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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 101-1"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Philosophical Thinking"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2016
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
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:
This course will introduce philosophy through the intensive study of selections from Nietzsche's Untimely Meditations and of several shorter dialogues of Plato, including the Laches (on courage) and the Hippias Major (on beauty).  Most of the course will focus on Socrates and his unrivaled ability to instruct, seduce, bewilder and sometimes exasperate his interlocutors.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Improve your capacities for careful reading, clear writing and speaking, and logical argumentation.

Deepen your understanding of issues of fundamental human importance.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The Roots of Political PhilosophyThomas L. Pangle (ed.)Cornell0-8014-9465-6 (paperback)     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Untimely MeditationsFriedrich NietzscheCambridge0521289270B3317.N28 
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
attendance, participation, short written comments, quizzes(1) Students are strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions. In order to contribute usefully to the discussion, you must do the assigned reading. (2) Short written comments (handwritten is fine; please double-space and leave margins) on the assigned readings are due every class, except for five times during the semester at the student's discretion. In addition, no comment is required on the day you turn in a paper. If you miss a class, you may turn in two comments the following class. Although comments are not graded individually, they should be thoughtful and well-written. (3) Quizzes may be administered, and will be graded Pass / Fail. (4) You are permitted two absences without an excuse. Additional unexcused absences will negatively affect your grade. Examples of excusable absences are those due to illness or travel. Requests for an excused absence should be made in advance whenever possible. Lack of punctuality, too, will negatively affect your grade.20%
3 short papers 60%
final exam (essay questions on the assigned 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 fi
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:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY

Students are expected to attend class regularly and on time.  Unexcused absences (beyond two) and lack of punctuality will negatively affect a student's grade.  If you will have to miss a class, please let the instructor know in advance.

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

All readings will be found either on the course web page on My JCU or in The Roots of Political Philosophy, edited by Pangle.
You must bring to class a paper copy of the assigned readings for that day.  (The use of electronic devices in class is not permitted.)

August 30 – What is philosophy?  Why philosophy?  Aristotle, Metaphysics, I. 1-2 [handout, also available on My JCU]

Sept. 1 – Aristotle, Metaphysics I. 1-2 continued; selections from Descartes, Hobbes, and Marx [handout, also available on My JCU]

Sept. 6 – Nietzsche, On the Uses and Disadvantages of History for Life, Foreword and part 1, pp. 59-67 [print out from My JCU]

Sept. 8 – On the Uses… part 2, pp. 67-72 [print out from My JCU]

Sept. 13 – On the Uses… part 3, pp. 72-77 [print out from My JCU]

Sept. 15 – On the Uses… part 4, pp. 77-80 and part 7, pp. 95-98 [print out from My JCU].  Receive topics for first paper (due Sept. 27).  For this first paper, all students are required to visit the JCU Writing Center before turning in the paper.

Sept. 20 – Plutarch, Life of Alcibiades  and "Life of Alcibiades Study Guide" [print out both from My JCU].  We read about Alcibiades’ life as preparation for Plato’s dialogues in which he is a major character.

Sept. 22 – Alcibiades’ speech in Plato’s Symposium, pp. 275-286 and "Symposium Study Guide" [print out both from My JCU]

Sept. 23 – Plato, Alcibiades I 103a-109c (pp. 175-183) [in The Roots of Political Philosophy]  While reading the Alcibiades I, please consult "notes to Alcibiades I" on MyJCU (you are not required to print this document, although it would probably be helpful to do so).

Sept. 27 – Alcibiades I 109c-116e.  First paper due.  Please submit both a paper copy and an electronic copy (via email).

Sept. 29 – Alcibiades I 116e-124b

Oct. 4 – Alcibiades I 124c-131d

Oct. 6 –  Alcibiades I 131e - end

Oct. 11 – Plutarch, Life of Nicias and  “On Laches’ Last Battle” [print out both from My JCU].  We read about the lives of Nicias and Laches as preparation for Plato’s dialogue the Laches, in which both are major characters.

Oct. 13 – Plato, Laches 178a-182d [in The Roots of Political Philosophy]; also re-read Symposium p. 283 bottom ("Furthermore, men...) to p. 284 end of first paragraph ("...in headlong flight.")

Oct. 18 – Laches 182d-187d. Receive topics for second paper (due Oct. 27)

Oct. 20 – Laches 187d-192b

Oct. 25 – Laches 192b-194b

Oct. 27 –Laches 194b-197e.  Second paper due.  Please submit both a paper copy and an electronic copy (via email).

Oct. 28 – Laches  198a-end. 

Nov. 3 –Plato, Greater Hippias 281a-283b  [in The Roots of Political Philosophy]

Nov. 8 – Greater Hippias 283b-286b. 

Nov. 10 – Greater Hippias 286c-291c. 

Nov. 15 – Greater Hippias 291c-295a 

Nov. 17 – Greater Hippias 295a-297d.  Hand out topics for third paper (due Nov. 29)

Nov. 22 – Greater Hippias 297d-302c. 

Nov. 29 – Greater Hippias  302c-end.  Third paper due. Please submit both a paper copy and an electronic copy (via email).

Dec. 1 – Final discussion of Greater Hippias and prep for final exam.