PHIL 103m Course Syllabus

Course Objectives:

• Students will develop an understanding of the basic questions and methods of philosophy through critical reading, writing and discussion. Students will encounter important thinkers and will expand their knowledge of philosophical history.
• Students will learn to recognize, describe and debate philosophical problems and will practice connecting these problems to other intellectual disciplines.
• Students will evolve their own capacities as philosopher-thinkers through the practice of thinking, writing and discussing, improving their critical abilities.

Required Texts:

• Descartes, René. Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy. 4th ed. Trans. Donald A. Cress. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1998. 120pp.
• Hume, David. An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. 2nd ed. Ed. Eric Steinberg. Indianapolis, Hackett, 1993. 142pp.
• Irwin, William, ed. The Matrix and Philosophy: Welcome to the Desert of the Real. Chicago: Open Court, 2002. 320pp.
• Plato. Five Dialogues. 2nd ed. Trans. G.M.A. Grube. Indianapolis: Hackett, 2002. 154pp.

Course Requirements and Grading:

Online Reading Journal (10%) – Students will post 10 entries to the class website (PHIL 103m). Each entry must answer the posed question and be 7 – 10 sentences long. Entries are due the following class day (see Course Schedule).

Writing Assignments (30%) – This is a writing intensive course. Students will be required to write three critical essays throughout the term. Topics and writing requirements will be given in class. See the Course Schedule for due dates.

Exams (40%) – Four exams will be given, one on each philosopher and a final. Exams cannot be rescheduled. Missing an exam will result in a zero grade.

Participation/Attendance (20%) – Students are expected to complete assigned readings and participate in class discussions and one presentation. A student who is more than 15 minutes late to class will not be permitted to enter. More than two absences OR three tardy days will result in failure of the course.

PHIL 103m Course Schedule

PHIL 103m
Introduction to Philosophy

1. T, Aug 28, Course Introduction – What is philosophy?
2. R, Aug 30, Course Introduction – What is philosophy?
3. T, Sept 04, Socrates on piety: Read Euthyphro (pp. 1-20). Journal 1.
4. R, Sept 06, The trial of Socrates: Read Apology (pp. 21-44). Journal 2.
5. T, Sept 11, On laws and justice: Read Crito (pp. 45-57). Journal 3.
➢ Assign essay 1. Due Sept 27.
6. R, Sept 13, NO CLASS – COLLEGE CLOSED.
7. T, Sept 18, NO CLASS – FOLLOW FRIDAY SCHEDULE.
8. R, Sept 20, On virtue and recollection: Read Meno (pp. 58-92).
9. T, Sept 25, On immortality: Read Phaedo (pp. 93-154).
10. R, Sept 27, Review Plato and Socrates. ESSAY 1 DUE.
11. T, Oct 02, Exam 1 – Plato and Socrates
12. R, Oct 04, Descartes on reason: Read Discourse (pp. 1-45).
➢ Assign essay 2. Due Oct 25.
13. T, Oct 09, On doubt: Read Meditation One (pp. 59-62). Journal 4.
14. R, Oct 11, On mind: Read Meditation Two (pp. 63-68). Journal 5.
15. T, Oct 16, On God: Read Meditation Three (pp. 69-80). Journal 6.
16. R, Oct 18, On truth: Read Meditation Four/Five (pp. 81-91).
17. T, Oct 23, On mind and body: Read Meditation Six (pp. 92-120).
18. R, Oct 25, Review Descartes. ESSAY 2 DUE.
19. T, Oct 30, Exam 2 – Descartes
20. R, Nov 01, Hume on philosophy: Read Enquiry I (pp. 1-9).
➢ Assign essay 3. Due Nov 27.
21. T, Nov 06, On ideas: Read Enquiry II, III (pp. 10-15). Journal 7.
22. R, Nov 08, On doubt: Read Enquiry IV and V (pp. 15-37). Journal 8.
23. T, Nov 13, On necessity: Read Enquiry VI and VII (pp. 37-53).
24. R, Nov 15, Review Hume.
25. T, Nov 20, Exam 3 – Hume
26. R, Nov 22, NO CLASS. Thanksgiving Break.
27. T, Nov 27, Watch The Matrix. ESSAY 3 DUE.
28. R, Nov 29, The Rabbit Hole: Chap. 11 (pp. 126-137). Journal 9.
➢ Group One presentations.
29. T, Dec 04, How Do You Know? Chapters 1-3 (pp. 5-40). Journal 10.
➢ Group Two presentations.
30. R, Dec 06, The Desert of the Real: Chapters 5 and 8 (pp. 55-65, 87-98).
➢ Group Three presentations.
31. T, Dec 11, Final review and party!!!
32. R, Dec 20, FINAL EXAM