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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 101"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Philosophical Thinking"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Provvidera Tiziana
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 16:00-17:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this course is to give students an opportunity to understand and use the basic philosophical instruments of argumentation. In fact having and settling arguments is a basic function in any kind of intellectual or scientific discipline and research.  The choice of concepts leading the discussions allows students not only to understand where the history of philosophy finds its origins, but also enables them to open their conceptual analysis from classical to modern thinking.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course will focus on practical applications of philosophical thinking, in the main fields of ethics, metaphysics, politics and science. Each session will be supported by the reading of some of the most representative thinkers in each historical frame. One or more films are envisaged, depending on time schedule.
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:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Course ReaderT. Provvidera aaaaaaaaa     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
2 written papers1500 ca. word essays10% each paper
oral presentation and class attendanceClass time15%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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.

B:  This 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.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This 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.

F: This 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:
Students should plan to regularly attend the class, since we will often broaden the topics contained in the texts to contemporary issues, and since this class is mainly intended to the rousing of students' personal thoughts and ideas. Therefore, there will be accepted no more than 2 justified absences.
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

SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates
16 JanuaryIntroduction: the Pre-Socratics and the birth of philosophyPre-Socratic fragments  
18 JanuaryBeing and Reality: Plato’s the Allegory of the Cave; Knowledge versus OpinionH.G. Wells, In the country of the blind; Plato, Republic  
23 JanuaryAristotle on logic and knowledgeAristotle, Metaphysics; Categories  
25 JanuaryAquinas and Pico della Mirandola on human knowledgeAquinas, Summa Theologica; Pico della Mirandola, Oration on the Dignity of Man  
30 JanuaryFilm: The Truman Show   
3 February (make up)Giordano Bruno on God and Nature G. Bruno, The Ash Wednesday Supper; The Heroic Frenzies  
6 FebruaryScience versus Religion: The trials of Giordano Bruno and Galileo GalileiBruno, The Expulsion of the Triumphant Beast; Galileo, Letter to Madama Cristina  
8 FebruaryDescartes on God and Science R. Descartes, Discourse on the Method; Meditations  
13 FebruaryChange and crisis in science: class-presentation on ancient and modern science   
15 FebruaryPlato and Aristotle on politicsPlato, Crito; The Seventh Letter; Aristotle, Politics  
20 FebruaryThe separation between ethics and politics: Niccolò MachiavelliMachiavelli, The Prince; The Discourses  
22 FebruarySovereignty and security: Thomas Hobbes / Society and the individual: Jean Jacques RousseauT. Hobbes, Leviathan; Rousseau, The Social Contract   
27 FebruaryFrom individual desire to rational self-determination: Georg HegelG. W. F. Hegel, The Philosophy of Right   
29 FebruaryReview and class discussion    
5 MarchMIDTERM EXAMINATION   
7 MarchMarx on political revolutionsK. Marx, The German Ideology; Manifesto of the Communist Party   
9 March (make up)Film: Land and freedom    
12 MarchClass-presentation: Ancient and modern political theories: a comparison    
14 MarchGorgias on languageGorgia, Encomium of Helen  
26 MarchLocke on sensations and languageJ. Locke, Essay Concerning Human Understanding  
28 MarchThe linguistic turn in contemporary philosophiesWittgenstein, Philosophical Investigations  
2 AprilClass-presentation: The power of language   
4 AprilEthical virtueAristotle, Nicomachean Ehics  
11 AprilKant’s ethicsI. Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Moral  
16 AprilHappiness as the foundation of moralityJ.S. Mill, Utilitarianism  
18 AprilAgainst conventional moralityF. Nietzsche, Beyond the Good and the Devil  
23 AprilReview   
 FINAL EXAMINATION