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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
M / W 2:00 – 3:20 pm FLM Room #206
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Course Title: Introduction to Philosophy
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Course Prefix & Number: PHIL 1301
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Section Number: 501
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Semester: Fall 2017
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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 COURSE MATERIALS:
Steven Cahn, ed. Classics of Western Philosophy. 8th (eighth) edition. Hackett Publishing.
ISBN # 978-1-60384-743-8
In addition, there is one film you will be expected to watch outside the classroom: Inception (Christopher Nolan, 2010). This can be viewed online at Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, or other (unspecified) places. The Flower Mound library has 1 copy on reserve (24-hrs.). Public libraries might also carry it.
Notebook paper and pencil/pens. These are standard tools of students and should always be carried into class for unannounced and otherwise spontaneously produced assignments.
The TEXTBOOK / HANDOUTS should be brought on days in which we discuss the assigned readings, as we will be referencing certain pages/sections from the text. NO ONLINE or e-BOOKS ALLOWED DURING CLASS TIME!
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Mark Thompson
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Campus/Office Location:
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FLOWER MOUND; Room #107 (Office Hours: Mon. and Wed. 12:30 – 1:30 pm AND 3:30–4:30 pm by appointment; email communication, Tues. and Thurs. 8 – 9 am)
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Telephone Number:
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972-899-8400
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E-mail Address:
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mthompson@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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various
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Attendance / Participation Assignments
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20 %
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2
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Exams
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50 %
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2
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Movie Assignments
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30 %
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“No one of us ought to issue vetoes to the other, nor should we bandy words of abuse. We ought, on the contrary, delicately and profoundly to respect one another’s mental freedom. . . . [T]hen only shall we have that spirit of inner tolerance without which all our outer tolerance is soulless. . . .”
—William James (“The Will to Believe,” 1897)
JAMES CLIFFORD
When American philosopher/psychologist William James wrote these words, he was partially responding to a British mathematician, W. K. Clifford, who argued in 1876: “Belief is desecrated when given to unproved and unquestioned statements for the solace and private pleasure of the believer. . . . It is wrong always, everywhere, and for everyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.”
This short quote sums a few of the perennial problems that show up in philosophy courses: When should people believe in some ideas rather than others? Can one believe in certain ideas and values knowing that the evidence in their favor is incomplete or temporarily in flux? Are we justified in this approach to knowledge and metaphysics? How does one define “evidence” and “belief”? Can one believe in something without any practical effect? In short, how are we to practically live and function in a world in which change seems to be constant?
We change from an infant to a child to an adult; we change our tastes in clothing, music, and food; we develop new relationships and leave old ones behind. In short, what do we find that is stable and universal (unchanging and solid) and allows us to maintain some type of belief system that means something to us? To find meaning, do we need something rock-solid to hold on to, or can we enjoy a world marked by the elusive passing of time?
Philosophy is sometimes thought of as very abstract and unrelated to the pressing problems and concerns of everyday events. Philosophers are seen as walking about with their head in the clouds, while the “real” world passes before them unaffected by their philosophical musings. This course seeks to demonstrate the relevance of philosophical ways of thinking (philosophy as a tool) to everyone who engages in its practices. Future nurses, lawyers, mechanics, cooks, teachers, etc., can find something meaningful in this course.
ATTENDANCE AND ETIQUETTE:
As this is not an online or hybrid class, attendance is extremely important (20% of your grade). I will take attendance starting in week 2 using a seating chart. To avoid being counted “absent,” sit in the same seat and there will be no problems. If one arrives late, please quietly sit down and try not to disrupt class by asking your neighbor what we’re talking about; that will become apparent as class goes on. If you arrive after a certain time, you will not get credit for attending that day. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE UNTIL CLASS IS DISMISSED. Sometimes we will finish early, but it is a major distraction to the class when you get up and leave 5-10 minutes before class is over: JUST WAIT UNLESS IT’S AN EMERGENCY! (If you have to leave for special work-related or family occasions, please inform me before class).
ELECTRONIC DEVICES, GADGETS, AND WHATNOTS: Your instructor is not anti-technology, but please (ideal situation) turn off and put away cell phones and other tools powered by electricity once class starts. Occasional text messages and use of phones to look up info. is okay, provided one does not remain fixated for 5-10 minutes on the phone. If instructor has to politely request to put away your phone, deductions will result from your attendance grade. Repeated warnings will result in exponential increases in pt. deductions (eventually resulting in a zero (0) for one’s attendance/participation grade).
Also, NO COMPUTERS are allowed (unless allowed through the Office for Students with Disabilities). NO ONLINE or e-BOOKS DURING CLASS-TIME !!!
GRADING:
Attendance / Participation Pts. = 20%
Attendance
Lecture Days = 1 pt.
Assigned Reading Days = 2 pts.*
Participation/Video Assignments = 2 pts.
Extra-Credit online assignments (THROUGH CANVAS) = 1-3 pts.
*contingent on group, oral participation
Exams (2 @ 25 pts. each) = 50%
Movie projects (2 @ 15 pts. each) = 30%
ABSENCES/MAKEUPS:
There are NO makeups for in-class assignments (participation pts.). As noted above, there will be a few extra-credit assignments scattered throughout the semester, but that’s all.
EXAMS ARE TAKEN IN CLASS ON THE ASSIGNED DAYS (SEE CALENDAR/SCHEDULE). One makeup will be allowed. However, student needs to either bring medical/legal documentation or some other justified reason for why they were not able to make it to class. Student should contact professor via email ASAP. If makeup exam is approved by professor, it will need to be taken within 1 week or a zero will be recorded.
Other Helpful Texts and Support Materials:
Try looking at these books in the LIBRARY. Some items are on both campuses (Flower Mound and Corinth) while others remain in one or the other:
Philosophy in 90 Minutes: One of my favorite series—you can read these literally in 90 minutes. All of the philosophers that we have assigned text readings for can be found on reserve at Flower Mound’s library for 2 hours (with the exception of our last 3: Peirce, James, and Rand). They must be read inside the library, but I found these very helpful when first studying philosophy. In addition to being very concise and to-the-point, the author (Paul Strathern) is usually funny (a little anti-religious, however). You can also buy these online for pennies and find some in used book stores. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BEFORE COMING TO CLASS ON THOSE DAYS IN WHICH WE HAVE ASSIGNED READINGS OVER A PARTICULAR PHILOSOPHER.
Does the Center Hold? This is an introduction to the big philosophical issues accompanied by bizarrely drawn illustrations.
Wadsworth Philosopher’s Series. A series which gives brief overviews of each thinker. After reading them, you’ll feel it was worth the time and effort.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (online). plato.stanford.edu: a trusted online source of everything philosophical.
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Thursday, November 9th.
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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