NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: Introduction to Philosophy

 

Course Prefix & Number: PHIL1301

Fall 2016

 

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Course Description:

A study of major issues in philosophy and/or the work of major philosophical figures in philosophy. Topics in philosophy may include theories of reality, theories of knowledge, theories of value, and their practical applications.

 

Course Prerequisite(s): None

 

Course Type:

o - Academic General Education Course (from Academic Course Guide Manual but not in NCTC Core)

X- Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o - WECM Course

 

 

Name of Instructor:

Michael Mansfield

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth Room 331

Telephone Number:

940-498-6295

E-mail Address:

mmansfield@nctc.edu

 

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Crystal R.M. Wright

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, Room 824

Telephone Number:

940-668-7731, ext. 4320

E-mail Address:

cwright@nctc.edu

 

 

 

REQUIRED OR RECOMMENDED COURSE MATERIALS

 

Cahn.  Classics of Western Philosophy.  8th edition.  Hackett Publishing.

ISBN # 978-0-872-20859-9

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Points Values

2

Exams

40.00%

2

Papers

40.00%

6

Quizzes and Class Assignments

20.00%

 

 

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Student Learning Outcome

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

Read, analyze, and critique philosophical texts.

Demonstrate knowledge of key concepts, major arguments, problems, and terminology in philosophy.

Present logically persuasive arguments both orally and in writing.

Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluation and application of philosophical concepts to various aspects of life.

Evaluate the personal and social responsibilities of living in a diverse world.

 

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________ 

 

 

         Communication

         Mathematics               

         Life and Physical Science

X         Language, Philosophy & Culture

         Creative Arts

 

         History

         Government/Political Science

         Social and Behavioral Sciences

         Component Area Option

 

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

 

 

X   Critical Thinking

X    Communication

o   Empirical and Quantitative

 

o   Teamwork

X    Personal Responsibility

X    Social Responsibility

 

 

Last day to Withdraw

 

 

 

The last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 3, 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grading  Grades are determined from your scores on two exams worth 20% each, two papers worth 20% each and a Quiz grade worth 20%.  Your Quiz grade is determined by the average of the top 6 Quiz and Class Assignment grades; all others are dropped.  Quizzes will be given throughout the semester and will usually cover the material assigned for that day.  Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class and are intended to encourage regular reading and attendance.  They cannot be made up.  Makeup tests are only given in exceptional circumstances and must be arranged in advance with the instructor. Regular attendance and diligent note taking are very important for a thorough understanding of the material and for doing well on the papers and tests.  (Points may also be taken off the final grade for cellphone usage and /or excessive exiting of the classroom while class is in session. See next section)  A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F = 0-59.

 

Cellphone Usage/Classroom Decorum  ABSOLUTELY NO CELLPHONE USAGE IN THE CLASSROOM.  Points will be taken off the final grade for cellphone usage in the classroom and the student will be forced to leave the classroom.  Points may also be taken off the final grade for excessive tardiness, leaving the classroom before the class period is finished, sleeping in class and any other breaches of expected classroom decorum. 

 

Attendance  Attendance will not be directly included in your grade, however, it is very important for you to attend class regularly in order to acquire a sufficient understanding of the material and to keep up with any changes in the schedule. 

 

 

Student Rights & Responsibilities

NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and regulations concerning student conduct.  These rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog. 

 

Scholastic Integrity

Scholastic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of college rules and regulations and is punishable as prescribed by Board policies. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  See the Student Handbook for more information.

 

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

 

Disability Services (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).   http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

Student Success Center

The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals. The center links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free online tutoring in the evening.  The program helps students acclimate to college by providing students free interactive workshops. For more information, please visit your nearest Student Success Center.

 

Tobacco-Free Campus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco on campus property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________ 

 

o         Communication

o         Mathematics              

o         Life and Physical Science

X         Language, Philosophy & Culture

o         Creative Arts

 

o         History

o         Government/Political Science

o         Social and Behavioral Sciences

o         Component Area Option

 

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

 

X             Critical Thinking

X            Communication

o           Empirical and Quantitative

 

o           Teamwork

X            Personal Responsibility

X            Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

o           Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

X         Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2014-2015/Catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook

 

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Crystal R.M. Wright

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, Room 824

Telephone Number:

940-668-7731, ext. 4320

E-mail Address:

cwright@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Larry Gilbert

Office Location:

Corinth Campus, Room 305

Telephone Number:

940-498-6216

E-mail Address:

lgilbert@nctc.edu

 

 

Reading Schedule – Introduction to Philosophy – Fall 2016 – NCTC

 

Week                      Reading______________________________

Aug.23                 Introduction/Logic and Arguments

                           Pre-Socratics                                                     

Aug.30                 Plato – Euthyphro

                           Plato - Apology

Sept.6                  Plato - Apology

                           Plato - Crito                        

Sept.13                Martin Luther King, Jr. - Letter From A Birmingham Jail

                           Plato – The Symposium                           

Sept.20                Plato – The Republic                                                  

Sept.27                Plato – The Republic                                                                              

Oct.4                   Plato – The Republic

                           Aristotle- Nicomachean Ethics                                                     

Oct.11                  Epicurus – Letter to Manoeceus /The Principle Doctrines

                           Epictetus - Encheiridion

                           Descartes – Meditations on First Philosophy                       

Oct.18                  Descartes – Meditations on First Philosophy

                           Hobbes - Leviathan                                                                 

Oct.25                  Locke – The Second Treatise of Government

Nov.1                   Hume – An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding                       

Nov.8                   Kant – Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics

                           Marx/Engels – The Communist Manifesto                              

Nov.15                 Nietzsche – Twilight of the Idols

Nov.22                 Sartre – The Humanism of Existentialism

Nov.24                 NO CLASSES – THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

Nov.29                 Environmental Ethics (Readings to be assigned)

                           SEMESTER REVIEW

Dec.6 at 7pm        FINAL EXAM

               

 

 

This schedule is approximate and subject to change.  Other readings may be assigned. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of any changes.