SYLLABUS HANDOUT
Introduction to   Philosophy

SECTION I: THE CLASS AND THE INSTRUCTOR
                           

COURSE SECTION AND TITLE:                                         Philosophy101-5A      
                                                                                                Introduction to Philosophy

INSTRUCTOR'S NAME:                                                       Dr. Brian Allan Wooters (Allan)

METHODS OF CONTACTING INSTRUCTOR:                  Home Phone: 296-4546
                                                                                                Work Phone: 296-2568
                                                                                                awooters@mccneb.edu

METRO OFFICE LOCATION:                                              South Omaha, Room 300

METRO OFFICE HOURS:                                                     Saturdays 9:00 - 11:00 AM

METRO OFFICE TELEPHONE NUMBER:                          738-4622 (v-mail)   738-4619(8012)

SECTION II: THE COURSE

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to help the student confront the fundamental topics that are central to living an aware life. In other words, this course challenges us with the big questions of our existence. Some of the issues explored include: Is there a God? What is the essential nature of human beings? What is the good life? What is a just society like? What are the limits of human knowledge? Does life have meaning?

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

None but an open mind and willingness to examine the major issues oflife.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Apply methods of renection, articulation, argumentation, and critical reasoning in the analysis of the great personal and cultural questions about existence.

2. To become acquainted with some major philosophers and the philosophical movements in our intellectual inheritance both West and East.

3. To identify and clarify the major fields ofphilosophy.

4. To appreciate the cultural diversity of our society and global community through the examination of a variety of beliefs.

REQUIRED MATERIALS.

Philosophy: A Text with Readings, 6th edition by Manuel Velasquez (Wadsworth Publishing, 1997)

A notebook in which the student will maintain his or her responses to assigned readings from the text.

SECTION III,  PART A: INSTRUCTOR'S RESPONSIBILITLES

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

Philosophy is primarily an activity, not a subject matter. When we get it right it is fun but it is also a lot more than that. When we get it right, it is ennobling, empowering, and intrinsically satisfying. To this end there is something to be gained from reading, discussions, lecturing, and videos. I will use a variety of approaches to enable you to begin a happy and confident journey into philosophical thought.

METHODS OF ASSESSING STUDENT PROGRESS:

1. Attendance & participation -- 10%
2. Short response paper -- 100/o
3. Journal -- 10%
4. Research paper -- 25%
5. Midterm exam -- 20%
6. Final exam -- 25%

Grading scale:

A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 69 - 60
F = 59 and below

SELECTED TESTING/ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Tests

Two (2) exams will be given during the quarter. These tests will consist of true and false questions, multiple choice, short answer, and an essay section wherein the student will demonstrate his or her grasp of ideas, philosophical vocabulary, knowledge of individual philosophers, and above all actually doing philosophy.

The final exam will be given during the last scheduled class period. Only a crisis (as identified by the course faculty) willjustifj~ a postponement of a final exam for a student. In the event the student must miss either exam, he or she must notifl the instructor and make arrangements to take the test at another time.

The Response Paper

Each week a selected number of students will present a short paper (1-2 pages) responding to the readings in the text. Each member of the class may do one of these presentations and will be responsible for directing the flow of the ensuing discussion. You may count your response paper as your Journal entry for that week. (1.5 extra points)

The Reading Journal

This journal will consist of a summary of a paragraph or two on each of the week's reading assignments. This journal is to begin aRer the first class period. I want you to summarize a main argument you see in the background section of the chapter under consideration and give your avn reaction to it. Be as specific as you can in relating the arguments to concrete details of your own reflections and experiences. Do not be afraid of the personal element on your way to becoming more philosophical in your views. These entries should be informed by the "Critical Thinking" boxes found in the margins of the text and/or the "questions " section seen at the end of each chapter division.

Although I do not expect your entries to be publishable essays, I do expect them to be thoughtful and focused. I expect you to try to be as clear as possible and to do work that shows your own self-respect.

Do your journaling before class. It will not be unusual for us to begin class by exchanging and reading each other's journal entries.

We are journaling in this class as part of the process of becoming skillful and wise philosophical readers and writers. This activity will improve our comprehension of the subject matter and our ability to write and think critically about it. Since coming to a philosophy class unprepared is tantamount to missing the class altogether, our journaling will help assure that we are not present in body but absent in mind.

Hand in the complete journal on the week preceding the Final Exam. Include at the end a paragraph or two describing your philosophical journey, i.e., how you clarified various views, changed your mind on some subjects, or was affirmed in your basic worldview.

The Research Paper

This paper will be on some aspect of the thought of a major philosopher. You are encouraged to first choose a topic in which you have a major interest then select a thinker whose work addresses your interest. I want you to consult primary sources and at least one secondary source beyond what is represented in the text. (Note: primary sources can often be found as e-texts on the internet or as part ofvarious "Great Books" collections available at most public libraries. Moreover, the inexpensive nature of many primary sources will allow most students to build their library as well! I want you to focus on a critical evaluation of the thought of the philosopher whom you address. I want the paper to be as long as you need to develop your philosophical response to the question at issue. The paper should note any and all works used in your analysis and these citations should appear in an acceptable college level notational form. Moreover, the paper should be typed or printed, clean in appearance, and error-free in terms of mechanical things like spelling and punctuation. In other words, your paper should show your own self-respect. The paper is due at any time after the midterm exam but no later than second to last class period.

We will discuss the requirements of good philosophical writing as we go along, some handouts will be supplied by the instructor to this end, and we will use our weekly paper writing/reading sessions as models.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS:

Late work will be accepted at the following class period only. The reason for submitting any assignment late must be cleared with the instructor otherwise the work will receive two letter grades lower than the highest possible grade earned. Failure to submit work by the later date will earn the student a zero (0) for that assignment.

MAINTENANCE OF STUDENT RECORDS:

It is the goal of the instructor to return all assignments, tests, and papers to the student at the next class period. Students may not keep the tests but may keep the journal and research paper.

SECTION III. PART B: STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

METHODS OF LEARNING:

The above overviews of the various approaches to this course obviously gives the student a clear understanding of his or her responsibilities. But it is important to emphasize that a college education consists of much more than merely acquiring facts about a discipline. The truly educated person is one who knows how to think about a subject. This is where philosophy becomes immensely practical since it helps us strive for excellence in our thinking. This requires that the student intergrate information from a variety of disciplines but then proceed to filter that information through the use of reason and personal experience. This practice of using a tough-minded approach to any and all issues should be the goal the student sets not only for this course but for his or her life. We are all "life-long learners" and it is best to be deliberate in this worthy and fulfilling opportunity.

In light of this, students should:

-- study all assigned readings -- be on time for each class meeting

-- participate in class and small group discussions

-- discuss with the instructor any problems that may arise in relation to the course.

-- submit all assignments on time.

ATTENDANCE STATEMENT:

Since this course is focused on actually doing philosophy -- which is more related to acquiring a skill than remembering a body of teachings -- it is imperative that the student be present at each class unless a crisis interferes. Moreover, the student should plan to be present for the entire length of the class period. Students who leave early without permission will be counted absent for that period. While attendance is only ten percent of one's overall grade, anyone receiving an "F" in attendance will be viewed as not having met all requirements for the course and would therefore fail the entire course. Students who do have to miss a class are responsible for making up any and all work missed and for obtaining the class notes from a fellow student.

STUDENT WITHDRAWAL:

If you cannot attend and complete this course, you should officially withdraw by calling Central Registration (457-5231). Failure to officially withdraw will result in either an instructor withdraw (IW) or a failing grade. The last day to withdraw can be found on the attached schedule.

ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT:

The College imposes specific disciplinary actions in response to incidents of academic misconduct [cheating, plagiarism, etc.]. These actions may include: admonition, failing grade, failure of course, disciplinary probation, suspension and dismissal. A copy of the current disciplinary procedure is available in each campus Student Services center and from your Division Chair.

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES:

As you pursue your educational objectives, you may be required to use computer information technology resources at Metropolitan Community College. Use of these resources is a privilege and carries with it a responsibility to respect the rights and privacy of others, the integrity offacilities, and to follow Students Conduct Guidelines and College Policies.

INFORMATION SOURCES:

If you have questions regarding any aspect of your studies at Metro, please contact the Student Services office at any Metro campus.

DIVISION IDENTIFICATION:

The Division Chairperson for this course is Mr. Mark Carta. His office is located at the Fort Omaha Campus. Mr. Carta is available to assist you with any problems which the instructor is not able to resolve to your satisfaction.

SECTION IV: PROJECTED SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS:

NOTE: Dates shown below indicate when the assignment is due.

12/08 -- Introduction to the course.
              Chapter 1 overview: "The Nature ofPhilosophy," Sections 1.1; 1.2
              Logic Lesson - "The Science and Art of Real Dialogue," Sections I - III

12/15 -- Chapter 1: Sections 1.6; 1.8 reading from pages 51-54
              Chapter 2: "Human Nature" Sections 2.3; 2.7
              Logic Lesson - "The Science and Art of Real Dialogue," Sections IV - V
              and "Cleaning Up Our Language"
              Reading from Chapter 2, pp. 168-173

12/22 -- Chapter 3. "Metaphysics: Reality and Being," Sections 3.1, 3.2; 3.5, 3.6, 3.10
              Logic Lesson: "Fallacies: The Fruit of Uncritical Thinking," Part 1.
              Readings from Chapter 3, pp. 261-265

12/29 -- No class due to holiday recess

01/05 -- Chapter 4 -- "Metaphysics: Philosophy and God," Sections 4. 1; 4.2; 4.3; 4.7
              Logic Lesson: "Fallacies: The Fruit of Uncritical Thinking," Part 2
              Readings from Chapter 4, pp. 336-342

01/12 -- Chapter 5 -- "Epistemology: The Sources of Knowledge," Sections 5.1; 5.2;
              5.3; 5.4; 5.7
              Logic Lesson: "Fallacies: The Fruit of Uncritical Thinking," Part 3
              Readings from Chapter 5, pp. 415-419 Review for exam

12/19 -- Mid-Term Exam
              Lecture: "How to Write a Philosophy Paper"
              Video: Junk Science
              Remainder of class period will be used for research for your paper

12/26 -- Chapter 6 -- "Epistemology: Truth," Sections 6. 1; 6.2; 6.4; 6.6
              Logic Lesson: "The New Skepticism"
              Reading from Chapter 6, pp. 483-485
              Research papers can begin to be submitted

02/02 -- Chapter 7 -- "Values: Ethics," Sections 7.1, 7.2; 7.3; 7.4
              Logic Lesson: "A Model for Ethical Decision-Making"
              Remaining Reading from Chapter 6, pp. 485-488

02/09 -- Chapter 7 -- "Values: Ethics," Sections 7.5; 7.6; 7.7; 7.8; 7.9
              Readings from Chapter 7, pp. 582-586

02/16 -- Chapter 8-- "Values: Social Philosophy," Sections 8.1; 8.2; 8.3; 8.6
              Read from Chapter 9 Section 9.3
              Reading from Chapter 8, "What Libertarianism Is"
              Final date to submit research paper.

02/23 -- Final exam and video on Plato's The Republic.

NOTE: This schedule is subject to change by the instructor.

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Last revision: January 23, 2005
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