Division: Communications, Humanities, and Arts

Department:Humanities and Performing Arts

Subject Code: PHILCourse #: 101H

Course Title: Honors Introduction to Philosophy

HARRISBURGAREACOMMUNITY COLLEGE

FORM 335

Course Form 335 must be updated at least every five years per AP 765 to include, at a minimum, the following elements. [§335.2]

1.Digital Description:

Credit hours: 3.0

Lecture hours: 3.0

Lab hours:0.0

BL: []⅓ [X]½ []⅔ [] Other (Indicate fraction or percent)

2.Catalog Description:

Classic philosophical problems are examined through classroom discussions and a wide range of historical readings. The foundations of Western philosophical thought are explored from such thinkers as Socrates, Descartes, Nietzsche, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Using a seminar or discussion-based approach, this course encourages independent, creative and critical inquiry and prepares students for the practical application of information by emphasizing effective research strategies and technologies congruent with the field of study.(Core A)

Minimum Grade Required

3.Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Other: Honors Studies Major, or completion of all developmental reading and writing courses required as a result of the College Testing and Placement program.

4.Learning Outcomes

[These outcomes are necessary to enable students to attain the essential

knowledge and skills embodied in the program’s educational objectives.]

Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

  • Identify and explain the following: the purpose of philosophy, the major areas of philosophy such as metaphysics, epistemology, logic, ethics, political, and social philosophy, the major philosophical questions, their advocates, and historical contexts
  • Demonstrate critical thinking about self, society, and the universe through the identification of philosophical concepts and problems
  • Explain and defend philosophical positions through writing essays

Honors Learning Outcomes

Mandatory Learning Outcome for all Honors Courses:

  • Demonstrate effective research skills and information literacy by gathering credible sources and using sources appropriately

Instructor chooses four of the remaining six learning outcomes to achieve in their course:

  • Recognize, interpret and evaluate creative expressions in a variety of artistic, historical, social and cultural frameworks
  • Present and support ideas in an organized and effective manner consistent with the intended audience and purpose in both speaking and writing
  • Use technology responsibly as a tool for communication and productivity
  • Recognize, apply and relate mathematical and scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies to varied experiences and environments
  • Identify, assess and address ethical issues in personal, social and global contexts
  • Employ appropriate leadership styles in a variety of settings

5.Planned Sequence of Learning Activities

[These must be designed to help students achieve the learning outcomes.]

Historical Topics/Philosophers to include:

  • Plato and Socrates
  • Aristotle
  • One of the Continental Rationalists: Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz
  • One of the British Empiricists: Locke, Berkeley, Hume
  • Moral Philosophers such as: Kant, Bentham, Mill
  • One of the Nineteenth Century German Figures: Hegel, Nietzsche, Marx
  • One of the American Pragmatists: Peirce, James, Dewey
  • Any major 20th Century Philosopher, e.g., Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Rawls, Martha Nussbaum
  • Any emerging 21st Century Philosopher, e.g., Peter Singer, Thich Nhat Hanh

Philosophical Problems to include:

  • What is truth?
  • Does god exist?
  • Is fate real?
  • What is the nature of reality?
  • What is Art?
  • Is justice possible?
  • Is there life after death?
  • How does the mind relate to the body?
  • What gives life meaning?
  • What is the self?

6.Assessment of Student Learning

[Methods of assessment should be appropriate for Learning Outcomes listed above.]

Assessment of student learning outcomes for the course, as required by AP 765, is part of regular curriculum maintenance and/or improvement. The specific plan has been determined by the pertinent faculty involved and is kept on file in the division office.

Honors Assessment

Students are expected to submit three or more artifacts to their program E-Portfolio as part of the Honors major program assessment process. The curriculum is devised to meet the course learning outcomes as stated above.

7.List of Texts, References, Selected Library Resources or other Learning Materials (code each item based on instructional use): C-Lecture/Laboratory, A-Lecture, B-Laboratory, LC-Lecture/Clinical, CLN-Clinical, I-Online,

BL-Blended, D-Independent Study, P-Private Lessons, E-Internship,

F-Cooperative Work-Study, FE-Field Experience. [These resources must be easily accessible to students.]

Readers, Primary Sources, and Supplements

Classic Works in the History of Philosophy from the on-line shareware libraries

of Princeton University, Stanford University, and other premier academic

libraries in the USA and in the UK (free to students).

Carrick, P.Medical Ethics in the Ancient World. Latest Edition. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press.

Christensen, K. Philosophy and Choice. Latest Edition. New York, NY. McGraw-

Hill.

Cornford, F. M. Before and After Socrates. Latest Edition. New York.:

Cambridge University Press.

DeBotton, Alain. The Consolations of Philosophy. Latest Edition. New York:

Vintage Press.

Descartes, Rene. Discourse on Method and Meditations. L. Lafleur, trans. Latest

Edition. New York, NY. Bobbs-Merill.

Fieser, J. and N. Lillegard. Philosophical Questions. Latest Edition. New York: Oxford.

Flynn, Thomas. Existentialism: A Very Short Introduction. Latest Edition. New

York: Oxford University Press.

Gould, James and R.J. Mulvaney. Classic Philosophical Questions. Latest Edition. NJ: Prentice Hall.

Hahn, Thich Nhat. Calming the Fearful Mind. Latest Edition. California: Parallax Press.

James, William. Essays in Pragmatism. Latest Edition. New York: Collier Press.

James, William. The Will to Believe and Other Essays. Latest Edition. New York, NY. Penguin Books.

Newton, L. Ed., Watersheds 4: Ten Cases in Environmental Ethics.Latest Edition. New York, NY. Citadel Press.

Magee, Bryan. The Story of Philosophy. Latest Edition. London: Dorling

Kindersley.

Nagel, T. What Does It All Mean? Latest Edition. New York: Oxford

University Press.

Pence, Greg. Guide to Philosophy on the Web. Latest Edition. Boston, MA.

McGraw-Hill.

Plato. The Last Days of Socrates (Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo). Latest

Edition. New York, NY. Penguin Books.

Pojman, L. Philosophy: The Quest for Truth. Latest Edition. Belmont, CA. Wadsworth.

Sartre, J.P. Existentialism and Human Emotions. Latest Edition. New York, NY. Citadel Press.

Soccio, Douglas J. Archetypes of Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy. Latest Edition. Belmont, CA. Wadsworth.

[These resources must be easily accessible to students.]

Other Texts, supplements and online resources selected at the discretion of the instructor.

8.Prepared by Faculty Member:Charles R. Comer Date: 10/4/11

9.Approved by Department Chairperson:Marnie Brennen Date:10/13/11

10.Approved by Academic Division Dean: Linda A. Lefevre Date: 10/17/11

This course meets all reimbursement requirements of Chapter 335, subchapters A / B.

This course was developed, approved, and offered in accordance with the policies, standards, guidelines, and practices established by the College. It is consistent with the college mission.

If the course described here is a transfer course, it is comparable to similar courses generally accepted for transfer to accredited four-year colleges and universities.

11.Associate Dean, Curriculum & Assessment: Karen Tombs-Harling

Date: 11/11/11

12.Provost & VP, Academic Affairs: Ronald R. Young Date:11/14/11

13.Original Date of course approval by the college:201320

14.Date(s) of subsequent reviews [Indicate change: Learning Outcomes; textbook(s)]:

1

12/1/04

Form Template Reviewed & Updated: 10/26/07; 1/11/08; 1/16/09; 7/14/09; 7/14/11