Phil 1301: Introduction to PhilosophySection 5001 Mondays & WednesdaysReg#: 734077

GENERAL INFORMATION

College Name El Centro College

Division Arts & Sciences Division

Semester/Term & Year SPRING 2012

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name Shamim Hunt

DCCCD E-mail Address

shunt@dcccd.edu

Office Number C 340

Office Hours By Appointment Only

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Number PHIL 1301

Section Number 5001

Credit Hours 3 Credit Hours

Course Title Introduction to Philosophy

Course Description An introduction to the ideas about such things as the good life, reality, God, the acquisition and characteristics of knowledge, and the nature of humans. Students will evaluate both ancient and modern theories about these issues in terms of their logic, historical significance, and meaning in everyday life, as they practice the methods for doing philosophy.

Course Prerequisites Prerequisite: Developmental Reading 0093 or English as a Second Language (ESOL) 0044 or have met the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standard in Reading.

Exemplary Educational Objectives

The objective of including the study of the Humanities and Visual and Performing Arts in a core curriculum is to expand students' knowledge of the human condition and human culture, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas and values expressed in works of human imagination and thought. Through study in disciplines such as literature, philosophy and the visual and performing arts, students will engage in critical analysis, form aesthetic judgments and develop an appreciation of the arts and humanities as fundamental to the health and survival of any society. Students should have experiences in both the arts and humanities. This course addresses 5 of the 7 of the Exemplary Educational Objectives for the Humanities/Visual and Performing Arts component area. They are:

1. To demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.

To understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context. To respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.

5. To articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.

7. To demonstrate knowledge of the influence of literature, philosophy and/or the arts on intercultural experiences.

Intellectual Competencies

This course reinforces 5 of the 6 Core Curriculum Intellectual Competencies defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

1. READING: Reading at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials--books, articles and documents. A core curriculum should offer students the opportunity to master both general methods of analyzing printed materials and specific methods for analyzing the subject matter of individual disciplines.

WRITING: Competency in writing is the ability to produce clear, correct and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience. Although correct grammar, spelling and punctuation are each a sine qua non in any composition, they do not automatically ensure that the composition itself makes sense or that the writer has much of anything to say. Students need to be familiar with the writing process including how to discover a topic and how to develop and organize it, how to phrase it effectively for their audience. These abilities can be acquired only through practice and reflection. SPEAKING: Competence in speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion and audience. Developing this competency includes acquiring poise and developing control of the language through experience in making presentations to small groups, to large groups and through the media. LISTENING: Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication. CRITICAL THINKING: Critical thinking embraces methods of applying both

qualitative and quantitative skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order to evaluate arguments and to construct alternative strategies. Problem solving is one of the applications of critical thinking, used to address an identified task.

Specific Course Learning Outcomes

Evaluating this outcome:

Course objectives:

Students will demonstrate an understanding of both the nuances and the gist of the philosophical positions presented in the texts. Students will exhibit analytical skill in uncovering and assessing implicit assumptions behind views and evaluating arguments presented for them. Students will acquire the ability to articulate and defend a philosophical position.

The final grade will be determined by two tests and three writing assignments, each worth 20% of the final grade. The tests will consist of both the Multiple-Choice and T/F questions. Your papers will give you an opportunity to develop analytical skills and your tests will help you understand the basic tenets of philosophers and the different eras of the history of our Western Intellectual Tradition. You learn philosophy by doing philosophy. Class participation will provide this opportunity to formulate and articulate your views and you will learn to defend your own philosophical positions.

The course will investigate a variety of influential philosophical perspectives, from Thales to the present day, on topics of perennial interest in epistemology, metaphysics and philosophy of mind. We will ponder the following questions, among others: What weight should be given to the roles of sense perception and abstract conceptual activity in our attempts to acquire knowledge of the world? Is certainty possible? Can we attain genuine knowledge of anything beyond Nature? Are there any valid proofs of the existence of God? What is the most reasonable attitude to take towards matters of faith? What, exactly, does it mean to have a mind? What sort of relation obtains between mental states or events and the physical dimension of our being? What sort of inquiry is philosophy?

Course Outline El Centro wants this course to improve your intellectual competencies. So, in this course, you will read Sophie's World and the Reader to expose yourself to the primary texts. We will learn important philosophical important concepts, such as:

metaphysics, free will, predestination, reality, sureality, God, cause and effect, nature, cosmos, and even space, and critically examine the implications of such ideas. The main objective of this course is to introduce you to the history and of evolution of such ideas from Pre-Socratic to our current era, and how these ideas have influenced and shape our culture, politics, and our way of thinking. We will learn to think not only as being part of the world, but also as being other than the world. The observer of the world. Prerequisites:Students are required to have demonstrated college-level reading, writing, and/or math skills prior to enrolling in academic transfer core courses. In philosophy you read and write.Style Guide and Plagiarism Warning:I encourage everyone to use the MLA method of citation and bibliography, available online. Plagiarism will not be tolerated, and will result in anything from one letter grade to course failure, at the discretion of the instructor. Recording Class Sessions:Please do not record me on any device without my written consent. Taking notes on a laptop is permitted, but absolutely no websurfing during class.Make-Ups:The quizzes are online and there will be online for more than a week. Take it at your convenience. No excuses for being able to take the exams. I will not allow any extra time after the final date to take your final exam. Do not wait till the last minute because the exam freezes when everyone takes it at the same time. If you wait until the last day and your exam freezes, I will not allow you to take it. So, give yourselves time and take it early. Turning In Papers:Papers turned in late lose 2/3 of a letter grade for each calendar day late up to five days. Papers are only accepted online through e-campus. Papers should be double-spaced, Times New Romans, 1 inch Margins, 12 font. Amendments to the Syllabus:If I make any changes to the syllabus, I will let you know.

Required Materials Required: Gaarder, Jostein. Sophie’s World. Tr. Paulette Møller. New York: Berkley Books, 1994.

Required: Thames, Mark. Sophie’s Reader. Indianapolis: Hackett / Thomson-Wadsworth, 2007.

ISBN for Textbook Gaarder: ISBN: 045152251Thames: ISBN: 9780495477280

Evaluation Procedures You will be evaluated on your ability to think critically. I will only know this by your class participation, quizzes and papers.

Grading Scale Quizzes 40%: A midterm Quiz, and a final exam, each worth 20%. Participation 40%: The first and second half of the book each worth 20%

A term paper is worth 20% of your grade on a choice of given topics.

Exams and Assignments

You class discussion will prepare you for your exams and papers, so do participate. There will be 2 quizzes, 1 paper and chapter assignments.

Attendance Policy You will be expected to be present before 12:30. The class begins at 12:30. Please do not be late to class because it will be disrespectful to other students and it will distract from our learning. Please read the assigned readings for the day, and come to class prepared for discussion. You are allowed to miss only 3 classes. So, use them wisely for emergencies. If you have to miss more than 3 class, you will have to make up for that class by participating in the class discussion for that day on e-campus. You can only do this for five missed class. Each additional classes missed will result in one letter grade drop from you final grade. So, please do not miss classes, or be late for classes.

INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES

ADA Statement If you are a student with a disability and/or special needs who requires accommodations, please contact the college Disability Services Office. Room A110; 214.860.2411; 5dso@dcccd.edu

Religious Holidays Absences for observance of a religious holy day are excused. A student whose absence is excused to observe a religious holy day is allowed to take a make-up examination or complete an assignment within a reasonable time after the absence if, not later than the fifteenth day after the first day of the semester, the student notified the instructor of each class scheduled on the date that the student would be absent for a religious holy day. A “religious holy day” means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under section 11.20, Tax Code. The notice shall be in writing and shall be delivered by the student personally to the instructor, with receipt acknowledged and dated by the instructor or by certify mail, return requested, addressed to the instructor. A student who is excused under this section may not be penalized for the absence, but the instructor may appropriately respond if the student fails to satisfactorily complete the assignment or examination.

Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected, and integrity is valued in the Dallas County Community Colleges. Scholastic dishonesty is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. As a college student, you are considered a responsible adult. Your enrollment indicates acceptance of the DCCCD Code of Student Conduct published in the DCCCD Catalog. More information is available at

https://www1.dcccd.edu/catalog/ss/code.cfm.

Withdrawal Policy (with drop date)

If you are unable to complete this course, it is your responsibility to withdraw formally. The withdrawal request must be received in the Registrar’s Office by (semester’s drop date). Failure to do so will result in your receiving a performance grade, usually an "F." If you drop a class or withdraw from the college before the official drop/withdrawal deadline, you will receive a "W" (Withdraw) in each class dropped.

STOP BEFORE YOU DROP

For students who enrolled in college level courses for the first time in the fall of 2007, Texas Education Code 51.907 limits the number of courses a student may drop. You may drop no more than six courses during your entire undergraduate career unless the drop qualifies as an exception. Your campus counseling/advising center will give you more information on the allowable exceptions. Remember that once you have accumulated six non-exempt drops, you cannot drop any other courses with a “W.” Therefore, please exercise caution when dropping courses in any Texas public institution of higher learning, including all seven of the Dallas County Community Colleges. For information, you may access: https://www1.dcccd.edu/coursedrops

Repeating this Course Effective for Fall Semester 2005, the Dallas County Community Colleges will charge additional tuition to students registering the third or subsequent time for a course. This class may not be repeated for the third or subsequent time without paying the additional tuition. Third attempts include courses taken at any of the Dallas County Community Colleges since the Fall 2002 semester. More information is available at: https://www1.dcccd.edu/catalog/ss/oep/third_attempt.cfm.

Financial Aid Students who are receiving any form of financial aid should check with the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from classes.  Withdrawals may affect your eligibility to receive further aid and could cause you to be in a position of repayment for the current semester.  Students who fail to attend or participate after the drop date are also subject to this policy.

Disclaimer The instructor reserves the right to amend this syllabus as necessary.

CLASS POLICIES: Everyone will be expected to respect each other when discussing views. No name calling or profanities will be tolerated.

E-Campus

E-Connect:

E-campus is the web interface used to access Internet-based distance education courses. You will need to have your student Id number to login. Your course section already exists on e-campus. I will be posting announcements, assignments, course information on e-campus. Go to http://www.elcentrocollege.edu/ecampus/

E-connect is the web interface that provides online student services which allow students to search, register, and pay for credit classes, view final grades and financial aid status. Go to https://econnect.dcccd.edu/eConnect You must have an e-mail address on file with the college to access e-Connect. You may use a DCCCD e-mail address, which is free if you are eligible, or you may use a commercial e-mail address. If you have a question contact eConnect@DCCCD.Edu

Computer use Policy This class will require you to utilize campus computers. Please see the computer use policy for the district under the student code of conduct

at https://www1.dcccd.edu/cat0809/ss/computer.cfm?loc=5

Student Handbook

The student handbook with additional information for students is available at https://www1.dcccd.edu/cat0809/ss/computer.cfm?loc=5 or http://www.elcentrocollege.edu/studentservices/spar/

ChildrenEl Centro College recognizes the need to provide for the safety and security of minor children under the age of sixteen (16) present on campus; yet, at the same time, the college also recognizes the need to maintain for all students maximum access to programs, services, and facilities, and an environment conducive to learning. Therefore, the presence of children at El Centro College will be governed by the following guidelines: • No individual under the age of 16 shall be allowed access to any college facility above the second floor of the “A” building or above the first floor of the “B” and “C” buildings, unless that individual is participating in a program sponsored by the college. • Minor children will not be allowed in the Student Center unless their parents or guardians are conducting college business in the following offices: FinancialAid, Student Programs and Resources, Workforce, Special Services or the Middle College.

• Minor children will not be permitted in the Library, College Computer Center, Learning Center or Testing Center at any time!

• Minor children who are present on campus in the authorized areas must be under the direct supervision and control of their parent or guardian at all times.• Disruptions resulting from the presence of any minor child on campus will result in the student being asked to leave the campus along with the minor child. • Students who are in violation of this policy will be referred to the Campus Police and issued a warning citation (information pertaining to available child care resources will

also be given to the student at that time). A second occurrence will result in the student’s receiving a letter from the Dean of Students indicating that a third occurrence will result in the student’s suspension from El Centro College until child care services can be arranged.• Information will be provided by the Adult Resource Center to assist students in locating affordable child care services.

Academic Calendar

January 3 (T) College Buildings and Offices Open

January 9 (M) Faculty Reports

January 16 (M) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday

January 17 (T) Classes Begin

January 30 (M) 12th Class Day (Certification Day)

March 12-16 (M-F) Spring Break-College buildings & offices will be closed for the week.

March 19 (M) Classes Resume

April 6 (F) Holiday Begins

April 9 (M) Classes Resume

April 12 (R) Last Day to Withdraw

May 7-10 (M-R) Final Exams

May 10 (R) Semester Ends

Grading: The final grade will be determined by two tests each worth 20% of the final grade. That is 40% of your grade will come from these two tests. The tests will consist of Multiple-Choice and T/F questions only. The other 40% of your grade will depend on the Discussion Board postings. The first half of the discussion questions and the second half of the discussion each worth 20% of your grade.

Quizzes 40%: A midterm Quiz, and a final exam, each worth 20%. Participation 40%: The first and second half of the book each worth 20% A term paper is worth 20% of your grade on a choice of given topics. It will be minimum 3 pages and maximum 5 pages, double spaced.

Times New Romans, 12 font, 1 inch margin all sides.

Note: You can access the first four chapters from the Sophie's World online from e-campus so you can start reading and posting your answers right away before the forum closes. The forums open

and close dates are based on the calendar below. Follow the calendar to keep up with these daily assignments.

Class Calendar

January 18 Syllabus. Introduction to the course.

23 Sophie’s World: “The Garden of Eden,” “The Top Hat.” pp. 1-20.Sophie’s Reader: “Welcome Inside,” “Ancient Philosophy.” pp. 1-4.(reserved in the library)

25 World. “The Myths,” “The Natural Philosophers.” pp. 20-40. Reader: “Presocratics: The Milesians: Thales.” pp. 5-6.

29 World. “Democritus,” “Fate.” pp. 41-55.

Reader: “Atomism,” #s 1,5,9-12,16-17, 20, 25-26, 28-32. pp. 11-18.

February 1 World. “Socrates.” pp. 56-71.

Reader: Plato. Apology. pp. 19-38.

You can read Apology online: http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/apology.html

6 World. “Athens,” “Plato.” pp. 72-93.

Reader: Plato, Republic, Book VII., pp. 39-42.You can read book VII on the following site:http://www.constitution.org/pla/repub_07.htm

8 World: “The Major’s Cabin,” “Aristotle.” pp. 94-120.

Reader: Aristotle, Metaphysics. Book IV. pp. 61-67.You can read the Metaphysics onlinehttp://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/metaphysics.4.iv.html

13 World: “Hellenism,” “The Postcards.” pp. 121-148.

Reader: Epicurus. “Maxims.” pp. 79-86.http://www.epicurus.net/en/principal.html

Reader: Marcus Aurelius. Meditations, Book IV, 3-40. pp. 87-93.http://classics.mit.edu/Antoninus/meditations.4.four.html

15 Classical and Hellenistic Philosophy.World: “Two Cultures.” pp. 149-164.

20 Reader: Augustine. Confessions. Book XI, #s xii-xxviii. pp. 113-125. You can read Book XI onlinehttp://www.newadvent.org/fathers/110111.htm

22 World: “The Middle Ages.” pp. 165-187.

Reader: Maimonides. The Guide of the Perplexed. Book I. pp. 127-128.

Reader: Aquinas: Summa Theologica:I.Q.2.“The Existence God,”pp. 129-136.

You can read Aquinas online:http://www.newadvent.org/summa/1002.htm

27 The Medieval World.World: “The Renaissance,” “The Baroque.” pp. 188-232.

Reader: Bacon. The New Organon. Book I, #s38-44. pp. 150-152.You can find it here: http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/pdfbits/bacno11.pdfFrom page 7

Reader: Hobbes. Leviathan. Ch. 13. pp. 203-206.You can find it here on page 19http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/pdfbits/ho12.pdf

29 World: “Descartes.” pp. 233-246.

Reader: Descartes. Meditations on First Philosophy, #2. pp. 207-212.You can find this here on page 4http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/pdfbits/dm1.pdf

March 5 World: “Spinoza,” “Locke,” “Hume” pp. 247-281.

Reader: Spinoza. Ethics. Part III. pp. 250-259.You can find it herehttp://www.earlymoderntexts.com/pdf/spinoza3.pdf

7 World: “Berkeley,” “Bjerkeley.” pp. 282-302 19 Midterm Exam

21 World: “Enlightenment,” “Kant.” pp. 303-341.

Reader: Kant. “What Is Enlightenment?” pp. 301-305.

26 World: “Romanticism.” pp. 342-359.

World: “Hegel.” pp. 360-371.

28 World: “Kierkegaard.” pp. 372-384.

Reader: Kierkegaard. Concluding Unscientific Postscript. pp. 311-326..

April 2 World: “Marx,” “Darwin,” pp. 385-428.

Reader: Marx. Communist Manifesto. pp. 357-358.

Reader: Darwin. On the Origin of Species. pp. 363-369.

4 World: “Freud” pp. 429-446.

9 Reader: Nietzsche. The Genealogy of Morals. pp. 377-382. Read the preface herehttp://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/Nietzsche/genealogypreface.htm

Reader: Nietzsche. Twilight of the Idols. pp. 383-393.http://praxeology.net/twilight.htm

11 World: “Our Own Time.” pp. 447-470.

Reader: Sartre. “Existentialism Is a Humanism.” pp. 395-411.

http://www.theintellectualviewpoint.com/reading/existentialismisahumanism-sartre.pdf

16 World: “The Garden Party.” . pp. 471-484.

18 Paper Due

23 World: “Counterpoint.” “The Big Bang,” pp. 485-514.

Reader: “Invitation.” pp. 413-415.

May 2- 9 Final Exam: See the Assignment Tab For Exam