Syllabus

Section 50, LADM 304, MW, 5:00 - 6:20 p.m. Richard Leon Linfield, Ph.D., D.D.  llinfiel@craftonhills.edu; voicemail (909) 307-8740 (909) 307-8740 Website http://introtophil.wikispaces.com
 * Philosophy 101: Syllabus ****, **** Crafton **** Hills College **** , Spring 2015 **


 * In this course **, five fundamental fields of philosophy are the focus of a historical and analytical approach to the subject, examining the lives and theories of major philosophers. The fields are metaphysics, ethics, epistemology, aesthetics and logic. Specific philosophical problems are explored in the course: proofs for God’s existence, ethical relativism vs. ethical absolutism, free choice vs. determinism, the nature of consciousness, quantum science, gender equality, and the future of politics and economics.


 * Purpose: ** to create a foundation for all humanities and social science majors as well as for those in technical fields, so that one’s everyday life, both personal and professional, benefits from personal experiences of insight and from knowledge of wisdom traditions.


 * The Text ** : Moore and Bruder, //Philosophy: The Power of Ideas//. 9th edition ONLY. McGraw-Hill, ISBN 9780078038358. One copy is on my reserve shelf at the main desk at the library.


 * R **** equired materials ** : For turning in and keeping writing assignments, one thin non-plastic two-pocket portfolio (not a report cover). The portfolio should have your name written prominently and legibly on the cover. Also, fifty 4x6 index cards for use in class.


 * Work: ** Readings in the text for every class. Required readings also include postings on the website and handouts. Frequent quizzes and exercises; most tests and exams are open book/open notes, and therefore require in-depth thinking, no just identification. Classes include intensive small team sessions, five mini-exams, a midterm, and a Term Project on a philosophical issue that has a personal impact on you. The mid-term and final exams include identifications, multiple choice questions and short essays.


 * Contacting the instructor: ** You are welcome to email or phone the instructor, but not to get an assignment nor to turn in an assignment. Assignments are accepted by email only if you are going to miss a cl;ass and wish to turn in th assignment in advance.


 * Percentages for final grade: ** Quizzes & exercises (10%), 5 mini-exams (50%), midterm (15%), final (10%), term project (15%).


 * In-class activities ** include a “Fiver” - a five-minute exercise on a 4x6 card exactly at the beginning of each meeting - as well as other exercises, including pop quizzes on the readings and lectures. In-class activities cannot be made up if you are late or absent. Each unsatisfactory or absent Fiver deducts 2½ points from your grade.


 * Writing requirements ** : All assignments must be typed double-spaced except certain forms filled out by hand. In the upper left, type your name, Philosophy 101, and the date you turn in the assignment. Type the title of the assignment centered at the top. Allow 1” margins all around. Assignments must be free of spelling and grammar errors to be accepted for a grade.


 * Attendance ** is required. ** If you enter late, at the end of class turn in a 4x6 card with your name on it, or you’ll be counted absent ** . Three unexcused absences are allowed (one for the once-a-week class). Over this limit, unexcused absences lower your grade. Leaving early = ½ absence. Absences can be excused with medical documentation, but not for other reasons (not for broken car, work conflict, vacation travel, no babysitter, etc.). Please inform the instructor of any absence in advance if possible. If you miss a class, please contact a classmate for the assignment, and only then contact the instructor if necessary. If you miss a class, you must do the reading and any assignments regardless.


 * Note: ** This course is an oasis of free thought and communication. Your honest questioning and expression, and your contributions to the understanding of the instructor and of your fellow students, are invited.


 * Calendar **

The sequence begins with a historical overview, then moves into topical reviews of moral and political philosophy, philosophy of religion, feminist philosophy, eastern influences, and post-colonial thought. Specific reading and writing assignments are given week to week.

1. Jan 12-14 Course introduction: What is Philosophy & How Can You Use it? Intro to Seven Big Issues Five Areas of Philosophy: Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, Aesthetics, Logic

2. Jan 19-21 Religion compared to philosophy Philosophy at the Greek Beginning: Pre-Socratics, Socrates, Plato The Cave: Role-Play Exercise I

3. Jan 26-28 The Cave: Role-Play Exercise II Aristotle, Augustine, Hypatia

4. Feb 2-4 The Cave: Role-Play Exercise III

5. Feb 9-11 Aquinas, Descartes End of the Middle Ages: Copernicus, Galileo

6. Holiday Feb 16; class Feb 18 Descartes, Scientific Revolution Hobbes, Locke, Berkeley, Spinoza __ Term Project Proposal due __

7. Feb 23-25 Review __ Mini-Exam 1 __

8. Mar 2-4 Western Discovery of the East: Hinduism, Buddhism Schopenhauer Emerson and American Transcendentalists

9. Mar 9-11 __ Term Project Outline and Sources Due __ __M____ id-Term Exam __


 * Mar 16-20 Spring Break: no classes **

10. Mar 23-25 Existentialism: Camus, Sartre, Heidegger Reason and the Syllogism Intro to Moral Philosophy: Voltaire

11. Mar 30-Apr 1 Moral Philosophy, cont'd: Cynics, Skeptics, Epicureans, Stoics, Socrates, Aquinas Hobbes, Hume, Kant, Nietzsche, Mill Flex Day Wed: No Class

12. Apr 6-8 More on the syllogism Modern political “isms”The history of human rights Universal Human Rights declaration Just War Theory & Pacifism __ Mini-Exam 2 __

13. Apr 13-15 Political and Economic Philosophy: Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, Marx American Constitutional Philosophy Jonathan Haidt: Liberal & Conservative __ Term Project Update Due __

14. Apr 20-22 Religion and Philosophy, Medieval to Present-Day: Anselm, Aquinas, Leibniz, Hume, Kierkegaard More Eastern Perspectives: Zen Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism "Spiritual but Not Religious" New Age: Paramahansa Yogananda, Edgar Cayce __ Mini-Exam 3 __

15. Apr 27-29 Feminism and Philosophy: Mill, Wollstonecraft, de Beauvoir, Mary Daly, Nodding, Gilligan, others Post-colonialism: African, African-American, Native American, Latin American and South Asian thought

16. May 4-6 Consciousness: Thomas Nagel, // Mind & Cosmos // Be Your Own Hero: Joseph Campbell & Mythology for Personal Development __ Mini-Exam 4 __

17. May 11-13 __ Mini-Exam 5 __ Exam Review & General Discussion __ Term Project due (soft deadline) __

16. May 18-21: Finals week Final Exam Monday May 18