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Introduction to Philosophy – PHIL 2101 Monday/WednesdayD726 D7301:00 P.M. – 2:15 P.M. 2:30 P.M. – 3:45 P.M.Namm N-1006 Namm N-1021Dr. Carlo AlvaroOffice: Namm 600 – Ph.: 718-260-5080calvaro@citytech.cuny.eduOffice Hours: Monday 3:45 P.M. – 4:45 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., the links to the readings are 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 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 exercises (11): 33% In-class papers (3): 33Final exam: 33%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 distracts your classmates and me. AbsencesStudents who are absent are responsible for their missing lectures.Missed examsAs a rule, there are no makeup exams. Makeup exams are granted only to students who are seriously ill and are unable to be in class to take the exam. If you are ill, you have to provide a doctor’s note that must specify that you were unable to take the exam on the specific test date. Seriously ill means hospitalization or something broken. Turn off and put away your cell phoneCell phones are not allowed—your classmates and I deserve your respect!Do not bring food or drinks to classDrinks other than water are not allowed. They should be consumed before or after class Contribute to the class discussion when appropriate Come to class prepared and ask pertinent questions Avoid side conversationsNo talking to your classmates during my lectures Be attentive in class I work hard to give you my best presentations. Show respect by paying attention Address the professor properly My name is Dr. Alvaro or Professor 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 classDo not start putting books away and zipping up bags 5 minutes before the official end of class Plagiarism and Academic IntegrityIn an instructional setting, plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone else’s language, ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without acknowledging its source. Also, going to the bathroom with your cellphone during exams to consult your notes is considered plagiarism.Contact the professor when you have to miss classIf you cannot come to class, notify me If you don’t understand the material, you must let me know ASAP If you don’t do so, I won’t be able to do anything about it 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?”- “How long does the paper have to be?”- 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?”- 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?”Class MeetingsAugust 28Introduction and Presentation.September 2: No classesSeptember 4 What is Philosophy: exercise 1: Answer Questions in What Is Philosophy?September 5 (Thursday) follows Monday ScheduleBertrand Russell, The value of philosophy: exercise 2September 9Pre Socratic Philosophers: 11Socrates: exercise 3: Presocratics QuestionsSeptember 16Logic: 18More LogicIn-class exercise 4: Write arguments (Deductive, inductive, valid, invalid)September 23In-class exercise 5 – Logical FallaciesSeptember 25Paul Churchland, The Mind-Body?Problem: 2 Baron Paul d’Holbach, Of The System Of Man’s Free Agency:. T. Stace, Compatibilism:?Free Will is Consistent with Determinism: exercise 6September 30: No classesOctober 7IN-CLASS PAPER 1: Which theory of the mind is more plausible? Are we free?October 9: No classesOctober 14: No classesOctober 16Ethics: ways not to answer moral questions: 21Moral skepticism and the objectivity of morality: exercise 7: What is moral skepticism? Is it justified? Why/why not?October 23Utilitarianism: Crash Course Philosophy – YouTube Video: exercise 8October 28 Kant & Categorical Imperatives: YouTube Video: exercise 9October 30Aristotle & Virtue Theory: 4IN-CLASS PAPER 2 – Evaluate a case using moral theoriesNovember 6 Plato, Euthyphro: 11 Plato, Meno: 13Plato, The Republic, pp. 1-65: 18Plato, The Republic, pp. 113-135: 20In-class Exercise 10November 25Environmental Ethics: 27Animal Agriculture and sustainability: 2All Animals Are Equal: Animal Suffering Really All That Matters? 4IN-CLASS PAPER 3: Animals and the Environment.December 9W.L. Craig: The Kalam Cosmological Argument and the Anthropic Principle 11W.L. Craig: The Kalam Cosmological Argument and the Anthropic PrincipleIn-Class exercise 11December 16ReviewDecember 18FINAL EXAM ................
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