NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course title: Introduction to Philosophy
Course prefix, number, and section number: PHIL1301 0381
Semester/Year of course: 2nd 8-week Spring 2022
Semester start and end dates: 3/20/2022 – 5/14/2022
Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Online
Class meeting location, days, and times: Online
Lab meeting location, days, and times: N/A
Semester credit hours: 3
Course description: 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 prerequisites: None
Required course materials: Cahn. Classics of Western Philosophy. 8th edition. Hackett Publishing. ISBN 978-8-872-20859-9
Name of instructor: Dr. Dax Bennington
Office location: Online
Telephone number:
E-mail address: dbennington@nctc.edu
Office hours for students: See Canvas Webex office hours
SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER
The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.
SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
List of graded assignments: Short reading summaries and papers
Final grade scale: 10 Reading summaries (50 points each = 500 points) and 2 papers (250 points each = 500 points) = 1000 points
900 -1000 = A
800 -899 = B
700 -799 = C
600-699 = D
<600 = F
Late work policy: Late work will be penalized a letter grade each day it’s late. Once an assignment is so late that it is an F, then late work won’t be accepted.
SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Integrity Policy: We in the Philosophy Department believe that education serves a higher purpose than job training, and as such take plagiarism very seriously, and will penalize students who commit it with the full extent of NCTC policy. The reason for which we do not tolerate plagiarism is because education is about “turning souls toward the truth,” according to Plato in the Republic, and consequently, our purpose is to open students to a higher truth. It is easily to see how cheating, therefore, is especially heinous here. We believe that the role of education is about nurturing the intellect so that one’s awareness grows, and that one can appreciate the Artes Liberalis (the arts of a free person) Thus, for us, education is about people reaching their potential and thinking beyond the practical; it is not something to be simply gotten through. For this reason, scholastic dishonesty demonstrates that one does not care for the true value of education, but cares only for a grade. We will not hesitate to enforce all available consequences open to us in punishing instances of scholastic dishonesty.
There is a great temptation to cut and paste from the internet and other nefarious means of cheating on assignments and while this might be more common today, it does not make it excusable. Everyone should know what plagiarism is, and if not, please seek to make sure you understand it. This is the definition of plagiarism as quoted from NCTC’s Student Handbook:
“Plagiarism” shall be defined as the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work.
“Collusion” shall be defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements.
In order to preserve the sanctity of the mission of education, we will take all appropriate actions to prevent and to punish instances of scholastic dishonesty, up to and including the following consequences: First, the Philosophy Department uses TurnItIn.Com to check written submissions, so be aware that your submissions will be vetted through this vehicle, secondly, a paper that demonstrates plagiarism will receive an F, and, the student may receive an F in the course, thirdly, students caught plagiarizing will be reported to the registrar’s office (via NCTC’s Scholastic Dishonesty Report Form).
Attendance Policy: N/A
Withdrawal Policy
A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.
Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is:
Student Learning Outcomes:
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.
Core Objectives:
Critical Thinking
Communication
Personal Responsibility
Social Responsibility
COLLEGE POLICIES
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.
NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations. See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.
NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students. See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.
The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class. If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student may contact the chair or coordinator of the division. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.