Metropolitan Community College



Metropolitan Community College

Course Syllabus – Spring, 2012

Philosophy 1010

Title: Introduction to Philosophy

Prefix/Section: Phil 1010 – 1B

Credit Hours: 4.50

Begins/Ends/No-Class Days: 03/12/2012 - 05/21/2012

Meeting Day/Time: MW, 12:00 – 1:55 PM

Last Day to Withdraw 5/9/2012

Delivery Type: Classroom

Class Location: EVC 305

CONTACT INFORMATION

Instructor Name: Paul Dickey

Email Address: pdickey2@mccneb.edu

Faculty Web Site:

Telephone (Message only): (402) 457- 7200, X8294

Academic Program Area: Communications and Humanities

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Description:

Topics fundamental to living an aware life are the focus of this course. What is the nature of human freedom? What are its limits? What is the good life? What is a just society like? What are the limits of human knowledge? Questions such as these are explored..

Course Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020 are strongly recommended for all Philosophy courses.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Describe the role and scope of philosophical questions in human life.

2. Appreciate the cultural diversity of our society and global community through the explanation of a variety of beliefs.

3. Explain the philosophical process and the intent of philosophical inquiry; and their impact on the history of ideas.

4. Identify and clarify the major fields of philosophy.

5. Apply methods of reflection, articulation, argumentation, and critical reasoning in the analysis of philosophical questions.

Required & Supplemental Materials:

Required textbook: Philosophy: A Text with Readings by Manuel Velasquez, published by Wadsworth. Eleventh edition. The textbook is the main source for the course material. The student is expected to read the assigned text material BEFORE coming to class.

Textbook and other print materials can be purchased or rented through the campus bookstore. Sometimes textbooks also can be purchased online. You will unlikely be able to pass the course without fulfilling the reading assignments on time. Thus, if you have an issue obtaining a textbook, please advise the instructor immediately.

Additional reading also will be required in the class from time to time to add context and value to the subject matter covered in the text, class discussions, and class lectures. The instructor will make these items available to the student through handouts or will provide access to the materials online.

Course Structure/Approach:

This course will use a broad range of methods designed to create a flexible learning environment, including required text reading, lectures by the instructor, short writing assignments, in-class activities, and small group discussions, and in-class exams. We will attempt to cover all essential material from at least two methods to ensure reinforcement of all basic concepts.

For the benefit of all, strong class participation will be expected from all students. Students will be expected to be actively engaged through all in-class discussions and instructor presentations. This is YOUR class. Most of what you learn will be determined by the effort that you put into class activities. Your grade will be determined by what you earn. YOU EARN BY WHAT YOU LEARN!

COURSE ASSESSMENT

Types of Assessment/Assignments

Students will be assessed by a broad range of performances to allow the student a flexible means to demonstrate their proficiencies gained in the class, including:

• One mid-term exam and a final exam,

• A relatively short 3-5-page essay (computer-printed or typed, double-spaced, 1” margins, Times Romans 12-point font) on a philosophical issue selected by the student and approved by the instructor. The paper will demonstrate understanding of one fundamental issue presented in the class beyond the level that was covered in class. The paper will show understanding of multiple points of view on the issue by different philosophers. The student in his or her paper will resolve conflicts between the positions or point out relative agreements between the philosophies through the student’s own independent thinking.

• Homework and class activity. There will be in-class writing assignments, pop quizzes on reading assignments, class discussions, or perhaps other relevant in-class performances to demonstrate understanding of class topics.

Grading Policy

Grading scale: A: 90-100%; B: 80-89%; C: 70-79%; D: 60-69%; F: below 60%

Grades in this class will be based on the following:

• 2 Exams (Midterm Exams & Final Exam) @ 30 % each equal to: 60%

• 1 Short Essay (3-5 pages) equal to: 15%

• Class Activity: combined equal to: 25%

There will be 400 points to be earned overall in the class. There will be points earned in many of the class periods in the class activity category. There will be about 12 assignments (100 points total for the term). You may “throw out” your two worst scores on the activities.

Maintenance of Student Records

Records are maintained by the instructor electronically and are available for review by the student at any time immediately before or after class. I encourage you to keep yourself aware of how you are doing in the class, but to assure your privacy, students may not e-mail or phone the instructor to request an update on their grade. All discussions regarding your grades are to be done face-to-face with the instructor. Your final grade will be posted through the MCC WebAdvisor web page. Doing so assures your privacy.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

Attendance Policy

As stated before, most of what you learn will be determined by the effort that you put into class activities. You likely will not pass this course if you do not plan from the very beginning to come to class every class session. It is as simple as that.

We know sometimes however, things happen beyond our control, so there will be up to THREE (3) excused absences. Though the missed classes are excused, the student will need to submit any homework due for that class prior to class-time by e-mail to the instructor. Also, the student will not be allowed to make up any credit potentially earned by in-class activity that day.

All absences after three will be penalized in two ways:

1) You will not be given credit for work due in a class period missed after your excused absences are exhausted.

2) The student will be expected to perform extra work at the instructor’s direction or have 10 points deducted for each absence beyond the allowed absences.

Of course, some reasons for missing class are better than others, but the instructor cannot act as a judge to determine the appropriateness of any absence. You have three excused absences. When they are gone, they are gone. If you have circumstances that you know in advance will make more than three absences likely, you likely shouldn’t take the class at this time.

Every student with perfect attendance (i.e. does not use any allotted excused absences) will be given 15 extra credit points. As an example, these bonus points could raise an 86% B grade to a 90% A.) Keep in mind, perfect attendance means PERFECT attendance. If President Obama invites you to the White House to give you a special award, I would recommend you go, but unfortunately that will still count as an absence. In this class, any absence is an absence regardless of how good your reason is for the absence.

During the course of the class, the instructor may offer other extra credit opportunities (but don’t count on it!), but do not expect to use extra credit to make up for poor scores on exams or your essay. Extra credit points are offered only within the class participation category and are not used to enhance a student’s grade in the other categories. Thus, extra credit will only be used to increase the class participation grade (up to 100%). In the past, most A students do NOT need extra credit to earn their grade.

Students are expected be in class and ready to begin class activities at the beginning of each class period. Likewise, a student is expected to remain in class unless excused or dismissed. You may be charged with an absence and not be permitted to return to class if you leave class without being excused!!!

Make-up and Late Exams and Assignments.

A missed exam can only be made up when unusual events occur clearly beyond the student’s control. If work, a family crisis, or other emergency prevents your attending class the day of an exam, please discuss this with the instructor as soon as possible, even before the exam should circumstances permit. If a last-minute emergency occurs on the day of the class, it is your responsibility to e-mail the instructor to inform him. The student should provide the instructor with an appropriate explanation and documentation, if requested. Exams given at other than the regular time will be different from the regular exam and will be more difficult.

All course assignments absolutely will be accepted for credit only if turned in at the beginning of the class when due. There will be no exceptions. If any situation prevents your attending class the day work is due and you have not already used your excused absences, turn in the work early. If a last-minute emergency occurs immediately before class, it is your responsibility to email the instructor as soon as possible and attach the assigned work to that email.

Please keep in mind that honesty and good faith effort are the basic requirements to be able to negotiate any individualized consideration when you are faced with unusual circumstances.

Expected Classroom Behavior

Of course, each student is expected to maintain responsible adult behavior at all times in class. This includes respect and consideration for all students, the instructor, and college property. Sexual harassment or any other kind of harassment will not be tolerated.

Use of any electronic devices that distracts the student from active participation in the class activities are not allowed. Laptops are permitted if they are used to enhance a student’s participation in the class, but not if they detract from it. The instructor will be the sole judge of the appropriateness of your computer use. If you have a question, ask the instructor.

Please turn off your cell phones before class begins. If a cell phone goes off at any time in the class or any student is observed texting, the instructor may require in the future that ALL cell phones be collected before class begins. No one wants that, especially the instructor. There will be two breaks given students each night.

Students will come to exams prepared to finish an exam without leaving the room. If you will need a Kleenex during the exam -- people have told me that my exams make them cry! --please bring them with you. All cell phones and laptops will be put aside. No requests to leave the room during the test will be permitted. Should a student leave the classroom during the test, their exam will be deemed to be complete in whatever state it was.

Communication Guidelines:

When you communicate with others in this course, you must follow the Student Conduct, which calls for responsible and cooperative behavior. Please think critically, ask questions, and challenge ideas, but show respect for the opinions of others, respond to them politely, and maintain the confidentiality of thoughts expressed in the class. You may also wish to review information at .

Optional Notice:

This syllabus is written as an expectation of class topics, learning activities, and expected learning outcomes. However, the instructor reserves the right to make changes in this schedule that may result in enhanced or more effective learning for students. These modifications will not substantially change the intent or objectives of this course and will be done within the policies and guidelines of Metropolitan Community College.

LEARNING SUPPORT

Metro's Learning, Math, and Writing Centers can help you achieve educational success. The staff in these centers provide drop-in assistance with basic math, reading, writing and computer skills. They offer a friendly, supportive learning environment. Self-paced computer-assisted instructional support in reading, vocabulary, typing, English as a Second Language, and online course orientation is also available. Detailed information about these services are in the Student Handbook, College Catalog, and online. Links to these resources are located at .

COLLEGE POLICIES

College policies, such as student rights and responsibilities, academic standards, plagiarism, and etc. are outlined in the College Catalog and Student Handbook. This information can be accessed via the online catalog at .

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Students are reminded that materials they use as sources for classwork may be subject to copyright protection. Additional information about copyright is provided on the library website at or by your instructor. In response to incidents of student dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, etc.), the College imposes specific actions that may include receiving a failing grade on a test, failure in the course, suspension from the College, or dismissal from the College. Disciplinary procedures are available in the Advising/Counseling Centers or at .

To promote ethical use of source materials and integrity in students’ written work, Metro Community College subscribes to , a service that provides document source analysis in order to detect plagiarism. Students enrolled in this section of Phil 1010 agree that all required work may be submitted by the instructor to .

STUDENT WITHDRAWAL: If you cannot attend and complete this course, you should officially withdraw by calling Central Registration, 457-5231. The last date to withdraw is identified on the first page of this syllabus handout.

Students who attend no class meetings up to and including the Section Census Date published in the Class Schedule at mccneb.edu/schedule/default.asp may be disenrolled from the class. There is no appeal for this disenrollment.

A student who fails to meet class attendance expectations may receive a final grade mark of FX, indicating an absence-related failure, or a failing (F) grade.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT: The college has a standard code of conduct that involves consequences for specific academic and non-academic behavior that may result in a failing grade, probation, or suspension from the college. More complete information about the code of conduct is located in the Student Services portion of the online catalog ().

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

Metropolitan Community College will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with documented qualifying disabilities. It is the student’s responsibility to request accommodations from Disability Support Services (DSS) located in each Student Services Office. After students have arranged for accommodations with DSS, the student and instructor should privately discuss these accommodations. For further information, please contact DSS or visit .

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

For assistance with student email, passwords, and most other MCC technology, contact the Help Desk at 457-2900 or mcchelpdesk@mccneb.edu.

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES: By using the information technology systems at MCC (including the computer systems and phones), you acknowledge and consent to the conditions of use as set forth in the Metropolitan Community College Procedures Memorandum on Acceptable Use of Information Technology and Resources. It is your responsibility as a student to be familiar with these procedures. The full text of the Procedures Memorandum may be found at the following website: .

SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS

Caveat Emptor: Instructor may modify reading assignments by notifying students during the previous class. Should the student miss a class or be late to class, it is the student’s responsibility to check the class website to be informed of any changes to class assignments.

3/12: Class Introductions. Review syllabus. In class discussion and short writing assignment.

Questions for the class -- What is Philosophy? Who cares? Is Philosophy essential to living a good life?

3/14: Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Readings -- 11th edition, Chapter 1 -- Sections 1.1, and 1.2 .

Class Topic: The Nature of Philosophy

(Allegory of the Cave, Socratic Method, The Matrix).

Questions for the class -- What is the nature of a philosophical question? What is the key message of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave? What are the common divisions of philosophy?

3/19: Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Readings -- 11th edition, Chapter 1 -- Sections 1.3, and 1.4 .

Class Topic: The Nature of Philosophy, Pt. II.

Recommended: Watch one of the movies discussed in Chapter One.

Questions for the class -- What is the point of philosophical inquiry? What are the basic principles of the Socratic method? Is Philosophy a risk? If so, what kind and is it worth taking? (Why is the instructor asking such stupid questions? Is he going to do this all quarter? ( ) What is that movie The Matrix all about?

3/21 Reading assignment: Velasquez, 9th edition. 1.8 Appendix: A Look at Logic, pp. 50-54. The appendix is available on the class website.

Class Topic: Logic and Critical Reasoning

Questions for the class -- What is the nature of critical reasoning? What is an argument? What is a good argument? Are there different kinds of good arguments? Is there confusion between different senses of the word argument? What is a claim?

3/26 Reading assignment: Velasquez, 9th edition. 1.8 Appendix: A Look at Logic, pp. 64-71.

Class Topic: Logic and Critical Reasoning, Pt. II.

Questions for the class -- When is an argument subjective? Are moral arguments subjective? Is it always bad to be subjective? What are logical fallacies?

3/28 Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Readings, 11th edition. Chapter 2 – Sections 2.1 & 2.2 (thru p. 66)

Recommended: Watch one of the movies discussed in Chapter Two.

Class Topic: Human Nature

Questions for the class -- What assumptions are made about human nature when one asserts that there is life after death? According to Plato, what is the self? For Aristotle, what is the purpose of human nature? What is the purpose of human nature in the Judeo-Christian view? Can these two views be reconciled?

4/2: Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Readings, Chapter 2 – Section 2.3 (thru p. 85)

Recommended: Watch one of the movies discussed in Chapter Two.

Class Topic: Human Nature, Part II.

Questions for the class – What is the argument of materialism vs. dualism?

What is the relationship between the mind and the body?

4/4 Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Readings, Chapter 3 – Sections 3.1 & 3.2 (thru p. 150).

Recommended: Watch one of the movies discussed in Chapter Three.

Class Topic: Reality and Being

Questions for the class – What do we mean when we say something is real? Can something be real without anyone knowing it? Can something be real if our language doesn’t allow us to talk about it? Is reality determined by the nature of mind or the nature of matter?

4/9: Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Readings, Chapter 3 – Sections 3.3 & 3.4

Class Topic: Reality and Being, Part II.

Questions for the class -- Is reality practical and concerned only by what are its consequences to society and personal living? Do we talk only nonsense when we ask metaphysical questions? If so, what can we meaningfully say about our world? Does the world exist apart from language and our minds? If so, can we then really know things “as they are?”

4/11: Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Reading. Re-read all chapter summaries – chapters 1-3

Review (or “catch up” as needed)

4/16 Midterm Exam

Chapters 1-3 & Logic & Critical Thinking.

4/18 Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Readings, Chapter 4, Sections 4.1 & 4.2 (to p. 240)

Recommended: Watch one of the movies discussed in Chapter Four.

Class Topic: Philosophy and God

Questions for the class – Can the existence of God be proven? What are the all-time best three attempts in the history of philosophy to do so? Did one or more of them succeed? If not, is a proof for the existence of God really necessary?

4/23 Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Readings, Chapter 4, Section 4.3

Recommended: Watch one of the movies discussed in Chapter Four.

Class Topic: Philosophy and God, Part II.

Questions for the class -- Is there an important difference between an atheist and an agnostic? How does theism explain evil? How does an agnostic? How does an atheist? Even if Freud is right and people have an “infantile” need to believe in God, does that make a belief in God false? Is the use of “infantile” in the above question a violation of any principle of critical thinking?

4/25 Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Readings, Chapter 4, Section 4.4 (to p.255)

Class Topic: Philosophy and God, Part III.

Questions for the class -- Can an agnostic have a “reason to believe” in the existence of God? Is this a violation of critical thinking?

4/30 Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Readings Chapter 5 – Sections 5.1 & 5.2 (to p.308).

Recommended: Watch one of the movies discussed in Chapter Five.

Class Topic: The Sources of Knowledge

Questions for the class – Is reason or experience (observation) more important to gaining knowledge? Is either one of these methods infallible? What does Descartes believe is the source of knowledge?

The instructor will provide guidelines/expectations for term essay.

5/2 Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Readings Chapter 5 – Sections 5.3.

Class Topic: The Sources of Knowledge, Part II.

What does David Hume’s think about the source of knowledge? How does John Locke weigh in? How does one know a cause? Can a cause actually be observed? Can we know that there is a world beyond our sensory experiences?

5/7 Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Readings Chapter 5 – Sections 5.4.

Class Topic: The Sources of Knowledge, Part III.

Questions for the class – What is Kant’s argument that we can we find a cause through reason? For Kant, what are “constructs of the mind?”

By this class period, each student must have confirmed with the instructor his or her essay topic. The instructor will answer in this class period any final questions in regard to the essay requirements. At this point, you should have a good idea what your essay’s argument will be. Don’t procrastinate.

5/9 Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Readings, Chapter 6, Section 6.1 & 6.2 (to p. 385)

.

Recommended: Watch one of the movies discussed in Chapter Six.

Class Topic: Truth, Part I.

Questions for the class – What is necessary for a statement to be true? Does truth give a picture of reality?

5/14 Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Readings, Chapter 6. Finish Section 6.2.

Class Topic: Truth, Part II.

Recommended: Watch one of the movies discussed in Chapter Six.

Questions for the class – Does what is true depend on what else is true? Is truth pragmatic by being willing to dump an idea as soon as a better one comes along? (What would your significant other say about that kind of commitment? ( ) Does truth about the world ever change?

5/16 Reading assignment: Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text With Readings, Chapter 7. Sections 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3.

Recommended: Watch one of the movies discussed in Chapter Seven.

Class Topic: Ethics

Questions for the class – Is morality objective or subjective, or both? Is Ethics and morality dependent on the context of one’s culture? Can one’s ethics be judged in terms of consequences? Is Ethics dependent on one’s view whether humans are basically motivated by self-interest? Is Ethics dependent on religious beliefs?

5/21 Reading assignment: Reread all chapter summaries – chapters 1-7.

Review (or “catch up” as needed)

5/23: Final Exam

IMPORTANT DATES

For important Metro dates in the term or upcoming terms, see:

mccneb.edu/academics/calendar.asp?Theme=2

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