Spring 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: PHIL-1301 (Section: 6E, CRN: 10894)
Introduction to Philosophy
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Instructor Information
Instructor Julian Bruno
Email brunoj@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6330
Office Educational 1 - Room: 131
Office Hours None, per se.
Being an Adjunct Instructor, I do not have an assigned office.  So if any meeting happens it would have to be arranged, possibly in the Library or in the Educational I Building.

And email messages can be sent through the Blackboard Learn program.
Additional Contact Information
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.

Plato - Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo,  Second Edition
Translated by G.M.A. Grube
Revised by John M. Cooper
ISBN-13: 978-0-87220-66-5
Additional Materials/Resources Many other handouts/printouts will be distributed during the semester.
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes See Lecture Topics Outline and  Major Assignments Schedule.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Lecture Topics Outline
Making a Collage for your Philosophy Notebook Cover:
     Theme: The Personification of Wisdom as a Woman,

Essay Assignment:  The Personification of Wisdom as a Woman

Plato’s Apology:  The Divine Mission of Socrates.  For centuries this writing has defined what the philosophical life is all about.

Test over Apology Dialogue

Glossary of Philosophical Terms - Initial words

Writing Philosophical Papers Handout

Glossary of Philosophical Terms - second round

Logical Toolkit - Handout

Readings of the Plato Dialogue - Alcibiades - An ideal work with which to begin the study of Platonic philosophy.
Tests  over this dialogue
      - Multiple Choice, True/False, Matching
      - Short Answers
Major Assignments Schedule Making a Collage for your Philosophy Notebook Cover:
     Theme: The Personification of Wisdom as a Woman,

Essay Assignment:  The Personification of Wisdom as a Woman

Plato’s Apology:  The Divine Mission of Socrates.  For centuries this writing has defined what the philosophical life is all about.
Overview of Socrates' Teaching.

Test over Apology Dialogue

Glossary of Philosophical Terms - Initial words

Plato's Phaedo
Overview of Plato's Teachings.

Writing Philosophical Papers Handout

Glossary of Philosophical Terms - second round

Readings of the Plato Dialogue - Alcibiades - An ideal work with which to begin the study of Platonic philosophy..

Logical Toolkit - Handout

Readings of the Plato Dialogue - Alcibiades - An ideal work with which to begin the study of Platonic philosophy.
Tests  over this dialogue
      - Multiple Choice, True/False, Matching
      - Short Answers

Essay - What Are You Listening To? Comparing a favorite song to Philosophical Teachings

What is the Self? 
The Individual's Understanding of Himself.
Multiple definitions of self, and Self- as a reflexive prefix for an array of many psychological terms.

Charting the multi millennial Philosophical Battle; The Primacy of Theory vs. The Primacy of Data.  Rationalism Vs. Empiricism.
Reading excerpts from Plato’s Meno dialogue, which charts the dialectic from the Rationalist’s view point that the soul is immortal and that from our birth we already possess all the theoretical knowledge, without relying upon receiving prior data. To Aristotle’s Primacy of Data view, taken from his De Anima or On the Soul and his Politics.  Then centuries later when John Locke (Primacy of Data view) and Gottfried Leibniz (Primacy of Theory) continued the dualistic debate.  


What is the Logos? Why is it central to Philosophy?
Final Exam Date May 15, 2025 - 8:10 AM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade
Final Grade is determined by the Summation of the Total points of all the assignments, in relation to all the total points possible.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies
Attendance Policy Attendance is required.
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 Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. 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.
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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:Dr. Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431