Philosophy 106: Introduction to Philosophy

Class Materials

(C) = Available on Canvas

1. Plato, Five Dialogues, Indianapolis: Hackett, 2002. (C)
2. Rene Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy, Indianapolis: Hackett, 1995. (C)
3. David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Indianapolis: Hackett, 1998. (C)
4. Jean-Paul Sartre, Existentialism Is a Humanism, New Haven, Yale University Press, 2007. (C)
5. bell hooks, Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center, New York Routledge, 2014. (C)
6. Lewis Vaughn, Writing Philosophy: A Student’s Guide to Reading and Writing Philosophy6 Essays, 1^st - 2^nd New York: Oxford University Press, 2018. (C)

Supplementary material will also be available on Canvas (C).

Films: In Camera (1964)

 

Course Description

A survey of historical and contemporary ideas on how to live the good life.

 

Course Overview

This course introduces the study of philosophy by way of close examination of some important developments in the tradition. The tradition has been fueled by questions such as: Is knowledge possible? If we can know things, do we know them through reason or experience? What is reality composed of? Is it material or ideal? Is there a God or an afterlife? if so what follows from their existence? Are we truly free? And, of course, what is the best way to live? Philosophy is characterized by responses to such questions and challenges us to go beyond beliefs based on things like authority, tradition, and public opinion. A philosophical response is based upon reasoned critical reflection on the subject at hand. That is, a philosophical response argues for what is most reasonable to believe by closely scrutinizing the strongest reasons for a variety of given positions and comparing those reasons against each other. Philosophy challenges us to critically examine our own beliefs with the hope of gaining better understanding of who we are and how we should live.

 

This course is designed as an introduction to philosophy in general. Although we will not attempt a comprehensive account of the forms philosophy has assumed over its long tradition, we will grapple with five characteristic examples that illustrate how classical and modern philosophers formulate and address their concerns in relation to the questions above.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Understand, and develop sustained analytical responses to, key historical and contemporary philosophical doctrines and arguments concerning issues relating to human nature, the mind and consciousness, epistemology, metaphysics, religion, and ethics.
• Synthesize ideas from different philosophical readings in order to grasp larger philosophical conceptions and viewpoints. 
• Write effective essays that demonstrate knowledge of the course material related to the essay thesis and that analyze the material in a clear, systematic, original, thoughtful, and well-developed manner.
• Engage in critical discussion and dialogue with other class members about the philosophical doctrines and arguments covered throughout the course. 

 

Grades, Assignments, and Policies 

Course Points

Midterm Exam                        20

Final Project                            20

Term Paper                             20                   

Homework                              20

Class Participation                   20

Possible Course Points           100

 

Grading Scale

A         90 - 100 points

B         80 - 89   points

C         70 - 79   points

D         60 - 69   points

F            0 - 59   points

 

Midterm Exam

There will be a Midterm Exam that consists entirely of short answer and essay questions, and covers all material worked through by the time of the exam. Comprehensive study questions are given out for the exam and we review extensively in class.

 

Final Project

For your final project you will be asked to produce an analysis of an existential play. You will also be asked to author an additional scene for said play. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Detailed instructions will be made available just before Thanksgiving Break.

 

Term Paper

The term paper assignment consists of two parts, a comprehensive outline and an essay. All work is to be typed in MLA Format and essays must be 5-6 pages in length. Topics will be provided weeks prior to the due date. Topics cover the reading and lectures and call for a combination of exposition, analysis, coherence, clarity (including grammar/spelling), structure, argumentative strength, and originality. Detailed instructions on how to construct a philosophy essay will be presented via course readings (Vaughn) and in-class instruction.

 

Homework

Homework consists of four Discussion Board Essay Assignments. Detailed instruction for these assignments will be provided in class.

 

Class Participation

Class participation will be determined by class attendance, discussion raised through careful reading of the material, and by demonstrating careful consideration and respect of various in-class positions and ideas whenever communicating your own. All electronic devices are to be off during class unless otherwise instructed—no exceptions. If in-class quizzes are assigned, they will count toward participation. Up to four classes are excused without penalty. This is meant to eliminate the need for “(un)excused absences” as you will not need to explain to anyone why you have to miss class. This also means you will never be excused for absences for any reason, you are simply asked to plan ahead. Students absent for more than four classes will be ineligible for any extra credit that may be offered. Please be on time—two late arrivals will count as a class absence.

 

Late Essays and Make-up Exams

Unless there is a valid excuse, all late essays will be penalized by 10% for every day late. No make-up exams will be made available for this class. No homework assignments will be accepted past the due date.

 

Plagiarism and Cheating

Plagiarizing or cheating on any assignment will result in a “0” for that assignment, and possible failure of the course. Anyone caught plagiarizing or cheating may also be subject to college disciplinary sanctions. Further guidelines on plagiarism will be provided with the instructions for the first essay assignment.

 

Students with Disabilities

Your success in this course is important to me. Santa Ana College and I are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability that may have some impact on your ability to do well in this course, I encourage you to speak with me as soon as possible. Also, please contact Disabled Students Programs & Services so that we can all collaborate on your classroom observations in a timely manner. DSP&S is located in VL-203, and their phone number is 714-564-6264. The DSP&S office requires documentation of your disability in order to receive reasonable accommodations. If you do not have documentation, they will work with you to acquire it. I look forward to supporting you to meet your learning goals.

It is the disabled student’s responsibility to contact the course instructor at the beginning of the semester to discuss potential plans when classroom evacuations are necessary.

 

Course Adds and Drops

The deadline to turn in all documents needed to add the course to the Admissions Office is Sunday, 9/8; you cannot enroll in this course for any reason if you miss this deadline. The deadline to drop this course without a “W” on your transcript is Sunday, 9/8; the deadline to drop this course with a “W” on your transcript is Sunday, 11/18.

 

If you miss four or more classes, the instructor has the right to drop you from the course. It is not, however, the instructor’s responsibility to drop you from the course; if you wish to drop, it is your responsibility to do so.

 

Reading and Assignment Schedule

Weekly topics are in italics while important dates and assignments are indicated in bold type. All assigned reading should be completed prior to the day indicated.

 

Week 1: Introductions & Vocabulary

Mon., 8/27 – Introductions & Class Syllabus

Wed., 8/29 – What is Philosophy? Let’s Be Philosophical! Presocratic (C); Vaughn pp. 3-20

 

Week 2: In the Beginning

Mon., 9/3 – No Class (Labor Day)

Wed., 9/5 – Presocratics (C); Plato’s Apology; Vaughn pp. 21-43 – HW1 Available (C)

 

Note: Sun., 9/8 is the last day to drop the course with no grade

 

Week 3: What Is the Good Life?

Mon., 9/10 – Plato’s Apology

Wed., 9/12 – Plato’s Apology

 

Week 4: The Concept “God”

Mon., 9/17 – Death Scene from Phaedo; Vaughn pp. 55-87

Wed., 9/19 – Concerning the afterlife & the concept of God (C) – HW1 Due (C)

 

Week 5: Epistemology

Mon., 9/24 – Questions Concerning A/Theism

Wed., 9/26 – Knowledge, Skepticism, Foundationalism (C); Descartes’ 1^st Meditation

 

Week 6: Foundationalism

Mon., 10/1 – Descartes’ 2^nd Meditation – HW2 Available (C)

Wed., 10/3 – Descartes’ 3^rd Meditation

 

Week 7: Metaphysics

Mon., 10/8 – Descartes’ 4^th Meditation

Wed., 10/10 – Descartes’ 5^th & 6^th Meditation – HW2 Due (C)  

                      

Week 8: Midterm Examination!

Mon., 10/15 – Midterm Review; Vaughn pp. 99-133; Essay Assignment   

Wed., 10/17 – Midterm Exam

 

Week 9: Rationalism and Empiricism

Mon., 10/22 – Hume’s Enquiry Sections 1 - 3 

Wed., 10/24 – Hume’s Enquiry Sections 4 - 5

 

Week 10: An Empirical Approach Toward Justification

Mon., 10/29 – Hume’s Enquiry Sections 6 - 7 – Essay Outlines Due

Wed., 10/31 – Hume’s Enquiry Sections 8 - 9

 

Week 11: An Empirical Attitude Toward Our Beliefs

Mon., 11/5 – Hume’s Enquiry Sections 10 – HW3 Available (C)

Wed., 11/8 – Hume’s Enquiry Sections 11 - 12

 

Week 12: From Phenomenology to Existentialism

Mon., 11/12 – No Class (Veteran’s Day)

Wed., 11/14 – Sartre’s Philosophical Trajectory – HW3 Due (C)

 

Note: Sun., 11/18 is the last day to drop the course with a “W”

 

Week 13: Existentialism

Mon., 11/19 – Sartre’s Existentialism Is a Humanism; Final Project Assignment

Wed., 11/21 – Sartre’s Existentialism Is a Humanism – Essays Due

 

Week 14: No Exit

Mon., 11/26 – Sartre’s No Exit (C) – HW4 Available (C)

Wed., 11/28 – hook’s Feminist Theory pp. 1-42; Final Project Assignment  

 

Week 15: Am I a Feminist?

Mon., 12/3 – hook’s Feminist Theory pp. 43-83

Wed., 12/5 – hook’s Feminist Theory pp. 84-116 

 

Week 16: What We Believe and How We Conduct Ourselves

Mon., 12/10 – hook’s Feminist Theory pp. 117-166 – HW4 Due (C)

Wed., 12/12 – Final Project Due

 

Note: This schedule is tentative and subject to change if classroom circumstances warrant.