Middlesex Community College
PHL 101 - Introduction to Philosophy
CRN # 1262 3 credits
On-Line WebCT Vista
Spring 2008
John Shafer, Professor
Office Hours: M/W 11AM-1PM
(or by appointment)
Office: 520 Snow Hall
Phone: 860-343-5811
email: jshafer@mxcc.commnet.edu
Course Description:
This course is designed as an introduction to the field of philosophy. It will introduce students to important individual philosophers, texts, and schools of thought from around the world, both ancient and modern. It will also incorporate works of literature and film that deal with philosophical ideas. And it will promote philosophical thinking, discussion, and writing. Course activities will include weekly readings, on-line discussions, optional film viewings, and short response papers. There will be two quizzes: one on logical problems; the other on philosophical terms and ideas. See the following pages for details.
Learning Objectives:
- To stimulate philosophical thinking in students about fundamental issues such as identity, meaning, knowledge, existence, values, God, the nature of reality, free will, life & death, etc.
-To learn basic philosophical terminology.
- To learn basic logical reasoning including understanding basic arguments, types of reasoning, and logical fallacies, as well as applying logic to philosophical thinking, discussion, and writing.
- To understand, interpret, critique, and discuss important philosophical literature.
-To learn sufficient cultural and historical background so that the philosophical ideas presented can be understood in the context from which they originated.
- To apply philosophy to contemporary human problems and conditions.
- To appreciate diversity of philosophical thought from different cultures and peoples.
- To write clearly and thoughtfully on philosophical issues.
- To appreciate how philosophy is incorporated in contemporary media such as film and literature.
Prerequisite: English 101
As this course requires clear thinking and good writing ability students should have previously completed English 101 or have equivalent college-level writing ability.
Course Text:
The text is available for purchase at the MxCC bookstore in Founders Hall, or from on-line booksellers such asAmazon.com. A copy of the text is also available for in-library student use at the MxCC library on the reserve shelf under my name, Shafer (ask at the front desk).
From Socrates To Cinema: An Introduction to Philosophy, Jeffrey DiLeo. McGraw-Hill. 2007. $70 (new). REQUIRED.
This is our main textbook which includes most of the readings and support materials necessary for the course. It is a comprehensive anthology of both classical and contemporary philosophical and literary readings, including write-ups on films.
Other Resources - In addition to the course texts, students may desire to read additional works from the philosophers we will discuss. A supplemental "Philosophy Resource List" is available under the "Class Notes" section of the course web site. There are also valuable reference works available on the reference shelf in the library, especially the multi-volume set of The Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Other resources are available through "On-line Resources."
Films
In addition to readings from the text, you will also be asked to view a selected film for each of our four major topics (see calendar for titles of films). You will subsequently have the option to include the film as part of your discussion in the Topic Response Paper and Discussion Forum in lieu of one of the readings. If you prefer not to discuss the films you don't have to, but you are encouraged to at least watch them so you can effectively participate in forum discussions.
Schedule - Three-Week Cycle
At the beginning of the semester there will be 3 weeks of introductory material, then our regular topic cycle will begin which runs three weeks for each topic: the first week is for reading the text articles, viewing the film, and reviewing introductory materials; the second week is for writing, submitting, and posting your Topic Response Paper; and the third week is for discussing the topic on the Discussion Forum. Then the cycle repeats for the next topic. Because discussions are dependent upon students doing the readings, viewing the film, and posting their papers, it is very important to complete this by the set deadline, with penalties in place for those who do not. See the calendar for specific details, readings and film selections.
Course Work & Grade Breakdown:
Your grade for the course will be based on the following:
Logic Quiz (Jan. 28 - Feb. 10) 12%
(4) Topic Response Papers @ 12% each 48%
Terms & Ideas Quiz (week of May 12) 15%
Discussion Forum Participation 25%
Logic Quiz: (12%) Quiz Deadline: Feb. 10
There will be a short on-line quiz based on the logic and reasoning readings and resource materials we will cover during the 2nd & 3rd weeks of classes. The quiz will focus on identifying arguments, distinguishing between inductive verses deductive reasoning, recognizing good and bad arguments, and basic logical fallacies. See assignment instructions for further information.
(4) Topic Response Papers (@12% each = 48%)
Every three weeks, beginning Sep 13, you will be asked to read FOUR articles from our text and view a designated film centered around a major topic question such as "Am I Free?" "What Is the Right Thing To Do?" etc. (see calendar). After reading these, you will be asked to write a response to the readings and the optional film designated for the topic based on the following question: "Which of the sources (readings and film) do you feel best answer the question for this topic and why?" In the process of answering this question you need to do the following:
- refer to a minimum of 3 sources (either three readings, or two readings and the film) in a comparative manner; more if possible;
-make sure to give logical reasons to support your views
(why one source is better than another)
-your answer should contain specific, relevant references to the readings / film supporting your views;
-your writing should be clear, concise, coherent, and grammatically correct, with few errors.
It is possible to take the point of view that no source effectively answers the question; or all the sources answer the question equally well; but if you take this view, you must still support your answer. You may also include your own viewpoint to the topic, but not as a substitute for responding to the readings and film.
Topic responses should run about 500-600 words in length (2-3 typed pages). Specific due dates for Response Papers are on the calendar. There will be a ONE-THIRD grade penalty if responses are turned in after the due date, but within the week we are discussing the topic, and a FULL GRADE penalty for responses turned in after we've completed the topic.
Terms & Ideas Quiz: (15%) Quiz Deadline: May 18
There will be an on-line quiz at the end of the course that will cover philosophical terms and major ideas learned throughout the semester. A study guide for the quiz will be provided ahead of time. The quiz will be mostly matching sections, and possibly a few short answer questions.
Discussion Forum Participation: (25%)
You are required to participate in the on-line discussion forum on WebCT Vista every three weeks. This is our equivalent to class discussion, an important part of the philosophical process. In addition to posting your topic response papers on the forum as discussed above, you are also required to post comments to other students' papers and/or other student comments. You are expected to contribute 3-4 posts per topic, including the introductory topics. Posts will receive credit based on their depth, insight, and relevance; longer, more in-depth posts are worth double-credit. Otherwise, regular posts are worth one credit. 4 credits are worth an "A", 3 credits worth a "B", 2 credits worth a "C", etc. If I do not deem a post worthy of credit because it is either totally irrelevant or otherwise inappropriate you will not receive credit for it.
WebCT Vista Course Web Site
This on-line course is administered through a web site on WebCT Vista. To access the WebCT web site go to: https://my.commnet.edu/ . Enter your student ID number (your ID# is found on your student ID card or registration form) followed by @student.commnet.edu; then enter your password. If you have never logged on to the Community College System before your password is: 1st three characters of birth month (with first letter capitalized) Ampersand character: &, and Last 4 digits of Social Security Number.
So, for a user with a birth date on10/24/79 and social security number of 123-45-6789, then the initial password would be: Oct&6789. You will then be asked to change your password immediately. If you have problems logging on or using WebCT, call 860-343-5783 or 860-343-5822.
Grades:
Grades are posted on the web site under "My Grades." Please check your graded work carefully. Though I take great care to be accurate, occasionally a mistake is made. If you have any questions about the grade you received on an assignment or your final grade for the course, please ask me about it. If a mistake is discovered, I will change your grade appropriately. For this reason, it is important that you always save all graded papers and assignments returned to you.
Withdrawal and Incomplete Grades:
If for some reason you are unable to complete the course and do not wish to receive a grade, you may withdraw from the course and receive a "W" by picking up a withdrawal form from the records office. Otherwise, I may assign a grade based on the work you have completed. If there is little or no work I will assign a grade of "N" (no basis for a grade). A grade of "W" or "N" does not affect your grade point average. If you have completed a substantial amount of work but are unable to finish before the end of the semester due to unavoidable circumstances, I am usually willing to give an incomplete grade, which will give you an additional semester to complete the work. Again this is provided you speak to me before the end of the semester. Incomplete grades require a form to be filled out and signed by both of us.
Academic Honesty & Ethics Statement:
At Middlesex Community College we expect the highest standards of academic honesty. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in accordance with the Board of Trustees Proscribed Conduct Policy. This policy prohibits cheating on exams, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, unauthorized access to examinations and course materials, plagiarism, and other proscribed activities. Plagiarism is defined as the use of another's ideas or phrases and representing those ideas as your own, either intentionally or unintentionally. If you use someone else's words or ideas, you must acknowledge their use via an appropriate reference.
ADA Accommodations Statement:
Students with physical or learning disabilities who may require special accommodations are encouraged to contact Diane Von Hardenberg in the Counseling Office (Snow Hall, Room 406, 343-5879). After disclosing the nature of the disability, students are urged to discuss their needs with their instructors. This should be done at the beginning of the semester. Instructors, in conjunction with appropriate college officials, will provide assistance and/or special accommodations only to those students who have completed this process.
Calendar
Week Topics / Readings & Films
JAN 21 Course Introduction / Read: "Introduction" pp. xx-xlii of text (except logic section)
28 Logic & Reasoning - Read logic section of introduction and supporting materials
(see "Class Notes" & "On-Line Resources" on web site)
FEB 4 Logic continued / LOGIC QUIZ active from Jan. 28 until midnight, Sunday, Feb. 10 (on-line)
11 TOPIC 1: WHAT IS THE RIGHT (ETHICAL) THING TO DO?
Readings: "A Defense of Moral Relativism" by Ruth Benedict, p. 424
"Virtue & Character Development" (The Analects) by Confucius, p. 463
"The Categorical Imperative" (Metaphysics of Morals) by Immanuel Kant, 487
"Egoism and Moral Skepticism" by James Rachels, p. 504
Film: Wall Street, Stone, 1987, 126 min., p.510
18 Write Topic Response Paper on Topic 1, due by midnight, February 24
25 Discussion Forum on Topic 1, all posts due by midnight, March 2
MAR 3 TOPIC 2: IS THERE A GOD?
Readings: "The Five Ways" by Thomas Aquinas, p. 6
"The Buddhist Attitude to God" (Basic Buddhism) by Victor Gunasekara, p. 39
"The Wager" (Pensees) by Blaise Pascal, p. 93
"The Ethics of Belief" by W.K. Clifford, p. 101
Film: Inherit the Wind, Krammer, 1960, 128 min.
10 Write Topic Response Paper on Topic 2, due by midnight, March 16
17 Discussion Forum on Topic 2, all posts due by midnight, March 23
24 SP R I N G B R E A K
31 TOPIC 3: WHAT IS TRUTH?
Readings: "Truth As Correspondence" (Problems of Philosophy) by Bertrand Russell, p. 209
"Truth As Coherence" (Essays On Truth& Reality) by Francis Bradley, p. 214
"Pragmatism and Truth" (Pragmatism) by William James, p. 220
"Strong Objectivity" by Sandra Harding, p.242
Film: Twelve Angry Men, Lumet,1957, 92 min., p. 240
APR 7 Write Topic Response Paper on Topic 3, due by midnight, April 13
14 Discussion Forum on Topic 3, all posts due by midnight, April 20
21 TOPIC 4: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE ?
Readings: "Letter of Epicurus to Menoeceus" by Epicurus, p. 911
"Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius, p. 917
"My Confession" by Leo Tolstoy, p. 928
"Existentialism Is a Humanism" by Jean-Paul Sartre, p. 943
Film: Harold& Maude, Ashby, 1972, 91min., p. 951
28 Write Topic Response Paper on Topic 4, due by midnight, May 4
May 5 Discussion Forum on Topic 4, all posts due by midnight, May 11
12 TERMS & IDEAS QUIZ (on-line), deadline: midnight, May 18