Introduction to Philosophy

PHIL 101        Dr. Andrew B. Schoedinger

 

 

 

Course Description:

 

This course will be approached in a topical fashion.  Among the areas to be studied are ethics, philosophy of religion, political philosophy, epistemology and metaphysics.  The lectures will correspond to the readings in the required book.

 

 

Readings:

 

You will be responsible for all reading assignments. 

The required text for the course is:

 

            Our Philosophical Heritage by Andrew B. Schoedinger

 

 

Grading System:

 

There will be three one-hour exams.  Each exam will consist of one essay worth 50 points and multiple-choice queries worth a combined total of 50 points.  All exams are worth 100 points each.  Each exam including the final is an hour exam, i.e.,

50 minutes in length.

 

                          90 - 100 = A

                          80 -  89 = B

                          70 -  79 = C

                          60 -  69 = D

                           0 -  59 = F

 

If you take an exam and score less than 50 points, your score on the exam will nevertheless be recorded as 50 points.  This gives you, the student, a justifiable advantage, for the professor realizes that any student may have a bad day.

 

If you have a known conflict with a scheduled exam date, you must arrange in advance a time to make up the missed exam.

 

If you miss an exam due to an emergency or unanticipated occurrence, consult the instructor as soon after the fact as possible to arrange a date to make up the missed examination.

 

Students who fail to take an exam will receive zero points for that test.

 

         


   NOTE: ALL ESSAYS MUST BE WRITTEN IN BLUE BOOKS PROVIDED BY   THE STUDENT.  These examination books are available at the Bookstore.


                                                             

     NOTE:  Only use of the SMALL blue book [8 ½" x 6 3/4"] is

                 acceptable.  The professor reserves the right to reject

                 essays not written in a blue book.

 

          NOTE:  ALL EXAMS MUST BE WRITTEN IN INK.

 

 


Each chapter in the required text is accompanied by a series of study questions.  Students are required to answer all of these questions on the detachable pages in the text and to submit them to the instructor on the day that assignment is due.  Unanswered questions result in no credit for the entire assignment.  For lengthy answers you may utilize the back side of the study questions page.  Study questions are due at the beginning of class.  Homework submitted after the due date will not be accepted without an approved excuse.

 

When two or more sets of study questions are due the student is required to submit them stapled in the sequence that they appear in the book.

 

Simply quoting passages out of the book for answers to study questions is unacceptable.  State the answer in your own words.  The total value of the homework/study questions is 100 points.

 

 

Your final grade constitutes the average of the three exams plus homework assignments. The point totals below are what you will need for the desired final grade.

 

                               360 - 400 = A

                               320 - 359 = B

                               280 - 319 = C

                               240 - 279 = D

                                 0 - 239 = F

 

 

Learning Objectives:

 

1]   Understand and appreciate the Western tradition of philosophical thought.

 

2]   Understand basic concepts and arguments in selected areas of philosophy, for example, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic, and aesthetics.

 

3]   Strengthen skills in analysis, reasoning, and problem-solving through the reading and discussion of diverse philosophical texts.

 

4]   Effectively communicate that understanding and exercise those skills in the composition of accurate, insightful, detailed, and well-organized essays in response to questions appearing on examinations.

                                   

 

Objectives Assessment Means:

 

     * written examinations

     * class discussion

     * student evaluations

                                             

    

NOTE:     All students are expected to behave in accordance with The Student Code of Conduct as stated in The Student Handbook.

 

NOTE: University policy dictates that students must register for all classes no later than the tenth day of class.

 

I am usually available to students.  If you feel you are having difficulty understanding the assigned material by all means do not hesitate to see me about it.  My office is located at 1021 Lincoln Hall [second floor south #209]. 

My office phone number is 426-1474.  My fax number is 426.4332.  My office hours will be announced in class.

 

     Here's hoping that you have an intellectually rewarding semester.