PHIL 1301 415 - INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY

Introduction

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: Introduction to Philosophy

Course Prefix & Number: PHIL1301

Section Number:  415

Semester: Spring 2017

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 Prerequisite(s): None

Required or Recommended Course Materials:

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

ISBN # 978-0-872-20859-9

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Michael Mansfield

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth – Room 331

Telephone Number:

940-498-6295

E-mail Address:

mmansfield@nctc.edu

Office Hours:  T/TH 12:20pm-2:00pm, 4:50pm-5:20pm, and Monday online 12:00pm-1:40pm

GRADING CRITERIA

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

2

Exams

40

2

Papers

40

6

                                             Quizzes

20

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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 electronic device 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.

 

Electronic Device Usage/Classroom Decorum  ABSOLUTELY NO ELECTRONIC DEVICE USAGE IN THE CLASSROOM.  This includes cellphones and laptops. Points will be taken off the final grade for electronic device usage in the classroom and the student will be forced to leave the classroom for the day.  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 POLICY

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. 

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 6, 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 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

 

 

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 – Spring 2017

 

Week                      Reading______________________________

Jan.17-19        Introduction/Logic and Arguments

                      Pre-Socratics                                                    

Jan.24-26        Pre-Socratics

                      Plato – Euthyphro

                      Plato - Apology

Jan.31-Feb.2    Plato - Apology

                      Plato - Crito                        

Feb.7-9           Martin Luther King, Jr. - Letter From a Birmingham Jail

                      Plato – The Symposium                           

Feb.14-16        Plato – The Republic                                                  

Feb.21-23        Plato – The Republic                                                                              

Feb.28-Mar.2    Plato – The Republic

                      Aristotle - Nicomachean Ethics                                                    

Mar.7-9           Aristotle -  Nicomachean Ethics

                      Epicurus – Letter to Manoeceus /The Principle Doctrines

Mar.14-16        SPRING BREAK – COLLEGE CLOSED

Mar.21-23        Epictetus - Encheiridion

                      Anselm – Proslogion/Aquinas – Summa Theologiae

                      Descartes – Meditations on First Philosophy

Mar.28-30        Descartes – Meditations on First Philosophy

Apr.4-6            Hobbes - Leviathan                                                                 

                      Locke – The Second Treatise of Government

Apr.11-13         Kant – Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals

                      Marx/Engels– The Communist Manifesto

Apr.18-20        Nietzsche – Twilight of the Idols

Apr.25-27        Nietzsche – Twilight of the Idols

                      Sartre – The Humanism of Existentialism

May2-4            Environmental Ethics (Readings to be assigned)

                      SEMESTER REVIEW

May8-11          FINAL EXAMS

               

 

 

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.

 

Syllabus File(s)

There are no Handouts for this set.