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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 101"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Philosophical Thinking"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Brunella Antomarini
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
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.

Students are encouraged to focus on:

1. how philosophers use their arguments to support their theories or hypotheses;

2. what is a philosophical solution of a problem;

3. how philosophers always go back to perennial questions.

The following areas will be examined through classical and modern philosophers’ views:

 

FORMS/IDEAS

Plato; Descartes.

PERCEPTION

Plato; Aristotle; Locke.

LANGUAGE

Locke; Vico; Austin.

POLITICS

Machiavelli; Hobbes; Adam Smith; Kant; Marx; Arendt, Nussbaum.

SCIENCE/EVOLUTION

Aristotle; Kant; T. Kuhn; M.Donald.

 

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Part of the course will regard a general historical reconstruction of western philosophical movements and theories, with a special focus on some of the most influential currents (such as “idealism”, “materialism”, “rationalism”, “nihilism” and “existentialism”). Each session will be supported by the reading of some of the most representative thinkers in each historical frame. The course will focus on practical applications of philosophical thinking, in the main fields of ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, politics and science.  One or more films are envisaged, depending on time schedule.

TEXT BOOK:

Thomas Nagel, What does it all mean? A very short introduction to philosophy

Oxford University Press 1987

 

Reference TEXTS:

D.H. Wells, In the Country of the Blind

G. Skirrbekk, History of Western Thought, Routledge 2001.

 

FILMS

Enjoy Poverty, by Renzo Martens

The Wave, by Dennis Gansel

Excerpts from Matrix by A. and L. Wachowsky

The Yes Men (library)

The Yes Men fix the world (library)

 

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 (25% of the final grade) - Final exam (40% of the final grade) - In-class presentation + paper, attendance and participation (35% of the final grade)  

-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 cours
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:

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.

Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.

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.

The use of the computer is not allowed in 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


Introduction: what is philosophy

Wells, In the Country of the Blind

Socrates, Plato and ancient idealism

Commenting on Plato’s texts

Aristotle and naturalism

Machiavelli and political theory

Reading Machiavelli

Modern Philosophies, Galileo and the birth of science

Descartes and rationalism

Commenting on Descartes’ text

Hobbes

Locke

Seminar

Film

Adam Smith

Vico and philosophy of language

Kant and science

Seminar

Reading Kant

Film

Marx

Arendt

Nussbaum

Wittgenstein and the contemporary linguistic turn

Kuhn

Merlin Donald

Review

Review

FINAL EXAMINATION