Introduction to Philosophy, Toadvine, Syllabus, Spring 2003

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY

PI 225 MC: 2:00 - 2:50 MWF, Plumb Hall 316

Dr. Ted Toadvine

toadvint@emporia.edu

Office: Plumb Hall 411L

341-5566 (office); 341-5462 (Social Sciences Secretary)

Office Hours: 9:00-10:00 MWF (or by appointment)

Essay Writing Pointers

REQUIRED TEXT

Max Hallman, ed., Traversing Philosophical Boundaries , 2nd. ed. (Wadsworth, 2003).

COURSE OBJECTIVES

To survey issues and arguments concerning several key philosophical problems of human existence: What is the self? How are right and wrong to be distinguished? What is the nature and goal of political power? What is the purpose of religion and its ideal role in our society?

To explore the diverse perspectives and positions on these issues across a wide range of cultures and time periods.

To introduce the specific ways of thinking appropriate for philosophical questions and train students to think and write critically about philosophical issues.

To encourage reflection on these and other significant issues that confront society today.

This course fulfills the "Multicultural Intensive" course requirement and the General Education requirement in Literature and Ideas (Basic Skills VI) for certain majors.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

weekly reading quizzes (best ten) = 10%
2 600-word take-home essays @ 15% each = 30%
4 tests @ 15% each = 60%

∘ Attendance: Since participation in class discussions is an integral component of this course, attendance at every class is expected as a minimum requirement for this course. Lectures and discussions will include material not contained in the reading assignments. Missing six classes for any reason will result in a full grade reduction. In the event that all six absences are the result of an extreme medical condition, documented by a statement from your physician or Health Services, or due to participation in University-sanctioned activities, notify me as soon as possible to discuss required makeup work. After the sixth, each further absence will result in an additional full grade reduction. Three late arrivals for class will count as one absence. There is no need to document illness for fewer than six absences, except in the case of having missed a test or reading day. No Makeup Tests will be given for those who are absent or late for class without documentation of an emergency. All makeup work is at my discretion. I do not accept last-minute “extra-credit” work from those whose failure to attend has resulted in a poor grade at the end of the semester.

∘ Reading Assignments & Quizzes: Please do not take this class unless you are committed to completing the reading as assigned. You are expected to be in command of the assigned readings prior to the class period in which we will discuss them, since you cannot intelligently discuss what you have not read. Some of the readings will be quite dense and require effort on your part to understand them. Give yourself time to read difficult passages more than once. I reserve the right to dismiss unprepared students from class and to count such dismissals as unexcused absences. To encourage your timely class preparation, you will be given a brief reading quiz roughly once per week. Your best ten quiz scores will constitute 10% of your final course grade. No makeup quizzes will be given. On occasion, I may assign the “Reading Questions” from the textbook as a substitute for a quiz.

∘ Essays: You will write two take-home essays, each worth 15% of the final course grade, in response to questions distributed in class. Essays must be brought to class on the due date, since students will be selected at random to read essays to the class. Essays must be at least 600 words (about 2 pages), and a word count must appear on the first page of your essay. Papers less than the minimum number of words will receive an “F.” Essays will only be accepted if typewritten, double-spaced, stapled, and proof-read. For help constructing your essays, please visit my “essay writing pointers” at http://www.emporia.edu/socsci/philos/pointers.htm. Further assistance is available from the Writing Center, 345 Southeast Morse Hall (341-5380), or through the Grammar Hotline: 341-5380, writinglab@emporia.edu.

∘ Reading Days: On the days that essays are due, we will have a “reading day” devoted to discussion of student papers. Participation at essay reading days is mandatory. Papers will not be accepted from students who do not attend unless accompanied by written documentation of an emergency. On these days, students will be selected at random to present their essays to the class and answer questions from classmates about their essays. You will not be graded on your reading or comments. If you have a legitimate reason for not wishing to read in front of the class (e.g., a medical reason), you must discuss this with me prior to the first essay assignment.

∘ Tests: On the days indicated on the course schedule, you will have a test covering material from the preceding segment of the course. Each test will be worth 15% of the final grade, and may include true/false, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, or essay components. The final examination will cover only material from the final course segment and will be weighted equally with the previous three tests. Review sheets will be distributed one week prior to tests, and ample class time will be provided for you to ask questions about the material to be covered on tests.

∘ Class Discussion: Discussion is crucial to this class, and I will do my best to make you feel at ease and welcome to contribute to the class conversation. The best way to understand these sometimes difficult and controversial topics is to talk about them with each other, so please feel free to contribute any question, objection, or other thought about the topic at hand when such occurs to you. No relevant remark is out of bounds in this class. As an added incentive for your participation, I will take into account your regular contributions to the ongoing discussion in borderline grade cases. For example, regular thoughtful participation in discussion (not just quantity, of course, but also quality) may raise a high “B” grade (an 89, for example) up to an “A.”

∘ Grading Scale: This course is not graded according to the plus/minus system. Grades will be determined as follows, out of 100 possible points: (A) = 100-90; (B) = 89-80; (C) = 79-70; (D) = 69-60; (F) = 59-0.

∘ Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes plagiarism, the paraphrase or quotation of any published or unpublished source—including the textbook—without full and clear acknowledgment. If you are uncertain about what documentation is appropriate, please consult the Writing Center or myself before submitting your written work. Plagiarized work will receive a “0” and may also result in failure of the course and other administrative action. The university policy regarding academic dishonesty, as explained in the Student Handbook, will be strictly enforced.

∘ Disabilities: The ESU Faculty Senate has issued the following statement concerning disability services: “Emporia State University will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities Students need to contact the Director of Disability Services and the professor as early in the semester as possible to ensure that classroom and academic accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. All communication between students, the Office of Disability Services, and the professor will be strictly confidential.” The Office of Disability Services and Non-Traditional Student Programs is located at 242 SE Morse Hall, 620/341-6637 Voice, 620/341-6646 TTY, or via email at disabser@emporia.edu.

∘ Office Hours: I am usually in my office throughout the day, Monday through Friday, although I have designated 9-10 am MWF as office hours for this course. Since I occasionally have meetings that take me out of the office, you may wish to make an appointment to be sure that I am available. Messages may be left with a Social Sciences secretary (PH 411) at 341-5461. You are also welcome to address inquiries to me via email at toadvint@emporia.edu.

PROVISIONAL COURSE SCHEDULE

Specific reading assignments and any schedule changes will be announced in class.

Week 1: 1/15, 1/17	INTRODUCTION TO COURSE I. WHO AM I? SELF-IDENTITY & THE SOUL	Introduction (xvii-xxiii)
Week 2: 1/22, 1/24 {1/20: holiday}	Hindu and Buddhist Perspectives on the Soul	The Upanishads (6-9), Buddhist Scriptures (16-20)
Week 3: 1/27, 1/29, 1/31	Cartesian Dualism, Empiricism, and the Platonic soul	Descartes (41-46); Hume (16-24), Plato (28-41)
Week 4: 2/3, 2/5, 2/7	Somatophobia and The Brain in the Vat	Spelman (46-57), Dennett (64-72)
Week 5: 2/10, 2/12, 2/14	REVIEW & TEST I (2/10) Existentialism & Behaviorism	Sartre (85-93), Skinner (94-99)
Week 6: 2/17, 2/19, 2/21	The Social Construction of Gender and Race ESSAY I DUE (2/21)	Beauvoir (100-107), Zack (107-113)
Week 7: 2/24, 2/26, 2/28	II. ETHICS: TELLING RIGHT FROM WRONG Natural goodness and Duty	Mencius (312-15), Kant (315-21)
Week 8: 3/3, 3/5, 3/7	Utility, Relativism, and Master Morality	Bentham (322-25), Wong (340-46), Nietzsche (347-51)
Week 9: 3/10, 3/12, 3/14	Mitakuye Oyasin and Psychoanalytical Determinism REVIEW & TEST II (3/14)	McGaa (352-56), Hospers (382-390)
3/17 - 3/21	SPRING BREAK
Week 10: 3/24, 3/26, 3/28	MOVIE: The Shadow of Hate III. IS THE GOVERNMENT LEGITIMATE? Social Contract Theory	Plato (397-405), Jefferson (412-16)
Week 11: 3/31, 4/2, 4/4	Class Struggle and Democracy	Marx & Engels (416-29), Dewey (445-31)
Week 12: 4/7, 4/9, 4/11	Theo-Democracy, Soul Force, and Black Power	Maududi (441-50) , Gandhi (469-73), Carmichael (484-89)
Week 13: 4/14, 4/16, 4/18	Anarchism REVIEW & TEST III (4/16) ESSAY II DUE (4/18)	Goldman (517–38)
Week 14: 4/21, 4/23, 4/25	IV. IS RELIGIOUS BELIEF JUSTIFIED? Creation and Evolution	Boshongo Creation Story (119-20), The Bible (123-26), Cherokee Creation Story (127-31), Darwin (136-44)
Week 15: 4/28, 4/30, 5/2	Forms of Religious Experience	Augustine (527-535), Black Elk (535-539), Aquinas (539-543), Starhawk (563-69)
Week 16: 5/5, 5/7, 5/9	Evaluating the Judeo-Christian Tradition	James (569-576), Lin (621-26), Russell (627-638)
Monday, May 12th, 1:00 - 2:50	FINAL EXAM

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