Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 101"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Philosophical Thinking"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2013

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Gaffney Paul
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MTWTH 14:00-16:00
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The aim of this course is to survey some basic philosophical issues through critical readings of some representative and accessible texts. The course endeavors the show the value of the discipline of philosophy and its indispensable role in a liberal education. Philosophy is not a solitary intellectual quest; it is by its very nature conversational, critical, and exploratory. It is imperative, therefore, that all students come to class regularly with the readings prepared, ready to share insights, reactions, and questions with the instructor and with fellow classmates.Class meetings will combine lectures and discussions/presentations. Above all, the course hopes to create an experience of philosophy in the classroom, allowing the students to appreciate the deep satisfaction of this kind of engagement.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course is divided into five units; each week covers one unit.

1. The first unit is philosophy and fundamentalism. We begin with the life and mission of Socrates in 5^th century BCE Athens. We will consider what kind of wisdom philosophy represents, how it compares to other kinds of wisdom, and whether or not it is inherently impious. Was Athens was right to execute Socrates?

2. The second unit is philosophy and paradigms of thought. We will examine the challenge of modern science to the integrity of philosophy as an intellectual discipline. Is there evidence for non-material realities, such as God and the human soul? Does the development of the universe exhibit a design or purpose of any kind, or is it completely random?

3. The third unit is philosophy and subjectivity. We will study the new approach to philosophy made by Rene Descartes, who is often called the father of modern philosophy. Descartes subjects all his experiences and opinions to radical doubt trying to locate something of which he can be certain. How do I know for certain that I know something?

4. The fourth unit studies philosophy and power. Here we are concerned with the problem of anarchy and the creation of the modern state. We will consider Thomas Hobbes’ assertion that the natural condition of humankind is a universal war of all against all. How can we coexist peaceably? What is the meaning of justice in this world?

5. The fifth unit is philosophy and self-creation. We will examine the post-modern approach to human experience. Existentialist philosophers emphasize radical freedom and the conventionality of all values. What does truth mean in such a world?

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

· Students will gain a basic literacy about the discipline of philosophy through an examination of some basic and well-known questions.

· Students will learn not only what makes a question specifically philosophical, but also what qualifies an answer as adequate or inadequate.

· Argumentation is central to philosophy since the purpose is always to demonstrate the reasonableness of our values and convictions to ourselves and others. Therefore students will learn how arguments are constructed, how premises are related to conclusions, and how imposters are sometimes presented as arguments.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number
Last Days of Socrates	Plato	Penguin	9780140449280
Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy	John Cottingham	Cambridge	9780521558181
Leviathan	Thomas Hobbes	Penguin	9780140431957
Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre	Walter Kaufman	Plume/Penguin	9780452009301

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Plato Examination	Monday May 27th, in class	20%
Paradigms of Thought Examination	Take home assignment, due Monday June 3rd	20%
Descartes Examination	Monday June 10th, in class	20%
Hobbes Examination	Take home assignment, due Monday June 17th	20%
Existentialism Examination	Friday June 21, in class	20%

-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:
I expect perfect, or near perfect, attendance. Classroom participation is an essential part of the course and may positively impact your final grade.
N.B. All the readings are classic texts in Philosophy. If you have access to other editions, or if you can find them in less expensive editions, it is perfectly okay to use other texts/translations. It is, however, imperative that you have these texts and that you bring the one we are studying that day to class.

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

WEEK I READING AND DISCUSSION: Plato’s Euthyphro, Apology, and Crito

WEEK II
Monday 5/27: First examination (in class, first hour)
READING AND DISCUSSION: Plato’s Phaedo

WEEK III Monday 6/3: Second Examination due (take-home examination covering the material from Week II, distributed on Thursday 5/30).
READING AND DISCUSSION: Descartes’ Meditation I-VI

WEEK IV
Monday 6/10: Third Examination (in class, first hour, on material from Week III)
READING AND DISCUSSION: Hobbes’ Leviathan, Part One, cc. 1-14

WEEK V
Monday 6/17: Fourth Examination due (take-home examination covering the material from Week IV, distributed 6/13).
READING AND DISCUSSION: Selections Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre
Friday 6/21: Fifth Examination (in class, covering material from Week V)