Fall 2004      Philosophy 100, LINKS V                 

MWF 10:10 – 11 am

 

Introduction to Philosophy: Geographic Boundaries and Universal Principles

 

 

 

Course Description:  When examining the nature of the human being and ethical responsibility, how significant is the fact that we are social beings, beings who belong to various social and cultural groups and define ourselves accordingly? Should the human being be conceived universally, as an individual that possesses the same fundamental features in every context? Or does our membership in different communities make us what we are, despite the fact that these communities are often amorphous and difficult to define? Using philosophy, literature, and other nonphilosophical sources, we will begin by exploring the normative and epistemological issues in the debate between multiculturalism and universal definitions of the human being. Next, we will turn to the concept of community and its relation to the individual and the various groups that divide a society. Finally, we will examine how the concept of community affects our understanding of ethical responsibility, focusing on the issue of global warming. The objective of this course is to develop the students’ understanding of the philosophical issues raised by the concept of a social or cultural group and sharpen their critical thinking skills.

 

 

Texts: (Available at the SCSU Bookstore and Tyco)

 

1. Rudyard Kipling, Gunga Din and other Favorite Poems (New York: Dover, 1990).

2. Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness (New York: Dover, 1990).

3. Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye (New York: Plume, 1994).

4. Immanuel Kant, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals: With on a Supposed Right to Lie Because of Philanthropic Concerns, trans. James W. Ellington, 3rd ed. (Indianapolis: Hackett, 1993).

5. John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism, 2nd ed. (Indianapolis: Hackett, 2002).

6. Reading Packet (Available at Tyco)

 

 

Grading:         Attendance and                                               

     Class Participation               10%                

                        Midterm Exam                          25%                

                        Final Exam                               25%    

                        Long Paper                              25%                

                        Short Papers                            15%                            

 

                        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          0-59

 

 

1. Exams and Writing Assignments: The vast majority of your grade will be based on a midterm and a final exam (essay format), a long paper and several short paper assignments. Papers will be downgraded for poor spelling, grammar, organization, etc. If you have difficulties in these areas, I recommend taking your paper to the Campus Writing Center in Wintergreen before turning it in. Late papers will be penalized one letter grade for every session of class they are late. Valid excuses (e.g., illness, family emergency) will only be accepted in advance of the deadline, including requests to make up the midterm exam. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Also, please do not email papers without prior permission.

 

2. 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 exams and written assignments is only possible through careful reading and active class participation.

 

3. 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 3 absences, your final grade will be reduced one letter grade. You must have less than 6 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.