Introduction
to Philosophy
PL
201, Summer 2008
M-TH 11:30-2:20, HC 213
Dr. Bill Myers, Office: HC 222, 226-4868
Email: bmyers@bsc.edu
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 "Euthyphro," Descartes’ Meditations, Hume's Inquiry, philosophy of religion, and existentialism. 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 and Three Other Plays, by Jean-Paul Sartre
Grading:
Exam one: 20%
Exam two: 30%
Exam three: 30%
Writing assignments: 10%
Attendance and participation: 10%
Exams:
Approximately 2-3 days 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.
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 2) will result in the lowering of your final grade up to one full letter grade for each absence over two. After your 4th absence, it will no longer be possible for you to pass the class.
Tardy policy:
This class is scheduled to begin at 11:30 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. (Note: Given that this is a long class, we will need a break in the middle. Please understand that the tardy policy also applies to our return from break time.)
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
6/11: Course introduction and general information; The Whys and Whats of philosophy; The ancient tradition and the method of dialectic.
6/12: The life of Socrates; the Euthyphro; "The Allegory of the Cave"
6/16: Plato’s theory of forms. Review for exam 1.
6/17: Exam 1. Bring a blue book!
6/18: Introduction to Modern Philosophy; Meditations on First Philosophy, by Rene Descartes.
6/19: Meditations continued.
6/23: David Hume
6/24: David Hume, continued
6/25: Exam 2, bring a blue book!
6/26: Intro to philosophy of religion and the western concept of God.
6/30: The biography of God: An exercise.
7/1: Introduction to Existentialism; Theistic Existentialism
7/2: Sartre’s atheistic existentialism.
Reading: “Existentialism is a Humanism,” (handout) and "No Exit” by Sartre.
7/3: Exam 3. Bring a blue book!