Introduction to Philosophy
TTh 7:05-8:20 RVSE 7003
Office Hours: TTh 5:45-6:45 RVSG 9143 (Adjunct Faculty Office)
Course Summary
Students will be introduced to various significant philosophical
issues and thinkers and to the practice of philosophical analysis.
There are no course prerequisites for Introduction to Philosophy.
A passing score or the equivalent on the reading and writing
portions of the TASP is required. The content of the course can
roughly be divided into two (slightly overlapping) parts, which we
can refer to as Historical Highlights and Philosophical Applications.
In Historical Highlights we will look at a small sample of high
points in the long and venerable tradition of Western philosophy,
while in PhilosophicalApplications we will examine the relevance
of philosophy to everyday practical life.
Boethius, Consolation of Philosophy.
Descartes, Discourse on Method.
All these texts may be found online. In addition there will be minor
additional readings on particular topics which either will also be
available online or will be made available in class by the instructor.
Instructional Methodology
Class activity will typically involve lecture and class discussion,
with some small group activities scattered throughout. Reflection
papers will be assigned regularly, and there are three in-class
quizzes. In addition, students will be required to write their
own philosophical dialogue. Students will be required to collect
work done during the course into a final portfolio. The purpose
of this approach to instruction is (1) to instruct students in
those elements that will serve as a firm foundation to any further
philosophical course or activity; and (2) to encourage
philosophical reflection, and articulation of that reflection, on
topics covered in the course.
Philosophy is one of the principal forces that have shaped Western
civilization and history, so a basic understanding of the methods and
subject matter of philosophy affords a deeper understanding of
ourselves and an informed grasp of the present. In addition, critical
thinking skills are so central to the methods of philosophy that the
study of philosophy provides an excellent opportunity to learn and
practice those skills in a focused way.
1. Students will demonstrate improved critical reading, thinking, and
writing skills.
2. Students will be able to reason philosophically about issues of both
personal and universal significance.
3. Students will be able to identify major divisions and concepts in
philosophy.
Course Assignments and Evaluation
During the course, students will create a course portfolio. The
required elements of this portfolio are as follows:
(1) Reflection Papers: These will be short papers of two to three
pages on various texts and topics discussed in the course. These
will be assigned and returned with comments throughout the course.
Students are responsible for ALL reflection papers. A list of reflection
paper assignments will be made available so that students may
be sure they have completed all of them.
(2) Philosophical Dialogue: Students will write their own philosophical
dialogue, consisting of at seven to eight pages, on any topic they
choose. An outline of the intended argument of the dialogue will be
handed in separately halfway through the term.
(3) In-class Quizzes: There will be three brief quizzes, on logic, on
history of philosophy, and on feminist thought. These quizzes will
be devoted primarily to terms and names, but will also have short
answer questions.
These are all the required parts of the portfolios. Students are
encouraged, however, to submit relevant supplementary materials
with their portfolio: journal entries, poems, short stories, dialogues,
drawings, or anything else relevant to the philosophical content of
the course.
This portfolio is intended to let the student show that they have
developed a basic foundation in philosophy and have begun to
engage in serious philosophical reflection. Think of it as a sort of
artist's portfolio for the art of rational thinking. A and B grades will
be reserved for students whose portfolios contain all required
materials.
The final grade for the course will consist of the grade for the
portfolio (90%) combined with the grade for class participation (10%).
Attendance: Attendance is not strictly required, but, as class
participation is part of the final grade, it is strongly encouraged.
Students are responsible for making arrangements to make up any
in-class quizzes that are missed.
Withdrawals: Withdrawing from a course may affect financial aid,
veterans’ benefits, international student status, or academic standing.
Students are urged to consult with their instructor or an advisor
before making schedule changes. Per state law, students enrolling
for the first time in fall 2007 or later at any Texas college or university
may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during
their undergraduate college career. Some exemptions for good cause
could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it
count toward this limit. Students are encouraged to carefully select
courses; contact an advisor or counselor for assistance. See the
Student Handbook, p. 22, for additional information.
Incompletes: Except in truly extraordinary circumstances, resorting
to Incomplete grades is strongly discouraged.
Scholastic Dishonesty: "Acts prohibited by the college for which
discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty,
including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing,
and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside
work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of
their thought, research, or self-expression. Academic work is defined
as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically
or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom
presentations, and homework." (Student Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 32)
Cases of scholastic dishonesty will be pursued according to the
procedure set forth in the Student Handbook, “Student Rights
and Responsibilities,” Section J, “Academic Dishonesty."
Academic Freedom: Students have the right to believe whatever
they happen to believe and, within the appropriate constraints
that follow from the organization of a course and its class meetings,
to express those beliefs. Grades will never be based on the beliefs
that a student maintains, but only on the quality of the philosophical
work performed by a student in conjunction with the course.
Student Discipline: Students at the College have the rights accorded
to all persons under the Constitution to Freedom of speech, peaceful
assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the
responsibility for each individual to accord the same rights to others
in the College community and not to interfere with or disrupt the
educational process. As willing partners in learning, it is expected
that students will comply with College rules and procedures. ACC
students are recognized as responsible persons who neither lose
the rights nor escape the responsibilities of citizenship. Enrollment
in the College indicates acceptance of the rules set forth in this
policy, administered through the office of the Campus Dean of
Student Services. Due process, through an investigation and
appeal process, is assured to any student involved in disciplinary
action. (See the "Student Discipline Policy" in the Student
Handbook, http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/policies4.htm
for details.)
Office of Students with Disabilities: "Each ACC campus offers
support services for students with documented physical or
psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must
request reasonable accommodations through the Office for
Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to
take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to
do this three weeks before the start of the semester." (Student
Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 14)
HH = Historical Highlights
PA = Philosophical Applications
(1) General Introduction to Philosophy and to the Course
(2) Rudiments of Logic and Critical Thinking (PA)
(3) Ancient Philosophy (HH)
Major Unit: Plato on Sophists vs. Philosophers
Minor Unit: Aristotle on Causal Explanation
(4) Medieval Philosophy (HH)
Major Unit: Boethius on the Consolation of Philosophy
Minor Unit: Aquinas on the Ways to God
(5) Early Modern Philosophy (HH)
Major Unit: Descartes on Method and the Cogito
Minor Unit: Hume on Miracles
(6) Brief Introduction to Feminist Thought (PA)
(7) Philosophy in Art and Literature (PA)