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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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Introduction to Philosophy
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Course Prefix & Number:
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PHIL1301
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Section Number:
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415
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Semester/Year:
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Spring’18
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Semester Credit Hours:
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3
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Lecture Hours:
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3
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Lab Hours:
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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:
Cahn. Classics of Western Philosophy. 9th edition. Hackett Publishing.
ISBN 978-8-872-20859-9
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Marshall Nelson
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Campus/Office Location:
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Corinth Campus, Room 214
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Telephone Number:
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309-287-8714
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E-mail Address:
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mnelson@nctc.edu
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OFFICE HOURS
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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5:30-6:30 p.m.
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9:30-10:00 p.m.
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My office hours are primarily before and after class, if students need to meet and talk about the course. If you need special accommodations due to a work schedule to meet at another time, use Canvas Conversations (not email!) and we can work something out where we have more time to talk.
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog
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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 an 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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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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14
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Readings and Class Discussion
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30%
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14
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Quizzes
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30%
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2
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Papers
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30%
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1
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Final Exam
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10%
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)
The coursework for this class has been primarily designed so that students can be assessed on their content mastery in a variety of different ways: traditional examinations, writing assignments, and in-class dialogue are all weighted (roughly) equally so that you have ample opportunity to “show what you know” from our readings and lectures in class. Each of the quizzes will cover weekly material from the lectures and readings, and will gauge your knowledge of objective facts presented about particular philosophers and schools of thought, while the papers will enable you to go deeper with the material and add your own thoughts and ideas about the subject matter. Participation in our class discussion is crucial, so if you are unable to be present for a class session or you are struggling to communicate in class, please contact me sooner rather than later so we can make sure you have an outlet for participation. Students sleeping, texting, or generally not engaging in lectures/discussions will not receive credit for class discussion. The specific prompts and due dates for the papers are available on Canvas.
LATE WORK POLICY: Quizzes will be available the entire week after our class lecture and will automatically lock on Canvas, meaning they will be unavailable after that. The two papers will still be able to be uploaded after their due date, with a 10% penalty deduction for each day late.
Please note: extra credit will not be available for this course. It is not fair to your peers to allow “do-overs” of sub-par or late assignments that others completed with excellence the first time, and the inflation of grades cheapens the value of high marks and the achievement that accompanies it. Moreover, it does not provide the school with an accurate assessment of your mastery of the material when your grade is manipulated in this way: if you really want the A, earn it! It will not be difficult if you pay attention to the readings/lectures and participate in class.
Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor. It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgment by the faculty member. Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence. Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work. Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor. A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam. Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)
As stated in the course outline, part of your course assessment is regular attendance and participation in our discussion. If you have a legitimate reason to miss class and contact me beforehand, I will make sure that you are accommodated with opportunities to make up missed points. I also understand that life happens, and sometimes students need to leave early or arrive late (with proper communication beforehand, of course), but to be counted as “present” for attendance purposes you will need to be present for at least 70% of the class session.
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 4th.
DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).
Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc. Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.
For support, please contact the counselors at (940) 498-6207 or (940) 668-4321. Alternatively, students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.
CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)_______
o Communication
o Mathematics
o Life and Physical Science
X Language, Philosophy & Culture
o Creative Arts
o Government/Political Science
o Social and Behavioral Sciences
o Component Area Option
o American History
REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)
X Critical Thinking
X Communication
o Empirical and Quantitative
o Teamwork
X Personal Responsibility
X Social Responsibility
o Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
X Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
o WECM Course
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.
Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion. Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty. See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”.
Plagiarism comes from the Latin word plagium, which meant to steal or kidnap, and I will treat instances of it with roughly the same level of disdain. To steal another person’s intellectual work, whether it be your classmate’s or anyone else’s, is no different to me than if you stole any of their other possessions. Not only does it show a lack of moral character on a student’s part, it demonstrates that they have no respect for their peers, this institution, or themselves if they are willing to mar their own intellectual and ethical growth over something as paltry as a grade. All plagiarized work will receive an automatic zero and further punitive measures will be explored. If you are struggling to develop your thoughts or complete assignments: please seek me out. It is why I am here, and I want to help you create the best work that you can produce- not someone else.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
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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, TX 76240
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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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