Philosophy 205: Critical Thinking and Writing in Philosophy Fall 2019 CRN 10666 MW 11:10-12:35pm Location: SB-212 Instructor Information Dr. Ian M. Duckles Course Description: This critical thinking and writing seminar in Philosophy is designed to enhance the student's critical thinking, writing, and research skills in preparation for upper division academic activity. Issues addressed in this class may involve various areas of human experience and aspiration: metaphysical, cosmological, scientific, political, ethical, aesthetic, and religious. Together with the application of basic principles of deduction and induction, special attention is given to identifying and avoiding fallacies in reasoning, and to techniques and aids to research, reasoning, and writing. This course is designed for students who want to hone their writing and critical thinking skills in Philosophy. Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
Course Learning Outcomes:
Requisites and Advisories: Prerequisite: ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent or Assessment Skill Level R6/W6. Texts: This course has two required texts. These texts should be brought to class every day. They are: Bioethics: Principles, Issues, and Cases. Lewis Vaughn, ed. Oxford, 2017 Writing Philosophy 2nd Edition. Lewis Vaughn, Oxford, 2018. Schedule: This schedule is subject to change. Changes will be announced in class and online on this website. Students should check the course website (this one) regularly. All reading assignments come from the texts above. The syllabus uses the following abbreviations:
Week 1 Wednesday, August 21: Reading Philosophy (WP Chapter 1) Week 2 August 28: Arguments and Fallacies Continued Week 3 September 2: NO CLASS!! LABOR DAY!! September 4: Arguments and Fallacies Continued (WP Chapter 5) Week 4 September 9: Arguments and Fallacies Continued September 11: Arguments and Fallacies Continued Week 5 September 16: Writing Papers and Defending a Thesis in an Argumentative Essay (WP Chapters 3 and 4) September 18: Class will meet in the LRC in the library classroom on the first floor just after the coffee shop and before the STEM center. Week 6 September 23: Review for Exam September 25: Exam 1. Week 7 September 30: Moral Reasoning in Bioethics (B Chapter 1) October 2: Bioethics and Moral Theories (B Chapter 2) Week 8 October 7: Bioethics and Moral Theories Continued October 9: Bioethics and Moral Theories Continued Week 9 October 14: Abortion (B Chapter 7, pp. 309-322) October 16: Abortion Continued (Roe v Wade, pp. 397-402) Week 10 October 21: Abortion Continued ("A Defense of Abortion" pp. 326-336) Homework Due: Pick a topic for Essay #3. October 23: Abortion Continued ("Why Abortion is Immoral" pp. 336-348) Homework Due: Bring a copy of your thesis for Short Essay #3. Week 11 October 28: Genetic Choices (B Chapter 9, pp. 539-557) October 30: Genetic Choices Continued Week 12 November 4: Genetic Choices Continued November 6: In-Class Peer Editing. Week 13 November 11: NO CLASS!! VETERANS DAY!! November 13: Human Research (B Chapter 6, pp. 239-254) Week 14 November 18: The Organ Market November 20: The Organ Market Continued Week 15 November 25: NO CLASS!! THANKSGIVING!! November 27: NO CLASS!! THANKSGIVING!! Week 16 December 4: In class Peer-Editing. Week 17 December 11: Presentations of Final Paper Week 18 STUDENT EVALUATION:
≥ 765 points = A ≥ 680 points = B ≥ 595 points = C ≥ 510 points = D < 510 points = F ACADEMIC POLICIES: Student Responsibility to Drop/Withdraw: It is the student’s responsibility to drop all classes in which he/she is no longer attending. It is the instructor’s discretion to withdraw a student after the add/drop deadline (August ??) due to excessive absences. Students who remain enrolled in a class beyond the published withdrawal deadline (October ??), as stated in the class schedule, will receive an evaluative letter grade in the class. Attendance: During the first two weeks of class, students will be dropped for any unexcused absence. Starting during the third week, students may be dropped for missing two classes. In addition, students who arrive unreasonably late or leave unreasonably early will be marked absent. Professionalism: It is assumed that students will conduct themselves in a professional manner with a positive attitude. An open mind is one of the most important tools required for success in academia. If a student is negative and feels as is there is nothing of value to be gained by the college experience or this course, he or she will not do well in this course. Academic Integrity and Conduct: Mesa College students are bound by the Student Code of Conduct, Policy 3100. In this course, cheating, plagiarism, disruptions of instructional activity, fraud and/or lying will result in, at a minimum, a grade of “F” for the assignment/test with no make up permitted. Any of these infractions may result in formal disciplinary action by the Dean of Student Affairs as described in the code (as published in the catalog or online). Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations should discuss options with their professors during the first two weeks of class. You should also contact DSPS. DSPS can be found at http://www.sdmesa.edu/dsps/ or they can be contacted by phone at 619-388-2780. TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN THIS COURSE (Thanks to Professor June Yang):
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