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Introduction to Philosophy PHIL 2101-D614Monday/Wednesday2:30PM - 3:45PMRoom N-701Professor: Dr. Carlo AlvaroOffice: Namm 600 – Ph.: 718-260-5080calvaro@citytech.cuny.eduOffice Hours: Monday 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 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.. For your convenience, the links to the readings are listed on the syllabus. 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 ASSIGNMENTSIn-class exercises and exams 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 GRADINGThere will be three (3) equally weighted exams. This means that your final grade will be determined by the following formula: Exam 1 grade + Exam 2 grade + Final Exam grade ______________________________________ = Final Grade3DESCRIPTION OF EXAMS Wednesday March 4: Exam 1: This exam tests your knowledge of philosophy of mind and free will: 5 essay questions.Monday April 6: Exam 2: Evaluate a specific case study by using your knowledge of moral theories.Wednesday May 20: Final Exam: This will be cumulative.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.MISSED EXAM POLICY – THERE ARE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS If you miss an exam, you will receive the score of zero (0). Making up a missed exam is not the norm. The exceptions are a death in the family or serious medical emergencies. If you miss an exam due to runny nose, muscle soreness, birthday parties, alarm clock malfunction, unreadiness to take an exam, you will receive the grade zero (0). I sincerely hope that this will never be the case. However, in the event that your absence is due to either death or serious illness (or both) you must provide proper documentation. In the case of illness, you must provide a doctor’s note specifying that according to a doctor—not a nurse or physician assistant, but a doctor—you were unable to take the exam on the specific test date. For immediate family emergencies provide a death certificate or a doctor’s note.EXTRA CREDITThere are NO extra credit projects or bonus points.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 ETIQUETTECell phones are not allowed during lectures: You must turn off and put away your cell phone.Arrive to class on time.Food or drinks should (except for water) are not allowed in the classroom. Contribute to the class discussion when appropriate: Come to class prepared.No talking to your classmates during my lectures. Be attentive in class: Show respect by paying attention. Address the professor properly: My name is Dr. Alvaro. I’m not, “Yo”, “Dude”, “Man”, “Bro” etc. Stay for the entire class: Leaving the classroom during the class period is the same as being late. Show patience toward the end of class: Do not start putting books away and zipping up bags 5 minutes before the official end of class.Contact the professor when you have to miss class. Do not expect the professor to spoon-feed you or entertain you. This is college and you are responsible for your education.Read my syllabus in its MON THINGS NOT TO ASK YOUR PROFESSORNever ask these questions, which are classic annoyances for professors:“I missed class.?Did we do anything important?”“How long should my answer be?”“Wait, what is your email again?” “Is there extra credit in this class?”Spring 2020 Class MeetingMonday January 27Introduction and Presentation.Wednesday January 29What Is Philosophy?Monday February 3Bertrand Russell, “The Value of Philosophy”Wednesday February 51. Presocratic Philosophy2. SocratesMonday February 10Logic IntroWednesday February 12 No ClassesMonday February 17 No ClassesWednesday February 19Logic Continued Monday February 24In-class exercise: Write arguments (Deductive, inductive, valid, invalid) In-Logical FallaciesWednesday February 26Churchland, P. The Mind-body ProblemMonday March 21. Stace, “Is Determinism Inconsistent with Free Will”?2. Baron Paul d’Holbach “Of The System Of Man’s Free Agency” From?System of Nature” Wednesday March 4: Exam 1The Mind, Free Will, Determinism, CompatibilismMonday March 9Ethics: Internet Encyclopedia of PhilosophyTom Regan, Some Ways Not to Answer Moral QuestionsWednesday March 11A. J. Ayer, EmotivismMonday March 16J. L. Mackie The Subjectivity of ValuesMonday March 23Aristotle: Nicomachean EthicsWednesday March 25John Stuart Mill: UtilitarianismMonday March 30Kant Immanuel: The Good Will and the Categorical ImperativeWednesday April 1Kant Immanuel: The Good Will and the Categorical ImperativeMonday April 6Exam 2 – Evaluate A Case Using Moral TheoriesTuesday April 7, Follows Wednesday ScheduleWilliam Lane Craig: The Kalam Cosmological Argument and the Anthropic PrincipleWednesday April 8 No ClassesMonday April 13 No ClassesWednesday April 15 No ClassesMonday April 20William Lane Craig: The Kalam Cosmological Argument and the Anthropic PrincipleWednesday April 22William Lane Craig: The Kalam Cosmological Argument and the Anthropic PrincipleMonday April 27McTaggart John Ellis: “The Unreality of Time” Wednesday April 29McTaggart John Ellis: “The Unreality of Time” Monday May 4Plato: EuthyphroWednesday May 6Plato, The Republic, pp. 1-65Monday May 11Animal Agriculture and sustainabilityWednesday May 13Animal Agriculture and sustainabilityMonday May 18ReviewWednesday May 20Final ExamStudent ContractI, _____________________________________________, have read and understood the entire syllabus for Phil 2102 – Logical Thinking, 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,Proper classroom etiquette.Date: ________________Student Signature: ________________________ Print Name: ________________________ ................
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