Instructor: Dr. Daniel Skubik, PhD JD MDiv
Voice: 909.343.4288 / Fax: 909.343.4437
Web: http://www.calbaptist.edu/dskubik
E-Mail: dskubik@calbaptist.edu

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. This course is thus a prerequisite for all upper division philosophy courses.

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

Donald Palmer, Does the Center Hold? An Introduction to Western Philosophy 2nd edition (1996)

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, or Barnes & Noble.

Web pages will likewise be referenced throughout the term, contents of which you also will be responsible.

Assessment & Grading Scale

Five (5) quizzes are scheduled throughout the term during the weeks noted. (They will usually, but not always, be given on Thursdays. I will also usually, though not always, give notice ahead of time.) Each quiz is worth 5%, cumulatively comprising 25% 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.

There will be a midterm examination, as noted in the schedule. The exam will cover all the topics from the beginning of the semester, along 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.

There will be a final examination, as noted in the schedule. The exam constitutes 25% of your final grade for the course; 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.

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, Thursday, April 26, and constitutes 15% 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 that same 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, Thursday, April 19; 10% bonus if the Study is submitted to me by 12:00 noon, Thursday, April 12.

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:

1. Relate what you have learned in this class with what is happening in the book to/with the characters, especially addressing the issue of how your view of the world and your life have/have not been affected by what you have read and learned. This is a personal, reflection-oriented paper, but should still be informed by class materials and discussions. You may even fairly claim not to have been affected by or learned anything in this class whatsoever, but you must still explain that claim with some detail.



2. Based on your selection, address two main queries: (a) what is happening in this part of the book? (that is, provide a brief review of what you deem to be the salient events/lessons in this portion of the text); and (b) what linkages can be drawn between the themes or occurrences in this part of the book with the topics of our main text and class discussions? In short, you are to demonstrate that you have been reading the book, and that you have given some considered thought to integrating the book's events and lessons with out other class materials and discussions. This can be more obejctively oriented, and need contain no personal reflections or revelations. Such content is permitted, but not required to complete the assignment.

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.

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 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 10-12 (Mar 13-29). You are to use the one discussion forum designated for your book (Gaarder or Pirsig) 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 to earn a passing grade for this course. You are welcome to "lurk" in the other discussion forum, but please limit your postings to the one forum devoted to the work you have selected for this course.

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.

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.