Santa Ana College

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Philosophy 118: History of Philosophy

Phil 118 Hist of Phil SP2019.doc

Section Information

Spring 2019

Section Number: 62243

Meeting Times: MW 10:15-11:40am

Meeting Location: D-102

Instructor Information

Instructor: Carlos Brocatto

      E-Mail: brocatto_carlos@sac.edu

     Office: D-415; Office Hours: M 12-1pm; W 12-1pm;

    T 9-10am & 4:30-5:30pm; Th 9-10am

Phone: (714) 564-6536

Course Description

An introduction to philosophy from an historical perspective: getting acquainted with the thoughts of the world's great philosophers, Provides a survey of the dominant philosophies of the ancient, medieval, and modern worlds.

Class Materials

1. Plato, The Republic of Plato (ISBN: 0465094082)
2. David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals (ISBN: 0915145456)
3. Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, The Communist Manifesto (ISBN: 1931859256)
4. Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness (ISBN: 9780671867805)

Films: Socrates (1971), Being in the World (2010), Pervert’s Guide to Ideology (2012)

Supplementary material will also be available on Canvas (C)

Course Overview

This course provides an introduction to the study of philosophy by way of close examination of some important developments in the tradition. We will survey the philosophical tradition as it developed from the classical period in Greece to the current era as we examine major philosophical figures in their historical contexts with an emphasis on how philosophy developed in response to historical, social and political events. This course is designed as a general survey of the history of philosophy. We will not attempt a comprehensive account of the forms philosophy has assumed over its long tradition, but we will grapple with characteristic examples that illustrate how ancient, medieval, and modern philosophers formulate and address their concerns. Philosophy challenges us to go beyond beliefs based on things like authority, tradition, or public opinion. A philosophical response is based upon reasoned critical reflection on the subject at hand. That is, a philosophical approach arrives at reasonable beliefs and courses of action by way of closely scrutinizing the strongest reasons for a variety of given positions and comparing those reasons against each other along with their possible implications. Our task is to cultivate the skills necessary to communicate our views on the history of philosophy in this manner.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the philosophy of the history of philosophy
• Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze and evaluate the history of philosophy 

Grades, Assignments, and Policies

Course Points

Midterm Exam                        20

Final                                        20

Term Paper                             20       

Homework (5)                        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 and Final Exams

There will be two in-class exams that will consist of short answer and essay questions and will cover all class material up to the time of said exam. We will review for the exam extensively in class.

Term Paper

The essay papers are to be typed, double-spaced, and 5-6 pages in length. Possible essay topics will be provided two weeks prior to their due dates. The topics cover the reading and lectures. The essays are to be typed in MLA format and require a combination of exposition/summary and original analysis; they are judged according to coherence, clarity (including grammar/spelling), accuracy, structure, argumentative strength, and originality. Detailed instructions on how to construct a philosophy essay will be presented in class.

Homework

You must be in attendance in order to receive instructions regarding these assignments. Homework will consist of special topics and selected exercises either as online discussions or quizzes based on course readings. There will be five homework assignments worth four points each. 

Participation & Reading Notes Expectation

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. Students may also be asked to submit reading notes for participation credit. 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 and will automatically forfeit all participation points. 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 (e.g., medical emergency, fatality, etc.), no late work will be accepted and no make-up exams will be made available for this class. 

Plagiarism and Cheating

Plagiarizing and/or cheating will not be tolerated. 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.

Accommodations for 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, 2/24; 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, 2/24; the deadline to drop this course with a “W” on your transcript is Sunday, 5/12. 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. Students are also directed to read ahead especially in the case of the Armstrong and Aslan texts which supplement class lectures.

Week 1: Ancient Philosophy: Pre-Socratics

Mon., 2/11 – Introductions, Class Syllabus,

Wed., 2/13 – A Presocratics Reader (C) 

Week 2: Ancient Philosophy: Socrates

Mon., 2/18 – No Class (President’s Day) 

Wed., 2/20 – Socrates, Discussion 

Note: Sun., 2/24 is the last day to drop the course with no grade

Week 3: Plato’s Republic 

Mon., 2/25 – The Republic of Plato Books I and II 

Wed., 2/27 – The Republic of Plato Books I and II

Week 4: Plato’s Republic   

Mon., 3/4 – The Republic of Plato Books III and IV

Wed., 3/6 – The Republic of Plato Books III and IV – HW1 Due (C)

Week 5: Plato’s Republic   

Mon., 3/11 – The Republic of Plato Books V, VII and X

Wed., 3/13 – The Republic of Plato Books V, VII and X   

Week 6: Ancient Philosophy: Hellenistic Philosophy

Mon., 3/18 – Happiness in the Garden of Epicurus pp. 399-414 (C) 

Wed., 3/20 – Stoicism (C) 

Week 7: Medieval Philosophy

Mon., 3/25 – Medieval Philosophy from Augustine to Nicholas of Cusa (C)

Wed., 3/27 – Medieval Philosophy from Augustine to Nicholas of Cusa (C)

Week 8: Midterm Examination!

Mon., 4/1 – Midterm Exam Review  

Wed., 4/3 – Midterm Exam

Spring Break (April 8 – April 14) – No Classes – Read!

Week 9: Modern Philosophy and The Age of Enlightenment

Mon., 4/15 – A Short History of Modern Philosophy (C) pp. 1-26 – HW4 Available (C)

Wed., 4/17 – What is Enlightenment? (C), Excerpts from Leviathan (C)

Week 10: Hume’s Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals

Mon., 4/22 – Principles of Morals Sections I-III

Wed., 4/24 – Principles of Morals Sections I-III – HW2 Due (C)

Week 11: Hume’s Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals

Mon., 4/29 – Principles of Morals Sections IV-VI

Wed., 5/1 – Principles of Morals Sections IV-VI

Week 12: Hume’s Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals

Mon., 5/6 – Principles of Morals Sections VII-IX – HW3 Due (C)

Wed., 5/8 – Pervert’s Guide to Ideology, Discussion

  – Term Paper Outlines Due (C)

Note: Sun., 5/12 is the last day to drop the course with a “W”

Week 13: Marxism

Mon., 5/13 – The Communist Manifesto Preamble and Sections I-II – HW5 Available (C)

Wed., 5/15 – The Communist Manifesto Sections III-IV – HW4 Due (C)

– Term Papers Drafts Due (C)

Week 14: Existentialism

Mon., 5/20 – Being and Nothingness Introduction: I-VI

Wed., 5/22 – Being and Nothingness Part One: Chapter One V and Chapter Two I-III 

Week 15: Existentialism  

Mon., 5/27 – No Class (Memorial Day)

Wed., 5/29 – Being in the World, Discussion – HW5 Due (C) 

Week 16: Existentialism and Beyond

Mon., 6/3 – Being and Nothingness Conclusion: II

Wed., 6/5 – it's easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism (C) – Final Exam

– Term Papers Due (C)

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