PHIL 1301 0402 - INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY

Introduction

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

Introduction to Philosophy

Course Prefix & Number: 

PHIL1301

Section Number: 

 

Semester/Year:

 

Semester Credit Hours:

3

Lecture Hours:

3

Lab Hours:

0

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.

 

Course Prerequisite(s): None

Required Course Materials:

Cahn. Classics of Western Philosophy. 8th edition.  Hackett Publishing.

ISBN 9781603847438
             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

 

Campus/Office Location:

 

Telephone Number:

 

E-mail Address:

 

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

8-9:30

8-12

8-9:30

8-12

 

2-2:30

 

2-2:30

 

 

ONLINE 6-8pm MW

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog)

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 an application of philosophical concepts to various aspects of life.

 

Evaluate the personal and social responsibilities of living in a diverse world.

 

 

 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

 

Grading Policy and Procedures:  You will be evaluated in three ways in this class.  The first is through Reading Quizzes, the second is through Synthesis Papers, and the third is a comprehensive Final Exam. The Reading Quizzes will be short multiple-choice tests based on an assigned reading. They are intended to encourage you to read the text and are more about literal comprehension than full understanding of what you read.  They are more about focusing you on key parts of the reading.  The Synthesis Papers will be medium length (3-5 page) written responses to a question that will require you put together larger themes within the sections of the course.  They are “synthetic” because I will ask you to show how smaller aspects are connected to a larger whole.  I will expect that you can adequately write a standard college level essay and grammar is graded.   The Final Exam will be during exam week and will be comprehensive.  More details will be given in the last couple weeks of the course.   Here is the weighted breakdown of the elements:

  1. Reading Quizzes – 14 (12 of which will count) = 40%               Note:  I drop 2 quizzes
  2. Synthesis Papers – 3 (all will count) = 40%                                Note:  I drop 0 papers
  3. Final Exam = 20%                                                                       Note:  The Final Exam is mandatory

A = 90-99, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F = 0-32, Plagiarized Papers = F as 0 (zero)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

 

Part A:  The Nature of Philosophy

 Orientation: Syllabus, Nature of Philosophy, Branches & Chronology

  • Text: Descartes’ Discourse on Method, (p.501-508, Parts 1,2)

Mythology (See “Greek Mythology” packet on Canvas)

Critical Thinking and the Republic

  • Text: Plato; The Euthyphro(p. 18-26)
  • Movie: Gladiator(available NCTC library, and Netflix etc)

Part B:  Being and Knowledge "The Individual"

Metaphysics (What is?) 

  • Idealism: Plato
    • Text: Plato, The Republic: BK I&II (p.128-155), VI, VII (p.175-178)
  • Materialism: Aristotle
    • Text: Aristotle, The Categories(p. 195-198) 
    • Text: Aristotle, MetaphysicsBK I, IV (p. 243-254)

Epistemology (What is True?)

  • Rationalism: Descartes
    • Text: Descartes, Meditations(Mediations One and Two p. 533-539)
    • Movie: Name of the Rose(available NCTC library, Netflix etc) 
  • Empiricism: Locke
    • Text;  Locke, Essay Concerning Human Understanding, BK I,II (p.672-705)

Part C: The Polis  "The Community"

Ethics (What is Truly Good?)

  • Text: Plato, The Apology(p.27-39)
  • Virtue Ethics: Aristotle
    • Text: Aristotle, Nicomachean EthicsBK I,II (p. 275-290) and X (320-329)
  • Stoic Ethics: Epictetus
    • Text: Epictetus, Encheiridion, (p.340-351)
  • Utility: John Stuart Mill
    • Text: Mill, Utilitarianism(p.1187-1192)

Politics (What is Truly Good for the Whole) 

  • PDF: Plato, The Republic, BK VIII
  • Monarchy: Hobbes
    • Text: Hobbes, The Leviathan(p. 562-591; concentrate on: Introduction, Part One, Chapt. I, V, VI, XIII, XIV, Part II, Chapt. XVII [13])
  • Democracy and Liberalism: Mill and Madison
    • Text: Mill, On Liberty(p. 1220-1226)
    • James Madison, Federalist 10(See Canvas)

 Part D:  Wrap up and Conclusion:

  • Final Exam – See Official NCTC Exam Schedule for date and time

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

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 judgement 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)

Additional Instructor-specific Absence Policy:

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is _______________.

 

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


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 and published online.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

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)]”. 

 

Academic Dishonesty:  I take plagiarism (etc) very seriously and have a zero tolerance policy.  I will report all instances of plagiarism to the registrar, and all plagiarized assignments get an automatic zero.

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

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

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Bruce King

Office Location:

1500 North Corinth St, Corinth, TX 76208-5408

Telephone Number:

940-498-6464

E-mail Address:

bking@nctc.edu