COURSE
OVERVIEW
PL 100 OLA PHILOSOPHY
AND THE HUMAN CONDITION online Summer I
2008 3 credits
INSTRUCTOR: Anne Knop, Senior Associate
Professor of Philosophy
CONTACT INFORMATION: E-mail
Anne Knop at anneknop@manor.edu Phone:
215-885-2360 ex. 249 Webpage
URL: Go
to www.manor.edu,
click on “Faculty WebPages”, click on Liberal Arts Faculty, and then
click on “Anne Knop”à
“website”. All homework assignments, class
activities and supplementary materials are on the website. College email for Manor Tech
Support:
helpdesk@manor.edu All homework
assignments with links to actual assignments are posted on the overview
on the website. It is your
responsibility to check the website weekly to see if there have been any
changes. If homework assignments
are not done by the due date, and you have not notified me to let
me know, that homework assignment will not receive full credit if
handed in late.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is the online version of PL 100. It is an
introduction to the study of philosophy through an examination of primary works
in philosophy. The focus is on the historical development of major ideas
(e.g., theories of human nature, freedom, work, etc.).
COURSE PREREQUISITE: Passing grade in EN 101, Fundamentals of Composition I. You
must have completed and passed EN 101 to take this course. If not, please
contact your advisor immediately! You must also
have basic computer skills such as
knowing how to send email attachments, knowing how to use “Track Changes” in
Word for revisions, knowing how to search for more information on the Internet
and document your research, etc. You
must submit all assignments in Microsoft Word. If you do not have Word on your home
computer, it is available on campus computers. I will not accept assignments
that are done in other programs such as Word Perfect, Microsoft Works, etc. or
that are typed in the body of the email.
Since this is a summer course compressed into six weeks, you must be able to spend a minimum of 10
hours per week doing the work on this course. If you were on campus for this course, you
would be spending 6.5 hours in the classroom and a minimum of 3.5 hours outside
of class doing homework assignments.
COURSE PHILOSOPHY: Students who have completed
English 101 have already been introduced to views of human nature and freedom
through a specific focus on the study of the struggles of culturally diverse
and often marginalized groups in
COURSE OBJECTIVES: By the end of the course, the
student will:
1. Define the discipline of
philosophy;
2. Display knowledge of the major areas of
philosophical inquiry;
3. Explain in writing the following Western theories
of human nature: classical Greek, Christian, Modern/political, and
existentialism;
4. Critically discuss these theories in essay form;
5. Analyze theories of human nature from a
philosophical viewpoint;
6. Display the ability to analyze the influence of the
above theories on her/his own beliefs about human nature;
7. Read successfully and comprehend excerpts from primary
philosophy sources;
8. Identify and retrieve information from a variety of
primary and secondary electronic and traditional sources.
9. Communicate with instructor through email and submission
of materials electronically.
STUDENT
OUTCOMES:
Outcome one: To demonstrate
effective communication skills:
MEASURE: Students will communicate sufficient knowledge of course
material in completing weekly written assignments, participating in online
work on course materials, completing a special research project on course
materials, showing comprehension of material discussed in course on
midterm and final exams.
Standard: 80% of students will communicate sufficient knowledge of
course material in completing weekly written assignments,
participating in online work on course materials, completing a special
research project on course materials, showing comprehension of material
discussed in course on midterm and final exams.
MEASURE: Students will effectively
communicate with the instructor by email, phone or in person.
Standard: 80% of students will
effectively communicate with the instructor by email, phone or in person.
Outcome two: To demonstrate
effective reading and critical thinking skills:
MEASURE: Students will successfully complete weekly assignments based on text
readings, instructor’s lecture notes also posted online, and the use of
other online and class based materials.
Standard: 80% of students will successfully complete weekly assignments
based on text readings, instructor’s lecture notes also posted online, and
the use of other online and class based materials.
MEASURE:
Students will critically summarize and analyze assigned philosophical works in
answering study questions and in taking exams.
Standard: 80% of students will critically summarize and analyze assigned
philosophical works in answering study questions and in taking exams.
Outcome three: To understand the
ethical and spiritual issues explored through philosophy.
MEASURE: Students will show critical comprehension of the ethical and spiritual
ideas of assigned readings by answering specific study questions and essay
questions focusing on the ethical implications of selected works.
Standard: 80% of students will show critical comprehension of the ethical
and spiritual ideas of assigned readings by answering specific study questions
and essay questions focusing on the ethical implications of selected works.
MEASURE: Students will show critical comprehension of the theological and
philosophical foundations of Christian theories of human nature by exploring
the ideas of early Christianity, especially
Standard: 80% of students will show critical comprehension of the
theological and philosophical foundations of Christian theories of human nature
by exploring the ideas of early Christianity, especially St. Augustine and St.
Basil and successfully summarizing and analyzing those ideas in assignments
and/or essay exams.
Outcome four: To identify, retrieve
and evaluate information from a variety of primary and secondary electronic and
traditional sources.
MEASURE: Students will successfully distinguish between primary and secondary
sources and properly cite sources using a standard format for philosophy.
Standard: 80% of students will successfully distinguish between primary
and secondary sources and properly cite sources using a standard format for
philosophy.
MEASURE: Students will show ability to evaluate information from web sources,
including distinguishing between scholarly/academic sources vs. popular
sources.
Standard: 80% of students will show ability to evaluate information from
web sources, including distinguishing between scholarly/academic sources vs.
popular sources.
MEASURE: Students will demonstrate competency in using general and
specialty search engines, resource pages and web directories and the
advance search features of search engines when appropriate in completing a
major project for the course.
Standard: 80% of students will demonstrate competency in using general
and specialty search engines, resource pages and web directories and the
advance search features of search engines when appropriate in completing a
major project for the course.
APPROACHES
TO TEACHING:
These approaches facilitate the student’s development of
communication, reading and critical thinking skills, and the student’s
exploration of ethical and spiritual issues. Lectures and web resources
provide modeling for these skills while class assignments provide hands-on
practice for the student in developing and using critical thinking skills.
REQUIRED TEXT: Fifty
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: This will be an intensive
reading course using primary sources in philosophy. Weekly written
assignments on each topic will be given. There will be
weekly assignments and a final essay exam.
These tutorials will help you to review definitions, terminology,
basic ideas, etc. and should be done for selected themes. Students are
expected to communicate regularly with the instructor about the material.
Questions are signs of intelligent life. It
is also important to use the supplementary materials on the website, as well as
web materials provided on the course website and by the publisher of the text
in order to be successful in this course. You should count on spending
approximately 10 - 15 hours per week on this course, which includes doing
assignments, and additional research on class readings and assignments.
GRADING: 90% <
100% total average earns a final grade of A. 80% < 90% average earns a
final grade of B. 70% < 80% average earns a final grade of C.
60% < 80% average earns a final grade of D. 0 < 60% average earns a
final grade of F. Your final grade will be determined by one final essay
grades, weekly written assignments, and communications with instructor.
All assignments must
be emailed on time in order to receive full credit. Partial
credit may be given for late assignments.
Not handing in an exam
when due will result in a grade of zero (0) for that exam unless you
receive my permission to miss the exam before the exam or you make
alternative arrangements with my approval.
PLAGIARISM/ACADEMIC
HONESTY POLICY: Plagiarism is a
serious offense with serious consequences from failing the essay, to failing
the course, to being expelled from the college. Students are responsible
for making sure that they do not plagiarize. You are allowed to use secondary materials, both print and
electronic, as resources, but you must acknowledge their use. If you use a direct quote, use quotation
marks and give citation. If you
paraphrase the work, also give a citation.
You are also not allowed to use another student’s work. If you do not follow these directions, you
will receive an “F” for that assignment.
If you do it again, you will receive an “F” for the course. If you are not sure, please ask me first! Also, see plagiarism policy in the student handbook.
ON CAMPUS OFFICE HOURS: By confirmed
appointment only. My office is in the Liberal Arts Division office on the
upper level of the Basilead library building on Manor’s campus.
OFF CAMPUS ACCESS TO
INSTRUCTOR: My phone number is (215) 885-2360 ext. 249. You can also
e-mail me anytime with any questions or comments, and I will answer you
promptly. My e-mail address is: anneknop@manor.edu
CAMPUS
ACCESS TO ACADEMIC RESOURCES: Please check Manor’s website for academic support services at www.manor.edu, or email the instructor anneknop@manor.edu with specific questions, and I will direct you
to the appropriate office.
SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Click on all links that are in blue ink - they will take you to handouts and
assignments!
WEEK
TOPIC
ASSIGNMENT
|
1 Week of
May 18 |
Introduction to the course: What is philosophy and how to read
it |
Due 1. Review the course
webpage. Email me with any questions about the course before you begin
any assignments. 2. Read the Lecture on Introduction to Philosophy INTRODUCTION
TO PHILOSOPHY AS AN ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE.doc to get a general overview of the
discipline of philosophy. 3. Read Bertrand Russell's essay
on pp. 18-23 in text. Please fill out the answers about the essay on
this document Russell
homework - expanded.doc , and email the completed Word document as an
attachment to anneknop@manor.edu no later than Please title your homework
documents as follows: “yourlastnametopic.doc”, e.g. KnopRussell.doc |
|
2 Week
of May 25 |
Introduction to the Greek view of human nature: The importance of autonomous thought |
Due
Sunday, May 25 at 1. Review the
lecture on the Greek view of human nature and Plato at SOCRATES AND PLATO.doc 2. Write
a one- two page summary that (a) summarizes Socrates and his questioning and
(b) summarizes Plato's Tripartite Doctrine of the Soul. 3. Read the Allegory of
the Cave” on pp. 123-126 in text 4. Please fill out the answers about the Allegory
on this document allegory -
expanded homework.doc and email
the completed Word document as an attachment to anneknop@manor.edu no later than |
|
3 Week of June 1 3 Week of June 1 |
The Christian view of human nature: Jesus, the early Christians, and |
Due
Sunday, June 1 at
3.
Read the Lecture
notes on For additional background on
Augustine, watch the optional video linked on the Augustine notes handout:
Late Have I Loved Thee
-- a 30 minute video presentation of ideas and texts of Augustine,
narrated by J. O'Donnell (current provost at Georgetown University and
Augustine scholar), with Seth Sibanda as the voice of Augustine. The video
requires QuickTime. To download a free trial copy of QuickTime, go to http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/ and read the directions carefully.
|
|
4 Week of
June 8 |
Modern political views of human nature: Hobbes and Locke |
Due
Sunday, June 8 at 1.
Read "The
transition from the Medieval World to the early Modern World" handout
at The
Transition to the Modern World.doc 2. Answer the questions on the study
guide on Hobbes at Hobbes homework -expanded.doc based
on selections from The Leviathan on pp.441-444
in text 3.
Read about Locke at Locke lecture notes.doc 4. Answer the questions on the study guide on
Locke Locke homework - expanded.doc |
|
5 Week of
June 15 |
Modern political view of human nature: Man as Homo faber |
Due
Sunday, June 15 at 1.
Read the Study Guide on Karl Marx Marx lecture notes -
expanded.doc 2.
Watch the Video: “Is Wal-Mart
Good for 3.
Answer the Study
Questions on The Communist Manifesto pp. 470 - 480 in text - Marx homework.doc Incorporate examples from the film where
appropriate |
|
6 Week of June 22 |
Existentialism |
Due
Sunday, June 22 at 1.
Read the Lecture on
Existentialism at Existentialism notes -
expanded.doc 2.
Read pp. 392-401 in text and answer
the discussion questions on the reading in the text at
Sartre homework.doc |
|
Final
exam due Thursday, June 26 |
Final
Exam |
Final Exam directions Summer
I 2008 Pl 100 OLA final essay exam directions.doc The exam is due Thursday, June 26
at |
(c)
2000-2008 by Anne Knop. Only students in
http://apps.manor.edu/aknop/index.htm