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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
MTWR 12 – 2:20 pm FLM Room #209
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Course Title: Introduction to Philosophy
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Course Prefix & Number: PHIL 1301
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Section Number: 510
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Sem: Summer I 2019
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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 1 film you will be expected to watch OUTSIDE the classroom: Inception (Christopher Nolan, 2010). This can be viewed online at Amazon Instant Video, Youtube, or other (unspecified) places. Public libraries might also carry it. You will also need 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. You will also need 2 BLUE BOOKS for your 2 exams.
*The TEXTBOOK / HANDOUTS are required on designated days. HARD COPIES ONLY. No computers/phones will be allowed once class starts.
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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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Room #107 (Office Hours: Mon. and Wed. 2:30 – 3:00 pm OR by appointment)
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Telephone Number:
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--------------------- (use email)
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E-mail Address:
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USE CANVAS or 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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daily
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In-Class Assignments / Attendance
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10% (100 pts)
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2
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Exams
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60% (600 pts)
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1
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Movie Essay
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20% (200 pts)
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2
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Discussion Boards
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10% (100 pts)
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CALENDAR
Instructor reserves the right to alter syllabus schedule at ANY time.
JUNE
Ì = Bring textbook or hard copy of handout to class (or 1 pt. deducted for attendance)
UNIT 1: METAPHYSICS (“What exists in the world?”)
WEEK 1
M (10th) INTRODUCTION; DISCUSS SYLLABUS; DIVIDE INTO GROUPS
T (11th) Ì Discuss HAND OUT (have read before class): “What Are We Doing in This Class? Is Philosophy Possible?” by Donald Palmer
B. LECTURE: “Origins of Philosophy”
W (12th) A. “ “ “ “
B. LECTURE: “Plato and Forms”
R (13th) “ “ “ “
*Reminder: 1ST DISCUSSION BOARD DUE Sat. 6/15 at midnight
WEEK 2
M (17th) Ì A. Group Quiz: (have read: Aristotle, Metaphysics, pgs. 193-194; 215-216 (Book II, secs. 1-2); 243-247 (Book I; secs. 1-3); 251 (Book IV, sec. 1); 255-256 (Book VII, sec. 1)
B. LECTURE: ARISTOTLE
T (18th) Ì “ “ “ “
W (19th) EXAM 1 (Bring BLUE BOOK and PENCIL OR PEN). NO NOTES ARE ALLOWED (Be sure to watch Inception for tomorrow)
UNIT 2: EPISTEMOLOGY (“What can I know and how?”)
R (20th) A. DISCUSS FILM (Inception)
LECTURE: “Empiricism vs. Rationalism”
WEEK 3
M (24th) Ì A. Have read: Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy, pgs. 499-500; 533-546)
B. LECTURE: DESCARTES
T (25th) Ì “ “ “ “
W (26th) Ì A. Group Quiz: (have read: LOCKE: An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, pgs. 670-679; 687-688; 734-740)
B. LECTURE: LOCKE
R (27th) Ì “ “ “ “
*REMINDER: MOVIE ESSAY #1 DUE MONDAY 12 pm (noon) (Bring hard copy to class)
JULY
WEEK 4
MOVIE ESSAY #1 DUE MONDAY (7/1) at 12 pm (noon) (Bring hard copy to class)
UNIT 3: THE HUMAN PSYCHE (“What do I desire and why?”)
M (1st) A. LECTURE: “Augustine, Free Will, and Original Sin”
B. “ “ “ “
T (2nd) A. LECTURE: “Nietzsche and the ‘Will to Power’”
B. “ “ “ “
W (3rd) Ì A. Group Quiz: (have read: James, Pragmatism and “The Will to Believe,” pgs. 1266-1272; 1278-1280)
B. LECTURE: JAMES
R (4th) NO SCHOOL (4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY)
*Reminder: 2nd DISCUSSION BOARD DUE Sat. 7/6 at midnight
WEEK 5
M (8th) Ì “ “ “ “
T (9th) Ì A. Group Quiz: (have read: HANDOUT on CANVAS [Ortega y Gasset, “Man Has No Nature”])
B. LECTURE: “The Origins of Existentialism”
W (10th) A. LECTURE: “Sartre and Freedom”
B. “ “ “ “
R (11th) EXAM 2 (Bring BLUE BOOK and PENCIL OR PEN). NO NOTES ARE ALLOWED
Dates to Remember: Discussion Board 1 Due 6/15; Discussion Board 2 Due 7/6
You can earn a maximum of 1,000 pts. in this course:
In-Class Assignments and Attendance 10% 100 pts.
Discussion Boards (2) 10% 100 pts.
First Exam 30% 300 pts.
Second Exam 30% 300 pts.
Movie Project 20% 200 pts.
FAQ
- The In-Class Group Quiz will occur during the first 15-20 minutes of class (see calendar). Each student will be part of a small group of students (4-5) in which these conversations will take place. The aim of these discussions will be to go over the assigned material and/prepare a written response. Each group’s written quiz will then be graded collectively.
- For Discussion Board Participation students will reply once to the professor’s prompt and twice to 2 other students (in that student’s group). The first reply should be at least 200 words; the second and third should be at least 100 words each (400 words total). The first reply is 28 pts; each response to a classmate is 11 pts (max. total of 50 pts.) Each discussion board thread will open on a Monday and remain open for 1 week (closing on Saturday night at MIDNIGHT). SEE CALENDAR FOR DATES.
- The First and Second Exams will occur in class (blue book and pen/pencil required). Both essays will have a prompt given at the beginning of class, which will relate to the assigned readings and material covered in class. Students will have 1 hr. and 15 minutes for each exam.
NOTE ON ABSENCES: Students who arrive 20 or more minutes after the start of class will be considered partially absent for that day (1 pt. deduction), as will students who leave early or who attend without a hard copy of the required text/handout. As we have only 16 total class meetings, attendance, bodily participation, and reading are all crucial components for this class.
NOTE ON TECHNOLOGY: The use of electronic devices—phones, laptops, e-readers, etc.—are prohibited. Such devices should be put away during class time. Further, students are required to bring their books/handouts to class, having completing the assigned reading for that class session. Students must bring materials (paper and pen) with which to take notes and work on any in-class assignments. WARNINGS will be given during the first few days. Thereafter, each interruption of class by a student using their phone/computer will result in the student being counted as fully absent. Students who persist may be subject to disciplinary actions (SEE HANDBOOK BELOW)
HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS CLASS:
- When studying/reading the text, turn off your phone/computer—or better yet, place these “things” in a different room; the spatial arrangement of your study area can significantly determine your brain’s ability to concentrate for extended periods of time. Don’t believe me? Just try it!
- Don’t think of your engagement with the textbook as a “forced exercise” or an “assignment I have to do” for “school.” Instead, view this moment as an opportunity to converse with the dead; in essence, you’re conjuring the ghost of Plato/Nietzsche, etc. and seeking advice/knowledge about this crazy world we all inhabit (and in their case, have inhabited).
- After completing the readings and assignments (exams, etc.), think about the level of comprehension and exam score you projected to obtain. Was it accurate? If not, come talk to the professor, bringing your notes and textbook so you can display what kind of notes you are taking while reading at home to prepare for each classroom sitting. It’s no use expecting different results by doing the same thing over and over: learn from your experiences.
ABSENCES/MAKEUPS:
There are no makeups for in-class assignments. EXAMS ARE TAKEN IN CLASS ON THE ASSIGNED DAYS (SEE CALENDAR/SCHEDULE). If student is absent they need to bring medical/legal/funeral documentation 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.
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Wednesday, June 26th.
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
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. https://www.nctc.edu/_documents/academics/student-handbook.pdf
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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, Texas
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Telephone Number:
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bking@nctc.edu
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E-mail Address:
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940-668-4267
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