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Syllabus for Philosophy 251: Introduction to
Philosophy
Spring 2003, Dr. Stephen H. Daniel
Introduction to Philosophy develops problem-solving and critical-thinking skills by examining discussions about knowledge, reality, God, freedom, ethics, political obligation, and the philosophy of art.
This course has twelve sections, each with about 25 students. All students meet together on Monday and Wednesday. On Friday they meet at various times in their sections to discuss material covered in the textbook and lectures and take a quiz on that material. Philosophy graduate teaching assistants direct these Friday sessions.
Text: Does the Center Hold? (3rd ed.) by Donald Palmer. Pages listed below should be read before each class.
To see class notes for each class, click on the topic for that day.
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Class date |
Topic |
Reading Assignment (Palmer Text) |
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Jan. 13 |
1-4, 18-28 |
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Jan. 15 |
5-18, 28-38 |
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Jan. 17 |
Discussion/quiz |
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Jan. (20) |
(No class: M. L. King holiday) |
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Jan. 22 |
40-51 |
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Jan. 24 |
Discussion/quiz |
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Jan. 27 |
51-64 |
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Jan. 29 |
64-73 |
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Jan. 31 |
Discussion/quiz |
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Feb. 3 |
76-93 |
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Feb. 5 |
93-110 |
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Feb. 7 |
Discussion/quiz |
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Feb. 10 |
113-30 |
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Feb. 12 |
Identity Theory/Eliminative Materialism/Functionalism/; Pluralism & Objections |
131-54 |
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Feb. 14 |
Discussion/quiz |
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Feb. 17 |
Test 1 |
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Feb. 19 |
157-67 |
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Feb. 21 |
Discussion/quiz |
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Feb. 24 |
168-76 |
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Feb. 26 |
176-92 |
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Feb. 28 |
Discussion/quiz |
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Mar. 3 |
192-210 |
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Mar. 5 |
213-28 |
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Mar. 7 |
Discussion/quiz: *Note room changes* |
9:10 sections: Francis 206; 10:20 sections: Fermier 110; 11:30 sections: Military Science 316; 12:40 sections: Military Science 110; 1:50 sections: G. Rollie White Colliseum 232 |
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Mar. 17 |
228-50 |
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Mar. 19 |
252-66 |
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Mar. 21 |
Discussion/quiz |
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Mar. 24 |
266-79 |
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Mar. 26 |
279-90 |
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Mar. 28 |
Discussion/quiz |
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Mar. 31 |
Test 2 |
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Apr. 2 |
292-305 |
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Apr. 4 |
Discussion/quiz |
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Apr. 7 |
305-24 |
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Apr. 9 |
327-41 |
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Apr. 11 |
Discussion/quiz |
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Apr. 14 |
341-55 |
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Apr. 16 |
355-68 |
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(Apr. 18) |
(No class: Good Friday) |
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Apr. 21 |
368-81 |
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Apr. 23 |
383-404 |
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Apr. 25 |
Discussion/quiz |
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Apr. 28 |
404-430 |
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May 5 (Monday) |
Final exam 10:30 |
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Grades/Tests: Your course grade is based equally on
three true/false, multiple-choice tests (including the final exam). Practice
test questions can be found at the course website. You can add extra points to
your test scores through weekly short-essay quizzes in your Friday discussion
sessions. An essay that nails the point of the quiz question gets 2 points; one
that gets it somewhat, 1 point; and one that merely talks around the topic, O
pts. There are 13 Friday sessions, so you have a chance to add up to 26 points
to your test scores. A student who gets an 82 on the three tests (246 pts) plus
20 extra points from the essays would have an 88.6 average (246+20=266 ÷ 3),
which in this class is an A (any student who gets within 1½ points of a letter
grade will be bumped over to the next letter grade). In short, the quizzes can
make a real difference. Class attendance can significantly affect your
performance on tests and quizzes, but there is no grade for attendance as such.
Each Friday the discussion sessions will focus on several questions. Toward
the end of class the instructor will select a question as the one on which you
will write your short essay. You can discuss your answer with other students
and consult your notes, but you will have only eight to ten minutes to write
your essay. If you miss a quiz because of a university-excused absence, you
should notify your instructor and he or she will give you an opportunity to
write a make-up short essay. Missing a test is more serious than missing a
quiz. Any student who has to miss a test should contact Prof. Daniel to
schedule to take the test before the next class meeting.
Test Formats: The two tests and final exam are objective-format (true-false, multiple choice) scan-tron tests. To take them you need the narrow green 882 forms that can be purchased at various bookstores and copy centers. You do not need scan-tron forms or blue books for the weekly quizzes.
How to do well: Read the text, outline the text, attend class, consult the website notes, study the practice questions on the website. For each chapter you should combine the notes from your reading, class, and website in an outline that is structured based on answering these four questions about the philosophers or philosophical positions we study:
- What is the basic position or claim being made?
- What are the arguments provided to support that position or claim?
- What objections can be raised against the position or claim?
- What replies can be given to defend the position or claim against these objections?
You should consult with the professor or teaching assistant as often as possible to make sure you are understanding the material. Do not wait until the day before a test to begin to do your outline. This is not the kind of course for which you can cram and expect to do well on tests. Take advantage of our office hours!
Past
test questions on Philosophy in General and Socrates (Chapter One)
Past
test questions on Epistemology: Rationalism, Plato, and Descartes (Chapter Two)
Past
test questions on Epistemology: Empiricism, Kant, Positivism, Objections
(Chapter Three)
Past
test questions on Ontology, Mind-Body (Chapter Four)
Past
test questions on Philosophy of Religion (Chapter Five)
Past
test questions on Freedom-Determinism (Chapter Six)
Past
test questions on Ethics (Chapters Seven and Eight)
Past
test questions on Political and Social Philosophy (Chapter Nine)
Past
test questions on Aesthetics (Philosophy of Art) (Chapter Ten)
Send Dr.
Daniel a message: sdaniel@people.tamu.edu
Dr. Daniel: Office Hours (
Phone: 845-5619 (office),
846-4649 (home)
E-mail: sdaniel@people.tamu.edu
Web: people.tamu.edu/~sdaniel/251sy03a.html
Graduate Teaching Instructors:
- Eric Anthamatten--sections
501, 502, 504. Office:
- Jake Noland--sections 503, 507, 509. Office: Bush 1042E. Office hours: TBA. Office phone: 458-8020. Email: jrlnoland@hotmail.com
- Mat Foust--sections
505, 506, 511. Office:
- Kate Willyard--sections 508, 510, 512. Office:
Students with disabilities are guaranteed a learning
environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities.
If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact
the Department of Student Life, Disability Services, Koldus Bldg. 126, or call
845-1637.
For
information on the definition and sanctions regarding cheating and plagiarism,
see http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rules20.htm.