USD Phil 110 S11: Schedule and Syllabus

PHILOSOPHY 110: Introduction to Philosophy
Spring 2011    Section 18 
CRN 4126 M 6:00-8:50    Location: Camino Hall 101

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Ian Duckles
          Email: imduckles@gmail.com
          Office Hours: Monday 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM; or by appointment
          Office: Founder's Hall 168A

TEXTBOOKVoices of Wisdom. Ed. Gary E. Kessler. Wadsworth, 2007. ISBN: 978-0-495-60153-1. The 7th edition of the text is available in the bookstore. You are welcome to use the 6th edition which can be found online for much less money.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: “A basic orientation course treating the principal problems of philosophy, such as knowledge, human nature, values, nature, God, etc. A historical approach may also be used as a means of further clarification of the topics being discussed.” (USD Course Catalog).

COURSE OBJECTIVES: TBA

COURSE CALENDAR (topics and important dates included):
(Homework will be due daily and assignments will be announced in class. Do not be concerned if we fall ahead or behind on this schedule. The most important goal is that everyone understand the concepts and problems. THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. All changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website). All page numbers refer to the 7th edition of the text.

Week 1: Introduction: 
Monday, January 24
Introduction; What is Philosophy?; Begin Plato
            
Week 2: What is Philosophy? 
January 31
Read Plato, "The Apology" (pp. 50-63) A PDF can be downloaded here
    
Week 3: Epistemology (
February 7)
Read Al-Ghazali, "Deliverance from Error" (pp. 311-318) PDF; Descartes, "Meditations I and II" (pp. 320-326) PDF Download links are at the bottom of this page.

Week 4: Epistemology 
(February 14)
Read Hume, "An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding" (pp. 328-334) 
            
Week 5: Epistemology 
(February 21)
Watch Film in Class 12 Angry Men (1957); discuss film Review for Exam 

Week 6: EXAM (February 28)
First Exam

Week 7: Metaphysics (March 7)
Read Laozi, "Dao De Jing" (pp. 414-421); Plato "Republic" (pp. 423-430)

Week 8: Spring Break!!

Week 9: Metaphysics 
(March 21)
Read Berkeley, "The Principles of Human Knowledge" (pp. 441-444); Jorge Valadez, "Pre-Columbian Philosophical Perspectives" (pp. 446-451)

Week 10: Metaphysics 
(March 28)
Watch Film in Class: eXistenZ (1999); Discuss Film; Review for Exam

Week 11: Exam 
(April 4)
Second Exam

Week 12: Ethics (April 11)
Read Kant, "Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals" (pp. 82-87); Mill, "Utilitarianism" (pp. 89-93)

Week 13: Ethics 
(April 18)
Read Aristotle, "Nichomachean Ethics" (pp. 64-72)

Week 14: 
EASTER BREAK; NO CLASS

Week 15: Ethics 
(May 2)
Read Nietzsche, "Beyond Good and Evil" and "On the Genealogy of Morals" (pp. 97-106); Noddings, "Caring" (pp. 107-117)

Week 16: Ethics (May 9)
Paper Due. Watch Film in Class: Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989); Discuss Film; Review for Final 

The Final Exam for this course will be on Monday, May 16 from 8 - 10:00 PM in Camino Hall 101

STUDENT EVALUATION:
20% Examination 1
20% Examination 2
20% Final Examination
10% Essay (This will be due on the last day of class. More details will be forthcoming. Though this is only worth 10% of your grade, failure to complete this assignment will result in an F in the course)
10% Attendance and Participation
20% Quizzes (These will be given weekly at the start of class, they cannot be made up if missed. I will drop at least one quiz score)

A: 90-100 %
B: 80-89 %
C: 70-79 %
D: 60-69 %
F:  <60 %

ACADEMIC POLICIES:
Student Responsibility to Drop/Withdraw: It is the student’s responsibility to officially add, drop, or withdraw from the course stated in the class schedule. Failure to do so can result in a failing grade.

Class Attendance: A student may be disenrolled from the course after two absences; however, a student will be disenrolled from the course after three absences without exception. (This count will begin on teh first day of class) ATTENDANCE IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THIS PARTICULAR COURSE.

Tardiness/Early Departure: If a student arrives unreasonably late or leaves early without notifying the instructor before the event, then that student will be considered absent for that class session.

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: Plagiarism, cheating and poor student conduct will not be tolerated. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the USD Integrity Policy. This can be found at http://www.sandiego.edu/honorcouncil/integrity.php.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and Disability Services. Information can be found at http://www.sandiego.edu/disability/.

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Ian Duckles,
Feb 2, 2011, 4:18 PM
Ċ
Apology.pdf
(2967k)
Ian Duckles,
Jan 24, 2011, 4:53 PM
Ċ
Ian Duckles,
Feb 2, 2011, 4:18 PM
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