Syllabus for PHIL 251.200: Introduction to Philosophy
Fall 1997: Dr. Stephen H. Daniel
Introduction to Philosophy (Honors) develops problem solving and critical thinking skills by examining discussions about reality, knowledge, truth, God, self-identity, freedom, and the nature of ethical and political beliefs. Because it is an honors class, it includes a substantial reading component, class discussions, and opportunities for written responses.
Text: Introducing Philosophy (6th ed.) by Robert Solomon. Pages listed below should be read prior to each class.
Office (Blocker 510):
Phone: 845-5619
Grades: Grades are based on the mid-semester and final exams (30% each) and on two chapter summary responses (20% each). Extra credit for additional summary responses is also available. Instructions for the summary responses are given below. If you miss the mid-semester exam, contact me to set a time to take the test before the next class meeting.
Summary Responses: In addition to the mid-semester and final exams, grades for the course will also be based on at least two three-page (typed) short papers. Each of these papers will be a response to one of the "Summary and Conclusions" sections that ends each chapter we discuss. We will cover all but chapters 4 and 11. That means that you must choose to write a summary response based on two of the nine chapters we will cover in class.
In your summary responses you should indicate how particular points mentioned in the "Summary and Conclusions" section are supported or weakened by arguments discussed in the chapter. That is, in your paper you should indicate how the various ideas mentioned can be combined to form a more unified position, or how some ideas are so incompatible that one has to reject some in order to endorse others. Your task is to show how any attempted reconciliation of these ideas respects the arguments put forward by their defenders; or to present arguments to show why a reasonable person should accept some positions and reject others.
In short, the "Summary and Conclusions" section in the nine chapters is your starting point for each of your responses. In your three-page response you must make reference to all of the major positions mentioned in the "Summary and Conclusions" by indicating how those positions can be reconciled or declared irreconciliable in favor of one position or parts of several positions. This synthesis or combination and judgment will be your contribution to the discussion of the topic.
Note: your synthesis should not be a mere "I agree with this idea." Any position or combination of positions with which you agree must be defended through the use of reasoned argument. To get a better idea of how to do this, you should consult pp. x-xi (Doing Philosophy and Writing Philosophy).
Due dates: Your summary-responses are due no later than ONE WEEK after the last day we discuss the chapter in class. That means that responses are due for chapters on the following dates:
Note that if you choose to do the last summary (on Justice, Rights, and Anarchism), that means turning it in during exam week after classes have ended.
At least one of the summary responses must deal with chapters 1, 2, or 3. That is, you must turn in at least one summary response NO LATER THAN OCT. 16. Though you are required to turn in only two responses, you may turn in as many of them as you wish. Your top two grades for summary responses will be used to calculate your semester average. Any additional summary responses you turn in will be treated as extra points on top of your semester grade using the following scale: A=3 pts, B=2 pts, C=1 pt. In other words, if at the end of the semester, your average grade (based on the exams and top two summary responses) is 86, you get a B for the course. But if you have turned in two additional summary responses and have received a B for each, you get 4 more points for them, thus a 90 (A) for the course. It is thus to your benefit to write as many good summary responses as you can.
Extra credit: If you are within 3 points of a letter grade and you would like to improve your final grade AFTER the semester is over, you can write an additional summary response on chapter 11 (Art & Beauty). You must submit this extra work no later than the second week of January. At that time I will assign a grade before the beginning of the spring semester, and if it is sufficient to change the grade, I will submit a change of grade to the Registrar's Office.
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