Introduction to Philosophy
Philosophy 225A
Summer 2000 (8:00 - 11:20 MTWR, Plumb Hall)

REQUIRED TEXTS
Aristotle, Politics, Book I (Handout)
Rousseau, Discourse on the Origin of Inequality (Hackett, 1992)
Engels, The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State (Pathfinder, 1972)
Fussell, Class (Touchstone, 1992)
Coontz, The Way We Never Were (Basic Books, 1992)
Daniel Quinn, Ishmael (Bantam, 1992)

COURSE GOALS & TOPICS
This course will introduce you to philosophical ways of thinking and train you to think and write critically about philosophical issues. In addition, the course will introduce you to a wide range of historical and contemporary perspectives on perennial philosophical questions. In this summer session, we will be especially concerned with the relationship between the individual, the family, and society. Specifically, we will consider such questions as the following: Is the form of the human family and society "natural" or the consequence of contingent circumstances? What motives lay behind the formation of family groups and social communities? How do inequality and oppression originate within these communities, and for what reasons? Is the contemporary family and social structure in decline, and if so, what should be done about this? Unlike courses which place emphasis on transmitting content to be memorized, this course will stress the important role of philosophical reflection in responding to significant issues which confront our society and you.

For certain majors, this course satisfies the General Education requirement in Literature and Ideas (Basic Skills VI).

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING

• 5 quizzes @ 5% each = 25%
• 2 take-home essays, due every Monday @ 15% each = 30%
• 3 tests, every Thursday @ 15% each = 45%

2. You are expected to be in command of the assigned readings PRIOR to the class period in which we will discuss them. Otherwise, any attempt to discuss the material will be a waste of time. 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. To encourage you to prepare readings for class, there will be five unannounced quizzes, based on assigned readings and previous class discussions. Passing these brief quizzes will require that you CAREFULLY read all assignments on time, attend class, and review material from the previous classes. NO MAKEUP QUIZZES will be given for those who are absent or late for class without a documented excuse.

3. You will write two take-home essays, each worth 15% of the final course grade, in response to questions distributed in class. Essays will be due on Mondays, and 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, and must be brought to class on the due date. No late papers will be accepted. Assistance in writing essays is available from the Writing Center, 345 Southeast Morse Hall (341-5380).

5. Each Thursday we will have a short test covering material from that week's class. Each test will be worth 15% of the final grade, and may include true/false, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and/or essay components. The final examination, on the last day of class, will cover only material from the final week, and will be weighted equally with the previous two tests.

6. Discussion is crucial to this class, and I am counting on you to provide it. I will do my best to make everyone feel at ease and welcome to contribute to the discussions. Talking with each other about these sometimes difficult and/or controversial topics is a sure-fire way to understand them better (and it also makes for a livelier class period). So my hope is that you will put in your two cents whenever you are struck by a question, idea, problem, or objection. 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 (say, an 89) up to an "A."

PLEASE NOTE
1. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes plagiarism, the paraphrase or quotation of any published or unpublished source--including the texts--without full and clear acknowledgment. If you are uncertain about what documentation is appropriate, please consult with me or the Writing Center before submitting your written work. The university policy regarding academic dishonesty, as explained in the Student Handbook (p. 37), will be strictly enforced.

2. If you have a documented disability, please let me know as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodation can be made.

3. While I do not have regular office hours during the summer, I will be happy to schedule a convenient time to meet with you. Messages can be left with the Social Sciences secretary (PH 411) at 341-5462. You are also welcome to address inquiries to me via email at toadvint@emporia.edu.

PROVISIONAL COURSE SCHEDULE
Changes and specific reading assignments will be announced in class.

Last Updated: 29 March 2000