Instructor:
Dr. Daniel Skubik, PhD JD MDiv
Voice: 909.343.4288 / Fax: 909.343.4437
E-Mail: dskubik@calbaptist.edu
Introduction
to Philosophy
PHI 213
Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays
Fall Semester, 2002
This introductory course
provides general coverage of the principal issues, methods, and value of
philosophy both as an academic discipline and as a way of life. It does not
presume any background knowledge in the formal disciplinary field, but it does
presume a basic knowledge of and willingness to engage in good faith discussion
and argumentation, and a good faith effort on the part of students to apply
themselves to the love of wisdom—the meaning of the word “philosophy,” itself.
By the end of the semester,
students should grasp the rudiments of three of the primary sub-fields within
the discipline of philosophy (epistemology, ontology, and axiology); and have
gained insight into selected applied issues, such as philosophical problems
arising in art and politics.
Required Texts
Manuel Velasquez, Philosophy: A Text with Readings 8th
edition (2002)
_________________
You should also select one (1) of the following two (2) books,
which you will read and discuss with your classmates, and about which you will
write a detailed study for the instructor.
Jostein Gaarder, Sophie's World:
A Novel about the History of Philosophy (any edition), or
Robert Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance:
An Inquiry into Values (any edition)
_________________
All three (3) books are available in the CBU
Bookstore, and are also readily available from web shops such as Amazon.com,
or Barnes & Noble.
Web pages will likewise be referenced throughout the term, contents of which you also will be responsible. Too, you can surf the publisher’s website for additional resources at the Wadsworth website (click on the image of our textbook to proceed)
Class Readings & Discussion Schedule
|
Weeks #1 & 2 |
Introduction to course: scope, methods, procedures,
expectations |
|
Week #3 |
No face-to-face meeting this week |
|
Week #4 |
No face-to-face meeting this week |
|
Week #5 |
Epistemology: The sources of knowledge |
|
Week #6 |
Epistemology: Truth |
|
Week #7 |
Metaphysics: Reality and Being |
|
Week #8 |
Metaphysics: Philosophy and God |
|
Week #9 |
Review & MidTerm exam (date TBD) |
|
Week #10 |
Human Nature |
|
Weeks #11 |
Values: Social Philosophy |
|
Week #12 |
Values: Ethics |
|
Week # 13 |
Aesthetics: Art |
|
Week #14-15 |
Meaning & Discussion of Gaarder/Pirsig |
|
Week #16 |
Review for Final Exam |
|
Final Exam |
Final
Exam per schedule in University catalog |
Assessment & Grading Scale
|
Quizzes = 20% (4 x 5%/each) |
90 - 100 = A range (90-94 = A-) |
|
Final Examination = 25% |
80 – 89 = B range (80-83 = B- / 87-89 =
B+) |
|
Book Study = 20% |
70 – 79 = C range (70-73 = C- / 77-79 =
C+) |
|
Midterm Examination = 20% |
60 – 69 = D range (60-63 = D- / 67-69 =
D+) |
|
Participation in Class & on Web = 15% |
0 - 59 = F |
Quizzes
Four (4) quizzes are
scheduled throughout the term during the weeks noted. (They will usually, but
not always, be given on Fridays. I will also usually, though not always, give
notice ahead of time.) Each quiz is worth 5%, cumulatively comprising 20% of
your final grade for the course.
Quizzes are objective in
nature, with questions being phrased as true/false, multiple choice, fill-in
the blank, short answer, and matching type questions. Content will cover
whatever chapter(s) we most recently discussed/are discussing at the time it is
given.
Midterm Examination
There will be a midterm examination, as noted in the
schedule. The exam constitutes 20% of your final grade and will cover all the
topics from the beginning of the semester, with questions covering the
first-half of each additional book. The exam is closed book, open notes.
Meaning of open notes: You are permitted to bring 1 (one) 8.5” x 11” sheet of
paper with notes written on it for use during the exam. The notes may be in
your own handwriting, or produced by a computer printer, of any size writing or
font, front and back, without regard for margins.
Final Examination
There will be a final examination, as noted in the
schedule. The exam constitutes 25% of your final grade and it is cumulative,
though the primary focus of the questions will be on post-midterm materials,
along with questions concerning our additional books. The exam is closed book,
open notes. Meaning of open notes: You are permitted to bring 1 (one) 8.5” x
11” sheet of paper with notes written on it for use during the exam. The notes
may be in your own handwriting, or produced by a computer printer, of any size
writing or font, front and back, without regard for margins.
Participation in Class &
on Web
Although speaking in class, publicly putting and
defending a position, can be daunting, you are strongly encouraged to learn to
think through your own and others’ experiences and insights within the context
our discussions. In short, you are encouraged to demonstrate your
internalization of our material for application in the real world. In this
context, you are not being evaluated for reaching "right"
conclusions, but for demonstrating your facility in marshalling evidence and
forming arguments for any conclusions put, given the material we will cover in
class.
To give direct incentive to so engage, 15% of your
mark for the course will be comprised of my assessment of your classroom
participation during the semester. Participation is to include in-class
discussions during the semester, and book discussions on the web.
With regard to web participation, class will be
conducted wholly on the web during weeks 3-4 (Sep 9-20). You are to use the one
discussion forum designated for your book (Gaarder or Pirsig) during these and
all future term dates to carry on a dialogue with your classmates about what
you are reading, and how those insights relate to our textbook readings and
in-class discussions. You must
participate on the web throughout the term to earn a passing grade for this
course. You are welcome to “lurk” in the other book’s discussion forum, but
please limit your postings to the one forum devoted to the work you have
selected for this course.
Book Study
Along with our main text by Palmer, you are to
select and read one (1) of the additional required texts, and then write one
(1) Book Study for the instructor. The Study is due no later than the beginning of class, Friday, December 6,
and constitutes 20% of your final grade for the course. No late papers will be
accepted. No exceptions. (If you must be absent that day, send your completed
Study via fax or email by the due date and time.) Early submissions are both
encouraged and rewarded: 5% bonus if your Study is submitted to me by the
beginning of class, Monday, November 25; 10% bonus if the Study is submitted to
me by beginning of class, Friday, November 22.
Select any portion of the book for your focus, from
one chapter to the work as a whole. (N.B. A selected portion, like one chapter
or one section, usually works better than trying to tackle the work as a whole.
Choose wisely.) You should then adopt either of the following approaches to
composing your Study:
Suggested length: the paper should run ~1000-1500
words (= 4-6 pages of standard size print and margins), and should be typed or
computer-generated. No handwritten work will be accepted. Longer essays are
fine; shorter essays are likely too short satisfactorily to complete the Study
as outlined.
Caveat
This syllabus is composed in good faith, with a
schedule of readings, assignments and discussions which will guide us
throughout the term. Still, the instructor reserves the right to make
adjustments to this schedule as deemed necessary for the overall enterprise of
the course. Any changes will be communicated as far in advance as feasible, and
you are responsible for knowing if and when any changes have been made.
Make-Ups
Quizzes
― you must arrange a make-up with me before
the quiz is given, not after. No
exceptions.
Midterm
Examination ― you must arrange a make-up with me before the examination is given, not after. No exceptions.
Final
Examination ― no make-ups will be arranged for the final exam. No
exceptions.
Book
Study ― no late work will be accepted for marking. No exceptions.