BELLEVUE COLLEGE
PHIL&101 Introduction to
Philosophy Winter Quarter 2013
MW 3:00 to 5:10 PM
Rm. D102
Instructor: Dr. Tablan ftablan@bellevuecollege.edu
R230-K
Office Hours: MW 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This
course introduces some of the traditional problems in philosophy (e.g.,
reality, human freedom, existence of God, morality, identity). Students examine
works by classical and contemporary philosophers and develop basic
philosophizing skills such as critical reasoning, conceptual analysis, formulating
philosophical questions, writing skills, argument strategy and tactics.
Requirements
In-class
Participation (5%); Assignments (5%); Class activities (15%); 2 Philosophical
Essays (30%); Long Exams (20%); Final Exam (25%)
About the Requirements:
Examinations: There will be two in-class long exams and a final exam, which will consist of short
answer/multiple choice questions and essay problems on the materials covered.
In addition, there will be a number of assignments and class activities that will be given regularly throughout the
quarter. The final exam will be held on its scheduled day. Long exams will be
held on the second half of the class. The passing score for any exam is 60% of the total items. I do not
believe in grading on a curve because it
only encourages mediocrity and resentment among students.
Reading Assignments: Being a text-based course, it is the
students’ responsibility to do their own reading of the assigned text before
coming to class. (If you do not do the reading, you will find the discussions
much more difficult to follow.) The expectation is not for the students to have
“mastered” the material, but that they are able to participate in an
intellectual conversation about its main topic, answer some discussion
questions, accomplish active learning exercises, test or resolve some
objections to the texts, and suggest passages and/or issues that would be
helpful to tackle in class. Instructional procedure will take the form of
commentaries, interpretations, explanations, applications, and critical
questions on some of the major points and difficult passages of the text. It
will not be a paragraph-by-paragraph lecture of its content. All students are
required to have a copy of the course textbook and to bring it to class every
meeting. (Kessler, Gary. 2007 Voices of Wisdom A Multicultural Philosophy
Reader
Class Participation: Discussion is a very important part
of the course. Students are expected to bring to class insights, issues,
interpretation, comments, critiques, and questions regarding the required
readings for the purposes of information sharing, argument, and informal
debate. People learn in different ways. Some learn by thinking out loud while
others need to listen a while before forming their own conclusions. However,
even for more reserved students, classroom discussion is an important way to
think through questions and ideas. While I do not give graded recitation, I
shall take your regular attendance and consistent thoughtful engagement in
class as the basis for in-class participation.
Attendance: It is your responsibility as
students to attend all classes on time. Class attendance is monitored but not
graded. Poor attendance may affect your
grade because if you miss class, you miss the discussions, important
announcements, active learning exercises, group activities, and the opportunity
to ask questions and get answers. If you
miss class, it is your responsibility to update yourselves with missed
assignments and readings. You are likewise accountable for any announcements,
changes in syllabus or class calendar, and schedules of exams and quizzes
whether you have been attending class or not. It is highly encouraged that you
establish a connection with a classmate for notes and assignments if you are
late or absent.
Philosophical Papers: Students will be asked to submit two
papers (4 to 5 pages each excluding bibliography, size 12 font, one-sided
double-spaced) throughout the quarter. They must be cleanly typed and
proofread, and pages must be numbered. For these assignments, students have to
do independent reading and interpretation of the texts. If necessary, use
footnotes and bibliography. It will be
my pleasure to help and/or discuss your essay with you, but I will not do any
editing of your paper nor give a grade in advance.
Tutorials and
Consultation: Every reasonable effort will be made to assist
you for any problems or difficulties you may encounter with any aspect of this
course. I will never be offended by your questions or comments about papers,
class schedule, reading materials, class discussions, grading, study habits and
so on. For brief consultations, you can
see me after class. Emails are the most efficient means by which we can
communicate outside the classroom. It is strongly advised that you get an
acknowledgement that I have received your email. Save a copy of my email
acknowledgement for your reference. Every student is required to have a public
email (I will not send blind carbon copy to anyone). While I send class updates
and class assignments though email from time to time, this is only as a form of
courtesy. This is not an
online course. All announcements and
assignments should be given in class.
III. TENTATIVE COURSE
OUTLINE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS
(This schedule is for planning purposes
only. It may be changed by the instructor depending upon the students’ interests,
the ability of the class to absorb the materials, and the composition of the
class.)
Part I: INTRODUCTION.
What is Philosophy? (week 1)
A
Definition of Philosophy.
What
is Rationality?
Part II: ETHICS.
Introduction
How Should One Live? (week 2 to 4)
The
Buddha and the Middle Way. Buddha: The Four Noble Truths.
Walpola
Rahula: The Fourth Noble Truth.
Aristotle
on Happiness and the Life of Moderation. Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics.
Socrates
on Living the Examined Life. Plato: The Apology.
The
Song of God. Bhagavad-Gita.
How Can I Know What Is Right? (week 5
to 7)
Introduction
The
Categorical Imperative. Immanuel Kant: Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals.
Utilitarianism.
John Stuart Mill: What Utilitarianism Is.
An
Ethic of Care. Nel Noddings: Caring.
Moral
Relativism. David Wong: Relativism.
Part III: METAPHYSICS.
What Is Really Real? (week 8)
Introduction
The
Dao. Laozi: Dao De Jing.
Platonic
Dualism. Plato: The Republic.
Are We Free or Determined? (week 9)
Introduction
We
Are Determined. Robert Blatchford: Not Guilty.
We
Are Free. Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism.
Karma
and Freedom. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: Karma and Freedom.
What Am I? (week 10)
Introduction.
You
Are Your Mind. René Descartes: Meditation VI.
You
Are an Embodied Self. Eve Browning Cole: Body, Mind, and Gender.
You
are not a Machine: John Searle: Can Computers Think?
Are Religious Claims True? (week 11)
Introduction
Arguments
for God’s Existence: Anselm of Canterbury: The Ontological Argument
St
Thomas Aquinas: The
IV.
CLASS POLICIES
1. I have a little difficulty in hearing so
please speak slowly, loudly and clearly whenever you talk in class.
2. Before coming to class, students must have
enough sleep and rest. Take a cup of coffee/tea, or soda that has caffeine. Eat
lightly. Some people get sleepy after eating a heavy meal. Eating during class
is not allowed.
3. All written assignments or papers are due at
the beginning of the class on the submission date. Lack of access to a computer
and/or computer glitches are not acceptable excuses for failing to hand in
assignments on time. Late submission for any requirement, for whatever reasons,
is subject to a substantial grade reduction – 10% deduction for every meeting.
If you cannot come to class, you can submit your paper in advance or ask one of your classmates to do it. Late papers
cannot be left in my faculty mailbox without my permission. No late requirements
will be accepted two weeks after the due date.
4. Email submission is NOT allowed.
5. Students are expected to plan their schedules
in advance having the dates of the exam in mind. If you miss a long exam, the
only acceptable excuse is serious physical injury/illness and a note from a
hospital or doctor. There will be no make-up for missed class activities.
6. It is the responsibility of the students to
arrange for make-up work at the convenience of the instructor. All make-up work
must be completed within one week upon returning to class.
7. Students who are absent are accountable for
all the lectures, handouts, discussions, and announcements that are given
during the class
8. An incomplete grade is given only if the
student has completed substantial requirements of the course but failed to take
the final exam. If an incomplete is granted, the student must complete the
academic work according to the BC policy.
9. All returned materials should be kept until
the official final grade is given. Back up all written assignments to insure
against loss.
10. The use of laptop during class is not allowed
without permission from the disability center.
11. No student will be permitted to rewrite a
submitted paper. It is understood that all papers submitted are in their final version.
12. Letter grades (A, A-, B+, etc.) are assigned
only at the end of the quarter.
13. The final grade is non-negotiable. No extra
credit.
Disability
Students with disabilities who have accommodation needs are
required to meet with the Director of the
Student Code
“Cheating,
stealing and plagiarizing (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own
without crediting the source) and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior
are violations of the Student Code of Conduct at
Affirmation of Inclusion