PHIL 2201  Introduction to World Philosophy

Course Syllabus – Summer 2009                               

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact 
the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Number and Title:  Intro to World Philosophy

Class Listserv:          Phil2201-01summer09@lists.clayton.edu

Credit Hours: 3.0 semester credit hours (3-0-3)

Catalog Description:        

An introduction to philosophy through the study of representative texts of major philosophers from Plato to the present, from East and West. Topics addressed include
personal identity, the nature of knowledge, the existence of God, happiness, the nature of the external world, the relation of language to the world, meaning, and truth.
Critical thinking and communication skills are emphasized. [Note: Learning Support students who are required to take ENGL 0099 and/or READ 0099 must exit the requirement(s) before they can enroll in this course.]

 

Pre-Requisites:    ENGL 1101 With a Grade of C                                                                                                              Course Prerequisites and Co-requisites:  Learning Support students who are required to take ENGL 0099 and/or READ 0099 must exit the requirements before they can enroll in this course

Computer Requirement:                                                                                                       Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.

Computer Skill Prerequisites:

·        Able to use the Windows^TM operating system

·        Able to use Microsoft Word^TM word processing

·        Able to send and receive e-mail using Outlook^TM or Outlook Express^TM

·        Able to attach and retrieve attached files via email

·        Able to use a Web browser

·        Able to use WebCT

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:                                                  Computers will be required to access course materials, communicate with your instructor, and participate in classroom research activities.

Program Learning Outcomes:

General education outcomes:                                                                                                           The following links provide tabular descriptions of the communications outcome and the critical thinking outcome components  (see PHIL 2401 in the tables):

·        Communications outcomes components

·        Critical thinking outcomes components

Course Learning Outcomes:

·                  To familiarize students with the history of philosophhy

·                  To enhance communication skills, oral and written

·                  To teach analysis of complex concepts, ideas, definitions, and arguments

Instructor: Dr. Todd Janke

Office: A&S 105D

Phone:  678.466.4718

Email:  toddjanke@clayton.edu

Webpage:  http://a-s.clayton.edu/tjanke

Text: Fifty Readings Plus:  An Introduction to Philosophy, Abel, ed.

Text Coverage: Selected Readings (see below)

Evaluation:

Grading:

Requirements Explained:

30% Electronic Discussion Forum Journal: You will be writing a 1 to 1 ½ page commentary on the assigned reading for each class meeting. These journal entries must be posted (emailed to the class listserv address – see above) PRIOR TO the class meeting at which the reading (on which the paper is based) will be discussed. On the day of the First Exam and on the day of the Final Exam you must turn in a one page hard copy report assessing the overall quality of your journal/discussion list contribution, giving primary consideration to such factors as number of postings, timeliness of postings, length of papers, and quality of the writings themselves.  Assign a rating to your assessment, based on a ten-point scale.   

In addition to submitting papers to the class listserv, you are expected to read papers submitted by your classmates.  You may demonstrate that you are doing so by commenting on these papers by email response to the listserv.   

Your paper may be either (1) a response to one of the study questions at the end of the relevant reading in the textbook, (2) a report in your own words of what the author is saying in the selection, ending with 1-2 paragraphs of personal comment or criticism, or (3) an analysis based on your own formulation of an issue addressed in or posed by the reading.  In a given paper, stay on the track you begin on; do not mix up the methods.  Also, stay focused and do not ramble over multiple issues or topics.  If you choose the second method, you must “close your eyes” to the editor’s introduction and summary; a repetition of what the editor has written is, in this context, tantamount to plagiarism.  As you engage what are challenging and difficult readings, keep in mind that Understanding is the objective and not criticism for criticism's sake.

Mid-term Progress Report:

The mid-term grade in this course, which will be issued by June 22nd reflects approximately 30% of the entire course grade.  Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W."  Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, by mid-term, which occurs on June 26th. 

Course Policies:

General Policy
Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.

University Attendance Policy                                                                                   Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate             these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

Course Attendance Policy
Attendance is expected for all class periods.  Attendance is required for quiz and examination periods. More than five late (unexcused) arrivals to class will result in a 5% reduction of your course grade. An excused late arrival or absence is one due to: (1) official Clayton State University functions (such as athletic events), (2) required official military duty, or (3) accompanied by documentation from a doctor or other competent authority. 

Missed Work
Without excuse, missed work cannot be submitted. An excuse for missed work must be accompanied with documentation from a doctor or other competent authority that explains why the student was unable to submit the assignment on time. With a valid excuse:

·        Make-up tests will be scheduled at a time chosen by the instructor. Note, the make-up exam may be different from the scheduled examination that the student missed.

·        The final examination must be taken. If you know you cannot make the scheduled time, consult at least two weeks in advance with the instructor and a new exam date may be arranged, if the instructor believes conditions warrant rescheduling. To reschedule an exam, you must submit a change of final examination date form to the instructor several days prior to the examination. It is your responsibility to submit this form and, if you do not, then you will not be allowed to reschedule your exam. Forms may be obtained from the secretary in the College of Arts and Sciences. Note, should you reschedule, the exam you take may be different from the regularly scheduled examination.

Academic Dishonesty
Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism.  All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved.  All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Judicial procedures are described at: http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.

Disruption of the Learning Environment                                                                Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not be tolerated.  While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior.  A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class.  A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal.  If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF. A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at:                           http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.html

Schedule of Readings and Assignments for PHIL 2201

Week 1

T          Introduction

R         Plato:  Euthyphro p. 4

Week 2

T          Anselm: Proslogion etc. p. 31

Aquinas:  Treatise on God p. 37

R         Pascal:  Pensees p. 102 

            James:  Will to Believe p. 109

Week 3

T          Plato:  Republic p. 123

            Descartes: Meditations p. 133

R         Review and Exam

Week 4  Last Day to Withdraw with “W” is June 26^th

T          Hume:  Enquiry p. 174

R         Kant: Critique of Pure Reason p. 185

Week 5

T          Peirce: Fixation of Belief p. 200

Baron d’Holbach:  Free Agency p. 322

R           No Class

 Week 6

 T         William James:  Dilemma of Determinism p. 340

R         Hume:  WEB SELECTION FROM Treatise

Week 7

T          Review and Exam

R         Aristotle:  Ethics p. 390

Week 8

T          Nietzsche:  Beyond Good and Evil p. 431

Sartre:  Existentialism p. 449

R         Rachels:  Challenge of Cultural Relativism p. 461

Hobbes:  Leviathan p. 505

Week 9

T          Wollstonecraft:  Vindication of the Rights of Women p. 550

R         Martin Luther King:  Letter from Birmingham Jail p. 559

Week 10

T          Bertrand Russell:  The Value of Philosophy

            Review

R         Exam