NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE                                                COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Title: Introduction to Philosophy

Course Prefix & Number: PHIL 1301            Section Number: 409                                    Semester: 2017SP

Semester Credit Hours: 3                             Lecture Hours: 3                                                        Lab Hours: 0

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.

Course Prerequisites: None

Required Course Materials: Cahn. Classics of Western Philosophy. 8th edition. Hackett Publishing. ISBN# 978-0-872-20859-9

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Thomas Cross
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth 331
Telephone Number:	214-546-6382
E-mail address:	tcross@nctc.edu
Office Hours:	M 2:00-5:00, T 2:00-4:00; W 2:00-3:00

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage of Grade
2	Exams	40%
2	Individual Essays	30%
5	Pop Quizzes	10%
1	Power Point	11%
3	Movie Quizzes	9%

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

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.

 

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attending class is the best way to learn the material and definitely the easiest way to pass the course. Attendance will be taken at each class meeting. It is expected for students to be on time for all course meetings and examinations.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

NCTC PHIL1301-409 SP2017 Lecture and Reading Schedule

Date      Text and/or ppt                                Topics

1/23       ppt                                         Branches of Philosophy, Logic, and the Pre-Socratics

1/30       18-79, 97-127                     Plato-Euthyphro, Symposium and the trial of Socrates

2/6         128-192 (focus on Book II & VII) Plato-Republic.                  Individual Essay #1 assigned

2/13       First movie and movie quiz         

2/20       275-329                Aristotle-Nicomachean Ethics

2/27       ppt                         The Christians

                372-402 Augustine                           Individual Essay #1 due

2/27       417-427                Boethius-Consolation of Philosophy

                457-478                Thomas Aquinas

3/6         Movie #2             Personal Identity

                NOTE: Mid Term Exam Posted

3/13       Spring Break

3/20       527-559 Descartes-Meditations on First Philosophy          Individual Essay #2 assigned

                560-591 Hobbes-Leviathan

3/27       670-740 Locke-An Essay Concerning Human Understanding

                832-899 Hume-An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding

4/3         927-973 Hume-Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion

                1134-1109            Kant-Critique of Pure Reason

4/10       Movie # 3 Ethical Choices and Quiz

4/17       1110-1149            Kant-Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals

                1175-1184            Kierkegaard-Concluding Unscientific Postscript  Individual Essay#2 due

4/24       1186-1219            Mill-Utilitarianism

                120-1226              Mill-On Liberty

5/1         1227-1243            Nietzsche-Twilight of the Idols

                1319-1333            Sartre-The Humanism of Existentialism                  Student Power Point due

5/8 In-class Final Exam

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 12, 2017.

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 American 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/Students/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA

o Communication

o Mathematics

o Life and Physical Science

X Language, Philosophy & culture

o Creative Arts