Dr. Bill Myers, PS 112D, 226-4868, bmyers@bsc.edu

Office Hours: M 9:30-11:30; TTH 8:30-9:30; W 1-4 and by appt.

Homepage: http://csunx2.bsc.edu/~bmyers/BillsPage.htm

TA's: Courtney Camp (ext. 6736; email cmcamp); Anthony Cashio (ext 6004; email alcashio)

On the most general level, this course is an introduction to philosophy, utilizing both film and traditional texts. It consists of an interim and a spring semester. The interim course will introduce various philosophical problems as they are illustrated through the medium of film. The subsequent spring course will focus on developing those problems and placing them into their historical contexts. We will be making connections between the visual and imaginative features of film, and the traditional ideas of the history of philosophy. One of the intended outcomes of this course (in addition to the simple introduction to philosophy) is that we will become more media and visually literate. This kind of course and the thinking that it fosters requires us to say much more than "I like that" or "I don't like that." We are taking works of film and plumbing their depths to a greater degree than most of us have done. There is the added bonus that visual representations often make the normally and sometimes abstract problems of philosophy more real. That is, the narrative structure of the movies embodies the problems into real stories. Hopefully, we will then see that philosophy is not simply abstract mind-games, but it deals with real life problems. This course is designated as 1-Y, and it also fulfills the philosophy and religion requirement for general education.

The Republic, by Plato

Meditations on First Philosophy, by Rene Descartes

The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version

Existentialism From Dostoevsky to Sartre, edited by Walter Kaufmann

No Exit and Three Other Plays, by Jean Paul Sartre

And a course packet that I will make available.

In this course, you will take two exams, one just before midterm and the other at the scheduled time for the final. You will also write two short (4-5 page) papers, one before midterm and one just after. Each of these assignments will count for 20% of your grade. The remaining 20% will be determined by your class participation, attendance, paper presentation, and several short writing assignments.

The exams will consist of a blend of essay and objective questions. There will be some element of choice involved.

Twice during the semester, I will hand out a list of suggested paper topics. You may choose from the ones I suggest, or you may come to me if you have an idea that you would like to pursue. If you do that, we will discuss it and come up with a plan of action. The papers themselves must be at least 4 full typed pages in a standard sized (12 point) font. You will also be required to make a visit to the writing center with a full draft of your paper at some point before the paper is due. In addition, you will want to consult my handout on writing philosophy papers. Late papers are not accepted unless prior arrangements are made! I will hand out more information when the assignment is made. As well, each of you will present your paper to the class once during the semester. Half of you will present on March 21 and the other half on May 9. You will each have 7 or 8 minutes to present your basic thesis and answer any questions that come from the class.

Several times during the semester, you will be given short writing assignments. Some of these will be done in class, others will be done outside of class. I’ll give specific information on these at the time of the assignment. These assignments cannot be made up.

Attendance:

Attendance will be taken every class period. Attendance is expected and, as you will soon see, necessary in order for you to do well in this class, as much of the exam material will come from my lectures only. Excessive absences (more than 4) will result in the lowering of your final grade up to one full letter grade. Upon your 7th absence, it will no longer be possible for you to pass the class.

This class is scheduled to begin at 9:30 and, given that we are on a tight schedule, it is essential that class begin on time. In order to facilitate this and to ensure that there are a minimum number of interruptions, my tardy policy is as follows: your final course grade will be reduced by one point for each instance of tardiness beyond the first two instances. No excuses will be accepted. You have two—use them judiciously. If you have any doubt as to the synchronization of your and my timepieces, simply be in class by 9:30 and we will have no problems.

My policy regarding make-up exams is quite simple. I do not give them. If you miss an exam, you make a zero on that exam. The only possible exception to this rule is if arrangements are made prior to the exam period. But, even then, this exception is only granted in extraordinary circumstances. The same policy applies to late papers. Do not miss the deadlines!

You will, of course, be expected to abide by the Honor Code in regard to all of your assignments. Regarding exams, it is acceptable and even encouraged that you study with one another. However, when you write your exam, your work must be your own. The same applies to your papers. Blatant violations of the honor code will result in your failing this class.

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