Syllabus Fall 2001

Description:  “Introduction to Philosophy” courses are structured in a variety of ways.  Some focus on the history of philosophy, identifying major thinkers and schools of thought from the ancient to the modern (or “postmodern”) day.  Others explore the perennial questions that have intrigued philosophers for generations (What is the nature of reality?  How do we know anything for sure?  How do mind and body relate?  Do humans have “free will”?  Does life have meaning?  Are values relative or absolute?  Is there a God?  If so, how can God’s existence be reconciled with physical and moral evil?).  While appreciating the value of these two approaches, PHI 261 opts for a slightly different one.  More “practical” or “applied” than “pure” or “speculative,” it focuses on the relationship of philosophical analysis to concrete issues of human life.  Specifically, we will look together at matters related to morality, science (both natural and social), and religion.  Our guiding questions will thus have to do not only with what we should think, but also with how we should live intelligently, coherently, and responsibly in a complex and often confusing world.

Text:                             Arthur, Shapiro, and Throop, Reason and Culture

Means of Assessment:

·        Attendance and active participation based on careful preparation of assigned materials.  NOTE:  All members of this class are students (the professor included!), and all are teachers (the students included!).  Each of us, therefore, is responsible for bringing to each class a written response to at least one question* posed in the text as a point of entry into understanding and discussing the article(s) in question (*more than one may be noted on particular days).  Some of these written answers will be turned in for a letter grade.  Occasionally throughout the term, you may be asked to develop a written answer into a 1-2 page short paper.

·        Apart from the general procedural rule noted above, we will design the rest of the course together, selecting and scheduling readings for discussion based on the particular interests of seminar participants (see assignment for 8/28 below).

·        Two tests (predominantly essay, with some short, two-sentence “identification” items) will be spaced throughout the semester, one after each unit.

·        One research and position (R&P) paper (c. 5 pages, typed) exploring further an issue or author introduced in the Reason and Culture anthology will provide you the opportunity to read either additional works by the same author, or additional articles on a similar topic.  These R&P papers will be presented orally for the appreciative and critical response of the seminar.

·        Final examination (cumulative, with one section focused on Unit Three).

Accommodations:  If you have documented learning needs and require specific accommodations (time and a half on tests, testing in an alternate environment, etc.), please contact Sue Kuehn in the Office for Students with Special Needs (upstairs in MG) to arrange for a letter to be sent to me.  I will be happy to work with you on these matters.

Attendance, Class Behavior, and Academic Integrity:  For a detailed description of a student’s responsibility and rights, see the Brevard College Student Handbook as well as the college catalog.  While students are strongly encouraged to help on another inside and outside of class in the mastery of logic, performance on tests and exams is a strictly individual matter (unless explicitly noted as collaborative).  Therefore, any violation of the Honor Code will result in a failing grade on the exercise in question and, if repeated, in the course as a whole.

 Calendar

Last updated: October 19, 2001