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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title: Introduction to Philosophy
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Course Prefix & Number: PHIL1301
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Section Number: 100
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Semester: Spring
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Semester Credit Hours: 3
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Lecture Hours: 3
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Lab Hours: 0
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Course Description (NCTC Catalog):
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.
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Course Prerequisite(s): None
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Required or Recommended Course Materials:
Cahn. Classics of Western Philosophy. 8th edition. Hackett Publishing.
ISBN # 978-0-872-20859-9
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Steve Sorensen
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Campus/Office Location:
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Gainsville Campus
Office Hours: By appointment 8–9:30 am and 2–3:30 pm TTH
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Telephone Number:
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E-mail Address:
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ssorensen@nctc.edu
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GRADING CRITERIA
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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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11
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Weekly Quizzes
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10%
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4
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Summary Papers
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30%
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3
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Take Home Exams
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45%
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1
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Final Exam
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15%
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The grade scale is: A = 90 – 100 B = 80 – 89 C = 70 -- 79 D = 60 -- 69 F = below 60
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
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At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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Read, analyze, and critique philosophical texts.
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Demonstrate knowledge of key concepts, major arguments, problems, and terminology in philosophy.
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Present logically persuasive arguments both orally and in writing.
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Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluation and application of philosophical concepts to various aspects of life.
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Evaluate the personal and social responsibilities of living in a diverse world.
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ATTENDANCE POLICY
Academic success is closely associated with regular classroom attendance. All students are required to attend classes regularly and punctually. Responsibility for work missed because of illness or school business is placed upon the student. While neither credit nor penalty is given for attendance alone, it is virtually impossible to learn the material without attending class regularly and punctually. If regular attendance is impossible for any reason, then you may wish to consider rescheduling. If you are absent for any reason, get the notes from a trusted classmate.
Spring 2016 Reading and Lecture Tentative Schedule
Week 1: What is philosophy? Is it possible or necessary?
Week 2: Plato’s Phaedo: The Socratic Turn
Classical Philosophy: Politics vs Philosophy
Week 3: Plato’s Republic: What is justice?
Week 4: Plato’s Republic: What is the best regime?
Exam One
Week 5: Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics: What is happiness?
Week 6: What are the virtues?
Week 7: Aristotle’s Physics and Metaphysics: What is teleology?
Exam Two
Medieval Philosophy: Revelation vs Reason
Week 8: Maimonides’ Guide of the Perplexed: Divine Law and Augustine’s Confessions: Religious Experience
March 15–17 Spring Break
Week 9: March 22–24 Aquinas Summa Theologica: Divine Dogma
Exam Three
Early Modern Philosophy: Ancients vs Moderns
Week 10: Descartes: Meditations on First Philosophy: What is knowable?
Week 11: Hobbes: Leviathan: How to achieve permanent peace.
Week 12: Hume: An Enqiry Concerning Human Understanding: Proof of the impossibility of knowledge of cause.
Exam Four
Late Modern Philosophy: Historicism vs. Nature
Week 13: Kant: Critique of Pure Reason: Mind over nature.
Week 14: Hegel: Phenomenology of Spirit: History of mind.
Week 15: Nietzsche: Twilight of the Idols: The End of Philosophy
Week 16: Review and Final Exam Week
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 6.
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
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
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Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Crystal R.M. Wright
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Office Location:
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Gainesville Campus, Room 824
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-7731, ext. 4320
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E-mail Address:
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cwright@nctc.edu
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Name of Instructional Dean:
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Dr. Larry Gilbert
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Office Location:
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Corinth Campus, Room 305
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6216
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E-mail Address:
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lgilbert@nctc.edu
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