Lamar State College - Port Arthur

House Bill 2504

Fall 2015 Course Syllabus

PHIL-1301-73 - Intro Philosophy

Faculty Information
Semester	Fall 2015
Instructor	Lindley, Neil Everett
Phone	(409) 656-1160
E-mail	lindlene@lamarpa.edu
Department	Liberal Arts Chair: Barbara Huval Phone: (409) 984-6330 E-mail: huvalbj@lamarpa.edu
Office	Hours: TR 9:30-10:30 AM Building: Bookstore & Faculty Offices (FOB) Room: 03
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	90069
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	Reading and writing competency equivalent to TASP. Moderate computer skills enabling student to complete and submit assignments, quizzes and tests and to use the discussion board
Required Textbooks	TEXTBOOKS: |By BLACKBURN REQUIRED •        EDITION: 99 •        PUBLISHER: OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS •        ISBN: 9780192100245 REQUIRED Title : ROLL AWAY THE STONE2d Ed Author : Fred Taylor Publisher : Information International, Great Falls, VA Edition/Year : 2008
Attendance Policy	Attendance is assessed by the number of times student signs on during a given week and the number of hours and minutes spent online in the course.
Course Grading Scale	90 - 100 = A     80 - 89 = B     70 - 79 = C     60 - 69 = D     Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade	Assignments - 25% Quizzes - 25% Discussion board - 25% Tests - 25%
Final Exam Date	December 5, 2015 - 8:00 AM
Major Assignments	Weeks 1 & 2 - Introduction. Getting Started Weeks 3-7 - Study of Epistemology and major philosophers Week 7 Mid-term Test Weeks 8-11 - Science and the Humanities Weeks 12-15 - Social Philosophy Week 16 - Final Exam
Calendar of Lecture Topics and Major Assignment Due Dates	Weeks 1 & 2 - Introduction. Getting Started Weeks 3-7 - Study of Epistemology and major philosophers Week 7 Mid-term Test Weeks 8-11 - Science and the Humanities Weeks 12-15 - Social Philosophy Week 16 - Final Exam
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	General Goals : The overall objective of this course is to provide an intellectual background for "all knowledge", particularly courses which the student will take throughout his degree program. To offer students an introduction to an understanding of various "knowledge systems" and how they shape our attitudes, our communication and our actions. To aid students in becoming acquainted with major philosophers, ancient and modern, within western civilization and to understand how they have contributed to shaping our society. To lay a foundation to fulfill the university's Core Curriculum rationale as stated on pages 11-12 in the catalog; which includes the following objectives, and in particular to differentiate between the two broad "knowledge cultures" known as "humanistic" and "scientific", how they relate, how they differ, and how both affect our world view, our thoughts and our actions; To aid the student in clarifying and articulating his/her own philosophy on issues of moral, scientific, religious or logical problems. Specific Goals :
Course Student Learning Outcomes	More specifically, the student will: 1. Demonstrate understanding of the philosophical concepts of metaphysics, epistemology, anthropology (the nature of man), ethics (search for the highest good) and sociology (the nature of society and the state). 2. Master the specialized philosophical vocabulary employed in the explanations of the major fields of philosophy named in number one above. 3. Understand the key questions raised by each of the philosophical subjects listed in number one above (metaphysics, epistemology, anthropology, ethics and sociology). 4. Be able to identify and apply the four sources of knowledge (five senses, logical reasoning, intuition and authority). And : 5. Be able to identify particular philosophers whose is thinking is characteristic of each of the four sources of knowledge (examples: Plato = deductive reasoning; Aristotle = empirical reasoning [use of five senses]; Karl Marx = prophetic activist [intuition, authority]; Buddha = Antinomian, intuition). 6. Describe and explain the basic tenets of the scientific method and philosophy of science. 7. Describe and explain the basic tenets of the humanities and distinguish how they differ from the sciences. 8. Demonstrate skills in the application of the four ways of thought and to show how each plays a role in critical thinking.
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. Additional Information: CLASSROOM PROTOCOLS (WAY OF DOING THINGS) •        Turn off cell phones. NO electronic devices may be used during quizzes/tests. •        There is a strict policy against classroom disturbances. o        Examples: o        having private conversations in class while instructor is lecturing; o        interrupting instructor; o        speaking without being recognized (there is some leeway here; follow instructor’s ead on this; o        arriving late; o        leaving early without permission; o        sleeping in class; o        rudeness to anyone in class; o         crude behavior or language; threats; assaults. The Instructor has broad discretion to determine what a class room disturbance is. Responses may include warnings, asking student to leave class, dropping student from class. The university may invoke other penalties. Remember, the classroom is a place for learning; it requires order. A cooperative attitude with respect for other class members and the instructor allows for greater leeway in how the class is conducted. •        Food and drinks are NOT allowed in the classroom, other than bottled water. Water is ok. CLASSROOM ATTENDANCE AND CLASS QUIZZES •        Class room discussion, quizzes and group projects will replace the online DISCUSSION feature used in online classes. An equal or greater number of points can be earned in class through regular attendance and completing the daily quizzes. o        15 points is awarded to students who arrive in class on time. If a student is three minutes late, the points are reduced to five points. If a student is five minutes late to class he/she will lose the attendance points but may still earn points in the daily work. o        Students may earn UP TO an additional 35 points per class meeting for daily work that is given on the day’s subject matter presented by the instructor, or by means of group work assignments. o        An average of 100 points per week can be earned through attendance and daily work (2 X 50 = 100). There are 15 weeks during the semester. 15 weeks X 100 = 1500 points that can be earned through consistent attendance, taking good notes in class and earning good daily scores. (Points also will be offered during review weeks and test weeks.) •        The role will be taken by means of giving a daily quiz, assignment or group project to the class based on the day’s or week’s discussion or lecture. Be sure to put the following information on your paper before turning it in. o        First and last name. USE DARK PEN OR PENCIL. Write legibly. DO NOT USE A COLORED PEN OR PENCIL-USE BLACK. If I can’t read your name or the answers you wrote you won’t be counted present and you will lose points for attendance and the quiz.         In the case of group work be sure the group appoints someone in the group to write the report and turn it in to the instructor;         Be sure everyone in the group signs the report to receive credit. o        PHIL 1301-.01 o        The day’s date. o        If any of this information is omitted there may be a deduction of points from the quiz. •        Stay focused in class. But relax and enjoy yourself. Learning CAN be fun. Simple courtesy will take care of these rules in a natural way.
Additional Information	I will not discuss your grades over the phone or by email or in class. If you want to discuss your grades, you must come to my office, in person.
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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