Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 101-2"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Philosophical Thinking"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2018

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: David Levy
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 10:00-11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
We all have opinions about what is true and false, right and wrong, what is just, divine, and beautiful, what the self, mind, and soul are, or what makes us free. But can we justify our opinions about such things? Have we given rational and open-minded consideration to criticisms and alternatives, or are our opinions perhaps based only on prejudices and assumptions? In this course you will learn to use philosophical thinking to test and improve your opinions and your ability to evaluate the claims of important philosophers. Through the study and discussion of philosophical texts, classic or contemporary, you will grapple with issues of fundamental human importance and develop your capacities for careful reading, clear writing and speaking, and logical argumentation.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

"The argument is not just about any question, but about the way one should live" (Plato, Republic, 352d).

This semester we will read what is perhaps the most famous work of philosophy ever written, Plato's Republic. This comprehensive book, though written by an ancient Athenian, treats questions of concern to thoughtful persons of every time and place. These questions include:

· What is justice, and why should I be just?

· Is "justice", on closer inspection, merely the self-interest of the ruling class?

· What is the best form of government and social order?

· Should harmful or "politically incorrect" religious teachings, poetry, art, and music be censored?

· Should property be private or held in common?

· Should women and men have the same education and perform the same political and military functions?

· Is the best way of life active or contemplative?

Students are required to use the translation of the Republic by Allan Bloom (Basic Books, 1991). It is useful (though not required) to have a second translation available for comparison.

Please note: this course is not for the meek! While no prior acquaintance with philosophy is required, the Republic is a very demanding (as well as very rewarding) work. Each part of it must be read, and reread, slowly and with the utmost care and concentration.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
One of the main goals of this course is to gain experience in the careful reading of texts. In the words of Sherlock Holmes: "Never trust to general impressions, but concentrate yourself upon details," for "the little things are infinitely the most important." (Of course, in concentrating on details we must never lose sight of the bigger picture.)

Careful reading is, in turn, a foundation of good writing. And good writing is inseparable from clear and logical thinking. We will work on improving all of these capacities--for reading, writing, and thinking.

We also aim to improve our capacity to listen to and consider seriously opinions that differ (sometimes drastically) from our own. And not least, we aim to deepen our understanding of issues of fundamental human importance.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Republic	Plato (tr. Allan Bloom)	Basic Books	9780465094080	JC71 .P35

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
Mythology	Edith Hamilton	New American Library	any	BL310 .H3 1989	Helpful background reading for understanding the mythological references in Plato.
An Introduction to Plato's Republic	Julia Annas	Oxford	0198274297	JC71.P6 A544
Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Plato and the Republic	Nickolas Pappas	Routledge	0415299977	JC71.P6P36 2002

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
class participation	(1) You are strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions. In order to do so productively, you must do the assigned readings ahead of time. For every class, you should be prepared to answer the question: "Tell me about the reading for today." (2) You are required to bring to each class a hard copy of the assigned reading for that day (electronic devices may not be used in class), and for translated texts, you are required to use the translations specified in the syllabus. (3) A short written comment or question (minimum two sentences; handwritten is OK; please double-space and leave margins) on the assigned readings is due every class, except for five times during the semester at your discretion. In addition, no comment is required on the day you turn in a paper. If you are absent from a class, you should turn in two comments the following class. Each comment should be focused on the assigned reading for that day, and should demonstrate that you have done that reading carefully and thoughtfully. Comments are not graded individually. (4) Once during the semester, each student, in lieu of a written comment, will present orally to the class a 5-minute outline of that day's reading assignment. (5) You are permitted two absences without an excuse. Additional unexcused absences will negatively affect your grade. Examples of excusable absences are those due to illness or travel. Requests for an excused absence should be made in advance whenever possible. (6) Please make every effort to be punctual to class; consistent lack of punctuality will negatively affect your grade. (7) The instructor may require students to attend one or more evening lectures or lunchtime events that are relevant to this course or the study of philosophy.	20
3 papers	Late papers will be assessed a penalty unless an extension has been granted in advance. Papers that refer to translated texts must be based on the translation(s) specified in the syllabus; failure to use these translations will negatively affect your grade.	60
final exam	Essay questions on the assigned readings.	20

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A Work of this quality provides a coherent, orderly argument based on a very careful reading of the relevant texts and a solid understanding of the relevant issues. The student displays superior reasoning skills and has done a good deal of original thinking about the material. He or she knows how to raise important questions about the text and to evaluate possible answers to them. The student writes very clearly and has a near-perfect command of English usage and grammar. (Appropriate allowances are made for those for whom English is not a first language.)
B This is a good level of performance. The student displays a capacity for careful reading and good reasoning. The work reflects some original thinking and is not simply a repetition of lecture material and readings. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions. The student writes clearly and has a good command of English usage and grammar.
C This is an acceptable, or fair, level of performance. The student provides answers that are clear but limited, consisting mainly in a repetition of the text or lectures. The student has some ability to write clearly and correctly.
D The student fails to demonstrate a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and/or irrelevant points included. The paper is poorly organized, and the student shows limited ability to write clearly and correctly.
F This work fails to show any significant knowledge of the texts and the issues. Most of the material is irrelevant or inaccurate. There is no coherent argument and the student shows little ability to write clearly and correctly. This grade is also given for an act of plagiarism or other form of academic dishonesty.

-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

Plato's Republic, schedule of readings.

Note that all students are required to use the Allan Bloom translation, in hard copy.

Sept. 4: Introduction

Book One

Sept. 6: 327a-331d (= pages 3-7)

Sept. 11: 331d-336a

Sept. 13: 336b-344c

Sept. 18: 344d-354c. Receive prompts for first paper.

Book Two

Sept. 20: 357a-362c

Sept. 21 (make-up day): 362d-367e

Sept. 25: 367e-376c

Sept. 27: 376c-383c. First paper due.

Book Three

Oct. 2: 386a-398b

Oct. 4: 398c-403c

Oct. 9: 403c-417b

Book Four

Oct. 11: 419a-434c

Oct. 16: 434d-445e

Book Five

Oct. 18: 449a-457c

Oct. 23: 457c-471c. Receive prompts for second paper.

Oct. 25: 471c-480a

Book Six

Oct. 30: 484a-497a. Second paper due.

Nov. 6: 497a-511d

Book Seven

Nov. 8: 514a-521b

Nov. 9 (make-up day): 521c-541b

Book Eight

Nov. 13: 543a-555b. Receive prompts for third paper.

Nov. 15: 555b-569c

Book Nine

Nov. 20: 571a-580a. Third paper due.

Nov. 27: 580a-592b

Book Ten

Nov. 29: 595a-608b

Dec. 4: 608c-614a

Dec. 6: 614a-621d