Page 1Page 2Introduction to Philosophy Spring 1999PI 225 MB, 2:00-2:50 MWFDr. Ted Toadvine, 411P Plumb HallPhone: 341-5566 (office); 341-5462 (dept); Email: [email protected] Hours: MWF 1:00 - 2:00; T 2:00 - 4:00; and by appointmentText Traversing Philosophical Boundaries, Max Hallman, ed. (Wadsworth, 1998).Course Goals & TopicsThe main objective of this course is to introduce you to philosophical ways of thinking and train youto think and write critically about philosophical issues. In addition, the course will introduce you toa wide range of historical and contemporary perspectives on perennial philosophical questions: Isthere an eternal self? How can I know what is right? What are our obligations to society? Is religiousbelief justified? Unlike courses which place emphasis on transmitting content to be memorized, thiscourse will emphasize the important role of philosophical reflection in responding to significantissues which confront our society and you.This course satisfies the General Education requirement in Literature and Ideas (Basic Skills VI)for certain majors and is a Multicultural Intensive Course. Course Requirements and GradingYour final grade will be determined as follows:5 quizzes @ 4% each = 20% 4 in-class examinations @ 20% = 80%Quizzes, based on assigned readings and previous class discussions, will be unannounced.Passing these brief, open-book quizzes will require that you CAREFULLY read all assignments ontime and attend class. No makeup quizzes will be given for those who are absent or late for classwithout a documented excuse. In-class exams, including the non-cumulative final, will include an “objective” (true/false, multiplechoice, and/or short answer) component and an essay component.You are expected to attend class and to come prepared to discuss assigned material. Fourabsences will result in a full grade reduction. In the event of an absence when an exam isscheduled, you must notify me in advance of the absence or if there is an emergency as soon aspossible after the emergency. If you miss because of an emergency, I expect you to document it.No make-ups will be given otherwise.For help answering essay questions on exams, please read the Appendix in Hallman, "WritingPhilosophically" (665-684). Further assistance is available from the Writing Center, 345 SoutheastMorse Hall (341-5380). If you anticipate trouble with your writing, please consult with the WritingCenter or myself as soon as possible during the semester. Students having trouble with writingfundamentals will be required to seek assistance from the writing center as a condition forcontinuing in the course.Academic dishonest of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes plagiarism, the paraphrase orquotation of any published or unpublished source without full and clear acknowledgement. Theuniversity policy regarding academic dishonest, as explained in the Student Handbook (p. 37), willbe strictly enforced. If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations or emergencyevacuation, please contact me as soon as possible.Office HoursAs listed above, my office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 1:00 to 2:00, and Tuesday,2:00 to 4:00. I will be spending these hours in my office for the sole purpose of being available foryour questions. If these times are not convenient for you, and there is something you need todiscuss with me, please ask to make an appointment. Messages can be left with the SocialSciences secretary (PH 411) at 341-5462. You are also welcome to address inquiries to me viaemail at [email protected] ScheduleWEEK 1 (1/13-1/15): Introduction to course: requirements, syllabus"Introduction," Hallman (xvii-xxiii)WEEK 2 (1/18-1/22): HOLIDAY (Monday, 1/18)Problems of Self and Identity (1-4)The Upanishads and Buddhist scriptures (4-13)WEEK 3 (1/25-1/29): Hume, Schopenhauer, Borges (13-24)WEEK 4 (2/1-2/5): Plato (24-38), Spelman (44-57), Sartre (85-95)WEEK 5 (2/8-2/12): Beauvoir, Zack (101-115) TEST 1 (Friday, 2/12)WEEK 6 (2/15-2/19): Introduction to Ethics (293-7)Aristotle, Mencius, Kant (297-317)WEEK 7 (2/22-2/26): Bentham (325-329), Schweitzer (336-341), McGaa (351-5)WEEK 8 (3/1-3/5): Leopold (356-365), Hospers (383-392)TEST 2 (Friday, 3/5)WEEK 9 (3/8-3/12): Introduction to Politics (393-396)Rousseau, Jefferson, Marx & Engels (405-434)WEEK 10 (3/15-3/19): Guevara, Maududi, Allen (435-461)SPRING BREAK: 3/22 - 3/28WEEK 11 (3/29-4/2): Camus (482-489), Carmichael (494-500)HOLIDAY (Friday, April 2)WEEK 12 (4/5-4/9): Hooks, Wong (500-516), Goldman (529-538)WEEK 13 (4/12-4/16): TEST 3 (Monday, 4/12)Introduction to Religion (539-542)Augustine, Black Elk (543-555)WEEK 14 (4/19-4/23): Buber, King (562-579), Starhawk (589-595)WEEK 15 (4/26-4/30): Christ, Whitehead, Wiredu (603-631)WEEK 16 (5/3-5/7): Lin and Russell (644-664)FINAL EXAM: Monday 5/10, 1:00 -