WordPress.com



Introduction to Philosophy – PHIL 2101-D608Monday/Wednesday, 11:30 A.M. - 12:45 P.M.Namm N-602ADr. Carlo AlvaroOffice Room: Namm 600Phone number: 718-260-5080calvaro@citytech.cuny.eduOffice Hours: Tuesday 4:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVESAn introduction to the most fundamental questions about existence, mind, consciousness, morality and the function of philosophy. By examining what historical philosophers said about the central issues of philosophy, the course will cover both these issues and their history in philosophy. Students will learn to read philosophy critically, as well as discovering how different philosophers have contributed to the great conversation of humankind. The impact of philosophy on our lives will be discussed in the hope that the students will be able to articulate their own ideas. REQUIRED BOOKSThere is no required book for this course. All reading material will be available online at 123philosophy.. COURSE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES/ASSESSMENT METHODSLEARNING OUTCOMESASSESSMENT METHODS1. Know philosophical schools and positions through history.1. Oral discussion, exams, papers.2. Understand and apply core concepts.2. Oral discussion, exams, papers.3. Understand the main problems in some or all of the areas of metaphysics, ethics, logic, epistemology, and aesthetics.3. Oral discussion, exams, papers.4. Evaluate ideas and arguments using logical thinking.4. Oral discussion, exams, papers.5. Understand the similarities and differences of different philosophical positions.5. Oral discussion, exams, papers.SCOPE OF ASSIGNMENTSExams and papers test your comprehension of readings, critical thinking skills, ability to analyze cases, ability to verbally communicate ideas and facts, retention of theories, concepts, principles, and cases discussed in class. Assignments also give you an opportunity to reflect on your own beliefs and values. METHOD OF GRADINGYour final grade will be determined on the basis of the following requirements:In-class papers: 75% (25% each)Final exam: 25%ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY STATEMENT Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion. The complete text of the College policy on Academic Integrity may be found in the catalog. ABSENCE/LATENESS Students who are absent are responsible for their missing lectures. Being absent is not an excuse for not knowing the topic of the missed lecture.If you miss an exam (or more than one) you will receive the score of zero. Making up a missed exam is not the norm. Exam makeup may be possible only in case of legitimate justification, such as a death in the family, serious medical emergencies that will render the student unable to come to class. If your absence is due to runny nose, muscle soreness, birthday parties, alarm clock malfunction, unreadiness to take an exam, you will not be entitled to making up the missed exam. SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONSReasonable accommodations will be made for students with documented disabilities. If you have specific physical, psychiatric or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know as soon as possible, but definitely before the date of the first exam, so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. If you have not already done so, you will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Center for Student Accessibility, which is located in A-237 in the Atrium Building.PROPER CLASSROOM ETIQUETTEArrive to class on timeEntering the classroom after my presentation has started can be distracting both to me as well as to other students.Turn off and put away your cell phoneCell phones ringing, texting, constantly looking at your cell phone to see if you have received a text from your friend during lectures are not allowed. Your classmates and I deserve your respect and support.Do not bring food or drinks to classPlease understand that your classmates and I do not want to smell your food or watch you eat. Eat before or after class. Drinks other than water should also be consumed before or after class.Contribute to the class discussion when appropriate You should come to class prepared. I expect you to ask pertinent questions and contribute to the discussion. Avoid side conversations. The classroom is not a place to socialize and talk to others. You should not talk to your classmates during my lectures. If you missed something, or have an unrelated question, write it down and ask me after class.Address the professor properly My name is Dr. Alvaro or Professor Alvaro. Addressing me as, “Yo” or “Dude” or “Man” or “Ma man” or “My friend” is inappropriate. Be attentive in class First of all, you must focus 100% in class to avoid missing important information. Secondly, since I care about your education, I work hard to give you the best presentations I can every time. Show me your respect by paying attention.Stay for the entire class Students should not normally leave or re-enter the classroom during the class period. Doing this can be distracting, and can give the impression that you do not respect the educational process taking place.Show patience toward the end of classThe professor has the right to finish his or her thought at the end of the class period. Please do not start putting books away, closing up notebooks, and zipping up book bags 5 minutes before the official end of class.Plagiarism and Academic IntegrityStudents are expected to be honest and ethical at all times in their pursuit of academic goals. Class members who participate in any violation of academic integrity will be subject to disciplinary action. Except for emergencies, you should not leave the classroom during exams—especially not leaving the classroom with your cell phone during exams.Contact the professor when you have to miss classIf you cannot come to class, notify me. Also if you miss class, understand that it is your responsibility—not mine—to catch up with the material covered during your absence.If you feel that you don’t understand the material, you must see me and address the issue as soon as possible. If you don’t do so, I won’t be able to do anything about it. If you need to talk to me (for any reason) speak to me or email me to schedule an appointment. If my office hours don’t work for you, let me know and I will try to accommodate you. Common things not to ask your professorDon’t ask these questions, which are classic annoyances for professors:“I missed class.?Did we do anything important?”Most professors would find this question insulting. Every single lecture is important!After chatting with your friend for five minutes: “Could you repeat that?”Please pay attention in class. If you want to chat with your classmate, do it before or after class.“How long does the paper have to be?”Some professors may find this question offensive. Writing a paper is an important learning opportunity by expressing your view on a particular issue or topic. Asking about the length shows that you do not care about the content, but rather about the number of pages.In the middle of a fascinating discussion on a new concept or when your professor asks whether you have any questions about the lecture: “Will this be on the test?” or “When is the next exam?”These questions show that you are not interested in the lecture; you only care about the exam. In the middle or at the end of the semester: “Wait, what is your email again?”At the end of the semester after missing numerous assignments: “Is there extra credit in this class?”You should worry about credit, before you ask about extra credit.Class MeetingsJANUARY 28Introduction and Presentation.JANUARY 30Read: Bertrand Russell’s “The value of philosophy” FEBRUARY 4Logic FEBRUARY 6Logic FEBRUARY 11Paul Churchland, “The Mind-Body?Problem.”FEBRUARY 13Paul Churchland, “The Mind-Body?Problem.”Baron Paul d’Holbach, “Of The System Of Man’s Free Agency”.FEBRUARY 20W. T. Stace “Compatibilism:?Free Will is Consistent with Determinism”FEBRUARY 25IN-CLASS PAPER: Which theory of the mind is more plausible? Are we free?FEBRUARY 27Read: “Ethics” from Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.MARCH 4 Ethics, Continued MARCH 6More Ethics.MARCH 11Plato, EuthyphroMARCH 13Plato, Meno.MARCH 18Plato, Republic, Books I, II.MARCH 20Plato, Republic, Books III, IV.MARCH 25Environmental Ethics.MARCH 27Environmental ethics continued.APRIL 1C. Alvaro, “Ethical Veganism.”APRIL 3IN-CLASS PAPER: Should we all become vegans?APRIL 8The Morality of Abortion.APRIL 10Read NY Times article: “Surprise, Mom: I’m Against Abortion, By?Elizabeth Hayt.APRIL 15Michael Tooley, “Abortion And Infanticide.”APRIL 17IN-CLASS PAPER: Abortion: Pro-Life or Pro-Choice?APRIL 29Augustine, On the Free Choice of the WillMAY 1J. L. Mackie, Evil and Omnipotence.”MAY 6 Read: W.L.C. “The Kalam Cosmological Argument.”MAY 8Again, “The Kalam Cosmological Argument”MAY 13Review.MAY 20FINAL EXAM.Student ContractI, _____________________________________________, have read and understood the entire syllabus for Phil 2101 – D713, Introduction to Philosophy, and agree with all its terms.I understand and accept:The course’s description and objectives.Dr. Alvaro’s grading policy.Dr. Alvaro’s assignments and exams.Dr. Alvaro’s office hours.And proper classroom etiquette.Date: ________________Student Signature: ________________________ Print Name: ________________________ ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download