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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 260"
COURSE NAME: "Contemporary Philosophy"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2017
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Brunella Antomarini
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces students to current philosophical debates in a variety of areas, such as cognitive science, theories of knowledge, philosophy of language, continental philosophy, social science, and digital culture. Students will read and analyze a selection of fundamental contemporary texts, by figures such as Wittgenstein, Searle, Foucault, Lyotard, and Haraway, and develop a familiarity with the new philosophical tools and terminology that they introduce.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Classes will consist of

    1.Introductory lectures about the following interconnected topics analysed by reading excerpts from books.

  1. Cybernetic culture.

 

P. de Latil, Thinking by Machine, 1957.

D. Haraway, Cyborg Manifesto, 1991.

            L. Margulis, What is Life?, 2000.

            J. Bennett, Vibrant Matter (from Ch.1)

            M. Lister at al, New Media (from Ch.5).          

             D. Baird, Thing Knowledge

            T. de Chardin, The Phenomenon of Man

  1. Cybernetics and politics:

 

G. Deleuze, F. Guattari, A Thousand Plateaux

M. Foucault, Society Must Be Defended

J. Rifkin, The End of Work

M. Donald, Origins of the Modern Mind

K. Kelly, Out of Control (Nine Laws of God)

M. Lister at al, New Media (from Ch.3)

Lem, Summa Technologiae

2. Seminars on analysed topics.

3. Analysis of film:

The Invincible, by Stanislaw Lem, 1964

Analysis of short:

The smallest film in the world: A Boy and his Atoms


 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the semester, students will have a general information about ongoing arguments in philosophic environments, both in Europe and the United States. They will be able to master philosophical argumentative discussions about current issues concerning knowledge, science, language, politics, ethics.


 
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Mid-term exam- Mid-term exam (25% of the final grade) - ) 25%
   
final exam 40%
papers, participation 35%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE




 

SCHEDULE

FIRST WEEK

Cybernetic culture.

P. de Latil, Thinking by Machine, 1957.

D. Haraway, Cyborg Manifesto, 1991.

SECOND WEEK

            L. Margulis, What is Life?, 2000.

            J. Bennett, Vibrant Matter (from Ch.1)

            T. de Chardin, The Phenomenon of Man

            THIRD WEEK

            M. Lister at al, New Media (from Ch.5).          

             D. Baird, Thing Knowledge

             REVIEW AND MID-TERM

             FILM (STANISLAV LEM: THE INCINVIBLE)

             FOURTH WEEK

Cybernetics and politics:

G. Deleuze, F. Guattari, A Thousand Plateaux

FIFTH WEEK

M. Foucault, Society Must Be Defended

J. Rifkin, The End of Work

SIXTH WEEK

M. Donald, Origins of the Modern Mind

K. Kelly, Out of Control (Nine Laws of God)

SEVENTH WEEK

M. Lister at al, New Media (from Ch.3)

Lem, Summa Technologiae

REVIEW

2. Seminars on analysed topics.

3. Analysis of film:

The Invincible, by Stanislaw Lem, 1964

Analysis of short:

The smallest film in the world: A Boy and his Atoms