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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:
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Semester:
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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 Texts: Plato, The Republic. Translated by Raymond Larson. (Harlan Davidson, Wheeling, 1979) [ISBN: 0-88295-118-1] There are many translations of The Republic, and a few editions of this one, but I recommend you get this one so we are all, literally, on the same page. I will supplement this text from time to time with other readings that I will put on Canvas.
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Dr. Jack O’Connor
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Campus/Office Location:
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Corinth, 337
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6258
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E-mail Address:
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joconnor@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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Grading Policy and Procedures: You will be evaluated by three criteria in this course. The first is Reaction Quizzes, the second a term Paper, and the third, a final Exam. The Reaction Quizzes (RQ’s) will be medium length (one page) responses to a question I will generate on a given day’s reading assignment. They will be open text, but will be timed. Essentially, if you have labored through the reading and have a general awareness of its gist and structure you will be fine. If you try to do the Quizzes without reading beforehand, you will not have enough time to respond and will fail. You will have 5 RQ’s, 4 of which will count. If you miss one of these tests, c’est la vie. You cannot make them up, that is why I drop one. If you arrive late, you will not be able to do it. You will have 20 minutes to do them. You will also write two medium length papers. The Papers will be 4 to 5 pages in length and will be based on prompts that I give you in class. I will provide a separate handout which lists more details about them later. Half of the papers will be based on outlines that I will make due before the final version. (I expect that you can write a college level term paper in English if you cannot, seek help). The Exam will be short and or long answer and will be comprehensive in nature.
RQ’s = 40%
Papers = 40% (half of it is your outline)
Exam = 20%
A = 90-99, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F = 0-32, Plagiarized Papers = F as 0 (zero)
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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
Attendance Policy: I tend to allow students a great deal of autonomy, as I assume you are adults and that you are here by choice. Consequently, I will not include attendance as part of your grade, and leave you to take responsibility for your performance. I have neither the time nor the interest in dealing with excuses for missed classes; if you don’t care to show up, you needn’t do so. And, I also understand that even very conscientious students will need to miss a class for legitimate reasons, and this is to be expected. However, I strongly caution you NOT to miss these lectures for Philosophy can be a tricky subject and the internet is not necessarily a help to what you miss in class. Do not interpret “I do not take attendance” to mean that you don’t need to show up. It is pretty much a rule that if you fail to attend, you will fail. Also, bear in mind that half of your grade is determined by the surprise Reaction Quizzes which are given IN CLASS and CANNOT BE MADE UP. Further, if you do not attend classes, do not be surprised if I am not very giving my time to help you catch up. Those who attend and try to comprehend the ideas in the course will find in me a patient source of help, those who try to use me to summarize what they miss due to lack of attendance will not find this to be the case. Hence, I suggest you make a contact in this class with whom you can exchange information on what was covered in case you miss a class. In addition, any changes to tests and assignments and important dates are your responsibility to keep track of and; “I missed that class” is not a viable excuse for late work.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Reading Schedule Spring 2018
The following Reading Schedule is based on the translator’s logical sections as per his Table of Contents. The “Parts” identified here correspond to the logical division that the translator has seen fit to divide the Republic into for ease of comprehension. The work itself is divided, traditionally, into 10 books, and we will often refer to the Book numbers as well. In addition, since the Republic is an ancient text and has been translated many times and into many languages, page numbers are relative to whatever addition used. Here, I have given you page numbers for convenience but make sure to get in the habit of referring to “marginal notes” or “Stephanus” notes which are numbers and letters in the margins which signpost lines in the text. This is an accurate way to discuss passages for such a text.
- Jan. 17-20 – Introduction to Course and Philosophy
- Jan. 23-27 – Preface and Background (p.xiii-xxi), Introduction (p.xxiii-xxxiii)
- Jan. 30-Feb 3 – Part 1: Current Opinions of Justice Refuted (p.1-30)
- Feb. 6-10 – Part 1 con’t
- Feb.13-17 – Part 2: Justice Reexamined (p.31-109)
- Feb.20-24 – Part 2 con’t
- Feb.27-Mar.3 – Part 3: Degenerate Regimes and the Best Regime (p.113-200)
- Mar.6-10 – Part 3 con’t
- Mar.13-17 – Spring Break
- Mar.20-24 – Part 4: Degenerate Regimes Resumed (p.201-247)
- Mar.27-31 – Part 4 con’t
- Apr.3-7 – Part 5: Denunciation of Imitative Poetry (p.251-264)
- Apr.10-14
- Apr.17-21 – Immortality and the Rewards of Justice (p.265-278)
- Apr.24-28
- May 1-5 – Conclusion and Wrap up
- Exams: May 8-11
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is _______________.
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. Bruce King
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Office Location:
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1525 W California St., Gainesville
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-4267
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E-mail Address:
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bking@nctc.edu
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