PHI 100 - Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality

Spring 1999 Semester Course Syllabus

Instructor: Stephen Carden, Professor of English and Philosophy
Office: H-110
Office Hours: M&W: 8-9, 11-12; T&TH: 8-11
Office Phone: 686-4505
E-mail: stephen.carden@kctcs.net
URL: http://www.owecc.net/stevecarden

Course Description: An introduction to philosophical studies with emphasis on issues of knowing, reality, and meaning related to human existence.

Course Objectives: By identifying key ideas from systematic philosophical theories and constructing critical analyses of philosophical problems, students strengthen their ability to reason about assumptions made in life and clarify the principles behind decisions made. This course will improve coherent thinking, analytical reading, evaluative criticism, and thoughtful writing whatever the subject.

Course Requirements:*

Required Reading:

• Plato. Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo. Trans. Benjamin Jowett, M.A. Buffalo: Prometheus, 1988.
  
• Boethius. The Consolation of Philosophy. Trans. V.E. Watts. London: Penguin, 1969.
  
• Descartes, Rene. Meditations on First Philosophy. Trans. Donald A. Cress. 3rd ed. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1993.
  
• Kant, Immanuel. Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals. Trans. James W. Ellington. 3rd ed. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1993.
  
• Wittgenstein, Ludwig. Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. Trans. D.F. Pears and B.F. McGuinness. Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Humanities Press, 1974.

Required Assignments:

• Five shorter writing assignments constitute 20% of the course grade.  These will include:
1. 250-word summary of the Euthyphro
2. 100-word abstract of a selection from the Apology
3. One-sentence state of the thesis from the Crito
4. Outline of the "Allegory of the Cave"
5. 250-word essay written in class (final exam) about the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus.

• Four major essays (500-750 words) constitute 60% of the course grade. These will include:
  1. Criticism of Socrates
  2. Comparison of works by Plato and Boethius
  3. Summary and criticism of Descartes
  4. Application of Kantian Ethics to a contemporary situation.

• Participation in e-mail discussion about the material constitutes 10% of the course grade. All students will activate e-mail accounts and can expect several discussion questions to be sent to them; each student will be expected to contribute at least one substantial message to the instructor concerning each question.

• Finally, a journal kept throughout the semester constitutes 10 % of the course grade. The journal will be written in response to assigned questions and will be taken up at the end of the semester.  The journal may be handwritten; all other assignments must be typed or composed on a word processor.

Course Outline: Texts will be read in the order listed above. Students first learn to master fundamental assignments--like summarizing, abstracting, and outlining--in which they write to understand what they have read; they then learn how to evaluate argumentative prose and draft their own philosophical essays.

Grading Criteria: Students must read and comprehend the material and write about what the philosophers say. They are expected to probe issues with a critical mind, reaching an overall evaluation of the subject. Writing assignments test reading comprehension and ability to think critically about abstract ideas.  Unlike many other college courses, philosophy is peculiarly abstract in its subject matter. The principle tool of inquiry, communication, and development of thought and knowledge is written prose. In fact, the more precise, clear, and coherent the thinking, the more precise, persuasive, and original the writing. Developing skill at thinking, reading, and writing is essential to success in any field of the liberal arts. Writing assignments test reading comprehension and ability to think critically about abstract ideas. In evaluating students' work, the following questions apply:

• Have you restated in your own words the content (argument, theme, assumptions, consequences) of the reading?
• Have you critically evaluated the reading--assess the cogency of the author's reasoning, the aptness of the examples and analogies used, the adequacy of the evidence offered to support claims made in texts?
• Have you expressed your views, interpretations, and arguments with clarity and cogency?
• Have you said anything original about the topic under discussion?

Plagiarism:The use of another person's work, ideas, papers, or other such materials without clearly acknowledging the source is an act of plagiarism and will be dealt with in accordance with the guidelines set forth in The Community College Code of Student Conduct.

Late Work:Any assignment not submitted by the next class meeting after it is due will be penalized one letter grade.  Any assignment not submitted within two weeks after it is due will not be accepted, and a failing grade will be recorded for that assignment.  This policy does not apply to the final exam.

Withdrawal Policy:Students may withdraw from this course until mid-term at their own discretion; after mid-term, students may withdraw if, in the instructor's opinion, they have shown a good faith effort to complete the course.

*This syllabus is subject to change based on the needs of the class and at the discretion of the instructor.

General Education Competencies and Assessment:

Heritage/Humanities: To recognize the impact of decisive ideas and events in human heritage. Assessment methods may include written assignments which require students to summarize and evaluate key philosophical ideas.

Writing: To communicate effectively using standard written English. Assessment methods may include written assignments which require students to discuss philosophical ideas.

Reading: To understand, analyze, summarize, and interpret a variety of reading materials. Assessment methods may include written assignments which require students to discuss a particular philosopher's position on a selected issue.

Creative Thinking: To elaborate upon knowledge to create thoughts, processes, and/or products that are new to the student. Assessment methods may include written assignments which require students to argue for or against a philosophical position concerning an issue.

Integrated Learning: To think critically and make connections in learning across the disciplines. Assessment methods may include written assignments which require students to discuss ideas from another discipline.

Ethics/Values: To demonstrate an awareness of ethical considerations in making value choices. Assessment methods may include written assignments which require students to evaluate an ethical theory or to investigate their own personal beliefs or those beliefs held by others.