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PHL 101 SyllabusIntroduction to PhilosophyCourse: PHL 231 Instructor: Jesse Slavens Hours: TTH (2:30-4:00)Office: McD 150 Office Hours: TBA E-mail: [email protected]: Philosophy: The Quest for Truth (Pojman); Class Handouts and PostingsCourse Objective: To provide a basic understanding of the discipline and method of philosophy through the examination of perennial philosophical problems. We will examine both historically important and contemporary texts of the philosophical canon dealing with the Philosophy of Mind, Epistemology, and Value Theory. The development of critical thinking, analysis and argument in both discussion and writing will be emphasized. Attendance: Attendance and participation is vital to a successful term studying philosophy. Philosophy requires the close reading of texts, instruction and dialogue. As such, students should come to class prepared: having read the assigned material and ready to ask, as well as be asked, questions. Attendance and participation will count for 10% of the student’s final grade. Students who attend less than five (5) classes during the first six (6) weeks may be withdrawn from the course. Students who miss more than ten (10) classes during the semester, without the approval ofthe instructor, will automatically fail the course (i.e., receive an F). Assignments: Two exams will be given, each worth 25% of the student’s final gradeThe student may opt to write a final term paper in lieu of the final examination. Students who choose to write a term paper must submit an outline for approval at least three weeks before the final due date. Each student must complete three (3) reading responses throughout the term. At least one reading response must be written for each of the course units: Personal Identity/Mind and Value Theory. The remaining reading response may be on assigned readings of the student’s choosing. Taken together, reading responses are worth 25% of the final grade.  Weekly quizzes together are worth 15% of final grade.  Attendance and participation will constitute 10% of the final grade. Participation may include in-class writing, group participation, and possible class debates. Grading: The distribution of grades will follow a percentage scale: 90—100 = A 70—72 = C 87—89 = A- 67—69 = C- 83—86 = B+ 63—66 = D+ 80—82 = B 60—62 = D 77—79 = B- 57—59 = D- 73—76 = C+ 0—56 = F Academic Dishonesty: In accordance JCC guidelines on academic dishonesty, plagiarism, cheating, or any other form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course. Students found to have committed academic dishonesty will be referred to the Dean of Humanities and Social Science for disciplinary action. 1PHL 101 SyllabusCourse Schedule: Unit 1: Personal Identity, Philosophy of Mind, and LogicLogicExcursus: A Little Bit of Logic (pgs. 29-45)Suggested ReadingBertrand Russell: The Value of PhilosophyPersonal IdentityDennett: Where am I? (posted on Educator) John Locke: Psychological Properties (pgs. 301-308)Parfit and Vesey: Brain Transplants…(pgs. 312-317)David Hume: There is no Self (309-312) Philosophy of MindDescartes: Scepticism and Dualism (pgs. 165-171 and 245-252)Ryle: Exorcising Descartes “Ghost”: (pgs. 252-257) Churchland: On Functionalism and Materialism (pgs. 269-284)Unit 2: Value Theory and Contemporary Moral ProblemsDoes Morality Exist?Rand: In Defense of Ethical Egoism (pgs. 420-427)Pojman: A Critique of Ethical Egoism (pgs. 427-437)Benedict: Morality is Relative (400-405)Rachels: Morality is not Relative (pgs. 405-413)Ethical TheoriesMill: Utilitarianism (pgs. 462-469)Kant: The Moral Law (pgs. 449-462)Holmes: (posted on Educator)Applied EthicsThompson: In Defense of Abortion (posted on Educator)Callahan: Abortion is impermissible (posted on Educator) MOVIE: Fog of War—with selected readings. *The instructor reserves the right to make alterations to this syllabus throughout the


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JC PHL 231 - Syllabus

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