COURSE OVERVIEW
PL 100 PHILOSOPHY AND THE HUMAN CONDITION Summer 2 - 2008
On - Line
Orientation meeting Monday July 7, 2008 Room 23 4pm
INSTRUCTOR: Frank Farrell, Senior Associate Professor of
Religion
COURSE
DESCRIPTION: 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.
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 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,
scientific theories
and existential theories;
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 and freedom.
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. work cooperatively in group learning
activities.
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 class discussions of 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 class discussions of course materials, showing comprehension of material discussed in course on midterm and final exams.
MEASURE: Students will effectively communicate with the instructor outside of class time by email, phone or in person.
Standard: 80% of students will effectively communicate with the instructor outside of class time 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 St. Augustine and St. Basil.
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:
1. Lectures 2. Collaborative Learning exercises
3. Written
assignments 4. Group Project
5. Exams 6. Films with guided discussion
7. Computer tutorials 8. Demonstration of search and retrieval
techniques for the Internet
REQUIRED TEXTS: Fifty Readings in Philosophy, Donald C. Abel, Third Edition, ISBN 978-0-07-353570-8 available in the Manor College Bookstore, and a good college dictionary to help with the vocabulary in the readings. This is a new edition of the text, so please do not buy the older edition - all readings are also available on-line.
a good college dictionary to help with the vocabulary in the readings.
Internet
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: This will be an intensive reading course run in a on-line style. We will base our discussions primarily on these readings. Therefore, reading assignments should be done before the week in which we will address them. There will be two examinations: a midterm and final exam, one paper, and weekly homework written assignments.
ATTENDANCE:
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% < 70% average earns a final
grade of D. 0 < 60% average earns a
final grade of F. Your final grade will be determined by exam grades, group
project, internet project, any quizzes, written assignments, class
participation and attendance.
All assignments must be handed in on time in order to receive full credit. Partial credit may be given for late assignments. If you miss class, you can get the assignment and/or handout from the course website: http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/PL100/index.htm
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. Also, see plagiarism policy in the student handbook.
Theme
Assignment/Class Activity
SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS Click on all links that are in blue ink - they will take you to handouts and assignments!
This schedule is subject to change if the pace of the course demands it.
CLASS TOPIC ASSIGNMENT
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Week One
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Introduction to course: What is philosophy? |
Class Activities: 1. Go over overview and review the course webpage. 2. Lecture notes on Introduction to Philosophy 3. read King 488-501 |
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Week One
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Introduction to Greek ideas about human nature |
Homework due Monday July 7: Do the study questions on Russell's essay pp. 19-26 in text. Do Bond questions
Class Activities:
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Week Two
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More on the Greek view of human nature: The importance of autonomous thought - Socrates |
Homework due Monday, July 14: Visit the website for the film “The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization” at http://www.pbs.org/empires/thegreeks/htmlver/index.html
1. Go to "Site Index" and read about one of the topics on this page from the following choices: Cleisthenes, Themistocles, Pericles, Socrates, Aspasia, Greek Culture, Greek Politics, Greek Warfare or Greek Architecture.
2. Write a one-two page summary about one of the people/topics and email to me.
OR
Watch the film: Greece - A Moment of Excellence (On reserve in the library) 1. Complete the study questions on main page
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Week Two
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Plato and the "Allegory of the Cave"
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Homework due Monday, July 14:
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Week Three
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Plato's "Euthyphro"
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Homework due Friday, July 18: .
Read The Euthyphro, pp. 4-18 as an example of the Socratic method. Outline the main five parts (below) and write something briefly about each section. Use this handout euthyphro notes.htm to help you further with this assignment. 1. Describe the introduction that sets the scene. Where does the dialogue take place? Who is Euthyphro? Why is Socrates talking to him? About what? pp. 4-6 2. Outline the dialogue that leads up to and asks the “Ti esti?” question, which is the "What is it" question on pp. 6-7. Socrates was very interested in definitions (see supplementary materials on website on Socratic questioning). You can't call someone pious unless you first know what the word means. The Socratic method is a method of questioning used to try to come up with a good definition. 3. List the many questions and briefly summarize Euthyphro’s responses on pp.7-13. See how the questions that Socrates asks lead Euthyphro to a point of confusion which is an important part of any Socratic dialogue. List Euthyphro’s answers. Euthyphro, like most people, thinks he knows much more about piety than he actually does. Socrates tried to show people that important questions were more complex than one initially thought. 4. What progress do Socrates and Euthyphro make towards a new and better definition? Show how Euthyphro comes to a better understanding of piety and/or at least realizes his ignorance about the issue on pp.13-17. 5. How does the dialogue end? What does this tell you about Euthyphro? p.18
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Week Three
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Socratic dialogue project and Midterm Exam |
Review dialogue directions before class -
Mid term Exam will be emailed to you the Monday of the third week. You will need to return it by Monday of the fourth week.
Your midterm average will be based on your homework, your Socratic dialogue grade (1/3) and your midterm exam grade (1/3)
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Week Four
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The Christian view of human nature: Jesus and St. Basil
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Homework due Wednesday, July 23: 1. Review the PBS website http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/- Write an essay of 500-750 words summarizing any interesting information about the beginnings of Christianity. Make sure that you give citations in the essay to indicate from where you got your material from this site.
2. Try to find out more about St. Basil by doing your own web search AND looking at the materials on the Supplementary Materials page. Write some brief notes about what you learned about St. Basil. Extra credit for describing St. Basil's connection to Manor.
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Week Five
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Augustine and human nature |
Homework due Monday July 28, Class activity:
Do not do this extra credit until after our class discussion on Augustine. Extra credit assignment: Review class materials on Augustine's theodicy and answer the following question in a 250- 500 word essay. Must be typed and double-spaced. How would you respond to friend who experienced the death of someone very close to them, and asked you "Why did God allow this to happen?" In your answer, incorporate as many of Augustine's ideas as you can AND include what you really think!! Your answer must include what Augustine says about evil, both moral and natural, about the two cities, his own life experiences and his views on human nature from the above lecture notes and supplementary materials above. I want to see how well you understand Augustine's ideas and how you respond to them. Make sure that your essay has both elements!
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Week Five |
Modern political views of human nature: Hobbes' modern view of human nature and political society
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Homework due Monday July 28 1. Read handout The transition from the Medieval World to the early Modern World Modern World.htm 2. Read pp. 441- 444 in text 3. Answer the questions on the study guide on Hobbes’ The Leviathan Hobbes.htm
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Week Five
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Modern political view of human nature: Locke and human nature and property |
Homework due Friday August 1 1. Read Locke pp. 450 – 461 in the text and review Lecture notes locke lecture notes.doc 2. Answer the questions on the Study Guide on John Locke's The Second Treatise of Government LOCKE.htm 3. Havel - see links on course page 4. Jacob Bronowski - see links on course page
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Week Six
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Modern political view of human nature: Marx - man as Homo faber |
Homework due Monday August 4, 1. Read Study Guide on Karl Marx Marx.htm 2. Then do Study Questions on The Communist Manifesto pp. 470-480 (in text) Marx questions.htm 3. Mark Twain “The Lowest Animal
2. Video: “Is Wal-Mart Good for America?” (American capitalism in the 21st century) http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/view/
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Week Six
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Week Six
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Final Discussion |
Final Discussion and Review for final
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The final examination is during final exam week.
This schedule is subject to change if the pace of the course
demands it.
OFFICE HOURS: Mondays, Wednesdays
"The unexamined life is not worth
living"
Socrates