PHIL 100
(section 2)
Instructor: Dr.
Peter Marton
Classes: Saturday
Office Hour: Tuesday,
at Wheatley,
5th floor, Rm. 40
E-mail: peter_marton@comcast.net
(preferred), hpm4@netzero.net
Web-address: http://www.faculty.umb.edu/peter_marton
Course Description:
This course provides an
introduction to some of the central issues and puzzles of philosophy. What is
Philosophy? What is it to be a Philosopher? Why Philosophy? These questions
will lead our enquiries during the quarter. We will read and discuss several
basic philosophical texts to find some answers to these and other philosophical
questions.
By the end of the course, you should understand the following
things:
-
The Socratic method
-
Our obligations toward others and the state
-
The problem of defining concepts
-
Plato’s Theory of Forms
-
Descartes’s Methodological Skepticism and his Cogito argument,
-
Cartesian and contemporary views on the relation of philosophy
and science
-
The philosophical foundations of free speech
-
The mind-body problem and the possibility of thinking machines
Skill Development
Goals:
A central goal of the course is to strengthen your ability to:
-
read and interpret complex texts,
-
make logical inferences
from various ideas and statements;
-
explain your own and
other people’s views clearly – both orally
and in writing;
-
evaluate views and
arguments;
-
develop your
own views, both about the questions we are studying and other issues
Texts:
Required
Books:
- Plato: Last Days of Socrates,
Penguin,
- Descartes: Discourse on Method and Meditations,
- Hofstadter and Dennett (editors): The Mind’s I,
- John Stuart Mill: On Liberty, Norton Critical Edition
Recommended
Books
- Gordon Harvey: Writing with
Sources,
- Anthony Weston: A Rulebook for Arguments, 3rd edition
Course Requirements and Evaluation:
(i)
Quizzes:
o
every week (usually on Tuesdays, see schedule) there will be a
short, multiple-choice quiz on the required reading assignment(s).
o
Absolutely no makeup of missed quizzes (even if
your absence is excused)!
o
These quizzes will not only be part of your grade, but if
you miss or fail more than 4 quizzes during the semester, then you will not get
a passing final grade! (In special circumstances I might
offer/accept an alternative to the required number of successful quizzes – as
e.g. an oral qualifying exam about the reading materials.)
o
The 3 weakest of your quizzes will be dropped.
o
You can use your own handwritten notes during the
quizzes.
o
Important notice: If you have
difficulty to read the assigned texts and/or you feel that your quiz grades do
not reflect your effort/understanding you should talk to me immediately!
I will advise you how to read/take notes more effectively and I will work with
you to improve your philosophical reading skills.
(ii)
3 short essays: During the semester I will
assign topics for consideration. These topics will help you to develop your own
ideas about philosophical issues and arguments we read about and discussed in
class. These papers should be 2-3 typed page (double lined, in ordinary
12 pts font, with at least 1” margin all around).
(iii)
Final Cumulative Exam will cover
the entire material of the course. You can use your books and notes during the
exam (“open book exam”).
(iv)
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory.
o
0 - 2 absences: no consequences (other than missed quizzes)
o
3-4 absences: 3% will be taken for each absence from your final
grade
o
5 or more absences: No final grade will be given.
(i)
Participation:
o
Your participation in class discussions will also be part of
your final grade.
Quizzes 15%
Three essays 45% (15% each)
Final exam 25%
Participation 15%
Notices:
(i)
Unforeseen events may cause the schedule of assignments to
change. If there is a change in the number or importance of any of the
assignments, each assignment’s effect on your grade may also change, but you
will receive notice of any such changes.
(ii)
No “incomplete” will be assigned except in cases of real
emergency, in which cases it must be approved by the department chairperson.
(iii)
A doctor's certificate or such verifiable documentation will be
required to make-up missed deadlines or exam.
Accommodation for Students with Special Needs or Disabilities
If you have any special need, please inform me about it in your
e-mail (see next topic), or visit me during my office hours, to describe your
special situation.
Please send me an introductory e-mail, as soon as possible (say
today), with the following basic data and contact information. If you do not
have to access to e-mail, please, talk to me after class.
Your e-mail should contain the following information:
[Name:]
[E-mail address(es):]
[Phone #:]
[Class/year:]
[Major:]
Information concerning special needs or disabilities*:
Your favorite book(s) and movie(s)*:
Any book you read and you would deem to be “philosophical” (it
can be both fiction and/or book on philosophy)*:
(Questions marked by (*) are optional. If you do not feel
comfortable about them, do not answer them.)
Your questions, comments, suggestions by e-mail are always
welcomed. You cannot, however, to send in your written assignments
(short essays, term paper) by e-mail.
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