Course Title: Introduction to Philosophy

Course Prefix & Number: PHIL1301

Semester Credit 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

 

Office Hours:  M/W 3:20-4:20pm or as scheduled

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

 

 

 



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

Instructional Dean

Dr. Bruce King

1525 W. California St., Gainesville, Texas

bking@nctc.edu

940-668-4267

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading Schedule – Introduction to Philosophy – Spring 2018 – NCTC 

Week                      Reading______________________________

Jan.15-17           January 15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday – NO CLASSES

Introduction/Logic and Arguments

                           Pre-Socratics                                                    

Jan.22-24           Plato – Euthyphro

                          Plato - Apology

Jan.29-31          Plato - Apology

                          Plato - Crito                        

Feb.5-7           Plato - Crito

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

                         Plato – The Symposium                           

Feb.12-14         Plato – The Republic                                                  

Feb.19-21         Plato – The Republic                                                                              

Feb.26-28         Plato – The Republic

                         Aristotle- Nicomachean Ethics                                                    

Mar.5-7            Epicurus – Letter to Manoeceus /The Principle Doctrines

                         Epictetus - Encheiridion

Mar.12-17        Spring Break – NO CLASSES

Mar.19-21 Descartes – Meditations on First Philosophy                                                                                         

Mar.26-28        Hobbes – Leviathan

Locke – The Second Treatise of Government

Apr.2-4            Hume – A Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding                       

Apr.9-11          Kant – Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals

Mill – Utilitarianism/ On Liberty

Apr.16-18        Mill – Utilitarianism/ On Liberty

Marx/Engels - The Communist Manifesto         

Apr.23-25        Nietzsche - Twilight of the Idols

Apr.30-May2   Sartre – The Humanism of Existentialism

Environmental Ethics (Readings to be assigned)    

May 9               Final Exam – 2:00 – 3:50pm



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.

 

 

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