UWG Philosophy Program
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PHIL 4381 INDEPENDENT STUDY: EPISTEMOLOGY Credit: 3 hours Spring Semester 2008 To meet bi-weekly, one hour per meeting Prerequisites: PHIL 2100 or permission of instructor Email: rlane@westga.edu*
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Instructor: Dr. Robert Lane, TLC 2247 Office Hours: M: 8:15-45am; 10-10:50am; 12-1:50pm; 3-3:30pm W: 10-10:50am; 1-1:50pm; 3-3:30pm F: 10-10:50am; 12-1:50pm and by appointment My office telephone:
(678) 839-4745 |
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*All email communication must be conducted from your official UWG email account. Students are obligated to check their UWG email accounts on a regular basis and to ensure that their mailboxes do not become full. |
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DESCRIPTION: This independent-study course will introduce students to epistemology, the philosophical theory of knowledge, by exposing them to various issues and theories related to evidence, justification, and inquiry.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the semester, each student will be able to
· describe selected epistemological theories of justification, including foundationalism, coherentism, foundherentism, and reliabilism
· state and critically evaluate selected arguments for and against those theories of justification
· explain and critically evaluate Popper's inductivism
· distinguish and critically evaluate the various forms of philosophical naturalism, including those attributed to Quine
· distinguish and critically evaluate the various forms of scientism, including those attributed to Churchland and Stich
· explain and critically evaluate Rorty's rejection of traditional epistemology
· discuss in both oral and written discourse all of the above mentioned issues and theories
These course-specific learning outcomes contribute to the departmental learning outcomes of the Philosophy Program by enabling students better to
· discuss the general historical development of the discipline of philosophy and selected major historical figures in philosophy
· ask philosophical questions
· incorporate philosophical positions in oral and written communications
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: Since this is an independent study course, students will bear the weight of responsibility for coming to understand the material. Students will meet with the professor on a bi-weekly basis to discuss questions/problems/issues arising from their study of the material.
TEXT:
· Susan Haack, “Knowledge and Propaganda: Reflections of an Old Feminist” (ch.7 of Manifesto of a Passionate Moderate, Chicago University Press, 1998) [UWG Library BD175 .H28 1998]
· Susan Haack, Evidence and Inquiry: Towards Reconstruction in Epistemology. Blackwell, 1993
EVALUATION:
· Term paper (40%). 3000-3500 words. Due Friday April 25.
· Six summary/response papers on readings (40%). Minimum 1500 words each. Roughly 50% of each paper should summarize and explain the relevant reading; the remaining 50% should comment critically on that reading. See course schedule (reverse side of this sheet) for due dates.
· Participation in and preparedness for bi-weekly meetings (20%).
· GRADING SCALE:
100 - 91% A* 90 - 81% B 80 - 71% C 70 - 61% D 60 - 0% F
COURSE SCHEDULE: INDEPENDENT STUDY - EPISTEMOLOGY (PHIL 4381)
THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE IS TENTATIVE AND MAY CHANGE AS THE SEMESTER PROGRESSES.
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date |
agenda |
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1/11 F |
First meeting: review syllabus and discuss expectations and course content |
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1/25 F |
Haack, “Knowledge and Propaganda: Reflections of an Old Feminist”; E&I Introduction and ch.1; summary/response paper 1 due |
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2/1 F |
Haack, E&I ch. 2 & 3; summary/response paper 2 due |
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2/15 F |
Haack, E&I ch. 4; summary/response paper 3 due |
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2/29 F |
Haack, E&I ch. 5 & 6; summary/response paper 4 due |
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3/12 W |
Haack, E&I ch. 7 & 8; summary/response paper 5 due |
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3/28 F |
Term Paper Draft due |
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4/11 F |
Haack, E&I ch. 9 & 10; summary/response paper 6 due |
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4/25 F |
Term Paper due |
IMPORTANT DATES: January 9-15 Drop/add
and late registration March 3 Last
day to withdraw with grade of "W"