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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PH 101"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Philosophical Thinking"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
David Levy
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
after class or by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course aims to provide an introduction, through selections from classic and contemporary texts, to some critical philosophical problems.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
I. Justice
Plato, Republic, Book I
II. Knowledge and relativism
Plato, Theaetetus, selections
Descartes, Discourse on Method, on clear and distinct ideas
Pascal, Pensées, on the spirit of geometry vs. the spirit of delicacy
III. Soul and body
Lucretius, On the Nature of Things, III. 94-416
Aristotle, On the Soul, selections
Descartes, Discourse on Method, selection
Steven Pinker, How the Mind Works, pp. 64-69; The Blank Slate, pp. 30-34, 223-240
Leon Kass, The Hungry Soul, ch. 1
IV. Miracles
David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, 10
C.S. Lewis, Miracles, chs. 8, 13
All texts will be available on library reserve. Students are required to use the editions indicated. This is particularly important for translated texts.
Please note that the use of laptops and other electronic devices during class is not permitted.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Acquire a basic understanding of contrasting philosophic arguments on matters of perennial human concern.
Gain experience in the art of reading carefully a philosophic text.
Improve one’s ability to write clearly, correctly and thoughtfully.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Republic | Plato (tr. Allan Bloom) | Basic Books | 0465069347 | JC71 .P35 | |
| Theaetetus | Plato (tr. Joe Sachs) | Focus | 1-58510-101-X | | |
| Discourse on Method | Descartes (tr. Richard Kennington) | Focus | 978-1-58510-259-4 | | |
| On the Nature of Things | Lucretius (tr. Walter Engler) | Focus | 978-0941051217 | | |
| On the Soul and On Memory and Recollection | Aristotle (tr. Joe Sachs) | Green Lion Press | 978-1-888009-17-0 | | |
| How the Mind Works | Steven Pinker | Penguin | 9780140244915 | QP360.5.P56 | |
| The Blank Slate | Steven Pinker | Viking | 0670031518 | BF341.P47 | |
| The Hungry Soul | Leon Kass | University of Chicago Press | 0-226-42568-1 | | |
| An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding | David Hume | Clarendon | 0198250606 | B1480.2000 | |
| Miracles | C.S. Lewis | Collins | 978-0-00-746125-7 | | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| attendance, participation, short written comments, pop quizzes | | 20 |
| 3-4 short papers | | 60 |
| final exam (essay questions on the readings) | | 20 |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A Work of this quality provides a coherent, orderly argument based on an 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 This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and 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 any act of plagiarism or other form of academic dishonesty.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are expected to attend class regularly and on time. Unexcused absences and lack of punctuality will negatively affect a student's grade. If you will have to miss a class, let the professor know in advance.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Weeks 1-3: Plato's Republic
Weeks 4-5: Knowledge
Week 6: Lucretius
Weeks 7-8: Aristotle, On the Soul
Weeks 9-10: Descartes, Pinker
Week 11: Kass
Week 12: Hume
Week 13: C.S. Lewis
Week 14: Conclusion and Review
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