Course Syllabus
PHI 140 / PSY 140
PHI 140 / PSY 140: Psychology and Philosophy of Mind
3 Credit Hours
Course Description
The philosophy and psychology of mind together offer a profound exploration of human nature, consciousness, and the soul. This interdisciplinary course introduces students to these fields in conversation, combining the theoretical insights of philosophy with the empirical findings of psychology, while showing how both disciplines speak to questions of human wellbeing and flourishing.
Prerequisite(s)
None
Section I – Course and Schedule Information
I. Meeting Location and Times
Days:TBD
Time:TBD
Mode:Online (Zoom)
Classroom:Zoom
II. Instructor Information
Instructor:Adam Dell, Psy.D. in Psychology from Indiana State University
Office:Zoom
Office Hours:Tuesdays 5:00 - 6:00 PM CST (via Zoom)
Email:adam.dell@profer.com
III. Course Learning Outcomes (Objectives)
- Explain and critically evaluate arguments for and against the existence of the soul, consciousness, and free will.
- Relate philosophical accounts of mind and personhood to psychological research on trauma, healing, hope, and resilience.
- Integrate perspectives from classical and contemporary philosophy with findings from cognitive neuroscience, positive psychology, and trauma studies.
- Analyze how spirituality and religious traditions function as both philosophical concepts and psychological resources for wellbeing.
- Produce well‑reasoned essays or exam responses demonstrating interdisciplinary understanding and apply course insights to contemporary questions (e.g., AI, animal intelligence, neuroscience of agency).
IV. Course Requirements and Assignments
Assigned Readings
Students are to track their reading throughout the course. They will submit a reading log
at the close of the class, showing how much of the required reading was done on time,
late, or not done. All reading done on time will receive full credit. All late reading will
receive half credit. Incomplete reading will receive no credit. A percentage out of 100%
will be assigned accordingly.
B. Midterm Exam or Essay (student selects)
The Midterm Exam will cover all material from the start of the semester until the
midterm. The exam will be objective, using true-false or multiple choice questions. A
grade will be assigned based on the percentage of correct answers out of 100%. Alternatively, the Midterm Essay of 1200 words minimum will address a topic or figure from the material covered during the first part of the semester.
C. Final Exam of Essay (student selects)
The Final Exam will cover all material from the start of the semester until the
midterm. The exam will be objective, using true-false or multiple choice questions. A
grade will be assigned based on the percentage of correct answers out of 100%. Alternatively, the Final Essay of 1200 words minimum will address a topic or figure from the material covered during the entire semester.
V. Course Grading
Grading Scale
A: 90-100% · B: 80-89% · C: 70-79% · D: 60-69% · F: below 59%
February 3, 2026 – April 30, 2026 · Profer