Introduction
to Philosophy
PL 201, Fall
2007
MW 2:00-3:20, HC 003
Dr. Bill Myers, HC 222, 226-4868
Office Hours: MW 12-2:00; 3:30-4:00; TTH 12:30-1:30, and by
appointment.
Email: bmyers@bsc.edu
Syllabus page: http://csunx2.bsc.edu/~bmyers/intro07.htm
Course Objectives:
This course consists of an introduction to some of the major problems,
methods and historical figures in the history of philosophy. Through class
discussion and individual reflection (reading and writing), we will learn to
read and interpret some selected philosophical texts. Time permitting, we will consider the
following: Plato's Republic, Descartes’
Meditations, Hume's Inquiry, philosophy of religion,
existentialism, and pragmatism. This course fulfills the general education
requirement in philosophy/religion or the “additional humanities” requirement.
Texts:
The Trial and Death of Socrates, by Plato
Meditations on First Philosophy, by Rene Descartes
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, by David Hume
The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard (It is important that
you have this translation!)
No Exit, by Jean-Paul Sartre
A few handouts
Grading:
Exam one: 15%
Exam two: 25%
Exam three: 25%
Paper: 20%
Writing assignments, attendance and participation: 15%
Exams:
Approximately one week before a scheduled exam, I will hand out a list
of study questions. The essay portion of
the exam will come from this list of questions. Note that there will be an
element of choice for the essays. In addition to the essays, there will be some
"surprise" short answer questions.
Writing Assignments:
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.
Paper:
Sometime around mid-term, I will
give out a list of paper topics for you to choose from. These papers will be
3-5 pages long. I will give you much more information as that time approaches. Please
consult my handout on writing
philosophy papers.
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 for each
absence over four. After your 7th
absence, it will no longer be possible for you to pass the class.
Tardy policy:
This class is scheduled to begin at 2:00 and, given that we are on a
tight schedule, it is essential that class begin on time. In addition, habitual
tardiness is irresponsible, rude, and disruptive. To discourage it, 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.
Classroom rules:
Two rules for the sake of courtesy: First, eating is not allowed in HC
classrooms. Don’t bring food to class. Second, turn off your cell phone when
you come to class. If I hear your cell phone ring, vibrate, or otherwise make
its presence known, you will be immediately dismissed from class and counted
absent for that day.
Make up exams:
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 applies to the out of class writing assignments. Do not miss the
deadlines!
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
8/29: Course
introduction and general information; The Whys and Whats of philosophy
9/5: The ancient tradition and the method of
dialectic.
9/10: The life of
Socrates and the Euthyphro
9/12: The Allegory
of the Cave
9/17: Plato’s Theory
of Forms and Review
9/19: Exam 1. Bring
a blue book to class!
9/24: The emergence
of the Modern Mind
9/26: Rene Descartes
10/1: Descartes,
continued
10/3: Descartes,
continued
10/8: David Hume
10/10: Hume,
continued
10/15: Hume,
continued
10/17: Wrap up and
review
10/22: Exam 2. Bring
a blue book to class!
10/24: Intro to
philosophy of religion and the western concept of God.
10/29: The biography
of God: An exercise.
10/31: A New
Version: Introduction to Process Theology
11/5: A Freudian/Feminist critique of western religion.
Reading: None, but I will put an article on reserve
11/7: An
Introduction to Pragmatism
11/12: The James-Clifford debate
11/14: Introduction
to Existentialism
11/19: The Christian
Existentialism of Soren Kierkegaard
11/26: Jean-Paul
Sartre
11/28: Sartre,
continued.
12/3: Wrap up and
review.
12/7: Final exam,
1-4. Bring a blue book!