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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
M / W 2 – 3:20 pm FLM Room #208
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Course Title: Introduction to Philosophy
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Course Prefix & Number: PHIL 1301
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Section Number: 501
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Sem: Spring 2020
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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 NOTE-TAKING or unannounced and otherwise spontaneously produced assignments.
*It is highly recommended that you buy/rent a PHYSICAL book. That way, you can make notes and highlight important passages. E-readers are acceptable, but laptop computers are NOT permitted.
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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. 11:15 am – 12:15 pm OR by appointment); online hours ( M / W 7:30 - 8:30 am)
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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 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%
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5*
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Group Quizzes*
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15%
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2
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Movie Essays
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40%
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3
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Discussion Board Assignments
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35%
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*Lowest grade will be dropped
You can earn a maximum of 1,000 pts. in this course:
In-Class Assignments and Attendance 10 % 100 pts.
Group Quizzes 15 % 150 pts.
1st Movie Essay 20 % 200 pts.
2nd Movie Essay 20 % 200 pts.
Discussion Board Assignments 35 % 350 pts.
COURSE PROMISES: This course is a journey (should you accept it) that will reveal why people think the way they do; it will help answer why people believe in certain ideas and how those beliefs lead to actions and habits; you will learn how to identity common assumptions and foundations that people utilize to make their way through this complex thing called “life”; at the end, you will discover why you are the person you are today, allowing for a more fulfilling human existence.
NOTE ON COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR PROFESSOR: You must use your NCTC-based email (either CANVAS or your @nctc.edu email account) to communicate with me. If you miss class, you do not need to email me.
If you miss class, it is a good idea to check the syllabus/calendar to see what you missed. Finding a small group can relieve stress throughout the semester. You can communicate with your group to locate any missed notes, and set up a bi-weekly/monthly study session. In-class assignments cannot be made up.
During the week (Monday – Thursday), my policy is to respond to emails within 24 hours. During the weekend (Friday – Sunday) and on holidays, I generally do not check work email, so an email sent to me on those days/times might require a few days before getting a response. IF ONE IS NEEDING A QUICK RESPONSE, TRY THE ONLINE HOURS (Tues. and Thurs. 9:30-10:30 am via email). Better yet, come talk to me (in person!).
FAQ
- The In-Class Group Quiz will occur during the first 20-25 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 text/reading material and prepare a written group response. Each group will be collectively assessed by the professor.
- For Discussion Board Assignments, students will log into CANVAS and click on the “Discussions” link. Follow the instructions, as each discussion-board assignment will be slightly different. Each discussion board thread will typically open on a Monday and remain open for 1 week (closing on Saturday night at MIDNIGHT. BE SURE TO KEEP TRACK OF THE DUE DATES FOR EACH ASSIGNMENT ON YOUR SYLLABUS CALENDAR!
- There are no “exams” for this course; it is hoped that this will alleviate any “test anxiety” that you may be prone to. It is important to periodically check your syllabus to know what assignment is approaching (and its due date). This is a responsibility of the student, although the professor will provide helpful reminders IN CLASS, if you habitually miss class (or come to class late), you will be making your life more difficult. Reduce unnecessary stress!!!
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. As we have only 27 total class meetings, attendance, bodily participation, and reading are all crucial components for this class.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS CLASS:
- While in class, it is highly recommended that you turn off (and leave off) your cell phone. LAPTOP COMPUTERS ARE PROBHIBITED. When studying/reading the textbook, turn off your phone/computer—or better yet, place these items 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. If you don’t believe me, I would recommend reading Nicholas Carr’s enlightening The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains (New York: Norton, 2010). You can also watch a short interview with the author here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tqRMbg7MPc Better yet, ask yourself after 5 minutes what you’re thinking of as you attempt to read your textbook for an uninterrupted hour: Emails? Headline news? Sports scores?
- 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, think about the level of comprehension and the actual grade 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 during class. It’s no use expecting different results by doing the same thing over and over: learn from your experiences.
Other Helpful Texts and Support Materials:
Try looking at these books in the LIBRARY. Some items are on both campuses (Flower Mound and Corinth) while others remain in one or the other:
Philosophy in 90 Minutes: One of my favorite series—you can read these literally in 90 minutes. All of the philosophers that we have assigned text readings for can be found either at bookstores (Half-Price Books) or online to purchase (quite cheap). I found these very helpful when first studying philosophy. In addition to being concise and to-the-point, the author (Paul Strathern) is usually funny (a little anti-religious, however).
Does the Center Hold? This is an introduction to the big philosophical issues accompanied by bizarrely drawn illustrations.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (online). plato.stanford.edu: a trusted online source of everything philosophical.
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Friday, April 3rd.
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
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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CALENDAR
Instructor reserves the right to alter schedule at ANY time.
֎Discussion Board Dates to Remember (each due by MIDNIGHT): Discussion Board 1 Due (Saturday) 2/15; Discussion Board 2 Due (Sat) 2/29; Discussion Board 3 Due (Sat) 4/25
UNIT 1: “The Origins of Philosophy”
JAN.
W (22nd) INTRODUCTION; DISCUSS SYLLABUS
M (27th) Discuss: HAND OUT (have read before class) “What Are We Doing in This Class? Is Philosophy Possible?” by Donald Palmer
W (29th) LECTURE: “Origins of Philosophy”
FEB.
M (3rd) LECTURE: “Plato and Forms”
W (5th) LECTURE: “Aristotle and Metaphysics”
M (10th) Group Quiz: (have read) Plato, Phaedo, pgs. 1-2; 47-62
W (12th) “ “ “ “
֎ Reminder: 1ST DISCUSSION BOARD DUE Sat. 2/15 at midnight
UNIT 2: METAPHYSICS (Some Metaphysical “Problems”)
M (17th) Discuss: (have read) Augustine, On Free Choice of the Will, pgs. 372-384
W (19th) “ “ “ “
M (24th) Group Quiz: (have read) Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy, pgs. 499-500; 533-545
W (26th) “ “ “ “
֎ Reminder: 2nd DISCUSSION BOARD DUE Sat. 2/29 at midnight
UNIT 3: EPISTEMOLOGY (“What can I know and how?”)
MARCH
M (2nd) LECTURE: “Empiricism vs. Rationalism”
W (4th) Discuss: MOVIE PAPER #1 GUIDELINES (Inception)
Reminder: WATCH INCEPTION OVER THE WEEKEND TO DISCUSS ON MONDAY!
M (9th) Discuss: INCEPTION
W (11th) Group Quiz: (have read) Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, pgs. 670-679; 687-688
SPRING BREAK (No class)
M (23rd) Discuss: (have read) Locke, pgs. 734-740
W (25th) “ “ “ “
M (30th) Group quiz: (have read) Sextus Empiricus, Outlines of Pyrrhonism, pgs. 352-362
APRIL
W (1st) “ “ “ “
M (6th) Discuss: (have read) HANDOUT on CANVAS: Nietzsche, “On Truth and Lie[s] in a Nonmoral Sense”
W (8th) “ “ “ “
MOVIE ESSAY #1 DUE MONDAY (4/13) at 12:30 pm (Bring Hard [Paper] Copy and Upload to link in CANVAS ([Under “Assignments”])
UNIT 4: PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY (“What difference will it make in my life?”)
M (13th) TURN IN MOVIE ESSAY #1; LECTURE: “American Pragmatism”
W (15th) Group Quiz: (have read: James, Pragmatism and “The Will to Believe,” pgs. 1266-1272; 1278-1280)
M (20th) “ “ “ “
W (22nd) LECTURE: “Origins of Existentialism”
֎ Reminder: 3rd DISCUSSION BOARD DUE Sat. 4/25 at midnight
M (27th) Discuss (have read): HANDOUT on CANVAS, Ortega y Gasset, “Man Has No Nature”
W (29th) LECTURE: “French Existentialism”
MAY
M (4th) “ “ “ “
W (6th) WATCH FILM (in class): The Incredible Shrinking Man
FINAL EXAM WEEK: MOVIE ESSAY #2 DUE (Date/Time to be Announced Later)