Course Syllabus
Santa Ana College
The mission of Santa Ana College is to inspire, transform, and empower a diverse community of learners.
Philosophy 106: Introduction to Philosophy
Section Information
Fall 2019
Section Number: 71174
Meeting Times: TR 7am-8:25am
Meeting Location: D-102
Faculty Office: D-415
Instructor Information
Instructor: Carlos Brocatto
Email: brocatto_carlos@sac.edu Office Hours: M 12:30-1:30pm; T 12-2pm;
W 12:30-1:30pm & 5-6pm;
Phone: (714) 564-6536
Class Materials (C) = Available on Canvas
- Plato, Five Dialogues, Indianapolis: Hackett, 2002. (C)
- Rene Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy, Indianapolis: Hackett, 1995. (C)
- David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Indianapolis: Hackett, 1998. (C)
- Jean-Paul Sartre, Existentialism Is a Humanism, New Haven, Yale University Press, 2007. (C)
- Film: In Camera (1964)
Supplementary material will also be available on Canvas.
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 characteristic examples that illustrate how classical, modern, and contemporary 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 Outline 5
Term Paper 10
Homework 25
Participation/Reading Notes 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 Canvas Assignments including quizzes and discussions. Detailed instruction for these assignments will be provided in class.
Participation, Reading Notes, & Extra Credit
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 or silenced during class unless otherwise instructed—no exceptions. If in-class quizzes are assigned, they will count toward participation. Up to three 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 three classes will be ineligible for any extra credit that may be offered and will automatically forfeit all participation points. Students who miss more than four classes may be dropped from the course. Please be on time—two late arrivals or early departures from class sessions will count as a class absence.
Reading Notes should be dated and include topic headings along with page references. They should include notes for all three required texts and include at least two discussion questions per course topics (see the “Reading and Assignment Schedule”). Reading notes for the first half of the course will be due on the day of the Midterm Examination. Reading notes for the second half of the course will be due on the day of the Final Project Presentations. Reading notes are worth 10 points total.
Extra Credit assignments that may be completed throughout the semester officially count toward the final grade once all course assignments listed on the syllabus have been successfully attempted. Work is considered “successfully attempted” when completed and submitted on time.
Late Essays and Make-up Exams
No essays will be accepted late without prior consent from the instructor. No make-up exams will be made available. Absolutely 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 in class. See also: https://sac.edu/Library/Pages/Plagiarism.aspx
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, 11/17. 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 directed to read ahead.
Week 1: Introductions & Vocabulary
Tues., 8/27 – Introductions & Class Syllabus
Thurs., 8/29 – What is Philosophy? Let’s Be Philosophical! Presocratics (C)
Week 2: In the Beginning
Tues., 9/3 – Presocratics (C); The Classical Context
Thurs., 9/5 – Plato’s Apology; 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?
Tues., 9/10 – Plato’s Apology
Thurs., 9/12 – Plato’s Apology – HW1 Due (C)
Week 4: The Concept “God”
Tues., 9/17 – Death Scene from Phaedo (C); Questions Concerning A/Theism
Thurs., 9/19 – Concerning the afterlife & the concept of God (C)
Week 5: Epistemology
Tues., 9/24 – Knowledge, Skepticism, Foundationalism (C)
Thurs., 9/26 – Descartes’ 1st Meditation
Week 6: Foundationalism
Tues., 10/1 – Descartes’ 2nd Meditation – HW2 Available (C)
Thurs., 10/3 – Descartes’ 3rd Meditation
Week 7: Metaphysics
Tues., 10/8 – Descartes’ 4th Meditation
Thurs., 10/10 – Descartes’ 5th & 6th Meditation – HW2 Due (C)
Week 8: Midterm Examination!
Tues., 10/15 – Midterm Review; Term Paper Assignment
Thurs., 10/17 – Midterm Exam – Reading Notes Due
Week 9: Rationalism and Empiricism
Tues., 10/22 – Hume’s Enquiry Sections 1 - 3
Thurs., 10/24 – Hume’s Enquiry Sections 4 - 5
Week 10: An Empirical Approach Toward Justification
Tues., 10/29 – Hume’s Enquiry Sections 6 - 7
Thurs., 10/31 – Hume’s Enquiry Sections 8 - 9 – Term Paper Outlines Due
Week 11: An Empirical Attitude Toward Our Beliefs
Tues., 11/5 – Hume’s Enquiry Sections 10 – HW3 Available (C)
Thurs., 11/7 – Hume’s Enquiry Sections 11 - 12
Week 12: From Phenomenology to Existentialism
Tues., 11/12 – Hume’s Enquiry Appendix
Thurs., 11/14 – Sartre’s Philosophical Trajectory – HW3 Due (C)
Note: Sun., 11/17 is the last day to drop the course with a “W” on your transcript
Week 13: Existentialism
Tues., 11/19 – Sartre’s Existentialism Is a Humanism; Final Project Assignment
Thurs., 11/21 – Sartre’s Existentialism Is a Humanism – Term Papers Due
Week 14: No Exit
Tues., 11/26 – Sartre’s No Exit (C) – HW4 Available (C)
Thurs., 11/28 – Thanksgiving – No Classes
Week 15: Am I a Feminist?
Tues., 12/3 – hooks’ “Sisterhood: political solidarity among women” in Feminist Theory (43-67) Lorde’s “Age Race Class and Sex”
Thurs., 12/5 – Lugones’ “Playfulness, ‘Wolrd’-Traveling, and Loving Perception” – HW4 Due (C)
Week 16: What We Believe and How We Conduct Ourselves
Tues., 12/10 – Fraser “Feminism, Capitalism, and the Cunning of history”; Wittig’s “One Is Not Born a Woman”
Thurs., 12/12 –Final Project Due – Reading Notes Due
Note: This schedule is tentative and subject to change if classroom circumstances warrant.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|