Page 1Page 2Page 3Philosophy 225 MC & MD Fall 2000INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHYPI 225 MC: 1:00 - 1:50 MWF, Plumb Hall 409PI 225 MD: 2:00 - 2:50 MWF, Plumb Hall 409Instructor: 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 OBJECTIVESC 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 my obligationsto other people and the world around me? What role should religion play in society?C To explore the diverse perspectives and positions on these issues across a wide range of cultures and time periods.C To introduce you to the specific ways of thinking appropriate for philosophical questions and train you to think and writecritically about philosophical issues.C 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 = 30%C 2 600-word take-home essays @ 15% each = 30%C mid-term and final exams @ 20% each = 40%1. Attendance at the lectures is absolutely crucial for understanding of the readings and participation in class discussion.Therefore, attendance at every class is expected as a minimal requirement for this course. It is your responsibility todocument your attendance on a sheet which will be circulated in class. Missing FIVE classes FOR ANY REASON willresult in a full grade reduction. In the event that ALL FIVE absences are the result of an extreme medical condition,documented by a statement from your physician or Health Services, notify me as soon as possible to discuss extraassignments to make up for your missed time. After the fifth absence, each further absence will result in an additional fullgrade reduction. There is no need to document illness for fewer than five absences, except in the case of having misseda quiz or exam due to an emergency.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 requireeffort on your part to understand them. Give yourself time to read difficult passages more than once. To encourage youto read the assigned material before class, there will be brief, unannounced quizzes at the beginning of class almost everyweek. Passing these quizzes will require that you CAREFULLY read all assignments, review material from the previousclasses, and arrive at class on time. NO MAKEUP QUIZZES will be given for those who are absent or late for classwithout documentation of an emergency.3. You will write two take-home essays, each worth 15% of the final course grade, in response to questions distributed inclass. Essays 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. No late papers will be accepted without documentation of anemergency. 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 Morse Hall (341-5380). If you anticipate troublewith your writing, please consult with the Writing Center or myself as soon as possible during the semester. Studentshaving trouble with writing fundamentals may be required to seek assistance from the Writing Center as a condition forcontinuing in the course.4. On the days that essays are due, we will have a “reading day” devoted to discussion of student papers. On these days,students will be selected at random to present their essays to the class and answer questions from classmates about theiressays. You will not be graded on your reading or comments, except as follows: Failure to read your essay on a day thatyou are selected will result in a failing grade for that assignment. If you have a legitimate reason for not wishing to readin front of the class, you must discuss this with me prior to the first essay assignment.5. On the days indicated on the course schedule, you will take a mid-term and final examination, each worth 20% of yourfinal grade. Each exam will have two parts: an “objective” component (true/false, fill-in-the-blank, or short answer) andan essay component. Review sheets will be distributed one week prior to exams, and ample class time will be providedto ask questions about the material to be covered on exams. Each exam will cover half of the course (i.e., the Final is non-cumulative).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 easeand welcome to contribute to the discussions. Talking with each other about these sometimes difficult and/orcontroversial topics is a sure-fire way to understand them better (and it also makes for a livelier class period). So my hopeis that you will put in your two cents whenever you are struck by a question, idea, problem, or objection. NO RELEVANTREMARK IS OUT OF BOUNDS IN THIS CLASS. As an added incentive for your participation, I will take into accountyour regular contributions to the ongoing discussion in borderline grade cases. For example, regular thoughtfulparticipation in discussion (not just quantity, of course, but also quality) may raise a high “B” grade (an 89, for example)up to an “A.”PLEASE NOTE1. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes plagiarism, the paraphrase or quotation of anypublished or unpublished source—including the textbook—without full and clear acknowledgment. If you are uncertainabout what documentation is appropriate, please consult the Writing Center or myself before submitting your writtenwork. The university policy regarding