Department of Philosophy and Religion
MWF 12-12:50
p.m. Introduction to Philosophy PHL-200.04. Dickey Hall, Rm 136
Spring 2010
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Instructor |
Safro Kwame, Ph.D. |
E-mail |
kwame@lincoln.edu |
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Phone |
Ext. 7569 (484-365-7569) |
Office Hours |
MW 9-10 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. |
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Office |
216 Dickey Hall |
Section 04 |
MWF 12-12:50 p.m. DH 136 |
Robert Paul Wolff
(ed), Ten Great Works of Philosophy, New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2002.
Course Packet (printed and/or online in Web CT). (See
section 11 below.)
Recommended
Text:
Robert C. Solomon, The Little Philosophy Book,
New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2008.
9. Course Description
(See section 9 below.):
In this course students will have the opportunity to examine sample philosophical questions in three classic areas of philosophy, including metaphysics, theory of knowledge, and ethics. These questions will include: Does God exist? What is it rational to believe? What is knowledge? What is the ideal state? Who am I? Am I free or determined? What is race, racism, and the relations of power? What role do women have in the transformation of society? In examining these questions, students will study representative selections from classic and contemporary authors. Through the study of these issues and philosophers, students will learn philosophical methods and approaches. Most important, they will learn to apply philosophical notions to issues in their own lives.
1. Students will learn what philosophy is and what issues
are philosophical issues.
2. Students will learn about issues in several major
branches of philosophy, including epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics.
3. Students will learn to think critically and to do
philosophy as a critical thinking activity.
4. Students will learn ways to positively and effectively
engage in multi-cultural dialogue.
Required
Exams and Essay Assignments: (See
section 15 below.)
Other Rules and Requirements: (See section 19 below.)
Class Participation. Students are expected to participate in
class, including reading the assigned materials and coming to class prepared
for discussion.
Attendance. Attendance is
required. Three lates equals an absence
and students may be graded down or failed for missing more than three
classes. Students missing class are
responsible for all assignments and materials covered during class.
Academic Integrity. The
instructor follows the University Policy for Academic Integrity. The statement of that policy is attached.
Classroom Conduct. In order to provide all students with an
opportunity to focus on learning, cell phones must be turned off, hats
removed, and other distractions, such as private conversations during class
discussion, must be avoided.
Extra-Credit.
See section 19d below. Students may receive extra-credit points through
completing extra-credit assignments. It is the responsibility of the student to
discover the extra-credit assignments by searching the syllabus and class
websites. Part of the credit comes from
being able to figure out the extra-credit assignments by yourself. See section
19d below.
Guide for
Reading:
The assigned materials are all original works in
philosophy. The test of the truth of
those ideas lies in philosophical or rational discussion. Discussion will focus on understanding,
clarifying, and critiquing these works.
These discussions are an important part of the learning process where
students learn how to do philosophy by practicing
it in the classroom. To do this
students must read the assigned material.
Here are some useful questions to ask of the readings:
What terms are used by the author? Are they defined?
What question did the author attempt to answer?
What was the author’s main point or thesis?
What supporting reasons did the author give for his or
her main point?
What criticisms do you have concerning the author’s
point?
Evaluation: (See section 15 below for alternative and full
grading scales.)
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93-100 = A |
83-86 = B |
73-76 = C |
59 > = F |
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90-93 = A- |
80-82 = B- |
70-72 = C- |
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87-89 = B+ |
77-79 = C+ |
60-69 = D |
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Topics and
Questions |
Pages and References |
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Why philosophy? What is the value of philosophy? |
Plato, Apology, in Wolff ed., pp. 1-15 |
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Plato, Apology, in Wolff ed., pp. 15-33 Plato, Crito, in Wolff ed., pp. 33-46 Plato, Phaedo, in Wolff ed., pp. 47-62 |
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Is there something I can know for certain? |
Russell, The Value of Philosophy in Course Packet or WebCT Descartes, Meditation I, in Wolff ed., pp. 133-138 Descartes, Meditation II, in Wolff ed., pp. 138-148 |
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How do I know the external world exists? |
Berkeley, Of the Principles of Human Knowledge in Course Packet or WebCT Kant, Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics in Wolff ed., pp. 358-367 |
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How do I know that the future will be like the past? Do I have a free will? Or are all my choices and actions determined? |
Hume, Skeptical Doubts Concerning the Operation of the Understanding in Wolff, ed., pp. 223-236 d’Holbach, The System of Nature in Course Packet or WebCT |
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What is the nature of my mind? How is it related to my body? |
Sartre, Existentialism is a Humanism in Course Packet or WebCT J.J.C. Smart, Sensations and Brain Processes in Course Packet or WebCT Recommended: W. Lycan, Giving Dualism its Due in Course Packet or WebCT |
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What makes me the same person at different points in
time? Can computers think? Can animals think? |
Dennett, Where am I? in Course Packet or WebCT Searle, Can computers think? in Course Packet or WebCT |
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What is God’s nature? Does God exist? |
St. Anselm, Ontological Proof, Proslogium in Wolff, pp. 104-108 St. Thomas Aquinas, Five Ways in Wolff, pp. 109-117 |
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Paley, Natural Theology in Course Packet or WebCT |
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What is Evil? Does it prove God does not exist? Is it rational/ethical to believe without evidence? Is belief meaningful? |
Dostoyevsky, Rebellion in Course Packet or WebCT John Hick, “Chapter 4 – The Problem of Evil,” in John Hick, Philosophy of Religion, 4th Edition, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1990, pp. 39-55 on Library Reserve Clifford, Ethics
and Belief in Course Packet or WebCT |
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James, The Will to Believe in Wolff, pp. 549-574 Popper, Conjectures and Refutations in Course Packet or WebCT Flew, Theology and Falsification in Course Packet or WebCT |
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Evolution or Creationism? What relation is there between race and philosophy? |
Drange, Can Creationism be Scientific? In Course Packet or WebCT King, Letter from Birmingham Jail in Course Packet or WebCT Carmichael, Black Power Speech in Course Packet or WebCT |
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What is the right thing to do? |
West, Audio of Smiley interview of Cornell West Mill, Utilitarianism in Wolff ed., pp. 484-506 |
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What is Virtue? What is Happiness |
Kant, Metaphysics of Morals, in Course Packet or WebCT http://files.wallstreetfolly.com/wordpress/2009/08/the-daily-show-mba-ethics-oath/ Aristotle, Nicomachean ethics in Course Packet or WebCT |
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What is African Philosophy and its relation to Western Philosophy? |
Appiah, African Philosophy in Course Packet or WebCT Oguah, African Philosophy and Western Philosophy In Course Packet or WebCT |
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Reading Day and FINAL EXAM |
Reading Day & FINAL EXAM as assigned by Registrar. Final Exam may be on Friday 4/23/10 at 6 pm. You cannot take it earlier or with another class. |
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Day |
Date |
Discussion Topic/Learning Opportunities |
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Wed |
01.06.2010 |
Prologue |
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Fri |
01.08.2010 |
Preface and Philosophy of Education - Handout |
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Mon |
01.11.2010 |
Read Ananse Pot of Wisdom Handout before today's class. |
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Wed |
01.13.2010 |
Read African Introduction to Philosophy Handout before today's class. |
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Fri |
01.15.2010 |
Read Introductory Remarks to the Reader pp. vii-xi before today's class. |
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Mon |
01.18.2010 |
NO CLASS: MLK Day. |
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Wed |
01.20.2010 |
Read Plato: Apology Part I pp. 3-23 before today's class. |
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Fri |
01.22.2010 |
Discussion |
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Mon |
01.25.2010 |
Read Plato: Apology Part II pp. 23-30 before today's class. |
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Wed |
01.27.2010 |
Discussion |
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Fri |
01.29.2010 |
Classwork 1: Quiz on Text and Classes. |
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Mon |
02.01.2010 |
Read Plato: Crito pp. 33-46 before today's class. |
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Wed |
02.03.2010 |
Discussion |
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Fri |
02.05.2010 |
Read Plato: Phaedo pp. 47-50 and 58-62 before today's class. |
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Mon |
02.08.2010 |
Discussion |
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Wed |
02.10.2010 |
Classwork 2: Quiz on Text and Classes. |
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Fri |
02.12.2010 |
Read Rene Descartes: Meditation I pp. 133-138 before today's class. |
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Mon |
02.15.2010 |
Discussion |
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Wed |
02.17.2010 |
Read Rene Descartes: Meditation II pp. 138-148 before today's class. |
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Fri |
02.19.2010 |
Discussion |
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Mon |
02.22.2010 |
Classwork 3: Quiz on Text and Classes. |
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Wed |
02.24.2010 |
Discussion 1. |
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Fri |
02.26.2010 |
Discussion 2. |
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Mon |
03.01.2010 |
Comprehensive Midterm Exam. |
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Wed |
03.03.2010 |
Discussion |
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Fri |
03.05.2010 |
NO CLASS: Midterm Break. |
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Mon |
03.08.2010 |
Read Rene Descartes: Meditation III pp. 148-163 before today's class. |
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Wed |
03.10.2010 |
Read The Meditations of Zara Yaquob - Handout before today's class. |
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Fri |
03.12.2010 |
Discussion |
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Mon |
03.15.2010 |
Read Appiah: African philosophy - Handout before today's class. |
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Wed |
03.17.2010 |
Read Oguah: African philosophy - Handout before today's class. |
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Fri |
03.19.2010 |
Classwork 4: Quiz on Text and Classes. |
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Mon |
03.22.2010 |
Read King: African American philosophy - Handout before today's class. |
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Wed |
03.24.2010 |
Read Carmichael: African American philosophy - Handout before today. |
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Fri |
03.26.2010 |
Discussion |
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Mon |
03.29.2010 |
Classwork 5: Quiz on Text and Classes. |
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Wed |
03.31.2010 |
Discussion |
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Fri |
04.02.2010 |
NO CLASS: Easter. |
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Mon |
04.05.2010 |
Read West: African American philosophy - Handout before today's class. |
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Wed |
04.07.2010 |
Read Upanishads: Eastern philosophy - Handout before today's class. |
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Fri |
04.09.2010 |
Discussion |
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Mon |
04.12.2010 |
Read US News, NY Times, Guardian and ABA Handout before today. |
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Wed |
04.14.2010 |
Review. |
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Fri |
04.16.2010 |
Epilogue. |
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T-F |
4/20-4/23 |
Final Exam may be on Fri. 4/23/10 at 6 pm. You cannot
take it earlier. |
1. Name of the Department: Philosophy and Religion Department.
2. Course Number and Title: PHL-200 Introduction to Philosophy. 3 Credits.
3. Semester: Spring 2010.
4. Name of the Professor: Dr. Safro Kwame.
5. Office Location/Room Number: Dickey Hall Room 217.
6. Conference Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 9-10 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
7. Office Extension: 7569. Tel: (484) 365-7569 Fax: (484) 365-8098.
8. E-Mail Address: kwame@lincoln.edu or kwame@mailshack.com (E-mail messages must have Philosophy in the subject line and, unless requested in other formats, attachments must be in plain text and not Microsoft Word.)
9. Course Description: An introduction to famous philosophers and philosophical issues. This course provides an introduction to philosophy through the examination of philosophical problems in the classic divisions of philosophy of ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology. Students are encouraged to learn to "do" philosophy. Course Objective: (a) To familiarize the student with some famous philosophers, (b) foster deep and critical thinking about very basic issues, and (c) exercise and develop the mind and challenge students mentally.
10. Course Pre-requisites: English 102 (now E101). You have to take and pass English 102 (now E101) before taking Introduction to Philosophy (PHL 200).
11. Required Textbooks: Wolff, Robert. 2002. Ten Great Works of Philosophy New York, Penguin Books/Signet Classic (Required). Solomon, Robert. 2008. The Little Philosophy Book New York, Oxford University Press (Supplement: Not Required). Kessler, Gary. 2010. Voices of Wisdom 7th edition Belmot CA., Wadsworth (Supplement: Not Required).
12. Required Materials: Textbook, notebook, pencil and pen.
13. Student/Learner Outcomes (Learning Outcome - What student should be able to do at the end of course.): Define philosophy; Distinguish between philosophy, science and religion; Distinguish between epistemology, metaphysics and ethics; Identify some of the famous philosophers; Apply philosophical theories and techniques.
14. Learning Opportunities (and Course Assignments): (See above for specific discussion topics and assignments.) Class presentation of readings; Class discussion of readings; Excerpts from classical texts; Identification of the arguments in the readings; Application of the readings.
15. Assessment Tools/Grading Standards, including calculations of midterm and final grades (include weights in percentages): Explain philosophy to a child or novice; Distinguish between Western, African and African American philosophies; Identify the philosophical issues in the news; Write or formulate a philosophy of life paper; Take a comprehensive final examination. Course Evaluation: Mid-term grade will be determined by a mid-term exam and semester grade determined by final examination (100%) minus absences or lack of attendance and/or poor participation -- unless stated otherwise on supplementary details. If you like the classworks and have no complaint against them, you may petition to substitute any 2 classworks for the mid-term exam and any 4 classworks for the final exam provided you attend classes until the end of the semester. Unless you officially withdraw or formally request an incomplete (in writing) and submit appropriate documentation before the end of the semester, you will receive a passing or failing grade based on performance and attendance.
Grading Scale: A=100-90, B=89-80, C=79-70, D=69-60, F=59-0 or for difficult exams A=100-80%, B=70-60%, C=50-40%, D=30-20%, F=10-0%. (+/- determined by curve.)
16. Attendance Policy
(as printed in University Bulletin): Lincoln University uses the method of
teaching, which assumes that each student has something to contribute and
something to gain by attending class. It further assumes that there is much
more instruction absorbed in the classroom than can be tested on examinations.
Therefore, students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled class
meetings and should exhibit good faith in this regard. For the control of
absences, the faculty adopted the following regulations: 1. Four absences may
result in an automatic failure in the course. 2. Three tardy arrivals may be
counted as one absence. 3. Absences will be counted starting with whatever day
is specified by the instructor but not later than the deadline for adding or
dropping courses. 4. In case of illness, death in the family, or other
extenuating circumstances, the student must present documented evidence of
inability to attend classes to the Vice President for Student Affairs and
Enrollment Management. However, in such cases the student is responsible for
all work missed during those absences. 5. Departments offering courses with
less than full-course credit will develop and submit to the Vice President for
Student Affairs and Enrollment Management a class attendance policy in keeping
with the above. 6. Students representing the University in athletic events or
other University sanctioned activities will be excused from class with the
responsibility of making up all work and examinations. The Registrar will issue
the excused format to the faculty member in charge of the off- or on-campus
activity for delivery by the student(s) to their instructors. Save your
documents or “excuses” and submit copies to your instructor at the end of
the semester.
17. University Approved Integrity Statement: Students are responsible for proper conduct and integrity in all of their scholastic work. They must follow a professor's instructions when completing tests, homework, and laboratory reports, and must ask for clarification if the instructions are not clear. In general, students should not give or receive aid when taking exams, or exceed the time limitations specified by the professor. In seeking the truth, in learning to think critically, and in preparing for a life of constructive service, honesty is imperative. Honesty in the classroom and in the preparation of papers is therefore expected of all students. Each student has the responsibility to submit work that is uniquely his or her own. All of this work must be done in accordance with established principles of academic integrity. 1. Acts of Academic Dishonesty (Cheating): Specific violations of this responsibility include, but are not limited to, the following: * Copying, offering and/or receiving unauthorized assistance or information in examinations, tests, quizzes; in the writing of reports, assigned papers, or special assignments, as in computer programming; and in the preparation of creative works (i.e. music, studio work, art). * The fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports. * The use of unauthorized materials and/or persons during testing. * The unauthorized possession of tests or examinations. * The physical theft, duplication, unauthorized distribution, use or sale of tests, examinations, papers, or computer programs. * Any action which destroys or alters the work of another student. * Tampering with grades, grade books or otherwise attempting to alter grades assigned by the instructor. * The multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without the prior written permission of each instructor. 2. Plagiarism: If a student represents "another person's ideas or scholarship as his/her own," that student is committing an act of plagiarism. The most common form of plagiarism among college students is the unintentional use of others' published ideas in their own work, and representing these ideas as their own by neglecting to acknowledge the sources of such materials. Plagiarism includes downloads, copies and purchase of papers and essays from the internet. Students are expected to cite all sources used in the preparation of written work, including examinations. It is each student's responsibility to find out exactly what each of his/her professors expects in terms of acknowledging sources of information on papers, exams, and assignments. It is the responsibility of each faculty person to state clearly in the syllabus for the course all expectations pertaining to academic integrity and plagiarism. 3. Sanctions: A: Warning - A written notice that repetitions of misconduct will result in more severe disciplinary action. The warning becomes part of the student's file in the Office of the Registrar and, if there is no other example of misconduct, is removed at the time of graduation. B: Failure for project (exam, paper, experiment). C: Failure of course. For serious and repeat offenses, the University reserves the right to suspend or expel. Imposition of Sanctions: First Offense - A and/or B. Second and Subsequent offenses - B or C. Students failing a course because of an instance of academic dishonesty may not drop the course. The student may appeal a charge of academic dishonesty within ten days of receiving notice of same. The appeal will be heard by an Academic Hearing Board (AHB) consisting of the chairs of each division of study (or their designees). Files on violations of this academic integrity code will be kept in the Office of the Registrar.
18. Schedule of Weekly Assignments: See above or attachment.
19. Miscellaneous Expectations: (a) Classwork consists of in-class quizzes for which there is no make-up. If your name is not printed in capital letters throughout or your cell phone rings or is used in class, half-a-point (5%) or more will be taken off your final grade or score. When graded, papers or quizzes will be distributed at the end (not the beginning) of class. You are required to save all your quizzes and papers. If your attendance and participation are excellent, you may petition to use your classworks in place of your final exam. If you leave in the middle of a quiz or exam, for whatever reason, you will have to answer a different set of questions when you return. (b) Papers: All papers should explain the main question and evaluate the arguments on all sides and be submitted in both electronic and hard copies (i.e. printed on paper and also sent as e-mail). Papers should be typed and accompanied by an abstract (summary of main points, facts and arguments) and bibliography. Use "Save As" to save you paper as plain text and attach it to your e-mail with Philosophy in the subject line. E-mail attachments (in Microsoft Word or Works or WordPerfect or compressed or zipped) which are not in plain text (i.e. txt format) are unacceptable. Late extra-credit papers won't be accepted. Late required papers will be dropped by 1 letter grade. (c) Attendance: Signing the attendance sheet for someone else or missing a class, for whatever reason, may cost you up to 5% on your final grade for each occurrence. According to University regulations, 4 absences may result in a failure and 3 tardy arrivals or departures may count as an absence. (d) Extra-Credit: Extra-credit papers, if permitted, should apply all the readings to your philosophy of life (see papers, above, & website below), due in class on the day of the last quiz, and count as one quiz. At best, 3 philosophy club meetings (you must participate and sign attendance) or a class-presentation (which is an oral critique of a reading/topic, not used for paper, with a written abstract), if permitted, will push 1 classwork up by 1 letter grade.
20. Class/Course Website: http://www.lincoln.edu/philosophy/kwame.html or http://philosophydepartment.tripod.com/ or http://www.kwame.50webs.com/ or http://kwame.atspace.com/ WebCT: http://webct41.lincoln.edu:8900 To check your grade on the computer or internet, go to any one of the websites listed above and follow the instructions there. Note that some of the websites may be down and not updated.
21. How to Check and Monitor Your Grade in Dr. Kwame’s Class
Your semester grade will be determined by the final examination minus absences or lack of attendance and/or poor participation. If a term paper is required for this course (check syllabus), your semester grade will be determined by the final exam (80%) and a typed paper as specified by your syllabus (20%), minus absences or lack of attendance and/or poor participation. Note that students are expected to attend classes regularly and participate in class discussions. Hence, no special points are given for attendance or class participation. Points, however, are taken off for absences or lack of attendance and/or poor participation.
To estimate or
monitor your overall or semester grade, do the following:
1. Start with an “A” grade and a score of 100%. Later on, when you have 4 or more quizzes or you take the final examination or the semester ends, replace your starting grade and score with either your final exam grade and score or the average of 4 quiz grades and scores (i.e. add the scores or percentages from any 4 quizzes and divide by 4 and, then, use any one of the grading scales you like from the syllabus to convert your average score into a grade). If a term paper is required for this course, add your grade and score for your term paper to either your score on the final examination or average score from 4 quizzes and divide by 5 and, then, use any one of the grading scales you like from the syllabus to convert the resulting score into a grade.
2.
If you have
missed 4 or more classes, for reasons other than representing the
University in athletic events or other University sanctioned activities, deduct 100 points from your overall
score or average as calculated above or,
if you prefer, deduct 5 points for every absence (regardless of the reason
for your absence); then, use any one of the grading scales you like from the
syllabus to convert the resulting score into a grade. If you have missed 3 or fewer classes, skip this step: do not deduct
any points.
Your final or semester grade is roughly whatever grade results from following steps 1 and 2 above. Grades are determined by performance and not just given.
Extra-credits, if available for this particular class or course (check syllabus), are applied to your quiz grade or score i.e. added to your quiz grade or score and not your final examination grade or score.
22. Absence and Excuses Form. Which absences do you want to be excused & why?
Name: ____________________________ Class: _____________________________
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