article on Euthanasia. You'll want to review it for the final examination.
Quiz Results for 10/11: We will have Quiz #2 next Wednesday (by a very close vote of 14-13); and the Midterm exam on the subsequent Wednesday (by a vote of 16-10).
Go to the Discussion Forum only for Gaarder's Sophie's World   This web forum will open for Introduction to Philosophy class participants on Friday, August 30th, and remain open through the end of December.
Go to the Discussion Forum only for Pirsig's Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance   This web forum will open for Introduction to Philosophy class participants on Friday, August 30th, and remain open through the end of December.
Web Discussion Forum   This web forum will open for Introduction to Philosophy class participants on Friday, August 30th, and remain open through the end of December.
See the publisher’s website for additional resources related to our textbook at Wadsworth
(click on the image of our textbook to proceed)


Syllabus for Introduction to Philosophy (PHI 213) (Evening College, Main Campus, May/Jun 2002)

Study Guide for Final Exam   A hard copy of this guide also will be made available in class on Wed, 12th June.
Extra Credit Assignment   Follow this link to the extra credit assignment. This assignment is open to all, and is due June 19th.
Alternative Assignment to Quiz #1   Follow this link to the alternate questions to Quiz #1. This assignment is open to all, and is due next Wednesday, May 15th.
Web Discussion Forum   This web forum will open for Introduction to Philosophy class participants on Wednesday, May 1st, and remain open through the end of June.


Syllabus for Basic Reasoning (PHI 233) (Main Campus, Spring 2002)

Basic Reasoning Assessment. Click on this link to provide an anonymous assessment of the course after you take the final exam. I'll give the password at the final.The link is now closed. Thank you, sincerely, for your feedback. Still, there were only 15 respondents, so there can be no incentive marks awarded.
Wadsworth Philosophy Shoppe   Click on this link to go to the Wadsworth website, and you will find a number of valuable links. To find our quizzes, click on the "Student Resources" menu link (on the left side of the page), and you will go to a page that shows a variety of textbooks (be patient -- there are many graphics so it loads slowly even with a speedy connection). Click on the photo-link to our text, and a separate window will open that permits you to select an online quiz for each of our text's chapters. Take those quizzes per our syllabus calendar.
March 21st -- NOTE about Easter Break.   We will not be meeting for class on Thursday morning, Mar 28th. That is indeed the first day of the Break for students. School offices will be open until 12:00 noon, but classes will not be held. Apologies for the confusion.
March 11th -- NOTE about Midterm Exams.   I will return the Midterm examinations in class on Thursday. I will also explain how you can obtain extra credit to increase your scores.
NOTE about Exam Teams: The vote was 17 - teams for final exam; 7 - teams for midterm; 1 - no teams for either. Hence, I will follow the majority's choice, and you all will be assigned to teams for the Final Exam. The Midterm on Feb 28th will be given individually, only.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT QUIZZES.
1. There seems to be a problem with scoring one of the questions on some of the quizzes for chapter 1. The question about Fallacious reasoning has a correct answer = unjustified beliefs. And if you look at the analysis on the right hand side of the question result, you will see that it says that answer is correct. But for some reason, it scores the answer as incorrect. I will give you credit for the correct answer and so upgrade your score if that is appropriate.
2. I failed to mention during the demonstration--When you are ready to send the quiz results to me, note that there is a text box provided for a brief message or comment. Please insert your name in that space. I can trace who you are by your email address when I record the quiz scores, but it will help me if you give me your name, too. Thanks.
Web Discussion Forum   This web forum is for the Basic Reasoning class participants only.
Basic Reasoning Assessment   Once we have completed the web demonstration, I would appreciate your assessment of me, the course syllabus and our two introductory class sessions. Click on this link, which will remain active for your input for the next 5 days. You will be asked for a password (which I will give you after the web demonstration), and then will be presented a brief set of questions. It shouldn't take more than 10 minutes of your time. Do note that your input is anonymous--there is no way for me to know who you are or how you respond individually; rather, your responses will be collected in spreadsheet format and any comments will be presented in a single cumulative file. Your honest, considered responses will help me structure the class. You will have additional opportunities to provide anonymous input in the future, as well.   Thanks to those of you who responded to this assessment survey. It is now closed, but you will have a chance to provide additional responses to other assessments in the future.

Syllabus for Philosophy of Religion (PHI 343) (Main Campus, Spring 2002)

Philosophy of Religion Assessment. Click on this link to provide an anonymous assessment of the course after you take the final exam. I'll give the password at the final. The link is now closed. Thank you, sincerely, for your feedback. Still, there were only 6 respondents, so there can be no incentive marks awarded.
Web Discussion Forum   This web forum is for Philosophy of Religion class participants only.
NOTE about class for Thursday, Jan 17th: You will have a quiz as announced, but I am going to have to be out of town so we will not have additional discussion. Keep up with your reading, and we'll finish discussing the ontological and move on to the cosmological and teleological arguments next week. Thanks.


Syllabus for The Political Economy of Liberty (IDS 400) (Senior Seminar, Main Campus, Spring 2001 -- supported by Templeton Foundation's Freedom Project grant)

See an interesting item on the National Good, by Michael Lind, discussing the role of small, homogenous nation-states in the evolving world system today. Rather than being a problem, he suggests this development is indeed a national good.
Please note that biographical information and pictures have been posted for those participating in the Discussion Forum. The links can be found, below. Too, I have posted a query in the forum for your consideration. I am hopeful we will have fruitful exchanges on the web while I am away.
Dr Elena Romine will make her presentation to our class in James 171, beginning at 6:30pm on Wed, Feb 21st.
For an interesting analysis of why the US economic model works in the West but not around the world, see Hernando de Soto's new book, The Mystery of Capital: Why Capitalism Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else (Basic Books, 2001). He answers questions about his work in a personal interview with Christianity Today. Also see a critical review by Robert Skildelsky in the NY Times, which contains a link to the book's first chapter; and a more postive assessment by Richard Pipes in a review in Commentary magazine.
For an interesting analysis of why the US economic model is both envied and feared around the world, see the American Economy article from a recent WSJ edition
Go to the Discussion Forum for IDS 400 only
            Read local CBU and overseas Discussion Forum participants'   biographical information.
            Click here for pictures of CBU participants.
Go to the Liberty Fund Library of Economics and Liberty. A well-stocked repository of digitized classics and links to modern resources.

Syllabus for Introduction to Philosophy (PHI 213) (Traditional, Main Campus, Spring 2001)

The vote wasn't even close: the Philosophy of Freedom (chapter 6) received the majority vote of the three chapter options. We'll turn to it after we conclude our ethics discussions on Tuesday, 4/17.
Go to the Discussion Forum only for Gaarder's Sophie's World
Go to the Discussion Forum only for Pirsig's Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Quick note about the MidTerm Exams: I have finished marking the exams, and you are welcome to pick up your exam from the Humanities Division office, James 366, when you return from Spring Break. The distribution of marks was roughly as expected, and included 3 students @ 90-100; 9 @ 80-89; 8 @ 70-79; 2 @ 60-69; 1 @ 50-59; and 2 @ 40-49.



Syllabus for Great Works - Ethics II (PHI 438) (Main Campus, Fall 1998)

Click for Schedule of Assignments in GW Ethics
Click for Article on Bentham

Click for My Essay on Nietzsche (pdf file, requires Adobe Acrobat reader)




Discussion Forum in Ethics Studies

This is an open Forum for all Ethics students to post their comments, questions, and observations about any aspect of ethics - whether sparked by thoughts or events in or out of the classroom. Robust peer exchanges are encouraged, but civility should always guide your contributions. You may simply "lurk" and read what others have contributed to the Forum, post comments to introduce new topics, or answer questions posed by your classmates.



For a brief, self-contained Web lesson, see An Introduction to Philosophy for Christians


For a Web-directed decision tree on the ethical constraints of seeking donors and donations for the academy, see my Ethics Framework for Academic Philanthropy


For reference list of my publications in philosophy: click here


External Links

Ethics Update

Pragmatism Cybrary

Encyclopedia Mythica

Smithsonian Institution

Friedrich Hayek Scholars' Page

American Philosophical Association

Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Field Guide to the Philosophy of Mind

Noesis: Philosophical Research On-line

TPM Online (The Philosophers' Magazine)

Internet Citation Styles - Bedford/St. Martin's

Liberty Fund Library of Economics and Liberty

International Directory of On-Line Philosophy Papers

Reconstructing the Murals of Jose Clemente Orozco (1883-1949)

Philosophy Resources - philosophy related news, books and web resources.



The graphic above is a scanned, cropped portion of Rembrandt's famous Philosopher in Meditation (1632). The original hangs in The Louvre, Paris. Used here by permission.