Page 1Page 2Philosophy 225A Summer 2000Introduction to Philosophy8:00 - 11:20 MTWR, Plumb Hall Dr. Ted ToadvineOffice: 411P Plumb Hall Email: [email protected]: 341-5566 (office); 341-5462 (dept) Summer Office Hours: by appointmentREQUIRED TEXTSAristotle, 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 & TOPICSThis course will introduce you to philosophical ways of thinking and train you to think and write critically aboutphilosophical issues. In addition, the course will introduce you to a wide range of historical and contemporaryperspectives on perennial philosophical questions. In this summer session, we will be especially concerned with therelationship 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 motiveslay behind the formation of family groups and social communities? How do inequality and oppression originate withinthese communities, and for what reasons? Is the contemporary family and social structure in decline, and if so, whatshould be done about this? Unlike courses which place emphasis on transmitting content to be memorized, this coursewill stress the important role of philosophical reflection in responding to significant issues which confront our societyand you.For certain majors, this course satisfies the General Education requirement in Literature and Ideas (Basic Skills VI). COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADINGC 5 quizzes @ 5% each = 25% C 2 take-home essays, due every Monday @ 15% each = 30%C 3 tests, every Thursday @ 15% each = 45%1. Attendance at the lectures is absolutely crucial for understanding of the readings and participation in classdiscussion. Therefore, attendance at every class is expected as a minimal requirement for this course. Due to thelimited time available for lecture and discussion during the summer session, missing TWO classes FOR ANYREASON will result in a full grade reduction. In the event that BOTH absences are the result of an extrememedical condition, documented by a statement from your physician or Health Services, notify me as soon aspossible to discuss extra assignments to make up for your missed time. Missing THREE or more classes willresult in an “F” for the course.2. You are expected to be in command of the assigned readings PRIOR to the class period in which we willdiscuss them. Otherwise, any attempt to discuss the material will be a waste of time. Some of the readings willbe quite dense and require effort on your part to understand them. Give yourself time to read difficult passagesmore than once. To encourage you to prepare readings for class, there will be five unannounced quizzes, basedon assigned readings and previous class discussions. Passing these brief quizzes will require that youCAREFULLY read all assignments on time, attend class, and review material from the previous classes. NOMAKEUP 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 questionsdistributed in class. Essays will be due on Mondays, and must be brought to class on the due date, sincestudents will be selected at random to read essays to the class. Essays must be at least 600 words (about 2pages), and a WORD COUNT must appear on the first page of your essay. Papers less than the minimumnumber 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 beaccepted. 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. Thefinal examination, on the last day of class, will cover only material from the final week, and will be weightedequally 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 everyonefeel 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,but also quality) may raise a high “B” grade (say, an 89) up to an “A.”PLEASE NOTE1. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes plagiarism, the paraphrase or quotation ofany published or unpublished source—including the texts—without full and clear acknowledgment. If you areuncertain about what documentation is appropriate, please consult with me or the Writing Center beforesubmitting your written work. The university policy regarding academic dishonesty, as explained in the StudentHandbook (p. 37), will be strictly enforced. 2. If you have a documented disability, please let me know as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodationcan be made.3. While I do not have regular office hours during the summer, I will be happy to schedule a convenient time tomeet with you. Messages can be left with the Social Sciences secretary (PH 411) at 341-5462. You are alsowelcome to address inquiries to me via email at [email protected] COURSE SCHEDULEChanges and specific reading assignments will be announced in class.Day Topics Assigned Reading Monday, 6/5 Introduction to CourseTuesday, 6/6 Family: Natural or Created? Aristotle; Rousseau, 10-44Wednesday, 6/7 The Individual in Nature and the Formation of Society