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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 240"
COURSE NAME: "Modern Philosophy"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Brunella Antomarini
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 11:30-12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces you to modern philosophers’ revolutionary understandings of human beings’ place in the world. In a world challenged by new scientific discoveries and profound changes in society, these philosophers question their predecessors’ appeals to natural and supernatural order, and instead place the human mind, self, and society at the center of their philosophies. The radically different views about human knowledge and morality that they propose lead to rich debates over the senses and reason, matter and the mind, freedom and responsibility, and the self and community – all of which have profoundly influenced subsequent philosophy, and even society at large. To explore these views and debates, we will study the philosophies of crucial figures like Descartes, Hume, and Kant.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Summary of COurse Content

The course will regard the reconstruction of modern philosophical theories, with a special focus on some of the most influential currents (materialism and rationalism). Each session will be supported by the reading of some of the most representative thinkers in this historical frame. The course will focus on practical applications of philosophical thinking, with a particular emphasis on science.  

 

ANALYSED AUTHORS THROUGH ONLINE TEXTS OR excerpts in XEROXED COPIES:

Voltaire, Micromega

https://jculibrary.on.worldcat.org/oclc/648259430

Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince, The Circle of Governements

Giordano Bruno, Heroic Frenzies

Galileo Galilei, Starry Herald

Réné Descartes, Meditations

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/25/opinion/descartes-is-not-our-father.html

Spinoza, Ethics, Tractatus Theologicus Politicus

Gottfried Leibniz Monadology, Discourse

John Locke, Essay on Human Understanding

David Hume, Essay on Human Nature

Diderot, D'Alembert's Dream

Adam Smith, On Moral Sentiments, Wealth of Nations

Immanuel Kant, I Critique, Perpetual Peace, Progress

 

 

REFERENCE TEXTS:

 

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

http://plato.stanford.edu/

Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy

https://is.muni.cz/el/1421/podzim2014/LJMgrB07/um/Cambridge_Dictionary_of_Philosophy.pdf

Excerpts from

Modern Times by C.Chaplin

The Matrix by A. and L. Wachowsky (descartes and Kant)

SCHEDULE

Intro. Science, technology, experiment

Machiavelli, a new method. The Prince

The Circle of Governments (mechanical model)

Giordano Bruno, Heroic Frenzies

Descartes

Meditations

Leibniz

Discourse (14-23)

Monadology

Spinoza

Ethics

Tractatus

MID-TERM EXAMINATION

Film

John Locke on Sensations and Language

Liberalism

David Hume scepticism

Critique to causality

Diderot D'Alembert's Dream

Adam Smith

On Moral Sentiments

On the Wealth of Nations

Kant

First Critique

Third Critique

perpetual Peace

On Progress

FINAL EXAMINATION


LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the semester students will be able to master and use basic philosophical concepts.  They will also be capable of individuating the major fields of philosophical analysis, and of critically constructing their own perspective on these issues.

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
- Mid-term exam Two in-class tests (essay questions); two papers at home; seminars on chosen topics. 25%
- Final exam  40%
2 papers at home, attendance and 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