Page 1Page 2Page 3Philosophy 225 MA & MC Spring 2000INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHYPI 225 MA: 11:00 - 11:50 MWF, Plumb Hall 409PI 225 MC: 2:00 - 2:50 MWF, Plumb Hall 316Instructor: Dr. Ted ToadvineOffice Hours: 3:00 - 4:00 MWF and 3:30 - 4:30 Thursdays (or by appointment) in Plumb Hall 411PPhone: 341-5566 (office); 341-5462 (Social Sciences Secretary)Email: [email protected] TEXTTraversing Philosophical Boundaries, ed. by Max Hallman (Wadsworth, 1998).COURSE OBJECTIVES1. To come to an understanding of relevant issues and arguments surrounding some of the deepest and most enduringphilosophical problems, e.g., Is there an eternal self? How can I distinguish right from wrong? What are myobligations to other people and the world around me? What role should religion play in society? 2. To explore the diverse perspectives and positions on these issues across a wide range of cultures and time periods.3. To introduce you to the specific ways of thinking appropriate for philosophical questions and train you to thinkand write critically about philosophical issues. 4. To encourage you to reflect philosophically on these and other significant issues which confront us all today.This course fulfills the "Multicultural Intensive" course requirement and the General Education requirement in Literatureand Ideas (Basic Skills VI) for certain majors. COURSE REQUIREMENTSC average of weekly short quizzes = 50%C 2 600-word take-home essays @ 10% each = 20%C mid-term and final exams @ 15% each = 30%1. Attendance at the lectures is absolutely crucial for understanding of the often difficult readings, and lectures willoften contain information not found in the text. Therefore, attendance at every class is expected as a minimalrequirement for this course. It is your responsibility to document your attendance on a sheet which will be circulatedin class. Missing FIVE classes FOR ANY REASON will result in a full grade reduction. In the event that ALLFIVE absences are the result of an extreme medical condition, documented by a statement from your physician orHealth Services, notify me as soon as possible to discuss extra assignments to make up for your missed time.Missing EIGHT or more classes will result in an “F” for the course. There is no need to document illness for fewerthan five absences, except in the case of having missed a quiz or exam.2. You are expected to be in command of the assigned readings PRIOR to the class period in which we will discussthem. Otherwise, any attempt to discuss the material will be a waste of time. Most of the readings are fairly short,although they may still be dense and require effort on your part to understand them. Give yourself time to readdifficult passages more than once.3. Brief, unannounced QUIZZES will be given at the beginning of class almost every week. These quizzes will covermain topics from the previous lectures OR from material assigned for that day’s reading not yet discussed in lecture.These quizzes are intended to encourage you to attend lectures and keep up with assigned readings. Quizzes willhave various formats, possibly including true/false, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, or summarization of assignedreadings. Passing these quizzes will require that you attend class, CAREFULLY read all assignments, and arrive atclass on time. You may make up a quiz missed for medical reasons if you provide a statement from your physicianor Health Services. The average of all quizzes will account for 50% of your final course grade.4. Two take-home ESSAYS will be assigned, each worth 10% of the final course grade. Essays will be in responseto questions distributed one week prior to the due date for the assignment. Essays must be at least 600 words (about2 pages on most word-processors), and a WORD COUNT must appear on the first page of your essay. Papers lessthan 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. LATEESSAYS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. For help constructing your essays, please read the Appendix in Hallman,"Writing Philosophically" (665-684). Further assistance is available from the Writing Center, 345 Southeast MorseHall (341-5380). If you anticipate trouble with your writing, please consult with the Writing Center or myself assoon as possible during the semester. Students having trouble with writing fundamentals may be required to seekassistance from the Writing Center as a condition for continuing in the course.5. On the days that essays are due, we will have a “READING DAY” devoted to discussion of student papers. Onthese days, students will be selected at random to present their essays to the class and answer questions fromclassmates about their essays. The reading and discussion of papers will not be a part of the grade for theassignment, except in the following case: Failure to read your essay on a day that you are selected will result in afailing grade for that assignment. If you have a legitimate reason for not wishing to read in front of the class, youmust discuss this with me prior to the first essay assignment.6. MID-TERM AND FINAL EXAMS, each worth 15% of the final course grade, will include an “objective”(true/false, fill-in-the-blank, or short answer) component and an essay component. Review sheets will be distributedone week prior to exams, and ample class time will be provided to ask questions about the material to be coveredon exams. Each exam will cover half of the course (i.e., the Final is non-cumulative).7. Discussion is crucial to the doing of philosophy, and I am counting on you to provide it. I will do my best to makeeveryone feel at ease and welcome to contribute to the discussions. Talking with each other about these sometimesdifficult and/or controversial topics is a sure-fire way to understand them better (and it also makes for a livelierclass 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 addedincentive for your participation, I will take into account your regular contributions to the ongoing discussion inborderline grade cases. For example, regular thoughtful participation in discussion (not just quantity, of course, butalso quality) may raise a high “B” grade (say, an 88 or 89) up to an “A.” On the other hand, if you stare at me witha