PHIL 1301: INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
COURSE INFORMATION January, 2004
Dann Walker
299-8939
Student Conference Times:
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION: Introduces basic questions that have intrigued philosophers through the centuries, along with an application of philosophical methods to selected contemporary issues. Topics include logic, theory of knowledge, freedom/ determinism, philosophy of religion, ethics, and
world/views. Semester Hours 3 (3lec)
COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course is designed as an overview introduction to the discipline of philosophy. The key goals are to:
1. introduce students to a sampling of the questions which have puzzled philosophers through the years .
2. acquaint students with some representative answers that have been given to those questions.
3. model the philosophical method and encourage students to engage in the activity of philosophical questioning.
CLASS PROCEDURES: The central activity of the course is to have students engage in a lively interaction and dialogue with the ideas of philosophy. Therefore, a significant portion of the grade is keyed to the students' thoughtful interaction with (1) the textbook (and occasional handouts), (2) the instructor, and when possible (3) classmates. Class sessions will be devoted to lectures (both formal and informal) and (occasionally) discussions. So, within the limitations imposed by this being a large, "introductory" course, the intent is for the student to spend some time doing philosophy.
READING ASSIGNMENTS: The student will be responsible for daily reading assignments in the text (James L. Christian, Philosophy: An Introduction to the Art of Wondering) as well as occasional handouts. The text readings will be indicated on an assignment sheet. Students will earn daily quiz points by: (1) coming to class (since guaranteed minimum points are always given), (2) being on time (since pop tests are often given at the beginning of class) , (3) reading the assignment (which will allow one to answer most of the questions) , and (4) mastering the material in the chapter (which tends to generate even higher quiz scores). In other words, every student who takes a quiz will receive some credit. A missed quiz will be entered as a zero. At the end of the semester, I will drop the lowest 20% of each student's scores. This means that missing one class or even several is no problem, but repeatedly missing classes (or portions of classes) will eventually have a negative impact on one's grade!
THINKING/WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: Various out-of-class writing assignments will be made periodically during the semester. All written materials (including pop quiz responses!) must be turned in on standard size (8.5 x 11) paper with smooth edges (no spiral binding debris). All assignments may be handwritten so long as they are neat and legible. And most important, please put good thought into all of your assignments. Remember, good writing is fundamentally good thinking. Students will be responsible for turning in all work properly and on time. (Yes, assignments will be accepted up to one week after their due dates, but a penalty will be assessed for any late work.) Students are asked to make it a habit in this course of retaining a copy of each assignment turned in to me.
STANDARDS FOR TURNED IN WORK: Whether produced in or out of class, all written work must be neat and legible. Ragged edged paper and pages smaller than standard size will not be accepted. Always write your name in reverse order (Last Name, First) in the far left upper corner of the page and put the date under your name.
CLASS ATTENDANCE: Given the subject matter of this course and the way student skills are practiced, regular and punctual attendance is essential to student success. Students with excessive absences will be dropped from the roll in accordance with the following policy: Except in cases of significant and documented extenuating circumstances, students who miss two consecutive weeks of class or who accumulate absences which total at least 25% of the semester's scheduled meetings WILL BE DROPPED from the course!. Should you ever have to miss consecutive classes, I suggest that you contact me by phone. Students are responsible for all work assigned or covered in classes from which they were absent. Students will be provided with periodic updates regarding their attendance status.
PUNCTUALITY, AND PARTICIPATION: Habitual tardiness and repeated early departures from the class are disruptive and will not be tolerated. Nor will students be permitted to wander in and out of class! (It does not matter whether you want to chat with your best friend or are taking orders for your secret business, leaving class to talk on the phone is not acceptable. If you have to leave, be sure to take your books and keep on going. (Two disruptions is twice as distracting to the those students are trying to successfully complete the course.) These activities will be counted as partial absences and treated accordingly. If you should ever have to come into this class late, PLEASE DO NOT CUT CLASS. Instead, please enter quietly and take a seat BY THE DOOR and then check with me after class to assure that I have your partial attendance credited. So, please note that a rare late arrival will NOT cause you problems, but recurring tardiness (or early exits) will eventually lead to a student being dropped from the course.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: The great majority of college students understand the need for civility toward others. Most students routinely exhibit such behavior, and expect their classrooms to be free from unwanted distractions. So please be assured that significant or chronic disruptive behaviors will not be tolerated in this class. (For example: abusive language, eating, sleeping, chatting, cell phone use, bringing children or other guests, packing up backpacks before class is over, etc.) If you have a medical problem or other special need, please talk with me privately. If you have a special need to be available by paging, please discuss it with me.
EXAMS : Each of the three unit exams will cover both the text readings and the lecture/discussions included in the unit. The major portion of these exams will be objective and answered on a ScanTron Sheet, Form #888-E ( full page , available in the bookstore) with a #2 pencil. A pre-exam study guide with specific objectives will be given to students during the week prior to each exam. All essay questions will be assigned well prior to the exam and each student will be expected to prepare specifically to answer all assigned essay topics. Students must take two of the three unit exams. Those who take the first two exams will be exempt from the third. If a student misses one of the first two exams she/he will have to take the final one. Anyone who misses both of the first two exams will be dropped from the course. Makeup exams will not be given in this course.
COURSE GRADING : The semester grade will be computed this way:
Two of the Three Unit Exams @33.3% each : 67%
Pop quizzes/writing assignments: 33%
EXTRA CREDIT: Students who maintain an 85% attendance rate throughout the semester will qualify for certain extra credit opportunities during the term. These will be described later in the semester.
SPECIAL HELP FOR STUDENTS: Students are expected to work diligently to master the course skills. Anyone who experiences significant or prolonged difficulty with course content is expected to seek individual assistance from the instructor (and perhaps in some cases, from the Tutorial Center In accordance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), MCC's designated ADA co-coordinators, Dr. Johnette McKown, Executive Vice President and Dr. Lynn Abernathy, Vice President, Student Services, are responsible for coordinating the College's efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under ADA. Students with disabilities requiring physical alteration of the classroom setting (e.g., separate table and chair, wheelchair access, etc.) should inform their instructor or contact Dianne Feyerherm at 299-8843 or dfeyerherm@mclennan.edu . Students with all other disabilities (e.g., learning, ADD, dyslexia, etc.) should contact Katie Garrett at 299-8428 or kgarrett@mclennan.edu
BASIC COURSE OUTLINE: This course is divided into three units:
Philosophy and Knowledge
The World, Science and God
Mankind, Society, and Ethics