INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHYPHILOSOPHY 231Spring Semester, 2004Revised Schedule 1/27/04INSTRUCTOR: Stephen Scholz Ph.D. OFFICE HOURS: MWF 10:00AM - 11:00AM MWF 03:00PM - 05:00PM REQUIRED TEXT: Nagel, T. The View From Nowhere , Oxford University Press1986 ISBN:0-19-503668-9 WEB RESOURCES: Blackboard COURSE DESCRIPTION: COURSE OBJECTIVES :
COURSE GOALS :
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION : This class will rely primarily on in depth class discussions. The instructor will take the role as facilitator for these discussions, but it is hoped the students will lead the class. We will start with the assigned readings and written assignments as our jumping off point, and then take the discussion where it leads us. To do this, students must come prepared to discuss the subject matter, having read and digested the text before the class meets. No one will be permitted to be a passive participant. All students will be required (at one point or another) to speak about the subject, those unprepared to speak when called upon will add one page to their response papers for that chapter for each such lapse . Since the goal of the class is to appreciate the subjective/objective dichotomy, students will need to make efforts to produce arguments with objective appeal and not simply rehearse their subjective opinions. Students are encouraged to do additional outside readings to supplement the required text. All students are expected to look up words they do not know, and make some good faith attempt to understand the readings. This can be demonstrated by attempting to paraphrase the original author (in other words, putting the writing in your own words). All Students must pass the Methods Test in order to remain in the class.
GRADES: Grades will be determined on the basis of the following point scheme:
Grades will be based on the percentage of total points received. Grades can be challenged in a written argument (no email) within 1 class day of when returned. GRADE SCALE A: >= 90%, B: 89% - 80% , C: 79%-65%, D: 65%-51%, F: <=50% Tests can be made up for legitimate emergency or medical excuses only. Response Papers will be reduced one full grade (A to B, B to C, etc..) for each class day late. ATTENDANCE/TARDY POLICY:
RESPONSE PAPERS : Students will write short (1 page unless required to do more because of participation failure) answers responding to the question due for that chapter. Questions are listed on the class web-page, the blackboard site, and on the attached sheet. You can turn them in any time during the period that we are reading that chapter. Papers should follow the standard paper format (see enclosed). There will be eleven such papers, your top nine grade will be counted towards your final grade. Students may also write one bonus paper (2-3 pages) on a topic we are discussing in class. It must be apropos to the day's topic of discussion and use at least one outside philosophical resource (journal or book, not the web). This can take the place of one response paper. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: You are responsible for doing your own work, for familiarizing yourself with the St. Augustine's policy on academic integrity (http://www.st-aug.edu/academics/policies/types.htm) and for satisfying me that you have adhered to the requisite standards of honesty . All written work must be signed by you indicating your word that you've adhered to the policies of academic integrity.
FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES OR SPECIAL NEEDS It is my policy to provide, on a flexible and individualized basis, accommodations to those who have disabilities, or special needs (because of having children for example) that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. Students with disabilities or special needs are encouraged to contact me in the first week of classes if they think their disability may interfere with their coursework. PHI 231 - CLASS SCHEDULEDates Subject Reading DueJan 7 W Introduction None 9 F Methods Syllabus 12 M Methods Syllabus 14 W Methods Test Methods Test 16 F Introduction 1-12 19 M MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY No Class 21 W Introduction (Response Paper #1 Due) 1-12 23 F Mind 13-16 26 M Class Cancelled for Ice 28 W Mind 17-22 30 F Mind (Response Paper #2 Due) 22-27 Feb 2 M Mind & Body 28-43 4 W Mind & Body (Response Paper #3 Due) 43-53 6 F Objective Self 54-59 9 M Objective Self 60-66 11 W Objective Self – Review (Response Paper #4 Due) 54-66 13 F Knowledge 67-74 16 M Knowledge 74-85 18 W Knowledge 86-89 20 F Knowledge Review (Response Paper #5 Due) 67-89 23 M Thought and Reality 90-99 25 W Thought and Reality 99-109 27 F Thought and Reality Review (Response Paper #6 Due) 90-109 Mar 1 M Mid-Term Review 1-109 3 W Mid-Term Exam Mid-Term Exam 8 – 12 SPRING BREAK No Class 15 M Freedom 110-119 17 W Freedom 120-129 19 F Freedom 130-137 22 M Freedom Review (Response Paper #7 Due) 110-137 24 W Value 138-148 26 F Value 149-155 29 M Value 156-163 31 W Value Review (Response Paper #8 Due) 138-163 Apr 2 F Ethics 164-170 5 M Ethics 171-179 7 W Ethics (Response Paper #9 Due) 180-188 9 F GOOD FRIDAY HOLIDAY No Class 12 M Living Right and Living Well 189-194 14 W Living Right and Living Well 195-203 16 F Living Right and Living Well 204-207 19 M Review (Response Paper #10 Due) 164-207 21 W Birth, Death, the Meaning of Life 208-213 23 F Birth, Death, the Meaning of Life 214-222 26 M Birth, Death, (Response Paper #11 Due) 223-233 28 W Final Review 110-233 3 - 5 Final Exams Final Exams † Dates are subject to change Consult professor and web-page for up-to-date information
RESPONSE PAPER FORMAT
All papers must be typed, double-spaced, standard 12pt font, 1 inch margins, stapled, on plain white paper. Do not include a cover page. Do not use binders or covers. Papers should be free of spelling and grammar mistakes. Papers will have your full name, the date and the class and section on the upper right hand corner of the first page. ex. Mary Morris 21 st January 2004 PHI 231.001 Papers will be titled " Response Paper - Chapter # " (replace # with the relevant chapter) Papers should be signed indicating that they are original works conforming to the standards of academic integrity.
The first sentence of your paper must be your thesis statement . This declarative sentence will provide a simple answer, in the form of a proposition, to the question posed by the topic. This sentence should be bold faced , and be the focus of your entire paper. The rest of your paper will be a justification of that proposition. A justification gives the reader reason (or reasons) to believe your thesis. Philosophical justifications take the form of arguments . An argument is a set of sentences, called " premises ," intended to support some conclusion (in this case your thesis). Your paper, therefore should be in the form of an argument. Since justifications are intended to provide reason to anyone, they will necessarily rely primarily on objective reasoning, or logic . Logic is the method of reasoning that focuses on rational inference, or how beliefs are connected to each other. All of your writing is, by default, your opinion. It is both unnecessary and redundant to qualify your statements, as your opinions. It is important to distinguish your beliefs only from those of others, either the authors you refer to, or possible objectors. More importantly, these papers are intended to be persuasive, so your arguments should be as objective as possible, so as to appeal to any reader. Do not include unnecessary biographical or historical information in your paper. Do not include references to materials without full citations. Do not reference materials that have not been published in the peer reviewed press (journals, books). Do not include any information that is not part of an argument for your thesis. Papers will be graded on the following criteria: • Paper answers the assigned question. • Paper demonstrates an understanding of the question and philosophical problem. • Paper gives a fair and accurate account of the relevant authors' beliefs. • Paper is concise, well organized and clear. • Paper is technically proficient (spelling, grammar, style) • Paper gives the correct answer to the question. I have additional guidelines for constructing a proper philosophy paper at: http://www.rogue-scholars.com/classes/writing_philosophy.htm
Unexcused Late Papers are reduced a full grade each class day late, copies of the excusing documents must be stapled to the paper to count as excuses.
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