Spring 2004        Philosophy 100 (sec. 5)                        

T   5 – 7:30 pm

 

Introduction to Philosophy

 

 

 

Course Description: This course will introduce students to philosophy through a discussion of the issues such as causality and modern science, the existence of God, the possibility and nature of knowledge, the mind/body problem, free will and determinism, artificial intelligence, and the meaning of life. The objective of the course is to help the students become familiar with basic philosophical concepts and the nature of philosophical inquiry, develop their appreciation of the implications of philosophical issues for other disciplines and our everyday lives, while sharpening their reasoning skills.

 

 

Texts: (Available at the SCSU Bookstore)

 

1. David A. Kline, Robert Hollinger, E. D. Klemke, Philosophy: Contemporary Perspectives on Perennial Issues, 4th ed. (New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s Press, 1994).

2. Fyodor Dostoevsky, Notes from the Underground, trans. Constance Garnett (Mineola, NY: Dover, 1992).

3. Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, trans. Stephen Addiss and Stanley Lombardo (Indianapolis: Hackett, 1993).

4. Assorted photocopies distributed in class

 

 

Grading:         Attendance and                                                                

     Class Participation               10%                            

                        Group Projects                         10%                            

                        Exams (4)                                 80%                

                                                                                               

                        A+       97-100                                                                                    

                        A         93-96                                                                                      

                        A-        90-92

                        B+       87-89

                        B          83-86

                        B-        80-82

                        C+       77-79

                        C         73-76

                        C-        70-72                                                                                                              

                        D+       67-69

                        D         63-66

                        D-        60-62

                        F          0-60

 

 

1.  Exams and Quizzes: The majority of you grade will be based on 4 in-class exams, which will include short answer, long answer, and essay questions. Each student can only make up one exam: You must have a valid excuse (e.g., illness or family emergency) and make it up before the next session of class. Contact me as early as possible to make arrangements.

2. Group Assignments: There will be several group assignments, including discussions, papers, and perhaps presentations. Some class time will be provided, but these assignments may require additional time outside of class. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.

 

3. Class Participation: Most of our class time will be spent in discussion, and each student’s participation is encouraged and expected. Informed participation requires a careful reading of assigned texts ahead of class. Achieving an adequate grasp of the material and doing well on the written assignments is only possible through careful reading and active class participation.

 

4. Attendance: Prompt and consistent attendance is expected and is in your best interest because poor attendance and tardies will inevitably affect your other grades. Also, attendance is weighed heavily when determining final grades in borderline cases. Excessive absences will reduce your grade: If you have more than 2 absences, your final grade will be reduced one letter grade. You must have less than 4 absences to pass the class. Tardies and leaving early will be counted as half-absences. Valid excuses will be accepted, but they only excuse half of any given absence, tardy, etc. If you miss a class, I recommend that you make arrangements to copy the notes of another student.

 

 

I strongly encourage students with disabilities, including invisible disabilities like chronic diseases and learning disabilities, to discuss with me after class or during my office hours appropriate accommodations that might be helpful to them.