PHIL-100: Introduction to Philosophy
South Dakota State University: Spring 2012
ONLINE
Instructor Information:
Lisa Otterson, M.A.
Office: 316 Scobey Hall
Email:
Course Description:
Introduces competing philosophical views of reality, perception, learning and values, emphasizing their relevance to the contemporary world.
The study of philosophy attempts to identify and address universal questions human beings have asked throughout time and across generations. We will read and study philosophers’ attempts at addressing these universal questions and begin to assess the implications of their positions. Rarely will it be our goal to find the “right” answer to philosophical questions but we will look at the strength and weaknesses of arguments as well as explore our own thinking. Philosophy literally means “to love wisdom.” The student of philosophy must approach the study of these universal questions with both boldness and humility. We will most certainly learn something about these universal questions, ourselves, and the history of ideas throughout the semester.
Required Books:
Philosophy: A Text with Readings. 11th edition, by Manuel Velasquez, 2008.
The Trial and Death of Socrates. Plato. 3rd edition, translated by G.M.A. Cooper, 2000.
On Free Choice of the Will. Saint Augustine. Tranaslated by Anna S. Benjamin ad L.H. Hackstaff, 1964.
Required books can be purchased through the SDSU Bookstore at
or by calling 1-800-985-8771.
Statement on Learning Environment and Respect in the Classroom or Online Setting. Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are enrolled. Under Board of Regents and University policy, student academic performance shall be evaluated solely on an academic basis and students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any courses of study. Students who believe that an academic evaluation is unrelated to academic standards but is related instead to judgment of their personal opinion or conduct should first contact the instructor of the course.
If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may contact the department head and/or dean of the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.
Attendance policy: Although the online setting allows flexibility for both learner and instructor, there are some attendance requirements for this course. You are expected to logon to the course at least three times a week and to fulfill all requirements and assignments by their deadlines. Assignments are not optional. As your instructor, I am able to access the record of your activity on D2L to assess whether or not you are engaged in the course. Assignment dates are set and will not be flexible unless there are documented reasons for your inability to complete work. These excuses must be worked out between you and your instructor and are left to the instructor’s discretion.
Absence due to personal reasons:
Any exceptions to the faculty member’s written attendance policy due to verified medical reasons, death of a family members or significant other, or verified extenuating circumstances judged acceptable by the instructor or the Office of Academic Affairs, will be honored. If a student has an accident, falls ill, or suffers some other emergency over which he/she has no control, the student needs to gather whatever documentation is available (e.g., copies of repair or towing bills, accident reports or statements from health care provider) to show the instructor. Such exceptions must be communicated and negotiated between the student and faculty member prior to the absence whenever possible. Absences for vacations or breaks, personal interviews do not constitute a valid reason for absence.
Absence due to approved university-sponsored/recognized trips: Faculty and
administration will honor officially approved absences where individuals are
absent in the interest of officially representing the University. Appropriate
sanctioned activities include:
Collegiate club sports and competitions;
Conferences and workshops recognized by the University not related to
academics;
Commitments on behalf of the University (Students’ Association, Band,
Choir, etc.);
Intercollegiate athletics (refer to page 5 of this document for Student-
Athlete Class Attendance Policy); and
Professional activities recognized by the University related to academics
(professional conference attendance, etc.)
Requests for excused absences must be submitted one week prior to the trip or
event. Students must present the completed approved trip absence card to the
faculty member prior to the trip or event to have an official excused absence.
Faculty members are not required to honor incomplete or late cards.
ADA Statement : It is required to include this specific statement in all course syllabi. Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Nancy Hartenoff-Crooks, Coordinator of Disability Services (605-688-4504 or Fax, 605-688-4987) to privately discuss your specific needs. The Office of Disability Services is located in Student Union 065; Box 2815.
Goals and outcomes for SGR and IGR requirement:
PHIL-100 is designed to fulfill the South Dakota Board of Regents System General Education Goal #4: Students will understand the diversity and complexity of human experience through study of the arts and humanities.
Students will be able to:
- Summarize in clearly written prose basic philosophical positions, and the arguments that justify them. (Meets Outcome 1: Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of values, beliefs, and ideas embodied in the human experience.”) This student outcome will be assessed by exams, threaded discussions and various written assignments.
- Identify and define basic philosophical concepts and explain fundamental philosophical distinctions. (Meets Outcome 2: “Identify and explain basic concepts of the selected disciplines within the arts and humanities.”) This student-learning outcome will be assessed by exams, threaded discussions and various written assignments.
- Describe and discuss basic philosophical worldviews (and guiding presuppositions) of cultures other than one’s own. (Meets Outcome 3: “Identify and explain the contributions of other cultures from the perspective of the selected disciplines within the arts and humanities.”) This student-learning outcome will be assessed through exams, threaded discussions and various written assignments.
PHIL-100 is designed to fulfill the South Dakota State University Institutional Graduation Requirement #3: Social and Cultural Stewardship:
Students will be able to:
- Summarize in clearly written prose, basic philosophical positions, and the arguments used in justifying them. (Meets IGR Goal #1: “Recognizing relationships that exist among ideas.”) The outcome will be assessed by exams, discussions and other writing assignments.
- Identify and define basic philosophical concepts and explain fundamental philosophical distinctions. (Meets IGR Goal #1). This outcome will e assessed by exams, discussions and other writing assignments.
- Identify and define basic philosophical worldviews (and guiding presuppositions) of cultures other than one’s own. (Meets IGR Goal #2) “Demonstrate an appreciation of the different ways in which people express their understanding of the human condition.”) This student-learning outcome will be assessed through exams and in-class discussions.
- Analyze and appraise the evidence and argument for (and against) particular philosophical positions. (Meets IGR #1 and IGR #3: Understanding their responsibilities and choices as related to spatial, temporal, behavioral, cultural and/or institutional contexts.”) This will be assessed by in-class discussions and writing assignments.
- Organize and arrange, according to select criteria, various traditional philosophical responses to particular philosophical problems (Meets IGR #1 and #2). This will be assessed through exams and in-class discussions.
Required Technology
- Access to the internet for a minimum of 60 minutes at a time at least three times each week. This is in addition to the required reading and reflection that will be done off line. Students should plan to work on this course about 6-10 hours each week.
- Ability to open and edit Word and RTF files.
- Ability to open and view PDF files. (You may need to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Description of Instructional Methods
This course is delivered primarily in D2L. Students will read from the text and supplemental online material, complete assignments, participate in online discussions, conduct research, and write case study reports. While the entire course can be completed online, students are encouraged to consult with the instructors individually as needed.
Technology support
Please contact the instructor for questions about the content of the course. Questions regarding technology should be directed to SDSU’s technology support at 605-688-6776 or email
Cheating and Plagiarism Policy
(SDSU Conduct Code 01:10:25 at )
The following actions will not be tolerated and if detected will be reported to the appropriate authorities for disposition.
Cheating: An act of deception by which a student misrepresents that he or she has mastered information on an academic enterprise that she or he has not mastered.
Plagiarism: The offering of as one’s work the words, ideas or arguments of another person without appropriate attribution by quotation, reference or footnote.
Fabrication: The intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.
Facilitating Academic Dishonesty: Those who intentionally or knowingly help or attempt to help another to commit an act of academic dishonesty are also subject to penalty.
Grading Policy
Grades will be assigned based upon the following points schedule.
Final Grade / Percentage / PointsA / 90-100% / 612-680
B / 80-89% / 544-611
C / 70-79% / 476-543
D / 60-69% / 408-475
F / <59% / 0-407
Special Considerations:
Make-Up Exam Policy: If you are unable to take an exam on the day assigned due to illness or emergency, you must contact the instructor by phone or email PRIOR to the giving of the exam in order to receive full credit. Otherwise, make-up exams will be worth 10% less per day after the original exam date (e.g. 1 day after, 90%; 2 days after, 80%). Make-up exams will be written essays chosen by the professor.
Types of Assignments / Number & Value / PointsCritical Notes/Critical Responses / 15 X 20 points / 300 points
Discussion/Activities / 15 X 10 points / 150 points
Journal Entries / 3 X 20 points / 60 points
Exams / 3 X 60 points / 180 points
Total:
680 points
Descriptions of Assignments:
Critical Notes/Critical Responses (20 points each) There will be a Critical Notes/Critical Response each week that corresponds to the assigned reading material, video lectures, video clips, activity or discussion for the week. This is the “bread and butter assignment” that requires that you critically read and think about the issues covered by answering various questions about what is assigned.
Discussions/Thinking Activities: (10 points each) Every week there will be either a group discussion or a thinking/writing activity that relates to the topics covered in the reading – you may be required to watch a film, a video clip, read an article or a short segment in the text. Discussionsrequire one meaningful/substantial post by Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. and another meaningful post by Friday at 11:59 p.m. for full credit. Your discussion post must clearly indicate that you have critically read and critically considered the posed question. Points will be deducted if you are tardy in posting or if it does not offer insight (comments such as “I agree!” or “Great job” are not considered for points).
Journal Entries: (20 points each) There will be three journal entries required for the course. The journal entries are opportunities for reflection after viewing segments of the film “Waking Life” and/or to various possible questions that relate to themes from assigned readings. The journal entries should be approximately one page, single-spaced in length or roughly 3 to 4 paragraphs.
Exams: (60 points each) There will be three 60-point exams throughout the semester. The exams may be made up of an objective section, a short-answer section and an essay section. Exams may not be made up unless you have made prior arrangements with the instructor. (Please see above “Make-Up Policy”).
Notes about the online format:
The “work” week begins on Monday morning at 8 a.m. and ends Sunday evening at 11:59 p.m.
You are not required to do work every day for this course. However, you must logon to the course at least three times per week and there are certain days by which you are required to have work completed. For example, when there is a discussion assigned, you most write an initial post by Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. and write two other posts by Friday at 11:59 p.m. All other work, unless otherwise noted, is due Sunday evening by 11:59 p.m. It is best, however, to get all work submitted before the weekend to stay on target.
This is not an independent study course. Although you may submit work for the week prior to deadline, you are not allowed to work ahead of the current module in the course.
Deadlines are generous but limited. Once a deadline has passed, the drop box will close. Do not submit assignments by email.
Suggested Work Schedule
The following suggested work schedule is only a recommendation. If followed, you would avoid waiting until the last minute to complete assignments and keep your weekends mostly free. As your instructor, I am available to you during the work week but not 24-hours a day on weekends. If you need help or have a question, it is best to contact me during the week by D2L email and not to wait until the weekend.
Day of the Week / Thinking, Reading, ActionMonday / Print and review “Content” for the week.
Map out your reading and work time for the week.
Watch accompanying video clips or power point lectures.
Read assigned material.
Begin to consider assignments and Critical Notes/Response
Tuesday / Complete/Review text reading.
Work on Critical Notes/Critical Response and any other assignments
Wednesday / Review text reading.
Complete Critical Notes/Critical Response and submit to dropbox.
Post in discussion, if assigned (your first post is due by 11:59 p.m.)
Work on any other assignments.
Thursday / Review “Content” page.
Friday / Participate in group discussion, if assigned.
Review completed assignments and submit to the dropbox. Enjoy the weekend!
MODULES / Week / Dates / Assignments
MODULE 1:
What is philosophy? / Week 1 / Read: Velasquez 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
View: “Plato, Myth of the Cave” (7:12)
Discussion 1
Critical Notes/Critical Response 1
Journal 1 (due at end of module)
MODULE 1:
What is philosophy? / Week 2 / Read: Velasquez 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
Read: Plato’s Death and Trial of Socrates
(“Euthyphro” pages 1-19)
Activity 1
Critical Notes/Critical Response 2
Journal 1 (due at end of module)
MODULE 1:
What is philosophy? / Week 3 / Read: Plato’s Death and Trial of Socrates (“Apology”, “Crito” and “Phaedo” pages 20-58)
Discussion 2
Critical Notes/Critical Response 3
Journal 1DUE
MODULE 2:
What is our nature? / Week 4 / Read: Velasquez 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 (p. 75-78; 178-184) and 2.4
Activity 2
Critical Notes/Critical Response 4
MODULE 2:
What is our nature? / Week 5 / Read: Velasquez 2.5, 2.6 (p. 110-226)
Discussion 3
Critical Notes/Critical Response 5
EXAM 1
MODULE 3:
What is our free will? / Week 6 / Read: Augustine, Book 1 (pages 1-28)
Activity 3
Critical Notes/Critical Response 6
Journal 2 (due at end of module)
MODULE 3:
What is our free will? / Week 7 / Read: Augustine, Book 2 and 3 (pages 29-34 and 70-85)
Discussion 4
Critical Notes/Critical Response 7
Journal 2 (due at end of module)
MODULE 4:
What is being? Does God exist? / Week 8 / Read: Velasquez 3.1, 3.2, 3.9
Discussion 5
Critical Notes/Critical Response 8
MODULE 4:
What is being? Does God exit? / Week 9 / Read: Velasquez 3.9, 3.7, 3.8
Activity 5
Critical Notes/Critical Response 9
MODULE 4:
What is being? Does God exist? / Week 10 / Read: Velasquez 4.1, 4.2, 4.3
Discussion 6
Critical Notes/Critical Response 10
EXAM 2
MODULE 5:
What is right? What is just? / Week 11 / Read: Velasquez 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4
Activity 7
Critical Notes/Critical Discussion 11
Friday: Veteran’s Day
MODULE 5:
What is right? What is just? / Week 12 / Read: Velasquez 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8
Activity 6
Critical Notes/Critical Discussion 12
MODULE 5:
What is right? What is just? / Week 13 / Read: Velasquez 7.8, 8.1
Critical Notes/Critical 13
Discussion 7
Journal 3
Thanksgiving Recess
MODULE 5:
What is right? What is just? / Week 14 / Read: Velasquez 8.2, 8.3, 8.5
Activity 7
Critical Notes/Critical Discussion 14
Journal 3 due
MODULE 6:
What does it all mean? / Week 15 / Read: Velasquez 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5
Discussion 7
Critical Notes/Critical Discussion 15
Finals Week / Exam 3