Introduction to Philosophy

PHIL 2100 Sec. 02

Dr. Janet Donohoe

Spring 2008

 

1.  Learning Outcomes:  The aim of this course is to examine the major questions that have driven philosophers throughout history.  We will address these questions through reading, writing about, and discussing primary philosophical texts.  By the end of the semester students will be able to:

 

2. Requirements:  To achieve the above goals will require a new way of reading and thinking.  We will not just read the texts, but we will question and challenge the texts thereby questioning and challenging our own beliefs and thought processes.  The requirements for the class are fourfold.

            a)  attendance and class participation                                       10%

            b)  Quizzes over assigned reading                                            30%

            c)  Midterm exam                                                                    30%

            d)  in-class final exam                                                             30%

 

In order to meet these requirements it will be necessary to attend class regularly and to do the assigned reading.  It will be evident if you have not done the reading and this will not be beneficial to your success in this class.  Quizzes absolutely cannot be made up regardless of the reason for missing a quiz.  One quiz will be dropped in determining the overall quiz grade.

 

The Department of English and Philosophy defines plagiarism as taking personal credit for the thinking of others as it is presented in electronic, print, and verbal sources.  The Department expects that students will accurately credit sources in all assignments.  Plagiarism is grounds for failing the course and may result in further consequences of being expelled from the University.

 

3.  Availability:  I am available outside of class during office hours, or by appointment.  If there are questions or problems do not hesitate to see me. 

Hours:  MWF 10:00 am-12:00 noon.

Office:  TLC 2250

Phone:  678-839-4743

e-mail:  jdonohoe@westga.edu

 

4.  Book List:  The books listed below should be available in the book store.

            Plato                The Trial and Death of Socrates

            Plato                The Republic

            Aristotle           Nicomachean Ethics

            Boethius          On the Consolation of Philosophy

            Descartes         Meditations on First Philosophy

            Kant                 On the Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals

            Nietzsche         On the Genealogy of Morals

Camus             The Fall


Calendar

 

1/9                   Introduction to philosophy in general:  What is philosophy?

1/11                 Introduction distinction between philosophy and sophistry

1/14                 Plato    Apology in The Trial and Death of Socrates (1st reading quiz)

1/16                 Apology

1/18                 Apology

1/21                 MLK Day—no classes

1/23                 Apology

1/25                 Plato    The Republic Book VI (2nd reading quiz)

1/28                 The Republic Book VI 

1/30                 Republic Book VII

2/1                   Republic Book VII

2/4                   Review of Plato, transition to Aristotle

2/6                   Aristotle           Nicomachean Ethics  Book I

2/8                   Nicomachean Ethics  Book I

2/11                 Nicomachean Ethics  Book II

2/13                 Nicomachean Ethics  Book II

2/15                 Boethius          Consolation Ch. 1 (3rd reading quiz)

2/18                 Consolation Ch. 1&2

2/20                 Consolation Ch. 2&3

2/22                 Consolation Ch. 3&4

2/25                 Consolation Ch. 4&5

2/27                 midterm review

2/29                 MIDTERM EXAM

3/3                   Descartes         Meditations I (4th reading quiz)

3/5                   Meditations II

3/7                   Meditations II

3/10                 Meditations III

3/12                 Meditations III

3/14                 Meditations III

3/17-21                        Spring Break—no classes

3/24                 Kant  Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals Sec. 1(5th reading quiz)

3/26                 Grounding sec. 1

3/28                 Grounding Sec. 2

3/31                 Grounding Sec. 2

4/2                   Grounding Sec. 2

4/4                   Nietzsche         On the Genealogy of Morals Essay 1 (6th reading quiz)

4/7                   Genealogy of Morals Essay 1

4/9                   Genealogy of Morals Essay 2

4/11                 Genealogy of Morals Essay 2

4/14                 Genealogy of Morals Essay 2

4/16                 Camus The Fall Chapters 1-2

4/18                 The Fall Chapters 1-2

4/21                 The Fall Chapters 3-4

4/23                 The Fall Chapters 3-4

4/25                 The Fall Chapters 4-5

4/28                 The Fall Chapters 4-5

4/30                 Concluding discussion/review session

 

Final exam is Wednesday, May 7, 11am-1pm.