BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Philosophy 101: Introduction to Philosophy
Dr. E. Perry Neel
[email protected]
skeptichume.weebly.com
Office Hours:
Tuesday and Thursday before and after class
"'So Merlyn sent you to me' said the badger, 'To finish your education. Well, I can only teach you two things. To dig, and love your home. These are the true end of philosophy.'" The Badger from "The Sword in the Stone," THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING, T.H. White.
- COURSE DESCRIPTION:
PHI 101: Introduces a broad spectrum of philosophical problems and perspectives with an emphasis on the systematic questioning of basic assumptions about meaning, knowledge, reality, and values.
1. The student will be able to distinguish the various categories of philosophical inquiry, such as epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, philosophy of religion, and social & political philosophy.
2. The student will develop an understanding of basic philosophical theories regarding each of the areas of inquiry.
3. The student will be able to associate various theories with the philosophers responsible for their development.
4. The student will have a historical overview of the development of western philosophy from the time of Socrates to the twentieth century.
5. The student will be able to define significant philosophical terminology.
- EVALUATION AND REQUIREMENTS:
Evaluation:
There will be five objective multiple choice tests based on the Lawhead text and the Smith handout. 100 points each. The final exam will be an essay based on the novel THE STRANGER. Details of that assignment will be given at the end of the semester. 100 points. Your lowest multiple choice score will be dropped. Absolutely no late tests will be given! If you miss a test, that will be your dropped score.
Grade: 500 total points.
90-100 %= A 80-90%=B 70-80%=C 65-70%=D below 65%=F
No extra credit work.
- COURSE ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION POLICY:
V.COURSE ETIQUETTE:
THE CLASSROOM IS A CELL-FREE ZONE. Absolutely no cellphones. Texting in class will require you to leave your phone on the professor’s desk the remainder of class and all subsequent classes.. And No electronic devices of any type are allowed without approval of the instructor. They should be put away and not on the desk. NO FOOD or GUM. Drinks are allowed. (“I don’t have pet peeves. I have deep psychological hatreds.” George Carlin)
Accommodations will be made for student observation of religious holidays or events representing the college.
Each student is expected to read the assigned material ahead of its designated class session. Please check your BRCC email regularly for communications regarding class or the college.
- COURSE ACADEMIC HONESTY/PLAGIARISM POLICY:
- INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS/TEXT:
THE PHILOSOPHICAL JOURNEY, 5th edition, William Lawhead. ISBN-13: 978-0073535876
ISBN-10: 0073535877
THE STRANGER, Albert Camus. ISBN-13: 978-0679720201
ISBN-10: 0679720200
Adam Smith, handout.
VIII.COURSE SCHEDULE AND SEQUENCE OF INSTRUCTION:
Tuesday / Thursday
Week 1: Ch.1 Introduction to Philosophy / Socrates
2: Ch. 3 Skepticism, Rationalism / Empiricism
3. Constructivisim, Pragmatism, Feminism / Test 1 Epistemology & Socrates (Ch.s 1& 3)
4. Ch. 2 Mind-Body Dualism, Physicalism / Functionalism, AI, Free
5. Free Will-Determinism / Test 2: Metaphysics (Ch. 2)
6. Ch. 4 Arguments for the Exist. of God / Pragmatism, Subjectivism, Problem of Evil
7. Eastern Traditions / Test 3: Philosophy of Religion (Ch. 4)
8. Ch. 5 Rationalism, Relat., Egoism / Utilitarianism, Categorical Imperative
9. Virtue, Feminism / Test 4: Morality & Ethics (Ch. 5)
10. Ch.6 Anarchism / Social Contract Justice
11. Individual & State / Adam Smith Civil Disobedience
12. Test: Social & Political Philosophy (Ch. 6 & Smith) / Ch.7 Meaning of Life
13. THE STRANGER continued
14. cont... cont...
15. Conclusion Exam Assignment
Final Exam Week
(The schedule is just a guideline. We will make necessary adjustments as circumstances dictate.)
Required Supplement to Syllabus
(Please insert this as the last page of your syllabi)
- ACADEMIC CALENDAR: The academic calendar gives the start and end dates for semester sessions and important deadlines for withdrawing from classes, etc.
http://www.brcc.edu/academics/academic-calendar/index.html - Blackboard Course Access:
- COURSE RECORDINGS: Meetings of this course might be recorded; these recordings will be available to students registered for this class and are intended to supplement the classroom experience. Students are expected to follow appropriate BRCC policies and maintain the security of passwords used to access recorded lectures. Recordings may not be reproduced, shared with those not in the class, or uploaded to other online environments without prior written instructor permission; doing so would be a breach of the BRCC Honor Code. If the instructor or any other BRCC personnel or departments plan for other uses for the recordings beyond this class, students identifiable in the recordings will be asked for consent prior to such use.
You must obtain permission from the instructor to record the lectures.
- BRCC POLICIES:
- Academic Honesty: As a college student, you are expected to show integrity in your work and interactions with others. http://www.brcc.edu/academics/expectations/honor-code/index.html
- Academic Support: BRCC is committed to making sure you get responsive, effective answers to your questions. We’re here to help you succeed online. Click the link below to see resources available to you. http://www.brcc.edu/academics/academic-support/index.html
- NON-ATTENDING POLICY; Attendance is considered a measure of progress as defined by federal financial aid regulations. In order to maintain eligibility for financial aid, Blue Ridge must proactively monitor course progress. Non-attendance will be reported to the Dean of Student Services at the conclusion of the first week of the course, at midterm, and at the conclusion of the course. Students who receive federal financial aid and are not attending classes may be administratively withdrawn from the course.
Failure to demonstrate active participation within the first seven days of an online class may result in administrative withdrawal from the course. For online courses, never attending is defined as never participated in any class discussions, blog postings, or other learning activities. If the student has logged into blackboard less than 2 times and has never contributed, they may be counted as never attending. - Disability Services: We provide academic accommodations and support for students with documented disabilities. Students must submit current documentation of a disability by a qualified professional to Disability Services before academic accommodations can be requested. Qualified professional evaluations by physicians, psychologists, audiologists, etc., must have been completed within the last three years.
http://www.brcc.edu/services/disability/index.html - Final Course Grade Appeal Policy:
- The student should submit his/her complaint in writing to the appropriate administrative unit.
- The College will respond in writing within the designated time frame.
- Documentation of written complaints and the College's written response will be kept in a secure location for three years and then will be destroyed
http://www.brcc.edu/services/right/complaint
- Faculty Expectations: Enrolling in classes at Blue Ridge Community College is a serious investment of money, time, and effort. To be successful, students must be aware of the challenges ahead of them and be willing and able to work toward meeting those challenges. Knowing what faculty expect helps students get the most out of the learning experience in the classroom and online. http://www.brcc.edu/academics/expectations/faculty-expectations/index.html
- Academic Honesty: As a college student, you are expected to show integrity in your work and interactions with others. http://www.brcc.edu/academics/expectations/honor-code/index.html
- Student Expectations: College instructors have encountered most of the challenges, frustrations, stresses, and triumphs that students will face. Faculty members know what students need to do to succeed in their courses and will work with students to that end. http://www.brcc.edu/academics/expectations/student-expectations/index.html
- BRCC ALERT REGISTRATION: Blue Ridge Community College uses BRCC Alert to immediately contact you during a major crisis or emergency. BRCC Alert delivers important emergency alerts, notifications and updates to you on all your devices.
https://alert.brcc.edu/index.php?CCheck=1