|
|
JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PH 101-3"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Philosophical Thinking"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2024
|
SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
David Levy
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
By appointment
|
|
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:
In this course we will investigate some fundamental questions of human life, including: What is happiness and how can we attain it? Why do human beings form political communities? What are the purposes of law and government? Through a close reading of texts by Seneca, Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, and Thomas Hobbes, we will become acquainted with the great debate about such questions among ancient, medieval, and modern philosophers.
This course, while introductory, is not designed to be easy. The assigned texts are quite challenging and will require careful and repeated study on your part. You will be expected to come to each class fully prepared to discuss the assigned reading in detail. This is also a writing-intensive class.
The use of "Generative AI" is not permitted in this course, because we want to do our own thinking.
|
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Gain experience in the art of careful reading. (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.")
2. Improve your capacity for clear and logical thinking, speaking, and writing.
3. Gain understanding of some major philosophical questions in philosophy and of how those questions might be relevant to our lives today.
|
TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Leviathan | Thomas Hobbes | Norton | 9780393532487 | | Please note that ONLY this edition is acceptable. | Hard Copy | Almost Corner Bookstore | Amazon.it, Amazon.co.uk, Abebooks |
|
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
|
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| class participation | (1) Students are expected to attend all classes (barring a compelling reason for being absent, such as illness), to have done the assigned reading carefully, and to bring a hard copy of the reading to class. The use of electronic devices in class is not permitted. (2) A written reflection consisting of ONE WELL-CRAFTED PARAGRAPH on the assigned reading is due every class, except when a paper is due. (If you are absent you may turn in two reflections the following class.) The reflection should explain a section of the reading or pose a good specific question, and should demonstrate that you have studied the text carefully and thoughtfully. I recommend you begin by trying to answer this question: what is the MAIN POINT of the reading (or of part of it)? Students will sometimes be asked to present their reflections to the class orally. Needless to say, your reflections, like all your academic productions, must be your own work; if you make use of outside sources you must give proper credit. (The use of generative AI, as already mentioned, is not permitted.) (3) Be punctual and do not leave the room during class except in cases of emergencies. Eating in class is not permitted (drinking is OK). | 20 |
| 3 papers | Approximately 1200 words each. Late papers will be assessed a penalty unless an extension has been granted in advance. You must cite in your paper the assigned editions and translations of the readings; papers which fail to do so will not be accepted. Please note that your papers may be submitted to Turnitin (a plagiarism detection program). The use of "generative AI" is not permitted. | 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.)
BThis 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.
CThis 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.
DThe 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.
FThis 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
|
|
|
Preliminary schedule
Weeks 1-3. Seneca, "On the Happy Life" and Aristotle, selections from the Politics
Weeks 4-8.Thomas Aquinas, Treatise on Law (from the Summa Theologiae)
Weeks 9-14. Thomas Hobbes, selections from Leviathan
|
|
|