Introduction to Philosophy/Theology of the Body 2015-2016
Instructor: Anneke Houbeck
Room: 104
Email:
Phone: (810) 730-8029
Course Overview
This course introduces students to the classical philosophers – Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. It asks the great questions – who is the human person, what can we know, what is the meaning of life. The main text is, An Introduction to Philosophy: Perennial Principles of the Classical Realist Tradition by Daniel J. Sullivan. In the second semester the course becomes a study of the Theology of the Body. With a solid philosophical understanding of man, now in the light of the Incarnation the students ask again – who is man and who is woman. The main texts are Theology of His/Her Body by Jason Evert, For Young Women Only by ShauntiFeldhahn, and Freedom to Love by Christopher West.
The Four Big Ideas that have guided the development of this course are:
- Material and spiritual realities exist and can be discovered.
- The human person has been created with a body that feels, a mind that reasons, a will that chooses, and a conscience that holds her accountable. Because of this the human person bears significant responsibility in the created world.
- It is through the visible human body that the invisible human spirit is made known to the world. And from this visible body we can learn invisible truths about our identity and our Creator.
- The balance of civilization depends on who women will be for men and who men will be for women.
At the end of this course students will be able to:
- Explain Socrates’ teaching on “Knowledge is Virtue” and the universals.
- Explain Plato’s teaching on the “Doctrine of the 2 Worlds” as expressed in the Myth of the Cave.
- Explain Aristotle’s description of reality according to Matter and Form, Substance and Accidents and Act and Potency. Students will use this terminology to answer the philosophical dilemma of knowledge and change.
- Explain the types of human knowledge.
- Describe the beauty of the human experience.
- Explain the foundational principles of logic and compare them with modern thought processes.
- Distinguish between opinions about reality, with reality itself.
- Describe the feminine genius, and what this reveals about God.
- Describe the male genius, and what this reveals about God.
- Explain the spousal analogy
- Articulate main points of frustration between men and women and explain what each need to understand about the other.
- Define love in terms of eros and agape.
- Explain the personalistic norm of John Paul II and the peace of the interior gaze.
- Explain the purpose of freedom and the relationships between freedom, love and truth.
- Compare and contrast negative views of chastity with positive views of chastity.
Required texts and materials
- Introduction to Philosophy by Daniel J. Sullivan
- Theology of His/Her Body by Jason Evert
- For Young Women Only by ShauntiFeldhahn
- 1 additional personal reading book selected from a list presented by the teacher
- Writing Journal – can be a spiral notebook or a bound journal
Grading - Students will receive points for a wide variety of assignments listed below.
- 25% - Homework – In class work, class examples, class discussions and small assignments
- 20% - Written assignments: Essays, movie reviews and opinion papers
- 20% - Projects: Various projects, speeches, posters, and research assignments throughout the year.
- 20% - Quizzes and Tests: Essay, multiple choice and short answer.
- 15% - Reading, Journaling, and Prompts – Weekly reading and journal entries. Graded on attendance, participation, and length.
Late Work
Students may use 2 Oops Passes each semester. Each pass allows students to turn in 1 assignment 1 day late. Any other late work will be handled on an individual basis and may include a detention, a lower grade, or both.
Attendance and Tardy Policy
To encourage consistent participation in her education, a student will lose 1% point off her final grade for the semester with each absence over 10.
When a student is tardy they are given a warning, the second time they are sent to the dean.
Semester Exams
The January exam will cover material from the first semester. The June exam will cover material from the second semester. (There is no senior exemption policy this year. All students will take the June exam.)
May students use laptops/technology in class?
For academic purposes, yes, students may use various means of technology in class. However, if a student is found to be using their computer or other device for anything other than what is expected by the teacher, there will be an immediate detention served that day after school, regardless of sports or other commitments.
May students e-mail assignments to the teacher?
With some exceptions, Miss Houbeck accepts e-mailed assignments – . However, the e-mail must be received by the beginning of class on the due date or it is considered late, no matter the excuse. And she will not write comments on the paper, like she does with printed assignments.
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Advice from last year’s class:
“You get out of this class what you put in. Keep an open mind and an open heart.”
“Always ask if you need help. Miss Houbeck will for sure help out.”
“Take notes and work on projects in advance.”
“Think outside of the box.”
“Be good and stay focused”
“Pay attention, especially in philosophy, because some of that stuff is hard to learn on your own, but if you pay attention it makes sense.”
“Get comfortable with your class.”
“Don’t procrastinate, this class is not as easy as it seems.”
“Enjoy this class and use the knowledge from it in your own life.”
“Don’t just take things in and make it go out the other ear. Really consider what is being said and apply it to your everyday life.”
“Use this class to help you learn about yourself and the men and women around you. Have fun!”
“Pay attention to movies and take notes.”
“Speak your mind and say your opinion because others may feel the same and you can come to a better understanding.”
Dates / Themes / Activities and assignments- Introduction
What is philosophy? / Present your philosophy of life
- Socrates
Knowledge is Virtue
How to lead a good life
Trial and Death, the Apology and the Phaedo / Class worksheet
Class readings
Board word collage
- Plato
The Unchanging and Changing Worlds
The Myth of the Cave
View of Man / Class worksheet
Draw and label the Myth of the Cave
- Aristotle
Matter and Form
Substance and Accidents
Act and Potency
Knowledge and Change
View of Man / Class worksheet
Charts
“Alice in Wonderland Skit” comparing a chaotic world with a world governed by laws of change
- Kinds of Knowing
Intellectual Knowledge
Connatural Knowledge / Movie and relfection – Temple Grandin
Intellectual board games
Example day
- The Beauty of the Human Experience
Play, Create and Admire Beauty
Sacrifice and service
Language
Conscience and law
Worship
Family and friends
Awareness of time
Conscious of being an individual / In class examples and discussion
Documentary and reflection – The Human Experience
Bee Movie scenes – group analysis
Cartoon analysis – acting like animals and acting like people
- The Truth of Knowing
Principle of non-contradiction
Principle of causality
Principle of independence of truth
Principle of rational choice
Natural law in Mere Christianity / Wreck it Ralph movie analysis
Documentary analysis – 180
Charts
In class examples
Mere Christianity worksheet
Review and Exam
- Theology of Her Body and For Men Only
Woman and Relationship
Woman and Beauty
What men need to understand about women – reassurance, emotions, security, listening and sexual attraction / Class reading and ppts
Example days
Chapel time and journaling
Project – Who is Woman
Movie and reflection – Jane Eyre
- Theology of His Body and For Young Women Only
God and the Gift of Love
God and the Gift of Life
What women need to understand about men – respect, insecurity, girls’ meanness, visual, and sexual attraction / Class reading, worksheet and ppt
Example days
Project – A Real Man
Movie and reflection - Courageous
- Freedom to Love
The three diets
Spousal analogy
Lust vs love
Eros and Agape
The personalistic norm
What influences my actions
Freedom for license and freedom for good
Freedom and truth / DVD talks by Christopher West with worksheet
Example days
Song workshop – eros and agape
Movie and reflection – The Vow
Review and exam