INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy 2010, Sec. 7, CRN 11912
Spring Semester 2012
Tues/Thurs
5:30-6:50 p.m.
Carrollton Campus
Technology Learning Center
Room 1203
Instructor: Brian Fox
Office: Pafford Bldg 304D
Office Phone: 678/839-4164 (no voicemail)
Departmental Phone: 678/839-6512
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 4:30-5:15 p.m.
Also by appointment
Email: bfox1@gc.cuny.edu
Course Description and Purpose
This course is an introduction to the “queen of the sciences,” philosophy. The course will focus on formal considerations such as what it means to engage in philosophy and how exactly a philosopher’s use of reason and critical thinking is related to but distinct from ordinary everyday reasoning. To this end we shall examine a number of specific issues in philosophy as well as modes or avenues of philosophical inquiry. To do philosophy we must carefully read and discuss the writings of a number of different philosophers; in this course we will focus the most attention on Plato, Boethius, and Descartes. As the course develops the tradition of western philosophy will become evident as well as the manner in which thinkers separated greatly in time still engage in similar rational investigations and face similar problems and issues. Some examples of philosophical issues that will be discussed include: 1) The nature of Being; 2) What does knowledge consist of?; 3) Does God exist?; 4) Do humans have freedom of will? We shall also make excurses into other areas of reality that philosophy investigates, such as music and ethics. Emphasis will be placed on the development of your critical reasoning skills, particularly your ability to analyze and critique philosophical arguments, as well as your ability to read and engage with philosophical texts.
Learning Outcomes
By
the end of the semester, each student will be able to
· Define and distinguish among the
philosophical terms and concepts used in the course.
· Describe the views of at least
three major philosophers from the Western tradition.
· Contrast the competing views of
major philosophers on some of the philosophical issues explored in the course.
· Explain and critically assess the
philosophical issues and theories explored in the course.
· Discuss in both oral and written
discourse the philosophical theories and issues explored in the course.
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;
· discuss three major historical
figures of philosophy;
· ask philosophical questions and
differentiate their types;
· incorporate a philosophical
position in oral and written communications;
· critically outline and analyze
philosophical issues;
· exhibit critical thinking skills.
Required Readings
Both required texts are available for purchase at the Campus Bookstore.
1. Cahn, Steven M. Classics of Western Philosophy. Seventh Edition. Indianapolis: Hackett
Publishing Company, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-0-87220-859-9
2. Boethius. The Consolation of Philosophy. Penguin, 2000. ISBN: 0-140-44780-6
Course Requirements
1) Paper: Two 3-4 page paper assignments will be given during the semester. However, each student must complete only ONE of the two (if both are written the highest grade will be taken). The choice of which paper to write will be left up to the student. The paper must be turned in at the beginning of class on the due date. Late papers will have half a letter grade deducted for each day late but no paper will be accepted more than 5 days late.
2) Tests: There will be two in class tests neither of which will be cumulative. The first test will cover the material covered up to that point in the course and the second test will cover all material after the first test until the course’s end. Tests will be some combination of short answer and/or essay.
Students will be expected to take the exam on the assigned day, make-up exams will only be allowed for extraordinary circumstances. If a make-up test is given it will be designed to be harder than the in-class original.
3) Class participation: Class participation has three components. The first is attendance which consists of being in attendance, on time and not leaving early. Being absent for more than four classes will be considered excessive and 2 points from your participation grade will be deducted for each absence beyond four. Frequent tardiness or early departure will be noticed by myself and treated as absences according to my discretion. If you decide to not remain in attendance in the course you must drop the course or withdraw before the deadline or risk an F for a final grade. Every student is responsible for material missed while absent and should contact me if in doubt about what was missed.
The second component of class participation is demonstrating knowledge of the day’s assigned reading through answering questions and participating in classroom discussion; to that end I reserve the right to give pop quizzes if I suspect that students are not doing the assigned reading.
The third component is attentiveness. The size of the course and its introductory nature mean that I will be doing a good bit of lecturing. Make no mistake, however, I do notice which students are attentive and which are not. Common distractions for students include playing games on phones, laptops, texting and eating so turn the electronic devices off and refrain from temptation.
4) Optional paper assignment. There will be one optional assignment that a student can choose to do to bolster their class participation grade. This assignment will take the form of a 2-3 page critical analysis of the philosophical content of a film chosen by the student and approved in advance by the instructor. Once we view Donnie Darko in class more information about this particular assignment will be handed out.
Grading
The first test 30%
The second test 30%
Paper 30%
Class participation 10%
The optional paper can boost your overall course grade 3-5 points.
*Failure to fulfill any of the requirements of this course will result in an incomplete or failure.
Definition of Grades
A 90.1-100%
B 80.1-90.0%
C 70.1-80.0%
D 60.1-70.0%
F 0.0-60.0%
Plagiarism and Cheating
Plagiarism is the intentional and willful adoption of ideas, statements, thought, or knowledge of another as one’s own without clear and detailed attribution of their source. It is regarded as intellectual theft and, therefore, intolerable and unethical behavior. UWG can potentially bring disciplinary action against students who have been caught plagiarizing or cheating with swift, severe, and certain consequences. Students will automatically receive a grade of “F,” (in fact, a “zero”), on any assignment or exam for which they are caught plagiarizing or cheating. The instructor also has the right to automatically give a student caught cheating an “F” for the course. The offense will also be reported to the Director of the Philosophy Program and the Vice President of Academic Affairs for their decision regarding any further action. We will discuss plagiarism in more detail when the paper topics are assigned but be forewarned that I take it extremely seriously and it should be studiously and absolutely avoided.
From the Student Handbook:
“At the University of West Georgia we believe that academic and personal integrity are based upon honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. Students at West Georgia assume responsibility for upholding the honor code. West Georgia students pledge to refrain from engaging in acts that do not maintain academic and personal integrity. These include, but are not limited to, plagiarism*, cheating*, fabrication*, aid of academic dishonesty, lying, bribery or threats, and stealing. Definitions:
Cheating: ‘using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids’
Fabrication: “falsification or unauthorized invention of any information or citation’
Plagiarism: ‘representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own. Direct quotations must be indicated and ideas of another must be appropriately acknowledged’”
Disruptive Behavior Policy
Students may be dismissed from any class meeting at which they exhibit behavior that disrupts the learning environment of others. Such behavior includes – but is not limited to – arriving late for class, allowing cell phones to ring, speaking disrespectfully to the instructor and/or to other students, checking email or surfing the web, and using personal audio or visual devices. Each dismissal of this kind will count as an absence and will be applied toward the attendance policy above.
Disability Pledge
I pledge to do my best to work with the University to provide all students with equal access to my classes and materials, regardless of special needs, temporary or permanent disability, special needs related to pregnancy, etc.
If you have any special learning needs, particularly (but not limited to) needs defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and require specific accommodations, please do not hesitate to make these known to me, either yourself or through Disability Services in 272 Parker Hall.
Students with documented special needs may expect accommodation in relation to classroom accessibility, modification of testing, special test administration, etc. This is not only my personal commitment: it is your right, and it is the law.
For more information, please contact Disability Services at the State University of West Georgia.
Projected Schedule for the Course
It is incumbent that you do the reading before the class itself as we will be covering difficult material and if you come prepared then you will gain more from the day’s lecture. Do not get frustrated if you find the material difficult the first time you read it (it is difficult!). Having read it before class gives you the ability to ask specific questions regarding what you did not understand. You can also feel free to email me any questions you might have regarding the reading as I am rarely far from a computer. This course timeline is subject to modification as the semester progresses.
Jan. 10 Introduction; Aristotle’s Metaphysics
Jan. 12 Sokolowski’s “The Method of Philosophy: Making Distinctions”
Jan. 17 Introduction to Socrates and Plato; Euthyphro
Jan. 19 Apology
Jan. 24 Apology cont.; Crito
Jan. 26 Crito cont.
***First paper topic assigned***
Jan. 31 Republic Book VII: Allegory of the Cave
Feb. 2 Introduction to Boethius; Stoicism
Feb. 7 Stoicism cont.; Consolation of Philosophy (CP), Book I.
Feb. 9 CP, Book I. cont.
***First paper due at beginning of class***
Feb. 14 CP, Book I cont.; CP, Book II
Feb. 16 CP, Book II cont. Philosophy of Music
Feb. 21 CP, Book II cont.; CP, Book III
Feb. 23 ***First Exam***
Feb. 28 CP, Book III cont.; Hume on “Problem of Evil”
Mar. 1 CP, Book III cont.
***Mar. 2 is Last day to withdraw with a grade of W****
Mar. 6 CP, Book IV
Mar. 8 CP, Book IV cont.
Mar. 13 CP, Book V
***Second paper topic assigned***
Mar. 15 CP, Book V cont.
****Mar. 17-26, Spring Break****
Mar. 27 Film: Donnie Darko
Mar. 29 Donnie Darko, cont.
***Optional extra credit paper assignment given out.***
Apr. 3 Introduction to Modern Philosophy and Descartes
Apr. 5 Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy (Med)
***Second paper due at beginning of class***
Apr. 10 (Med) cont.
Apr. 12 (Med) cont.
Apr. 17 (Med) cont.
Apr. 19 (Med) cont.
Apr. 24 ***Second Exam***
***Optional extra credit paper due***