WALTERS STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE



THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT TYLERCourse SyllabusPHIL 1301: Introduction to PhilosophyInstructor: Gregory L. Bock, Ph.D. Office: BUS 245E-Mail: gbock@uttyler.eduPhone: 903.566.7456Secretary Phone: 903.566.7373Office Hours: M 12:30-3:30 Or by appointmentRequired Textbooks: Who Are We?, by PojmanFive Dialogues, by PlatoBrave New World, by Huxley Required Viewing:The Truman Show (1998)Other films may also be required in this classCatalog Description:A survey of the major areas of traditional and modern philosophy: philosophies of knowledge, ethics, logic, aesthetics, and metaphysics.Course Outcomes: Upon completion of the course, students will be able to…articulate a basic understanding of the questions and importance of philosophyexplain the theories of human nature of some of history’s most influential figurescompare and contrast the moral theories of prominent ancient and modern philosophersexplain the significance of the life and death of Socratesexplain Plato’s epistemology and theory of Formsdiscuss Aristotle’s theory of the good lifecompare and contrast Eastern and Western philosophical ideasrecognize strong and weak argumentsidentify philosophical themes in pop culturedescribe how philosophical thinking is relevant to everyday lifeGrading Scale Percents: A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F=less than 60%Grading: Exam 1: 100 pointsExam 2: 100 pointsExam 3: 100 pointsTruman Show paper: 100 pointsFinal paper: 100 pointsParticipation: 100 pointsTOTAL:500 points (lowest exam score dropped)Assessment: Exams: Each exam is worth 100 points and will have ten short-answer questions. A study guide will be available at least a week in advance. The final exam is not comprehensive, and each exam covers only the material since the previous exam although some questions might ask students to make connections with earlier material. Student answers will be graded on their accuracy, clarity, and completeness. The lowest exam score will be dropped. Truman Show Paper: For this assignment, students will watch The Truman Show (1998) and answer ONE of the question options in at least 500 words (500-1000 words), typed: double-spaced. Students will use a standard college writing style (e.g. MLA), but an introduction and conclusion are not necessary. Students simply need to use the question as the title and answer the question with sufficient evidence. I am looking for (1) an interesting perspective, (2) connections between the film and philosophy, especially material from the readings, and (3) a well-defended answer.?Papers will be submitted to Blackboard. These are the question options:1. Discuss the deeper significance of the show's director: Christof (hint: his name should be a clue). Don't just give a superficial character analysis; relate him to philosophy.2. Christof said, "We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented." Discuss this quote and relate it to philosophy.3. Truman: "Was anything real?" Christof: "You were real." What does Christof mean by this? Is he right? What is real (philosophically speaking)?4. What does the Truman Show tell us about human nature?5. What does the Truman Show tell us about the meaning of life?Final Paper (Philosophy in Pop Culture Paper): Students will choose one of the options below and analyze an item from pop culture for philosophical content (similar to the Truman Show paper), making two or three deep connections with the course material. The paper should not only make these connections but do so in a way that someone who has never taken a philosophy class before could read the paper and learn something new about philosophy. Louis Pojman has a good example of this in his treatment of the Lord of the Flies on pages 109-110 in the textbook. I have also uploaded to Blackboard an essay I wrote about the popular TV show The Big Bang Theory called “Do We Need a Roommate Agreement?”, which can serve as a general model for the kind of writing I am looking for. This paper will be 1000 words (plus or minus 100) and follow a standard college writing style (e.g. MLA). The rubric below shows exactly what is required. Option 1: FilmThe Matrix (1999) Lord of the Flies (1963) (1990) Frailty (2002) Stranger Than Fiction (2006) The Adjustment Bureau (2011)The Little Buddha (1993) Option 2: Philosophy and Pop Culture SeriesRecently, there have been many books about philosophy and pop culture. If you see a pop culture topic in this series that interests you, you can choose to write your paper on that topic. However, you will need to pick up a copy of the book and read it as part of your research. You will still, however, need to use our textbook in your paper. Pop culture and philosophy books: AND Rubric for Final Paper90-100%Strong argument or case made for philosophical connectionsExcellent philosophical analysis and understanding demonstratedVery creativeMany references to the course textbook(s)Excellent grammar, structure, and styleExcellent citations and bibliography80-89%Good argument or case made for philosophical connectionsGood philosophical analysis and understanding demonstratedSomewhat creativeSome references made with the course textbook(s)Good grammar, structure, and styleGood citations and bibliography70-79%Argument is weak or briefPhilosophical analysis barely scratches the surface Not very creativeOnly one or two connections made with the course textbook(s)Poor grammar, structure, and styleGood citations and bibliography60-69%Major weakness or shortcoming in argumentPossibly did not meet the minimum word countMay not have made any connections with the textbook(s)Little to no philosophical analysisMay have struggled with citations and bibliography0-59%Seriously flawed – probably did not follow instructionsPlagiarism (intentional or unintentional) merits a 0%Participation: Students will be graded on the quality and quantity of in-class participation. In class, students should be contributing to a positive classroom environment and engaged with the topic. This means students should pay attention, ask questions, and offer their own opinions on a daily basis, which should, in the process, demonstrate that the student has read and thought about the material before coming to class (this is partly a I-have-demonstrated-that-I-have-done-the-reading grade). Students who sleep, text, or just chat with their neighbors about other things will be penalized. Students who sit quietly, contributing nothing to discussions, will also be penalized. Disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated, but this does not preclude disagreement. Disagreement must be civil. See classroom conduct notes in the addendum below. Students who are reluctant to participate verbally in class may choose to participate electronically by posting their questions and opinions online in the Water Cooler; however, this is not an excuse for participating less. The following rubric applies to both verbal or electronic forms of participation. CLASS PARTICIPATION RUBRIC90-100%In-class contributions are informed by an excellent understanding of the readingThe student's opinion is well reasoned and supportedContributions are made in every class meetingMakes connections with other readings in the courseConveys open-mindedness and respect for classmates (does not preclude disagreement)80-89%In-class contributions are informed by a good understanding of the readingThe student's opinion is adequately supportedContributions are made at least once a weekMay not make connections with other material in the courseConveys open-mindedness and respect for classmates (does not preclude disagreement)70-79%Understanding of the reading may be deficient in some way or not demonstratedThe student's opinion may not be supported wellCritical thinking may not be demonstratedContributions to class discussions may be rare (less than once per week)Comments may be construed as insensitive to some members of society?1-69%Students who simply remain silent in class earn a 60%.Verbal contributions fail to demonstrate understanding of the readingComments may include some disrespectful languageCritical thinking may not be demonstratedStudent may be disruptiveStudent may be regularly late to classStudent may engage in distracting behavior like surfing the Internet or textingStudent may talk too much (to her neighbor about things obviously unrelated to the class)Student regularly uses class time to work on homework for other classes0%No participationMake-ups: Only under special circumstances (doctor’s note required)????Reading ScheduleUnit 1: Pojman, Introduction, pages 1-4; Brave New World (all)Unit 2: Pojman, chapters 1 and 5, pages 5-26 and 72-83Unit 3: Pojman, chapters 2, 3, and 4, pages 27-71; Plato, “Apology,” “Crito,” and “Phaedo” (in Five Dialogues)Unit 4: Pojman, chapter 6, pages 84-103Unit 5: Pojman, chapters 7 and 8, pages 104-137Unit 6: Pojman, chapters 9 and 10Unit 7: Pojman, chapters 11, 12, and ConclusionImportant Information:Disability Statement: If you have a disability, including a learning disability, for which you request an accommodation, please contact Ida MacDonald in the Disability Support Services office so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal law, student requesting accommodation must provide documentation of his/her disability to the Disability Support Services counselor. For more information, call or visit the Student Services Center located in the University Center, Room 282. The telephone number is 903-566-7079.Social Security Statement: It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of social security numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so that all students have an identification number. Note regarding Student Absence due to Religious Observance: Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the instructor by the second class meeting of such absences.Course Ground Rules:Attendance Policy: Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class. Students are allowed two unexcused absences. Unexcused absences after this are penalized 5 points per day against the participation grade. Late work:?Papers must be uploaded to Blackboard by the deadline. Late papers are penalized half a letter grade a day. Communication with the instructor: The best way to communicate with the instructor outside of class is through e-mail or during office hours. Students can expect replies within 48 hours excluding weekends and holidays. Class conduct: This is an interactive classroom environment. Students who sleep, text, or just chat with their neighbors about other things will be penalized. Students who contribute nothing to discussion will also be penalized. The subject matter of this class can make some people hot under the collar. This said, all comments must be respectful to others who hold different views or come from different backgrounds. This does not preclude verbal disagreement; it only requires learning the skills of civil disagreement. Disrespect can manifest in what is said, in the tone of voice, and in the way someone rolls her eyes. Insults, snide remarks, name-calling, talking over one another, and demeaning tones will not be tolerated. If there is any confusion about what counts as disrespectful, consult the instructor or the Golden Rule. Violators of these class conduct rules may be given warnings or ejected from the class. Extra credit: Extra credit may be offered by the instructor from time to time, but extra credit is not given on demand or by request. And students do not have a right to it, for example, the instructor is not obligated to provide extra credit opportunities that work with the student’s schedule. Final grades: Grades are final once the final grade percentage has been posted in Blackboard at the end of the semester. No changes will be made unless the instructor has made a mistake. Grades are not bumped up unless the student is within .5% of the next letter grade. For example, an 89.5% is an A. An 89.4% is a B. No extra credit will be offered after grades have been posted in Blackboard. A request for an “incomplete” may be approved only if (1) the request is made before final grades are issued, (2) the student has a valid reason, e.g. a verifiable medical condition, and (3) the student has a C or higher at the time the request for an “incomplete” is made. The terms of satisfying an “incomplete” will be set by the instructor.Expectations of the student: Students will check e-mail regularly.Students will e-mail the instructor with questions.Students will not wait until the end of the semester to discuss lower than expected grades on assignments; instead, the student will take the initiative early in the semester to meet with the instructor to discuss ways of improving. Students will meet with the instructor during office hours or by appointment if extra help is needed on assignments. Students will complete assignments on time.Students will participate in class discussions in a civil and respectful way.Students will not cheat on tests.Students will not plagiarize. Plagiarism is cheating, taking credit for material that is not your own whether it is copied from a classmate, textbook, or online source. Plagiarism is still plagiarism even if it is unintentional. It will result in an F on the assignment and a possible F in the course. It could also result in suspension from the college. So, students should be sure to use proper citation style and do their own work. If students are not sure whether something constitutes plagiarism, they should contact the instructor to ask about it before submitting the assignment. If the instructor feels that an essay or other assignment is not the student’s original work, the instructor reserves the right to require the student to rewrite the assignment. This is not to be understood as a student’s right to rewrite an assignment, nor does it change the plagiarism policy above.Students will declare that they have read and understood this syllabus by including a statement to this effect in a self-introduction post that will be posted to the discussion board “Meet Your Classmates” during the first week of class. ................
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