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.