Lamar State College - Port Arthur

House Bill 2504

Fall 2015 Course Syllabus

PHIL-1301-01 - Intro Philosophy

Faculty Information
Semester	Fall 2015
Instructor	Dailey, Charles William
Phone	(409) 984-6475
E-mail	daileycw@lamarpa.edu
Department	Liberal Arts Chair: Barbara Huval Phone: (409) 984-6330 E-mail: huvalbj@lamarpa.edu
Office	Hours: 11:00 am-12:00 pm Tuesdays & Thursdays Building: Ruby Fuller Education (RF) Room: 105
MyLamarPA	Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you’ve logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the “My Courses” tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLamarPA.
Course Information
Course Number	91365
Course Description	A study of major issues in philosophy and/or the work of major philosophical figures in philosophy. Topics in philosophy may include theories of reality, theories of knowledge, theories of value, and their practical applications.
Course Prerequisites	None
Required Textbooks	Required Texts: The Great Conversation (7th edition) by Norman Melchert [ISBN: 978-0-19-999965-1] (Make sure that you acquire the 7th edition of this textbook; otherwise you will encounter different pagination and, at points, different topics. Other readings required for this course will be provided by the course instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that s/he acquires such materials on a timely basis.)
Attendance Policy	Attendance: Attendance is a necessary condition for class discussion and active thinking in a social setting. As excessive absences prevent a student from enjoying the richness of human presence and the social happening of ideas, as opposed to the mere recordings and reproductions of such humans and ideas in social media, excessive absences will greatly impact your course grade in a negative way. In this class, social presence and interaction implies physical presence in class—as such presence communicates much more than our limited technology of recording devices is able to “capture”. Though humans have become increasingly addicted to social media and have likewise succumbed to the marketing ploys that make superficial long-distance conversation attractive, philosophers have traditionally—in all cultures and times—focused on the capacities of the pure human intellect and the ‘give-and-take’ of face-to-face conversation and debate. *Considering the great importance of class attendance, then, every class meeting missed beyond four absences for Tuesday/Thursday classes, without a written excuse from an acceptable official source (such as a physician, attorney, etc.) will result in a reduction of the student’s final course grade by five points for each absence. Work (job) related absences are unexcused. Please consult with the instructor (me) concerning what counts as an excused absence.         For example, in a Tuesday/Thursday class, if a student misses five class meetings, then the maximum possible course grade for that student is a 95; if a student misses eight class meetings, then the maximum possible course grade for that student is an 80. And so on. Attendance will be taken within the first few minutes of class. If a student arrives after I take roll, or does not respond when her/his name is called, s/he will be counted absent. Tardiness is disruptive. Once the class is in progress, the instructor reserves the right to deny access to the classroom or impose other penalties. If a student leaves the classroom early without permission, s/he will be marked absent for that class meeting.
Course Grading Scale	Grading policy: this course is graded according to the requirements specified and weighted above. Letter and numerical grades are translatable on the following scale: A = 90%+ B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = 0-59%
Determination of Final Grade	Grade Distribution: Midterm Exam (30% of course grade) Material for the midterm exam will be drawn from the assigned content and readings concerning the Pre-Socratic Philosophers, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The exam will include short essay, multiple choice, and true/false questions. Final Exam (30% of course grade) Material for the second (and final) exam will be drawn from the assigned content and readings concerning Hellenistic, Medieval and Modern Philosophy. The exam will include short essay, multiple choice, and true/false questions. Term Paper (30% of course grade) Your term paper will be based upon some of the philosophical perspectives of ancient Greek philosophers and the film The Shawshank Redemption. Near the end of October we will view The Shawshank Redemption in class and I will distribute an assignment sheet that details the specific requirements for your term paper. Class attendance is required on the days during which the film will be viewed. Participation (10% of course grade) Contributing to the discussion of ideas is important to philosophers—especially when it is done in person (rather than through a computing machine of some sort, like an I-Phone for example). It has the benefits of: 1) improving public speaking, 2) increasing courage, 3) more directly stimulating others to think, and 4) just being plain entertaining. If you want to contribute to class discussion, raise your hand; if you have a question, raise your hand. When I call on you, remind me of your name and I will keep up with your participation points and grade you accordingly. Try to contribute to class discussion every week. Contribute often enough and you will receive all 10 participation points; don’t contribute at all and you’ll have virtually no chance of making an A in my class. When you want to say something during class: 1) seriously think through your question or comment in your mind; 2) raise your hand. I won’t make fun of you; nor will I allow others to do so. If I am in the middle of explaining something, I may not call on you; just try again later. ***Exam dates and the term paper due date are included in the class schedule on pages 3, 4 and 5 below.
Final Exam Date	December 8, 2015 - 8:00 AM
Major Assignments	Class Schedule This schedule is subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class and it is your responsibility to obtain the amended schedule provided by the instructor. (NOTE: The required reading assigned for each day is discussed on that day, and should be read before the class meets. The page numbers provided below refer to The Great Conversation (7e) by Norman Melchert except in the case of handouts which will be provided by the instructor during class meetings. These handouts will not be posted online. If you miss a class meeting in which an assigned reading is distributed, it is your responsibility to ask the instructor for this assigned reading when you return to class.) Unit 1: The Pre-Socratics, Plato, and Aristotle August 25. Introductions; Review Course Syllabus August 27. Bertrand Russell’s ‘On the Value of Philosophy’ (a Handout) and ‘Pre-Philosophical’ Thinking (Chapter 1: pp. 1-8) September 1. Pre-Socratic Philosophy (Chapter 2: pp. 10-26 [top right]) and Handout September 3. Pre-Socratic Philosophy (Chapter 2: pp. 26-37)         September 8. The Sophists (Chapter 3: pp. 39-51) and Socrates (Chapter 4: pp. 60-70 and Chapter 5: pp. 105-111 [Crito]) September 10. Plato (Chapter 6: pp. 118-141 [top left]—includes the ‘Allegory of the Cave’) September 15. Plato (Chapter 5: pp. 72-81 [Euthyphro] and Handout from Plato’s Phaedo [73c-84b]) September 17. Plato (Chapter 6: pp. 141 [bottom left]-144 [top right] and Handout from Republic [439a-445e]) September 22. Plato (Chapter 6: pp. 144 [right side]-154) September 24. Aristotle (Chapter 7: pp. 155-166) September 29: Aristotle (Chapter 7: pp. 167-178 [top left] and Handout from Aristotle’s Metaphysics (pp. 256-261 [Book XII, Chapters 1-7]) and Aristotle’s Physics (pp. 223-225 [Book II, Chapters 7-8]) October 1. Aristotle (Chapter 7: pp. 178-183 and Handout from Aristotle’s On the Soul (pp. 229-235 [Book II, Chapters 1-12]) October 6. Aristotle (Chapter 7: pp. 183-195) October 8. MIDTERM EXAM Unit 2: Hellenistic, Medieval, and Modern Philosophy October 13. Epicureans and Stoics (Chapter 8: pp. 197-209) October 15. Skeptics (Chapter 8: pp. 209-215) October 20. Viewing of The Shawshank Redemption in class (The Term Paper Assignment Sheet will be distributed as well.) October 22: Viewing of The Shawshank Redemption in class (with discussion afterward) October 27: Jews & Christians (Chapter 9: pp. 217-225) and Augustine (Chapter 10: pp. 226-242) October 29: Augustine (Chapter 10: pp. 242-257) November 3: Anselm (Chapter 11: pp. 259-263) and Aquinas (Chapter 11: pp. 264-278 [left side] and pp. 282 [bottom left]-287 [left side]) November 5: Aquinas (continue material from previous class) November 10. Descartes (Chapter 13: pp. 314-323 [Introduction and Meditation I]) November 12: Descartes (Chapter 13: pp. 324-329 [Meditation II]) November 17. Descartes (Chapter 13: pp. 329-337 [Meditation III] and pp. 352-354) November 19. Hobbes (Chapter 14: pp. 356-368 [top left]) November 24. Hume (Chapter 15: pp. 393-405) November 26. Thanksgiving Holiday (No classes) December 1. Hume (Chapter 15: pp. 405 [right side]-420) // TERM PAPER DUE IN CLASS
Calendar of Lecture Topics and Major Assignment Due Dates	Class Schedule This schedule is subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class and it is your responsibility to obtain the amended schedule provided by the instructor. (NOTE: The required reading assigned for each day is discussed on that day, and should be read before the class meets. The page numbers provided below refer to The Great Conversation (7e) by Norman Melchert except in the case of handouts which will be provided by the instructor during class meetings. These handouts will not be posted online. If you miss a class meeting in which an assigned reading is distributed, it is your responsibility to ask the instructor for this assigned reading when you return to class.) Unit 1: The Pre-Socratics, Plato, and Aristotle August 25. Introductions; Review Course Syllabus August 27. Bertrand Russell’s ‘On the Value of Philosophy’ (a Handout) and ‘Pre-Philosophical’ Thinking (Chapter 1: pp. 1-8) September 1. Pre-Socratic Philosophy (Chapter 2: pp. 10-26 [top right]) and Handout September 3. Pre-Socratic Philosophy (Chapter 2: pp. 26-37)         September 8. The Sophists (Chapter 3: pp. 39-51) and Socrates (Chapter 4: pp. 60-70 and Chapter 5: pp. 105-111 [Crito]) September 10. Plato (Chapter 6: pp. 118-141 [top left]—includes the ‘Allegory of the Cave’) September 15. Plato (Chapter 5: pp. 72-81 [Euthyphro] and Handout from Plato’s Phaedo [73c-84b]) September 17. Plato (Chapter 6: pp. 141 [bottom left]-144 [top right] and Handout from Republic [439a-445e]) September 22. Plato (Chapter 6: pp. 144 [right side]-154) September 24. Aristotle (Chapter 7: pp. 155-166) September 29: Aristotle (Chapter 7: pp. 167-178 [top left] and Handout from Aristotle’s Metaphysics (pp. 256-261 [Book XII, Chapters 1-7]) and Aristotle’s Physics (pp. 223-225 [Book II, Chapters 7-8]) October 1. Aristotle (Chapter 7: pp. 178-183 and Handout from Aristotle’s On the Soul (pp. 229-235 [Book II, Chapters 1-12]) October 6. Aristotle (Chapter 7: pp. 183-195) October 8. MIDTERM EXAM Unit 2: Hellenistic, Medieval, and Modern Philosophy October 13. Epicureans and Stoics (Chapter 8: pp. 197-209) October 15. Skeptics (Chapter 8: pp. 209-215) October 20. Viewing of The Shawshank Redemption in class (The Term Paper Assignment Sheet will be distributed as well.) October 22: Viewing of The Shawshank Redemption in class (with discussion afterward) October 27: Jews & Christians (Chapter 9: pp. 217-225) and Augustine (Chapter 10: pp. 226-242) October 29: Augustine (Chapter 10: pp. 242-257) November 3: Anselm (Chapter 11: pp. 259-263) and Aquinas (Chapter 11: pp. 264-278 [left side] and pp. 282 [bottom left]-287 [left side]) November 5: Aquinas (continue material from previous class) November 10. Descartes (Chapter 13: pp. 314-323 [Introduction and Meditation I]) November 12: Descartes (Chapter 13: pp. 324-329 [Meditation II]) November 17. Descartes (Chapter 13: pp. 329-337 [Meditation III] and pp. 352-354) November 19. Hobbes (Chapter 14: pp. 356-368 [top left]) November 24. Hume (Chapter 15: pp. 393-405) November 26. Thanksgiving Holiday (No classes) December 1. Hume (Chapter 15: pp. 405 [right side]-420) // TERM PAPER DUE IN CLASS FINAL EXAM DATE: Tuesday, December 8 (8:00 am-10:00 am)
General Education/Core Curriculum Student Learning Outcomes	Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication. Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions. Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts. Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view. Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities. Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Program Student Learning Outcomes	Program Student Learning Outcomes PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material. Identifies all main ideas, supporting details, and vocabulary in reading material; demonstrates a full understanding of the reading. PSLO 1: Critical Thinking Skills – Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information. Creatively identifies problem, argument, or issue (to determine extent of information needed); differentiates the facts from opinions as relates to situation; constructs possible solutions or prediction or consequences; uses logical, sound reasoning to justify conclusion. PSLO 2: Communication Skills – Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication. Expresses a strong thesis; organizes information with effective transitions & sequencing of ideas; uses substantial, logical & specific development of ideas; details are relevant, original, credible and correctly documented when appropriate to show an effective development and interpretation of ideas; and presents ideas in appropriate mode of expression for the task. PSLO 5: Social Responsibility Skills - Expresses intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities. Identifies cultural characteristics (including beliefs, values, perspectives and/or practices); demonstrates knowledge of civic responsibility; provides evidence of experience in civic- engagement activities; and describes what she/ he has learned as it relates to a reinforced and clarified sense of civic identity in local, regional, national, or global communities; and shows awareness of one’s own culture in relation to others. PSLO 6: Personal Responsibility Skills – Integrates choices, actions and consequences in ethical decision-making. Recognizes ethical issues when presented in a complex, multilayered (gray) context; recognizes cross- relationships among the issues; discusses in detail/ analyzes core beliefs; the discussion has greater depth and clarity showing the independent application of ethical perspectives/ concepts to an ethical question accurately; and is able to consider full implications of the application.
Course Student Learning Outcomes	CSLO Course ‘Learning Outcomes’: Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 1. Read, analyze, and critique philosophical texts (PSLO Alpha, 1, 2; Measured by pre/post-test, embedded test questions, class discussion, and reflective analysis paper) 2. Demonstrate knowledge of key concepts, major arguments, problems, and terminology in philosophy (PSLO Alpha, 2; Measured by pre/post-test, embedded test questions, and reflective analysis paper) 3. Present logically persuasive arguments both orally and in writing (PSLO 2; Measured by class discussion and reflective analysis paper) 4. Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluation and application of philosophical concepts to various aspects of life (PSLO 5; Measured by reflective analysis paper) 5. Evaluate the personal and social responsibilities of living in a diverse world (PSLO 6; Measured by reflective analysis paper).
Academic Honesty	Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies	No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Electronic devices (including but not restricted to cell phones, MP3 players, and laptop computers) shall not be used during examinations unless specifically allowed by the instructor. Use of electronic devices during normal class hours distracts other students, disrupts the class, and wastes valuable time. Instructors have an obligation to reduce such disruptions. Turn your cellphones to vibrate when you enter the classroom. Classroom Policies: Missed Exam Policy: If a student misses an exam, s/he must notify the course instructor as soon as s/he returns to class. The time allowed to make up an exam will usually consist of only a few days following the exam. After this period of time a make-up exam will not be possible and the student will receive a zero on the exam. Classroom Behavior: Respect must be shown for both the instructor and your fellow classmates at all times. This includes being on time for class, not leaving early, having your phone on silent (or, preferably, off), and any other actions that may be distracting to me or the class. Any disruptive, rude, or inappropriate behavior can, and will, result in grade penalizations. Laptop, cell-phone, or other electronic device use of any kind is not allowed in my classroom. Cell-phone use of any kind (texting, making calls, or searching the internet) is especially frowned upon and will not be tolerated. Consider this prohibition a challenge rather than a punishment. Such devices were not known about or used by any of the greatest philosophers in history. And yet they still managed to become profound thinkers. Amazing! What might this imply? (Note: If you need your phone because of a medical condition, or the medical condition of a child, or you are a surgeon-on-call, let me know privately and I will consider your specific case.) Class Cancellation: In the event of class being cancelled (either in the event of the university closing or just a particular meeting of this class being cancelled), you should assume that any readings, assignments, or exams due on the day class is cancelled will instead be due at the next scheduled class meeting. Any necessary adjustments to the schedule will be announced at the next regular class meeting.
Additional Information	This course is a lecture-based survey of leading figures in the history of Western philosophy from Ancient Greece, Medieval Europe, the Renaissance, and the Enlightenment. Central areas of philosophy are studied, including logic, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, philosophy of religion, and political philosophy. Learning Objectives: To appreciate the centrality of philosophy to the human endeavor. More specifically, to appreciate the fact that philosophy is that pursuit or activity which asks the most fundamental questions about human existence, the universe, and being in general; to understand that many, perhaps all, of the special sciences that exist today are derived from philosophy and philosophical questioning; and to realize the importance of logical thinking, the search for truth (rather than opinion), and the responsibility of choosing a way of life and acting. The purpose of studying philosophy is not to validate current curriculum requirements at any given institution of learning but to question all such things—curriculum, requirements, and even education itself. What is education, anyway? It is philosophy that asks this question, and questions like it, most honestly and without ulterior motives or agenda.
Important Information
ADA Considerations	The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
Copyright Violations	Some material in this course may be copyrighted. They may be used only for instructional purposes this semester, by students enrolled in this course. These materials are being used fairly and legally. No one may distribute or share these copyrighted materials in any medium or format with anyone outside this class, including publishing essays with copyrighted material, uploading copyrighted material to Facebook or YouTube, or painting or performing copyrighted material for public display. Copyright violation is not the same thing as plagiarism. Plagiarism is intellectual dishonesty. Offenses of plagiarism result in lower grades or failing scores, and professors and the college strictly enforce plagiarism rules. There is never any acceptable use of plagiarism. Copyright violation is a legal offense, punishable by large fines and penalties. Copyrighted material can be used if permission from the material’s creator is obtained, or if its use meets the standards of fair use in an educational setting. For example, a student can quote a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet in a report without violating copyright but still be guilty of plagiarism if the quotation is not properly documented. If you are in doubt about what material can be freely used, ask your professor or contact the Dean of Library Services, at (409) 984-6216.
Assessment Statement	Assessment is a process by which LSCPA can help you learn better and gauge the level of progress you have made to attain knowledge, skills, beliefs, and values. It also helps your professors understand how to improve teaching and testing methods in your classes, and it helps each department understand and improve degree and certificate programs. Periodically LSC-PA will collect assessment data for research and reporting purposes, including statistical data and sometimes copies of your work. Be assured that all material the college uses for assessment purposes will be kept confidential. To ensure anonymity, your name will be removed from any material we use for assessment purposes, including video-recorded performances, speeches, and projects. If you object to allowing LSC-PA to use your material for assessment purposes, submit a letter stating so to your professor by the 12th class day. You will still be required to participate in whatever assessments are being done; we just won’t use your data. What’s the difference between assessment and grades? The grades you get on papers, projects, speeches, and assignments are specific types of focused assessment. LSC-PA’s assessment efforts include class grades, surveys, standardized tests, and other tools.
Privacy Notice	Federal privacy laws apply to college students. This means that college employees, including instructors, cannot divulge information to third parties, including parents and legal guardians of students. Even if the students are minors, information about their college work cannot be shared with anyone except in very limited circumstances. Anyone requesting information about a student should be referred to the Registrar. Instructors will be notified in writing by that Office about what information may be released and to whom. Please remember that releasing private information about a student, however innocuous it may seem, can be a violation of federal law, with very serious consequences. Circumstances under which information may be released: An adult student may submit, to the Registrar, a handwritten, signed note granting permission for release of information. The note must specify what information may be divulged, and it must specify the name of the person to whom the information may be given. A parent or guardian may be given access to information about a student by providing a copy of a filed tax return that shows that the student was listed as a dependent of that parent or guardian. The tax return must be for last complete tax year. Again, this documentation must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. A parent or guardian may be given access to information about a student if the student logs on to My.LamarPA.edu and sends an email to the Registrar granting permission. The email must specify what information may be given and the name of the person to whom it may be given. Co-enrollment students are protected by the same privacy laws as adult students. The Registrar’s office is located in the Student Center room 303B, and can be reached at (409) 984-6165.
College-Level Perspectives	This course helps add to the students’ overall collegiate experience in the following ways: Establishing broad and multiple perspectives on the individual in relationship to the larger society and world in which s/he lives, and to understand the responsibilities of living in a culturally and ethnically diversified world. Stimulating a capacity to discuss and reflect upon individual, political, economic, and social aspects of life in order to understand ways in which to be a responsible member of society. Developing a capacity to use knowledge of how technology and science affect their lives. Developing personal values for ethical behavior. Developing the ability to make aesthetic judgments. Using logical reasoning in problem solving. Integrating knowledge and understand the interrelationships of the scholarly disciplines.
Degree Plan Evaluation	A Degree Plan Evaluation will help you determine which classes you need to complete your program. Sign in to your my.lamarpa.edu account. Click on the “My Services” tab. Click on the “Student” tab. Click on Student Records. Click on Degree Evaluation. Select the term you are planning on registering for (i.e. Summer I, Summer II, Fall, or Spring) Verify that the Curriculum Information (your MAJOR) is correct Click on “Generate New Evaluation” at the bottom of the screen. Click the radio button next to Program Click on the Generate Request button. All of the classes that you have taken that apply to your declared major will be listed on the right. If you have a class that still needs to be completed, a “NO” will be listed on the right next to the required class.
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA’s efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Lamar State College - Port Arthur Mission Lamar State College - Port Arthur, a member of The Texas State University System, is an open-access, comprehensive public two-year college offering quality and affordable instruction leading to associate degrees and a variety of certificates. The College embraces the premise that education is an ongoing process that enhances career potential, broadens intellectual horizons, and enriches life. Core Values Shared commitment by faculty, staff and administration to a mission characterized by student learning, diversity, and community involvement General education/core curriculum that develops the values and concepts that allow the student to make a meaningful contribution in the workplace or community Academic and technical programs designed to fulfill our commitment to accommodate students with diverse goals and backgrounds, using a variety of delivery methods, on and off campus Technical education programs that provide for the acquisition of the knowledge, skills and behavior necessary for initial and continued employment Student achievement characterized by attainment of individual goals and measured by successful accomplishments and completion of curriculum Co-curricular opportunities that develop social, financial and civic acuity Principles Lamar State College - Port Arthur operates in the belief that all individuals should be: treated with dignity and respect; afforded equal opportunity to acquire a complete educational experience; given an opportunity to discover and develop their special aptitudes and insights; and, provided an opportunity to equip themselves for a fulfilling life and responsible citizenship in a world characterized by change.

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