Fall 2023 Course Syllabus
Course: PHIL-1301 (Section: 71, CRN: 92956)
Introduction to Philosophy 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Steven Zani
Email zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6431
Office Education I - Room: 133
Office Hours M-F 9-5  I maintain regular office hours as Chair of General Education and Developmental Studies.
Additional Contact Information See above
Course Information
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.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Various OER will be used over the course of the semester. Information will be provided on a module by module basis as determined by course need.  No single OER source textbook will be used.
Additional Materials/Resources None
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
Read, analyze, and critique philosophical texts.
Demonstrate knowledge of key concepts, major arguments, problems, and terminology in philosophy.
Present logically persuasive arguments both orally and in writing.
Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluation and application of philosophical concepts to various aspects
of life.
Evaluate the personal and social responsibilities of living in a diverse world.
Core Objectives
* Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or 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.
 
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* 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.

Lecture Topics Outline Introduction (The World Riddle / The Spirit of Inquiry) Pages 3-29
Predicament / Self   Pages 77-105
Knowledge / Senses  Pages 163-185
“99 Problems” Essay
Laws/Conscience / Ethics   Pages 318-327 and 374-391
Lifestyles / Freedom   Pages 333-345 and 257-265
Psyche     Pages 221-229
Freud/Marx   TWO HAND OUTS
Life   Pages 401-423
History  Pages 291-311
Hagakure selections   HAND OUT
Death/Immortality   Pages 621-635
Major Assignments Schedule Module 1 - Introduction (The World Riddle / The Spirit of Inquiry) Pages 3-29
Module 2 -Predicament / Self   Pages 77-105
Module 3 -Knowledge / Senses  Pages 163-185
Module 4 -“99 Problems” Essay
Module 5 -Laws/Conscience / Ethics   Pages 318-327 and 374-391
Module 6 -Lifestyles / Freedom   Pages 333-345 and 257-265
Module 7 -Psyche     Pages 221-229
Module 8 -Midterm Exam
Module 9 -Freud/Marx   TWO HAND OUTS
Module 10 -Life   Pages 401-423
Module 11 -History  Pages 291-311
Module 12 -Hagakure selections   HAND OUT
Module 13 -Death/Immortality   Pages 621-635
Module 14 -Final Exam
Final Exam Date December 7, 2023 - 12:00 AM
Grading Scale

Grade Scale

90 – 100 A

80 – 89 B

70 – 79 C

60 – 69 D

0 – 59 F
Determination of
Final Grade

1. Discussion Posts 30%

2. Assignments/Responses 40%

3. Exams
Course Policies
Instructor Policies

1. The student must log onto Blackboard and access the course a minimum of three times per week.

2. Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated.

3. The student is responsible for initiating and completing the drop process. Students who stop coming to class and fail to drop the course will earn an ‘F’ in the course.

4. Belligerent, abusive, profane, threatening, and /or inappropriate behavior on the part of students is a violation of the LIT Student Conduct Regulations. Students who are found guilty of such misconduct may be subject to immediate dismissal from the institution. In addition, these violations of state law may also be subject to criminal action beyond the disciplinary process.

5. Late work will be considered only in the case of a documentable emergency beyond the student’s control. Late/make-up work may be accepted solely at the instructor’s discretion
Attendance Policy Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success. Students with extended absence from logging in to the course will receive an academic penalty in the form of continual late penalties on submitted work.
Additional Information
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
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 the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
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. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431