Introduction to Philosophy Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Amarillo Bible Chair, 2501 S Jackson Street&nbsp;</p> <p>Byrd Business Building, rm 316</p>

Office Hours

Contact me in AC Connect or by phone for an appointment.

Office:  806-877-2489

Cell: 804-852-0515

Course Information

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Recording Policy

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The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

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Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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Course

PHIL-1301-001 Introduction to Philosophy

Prerequisites

Course Description

A study of major issues in philosophy and/or the work of major philosophical figures in philosophy. Topics in philosophy may include theories of reality, theories of knowledge, theories of value and their practical applications.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

  1. Blackburn, Simon, The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, 2nd Edition Revised, Oxford University Press, 2008. Reference Only.
  2. Porter, Burton, Philosophy Through Film, 2nd Edition, Sloan Publishing, 2009. Required.

Supplies

Your textbooks, a dictionary, pens or pencils, notebook paper or a notebook, and access to a computer to complete assignments and review class materials. Access to film rentals may be necessary.

Student Performance

ACCESSING AC CONNECT:

Online communication will be achieved between students and the professor by using AC Connect.  It is the student's responsibility to check for email messages and announcements regarding this class by clicking on AC Connect on the Amarillo College home page, and then clicking on the icon identifying this class.  You will be able to communicate with both your classmates and professor, check your syllabus, see class content, take quizzes, and find your grades posted there.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES):

Student Learning Outcomes are based on the required Core Curriculum Intellectual Competencies, Perspectives and Exemplary Educational Objectives as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Course Student Learning Outcomes:  CCIC 1,2,3,4,5 CCP 1,2,5,7,8 EEOSB 1,2,4,5,9,10,12

Upon successful completion of the course, students will:

  1. Read, analyze, and critique philosophical texts. 
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of key concepts, major arguments, problems and terminology in Philosophy. 
  3. Present logically persuasive arguments both orally and in writing. 
  4. Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluation and application of philosophical concepts to various aspects of life. 
  5. Evaluate the personal and social responsibilities of living in a diverse world.

THE STUDY OF PHILOSOPHY: 

Philosophy is an important part to the foundation of a liberal arts education. Courses in philosophy help to provide a deeper understanding of the concepts which have formed human cultures while at the same time helping to develop the students’ skills in critical analysis, their ability to write and interpret texts from all cultures, and to examine the ideas behind theoretical thinking

SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR PHILOSOPHY 1301:

  1. Reading.  A careful reading of all the assigned sections of the textbook and all informational sheets given to you in Blackboard.
  2. Grading.  Your final grade will be comprised of weekly quizzes, and the final examination.  
  3. Class Preparation.  
    1. Read textbook references and any content that is available on Blackboard.
    2. If a student scores below 70% on an exam or writing assignment, he or she will be required to attend tutoring per the instructor’s directions before being allowed to complete the next assigned work. Free tutoring is available at Ware Tutoring Center, located at Ware Student Commons 1st Floor, 806-371-5458.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

All students are required to follow the AC Student Rights/Responsibilities Statement (On the internet, go to www.actx.edu  and look under the “campus bookmarks”)

Grading Criteria

COURSE GRADE BREAKDOWN:                       COURSE GRADING SCALE:                 

Weekly Quizzes             84%                                       90-100               A

Final Exam                     16%                                        80-89                B

                                     100%                                        70-79                C      

                                                                                      60-69                D

                                                                               0-59                 F

Attendance

Calendar

COURSE OUTLINE AND CALENDAR:

Week 1 

“Introduction to the Philosophers”

  1. Introduction to philosophy. Read pgs. ix and 1, Burton Porter
  2. General outline for our study
  • Getting acquainted with some of the great philosophers
  • 5 areas of philosophy: epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, philosophy of religion, and political philosophy.
  • Movies to illustrate several philosophies

   3. YouTube: “What Great Philosophers Can Teach Us about Life,” by Alain de  Botton; 1 hr. 20 min interview (6 philosophers covered)

   4.  YouTube: “Epicurus and Happiness,” 24 minutes.

   5.  YouTube: “Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle; Global History Review,” 11:54 min

   6.  Quiz #1

 

Week 2

“Introduction to Philosophers

  1. “What Great Philosophers Can Teach Us about Life,” Alain de Botton, cont. with Stoic philosophers: Seneca and Marcus Aurelius.
  2. “Marcus Aurelius—Best Lecture on Stoicism Ever!”, 42:00 min.
  3. “Pyrrho and the Skeptic Philosophers”, 19:42 min.
  4. “Intro. to Philosophy: Epistemology—Pyrrhoism,” 5:32 min.
  5.  Quiz #2

 

General Look at the Philosophers

  1. Pre-Socratic philosophers dealt more with matters of science and composition of things.
  2. Socratic philosophers dealt more with method than results, thoughts, and rational thinking.
  3. Post-Socratic philosophers are divided into three groups:

           a)  Stoicism: Seneca, Marcus Aurelius

           b) Epicurianism: Epicurus

           c) Skepticism: Rene Descartes and Pyrrho of Elis

   

                         

Week 3 

"Epistemology”

  1. Read pgs. 3-76, Burton Porter
  2. Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave,” pgs. 12-17
  3. YouTube: “Plato’s Allegory of the Cave,” (9:52 min.; 31 min.)
  4. YouTube: “Introduction to Epistemology,” 10:50 min.
  5. Movie synopsis: “The Truman Show,” pg. 51-55
  6. Watch “The Truman Show”
  7. YouTube: “The Hidden Meaning in The Truman Show,” 6:57 min.
  8. Quiz #3

 

Week 4 

"Metaphysics"

  1. Porter, pgs. 77-138
  2. Film: “A Space Odyssey,” pgs. 109-119
  3. “2001—A Space Odyssey: Crash Film Criticism,” 13:38 min.
  4. “Introduction to Metaphysics,” 3:1 min.
  5. “Philosophy—Kant on Metaphysical Knowledge,” 10:08 min.
  6. Quiz #4

 

Week 5

“Ethics”

  1. Porter, pg. 139-206
  2. “What is ethics?” 4.04 min.
  3. “Ethics,” 5.04 min.
  4. “Questions in philosophy,” 4.06 min.
  5. “Was it wrong to drop the atomic bomb on Japan?” 5.00 min.
  6. See movie: “Saving Private Ryan”
  • Synopsis, pgs. 194-202
  • “Saving Private Ryan—Clerk, Mom, General,” 7.46 min.
  • “D-Day Landing,” 20.29 min.
  • “US Army doesn’t fight for democracy anymore,” 9.06 min.
  • “Final Battle,” 9.47 min.
  • “Opening cemetery scene,” 3.51 min.
  • “Ending scene,” 3.39 min.

             7.  Film: “Twelve Angry Men,” pgs. 203-206

  • “Best movie scene,” 10.23 min.
  • “Movie review,” 12.24 min.

             8.  Quiz #5      

 

Week 6 

“Philosophy of Religion”

  1. Porter, pgs. 207-263
  2. Film synopsis: “Contact,” pgs. 236-245
  3. YouTube: “Insight – God in the Dock (1980),” 28:31 min.
  4. Movie: “God on Trial,” (The Verdict, 10:07 min.)
  5. Read C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain; pgs. 227-235.
  6. “Religion vs. Philosophy,” 2:39 min.
  7. “Reason & Faith,” 8:38 min.
  8. Quiz #6 

 

Week 7 

“Political Philosophy”

  1. Porter, pgs. 265-336
  2. Movie synopsis: “Schindler’s List,” pgs. 316-325
  3. “The Problem with Democracy,” 6:40 min.
  4. “Why Socrates Hated Democracy,” 4:2 min.
  5. “Meritocracy,” 5:52 min.
  6. “Why Democracy Is Still the Best Form of Government,” 14:39 min.
  7. “What is the Best Form of Gov’t,” 6:40 min.
  8. “Plato’s Five Forms of Gov’t,” 16:06 min.
  9. “Political Theory—John Locke,” 9.13 min.
  10. “Political Theory—Thomas Hobbes,” 6.45 min.
  11. “Hobbes vs. Locke,” 16.32 min.
  12. Quiz #7

                                 

Week 8 

Finals

 

Additional Information

POLICY CONCERNING SENSITIVE SUBJECT MATTER:

In the college experience, students encounter diverse views and new subject matter, which expand their knowledge and perspective.  In all Humanities or Philosophy courses, we might observe, read and discuss some works with subject matter that could include (but not be limited to) death, violence, sexuality, race, potentially offensive language, and political or religious viewpoints different from your own.  If any sensitive subject matter is a concern for you, please arrange a meeting with the instructor.

TUTORING POLICY:

If a student scores below 70% on an exam or writing assignment, he or she will be required to attend tutoring per the instructor’s directions before being allowed to complete the next assigned work. Free tutoring is available at Ware Tutoring Center, located at Ware Student Commons 1st Floor, 806-371-5458.

Syllabus Created on:

06/01/22 11:05 AM

Last Edited on:

05/04/23 9:51 PM