(formerly
PHIL&101 - Introduction to
Philosophy Winter Quarter 2012
MW 3:00 to 5:10 Rm. C168
Instructor: Dr. Tablan ftablan@bellevuecollege.edu
R230-K Office Hours: MW 5:10 to 6:45
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%)
100-Point Grading
Scale
|
A-
91 - 94 B+
87 - 90 |
B
84-86 B-
80-83 C+
77-79 |
C
74-76 C-
70-73 D+
66-69 |
D
60-65 F
below 60 |
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 USA: Thomson Wadsworth 6th or 7th Edition. It is highly encouraged that you look
for used copies which are less expensive.)
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 Five Ways.
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 one week 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 Resource
Center (DRC)
Students with
disabilities
who have accommodation needs are required to meet with the Director of the
Disability Resource Center (room B132-G; 425-564-2498 or TTY 425-564-4110) to
establish their eligibility for accommodation. The DRC office will provide each
eligible student with an accommodation letter. Students who require accommodation
in class should review the DRC accommodation letter with the instructor during
the first week of the quarter.
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 Bellevue College. Examples of unacceptable behavior include,
but are not limited to talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early
without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate
behavior toward the instructor or classmates.
The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to
the Vice President of Student Services for possible probation or suspension
from Bellevue College. Specific student
rights, responsibilities and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code
of Conduct, available in the office of the Vice President of Student
Services.” The Student Code, Policy
2050, in its entirety is located at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/policies/2/2050_Student_Code.asp
Affirmation of
Inclusion
Bellevue
College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the
campus community feels welcome to participate in the life of the college, free
from harassment and discrimination. We value our different backgrounds at
Bellevue College, and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are
to treat one another with dignity and respect. Part of this respect involves
professional behavior toward the instructor, colleagues, and the class
itself. Disruptive behavior is
disrespectful behavior. The Arts and
Humanities Division honors the right of its faculty to define "disruptive
behavior," which often involves such things as arriving late, leaving
early, leaving class and then returning, talking while others are trying to
hear the instructor or their group members, doing other homework in class,
wearing earphones in class, bringing activated beepers, alarm watches, or
cellular phones into class, inappropriate comments or gestures, etc. http://bellevuecollege.edu/about/goals/inclusion.asp
|
Grading Criteria for
Essays 1. Completion of the Requirements 25 points Answers to the guide questions/paper
instructions; accomplishment of the paper’s objective; effective title and
conclusion; grammatically correct sentences; footnotes and documentation
(when applicable); careful proofreading; appropriate manuscript form; clean
typing and printing; pages are numbered and stapled. 2. Quality of Ideas 35 points New insights, creativity and originality;
persuasiveness of arguments; absence of fallacies; appropriate examples;
complexity of ideas and arguments; appropriate awareness of opposing views;
range and depth of analysis; range and depth of interpretation. 3. Organization and Development 25 points Clarity of thesis statement (when
applicable); logical and clear
arrangement of ideas; good development
of ideas through supporting details,
examples, evidence and quotations from the text; effective use of
transition; unity and coherence of paragraph 4. Clarity and Style 15 points Ease of readability; clarity of arguments and
sentence structure; appropriate audience; gracefulness of sentence structure;
appropriate variety of sentence structure. |