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Syllabus
Introduction to
Philosophy
Fall 2002
Marist College
Dr. Greg Moses
Course Description: In this course, we will first consider the value of philosophy in an age of mass media; then we will consider the value of philosophy as a resource for independent self-exploration; and finally we will explore the value of spirituality and community.
Course Objectives: By the end of the course, students should be able to articulate independent and critical reflections on some of the great themes and texts of the course.
Assessment: Frequent class discussions and writing assignments will facilitate assessment of student progress.
Praxis/Public Citizenship: This course includes a requirement of 12 hours of community service (2 hours per week for 6 weeks) as part of the course material to be covered.
Required Texts (in order of use):
- Pierre Bourdieu. On Television. New Press, 1998.
- Plato. Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo, & Phaedrus. Harvard Loeb, 2001.
- Simone de Beauvoir. Second Sex. Vintage, 1989.
- King. A Knock at Midnight. Warner, 2000.
- Laozi. Daodejing. Seven Bridges, 2002.
Course Requirements: The final grade will be based upon the following:
- 20 % Participation & portfolio of preparations
- 20 % Paper on Plato & Bourdieu: Philosophy in an Age of Mass Media
- 20 % Paper on de Beauvoir: Philosophy & Self Exploration
- 40 % Final Paper on King, Laozi, and Community
- Note: most of the final paper will draw upon community service experience
Attendance Policy: Documentation will be accepted within two weeks of an excused absence. More than two undocumented absences will result in deduction of a letter grade from the final average. More than three undocumented absences, two letter grades. More than four undocumented absences, and the instructor reserves the right to issue a failing grade.
Late Grades: Preparations and assignments should arrive in class with the student. Any preparations or assignments not accompanied by students to class will be marked "late" or "absent" with a grade penalty.
Weather: If the College announces official closing for weather, we will cancel class accordingly. Otherwise, class will be held.
Schedule of inquiry:
Sept. 4—Introduction to Syllabus
Sept. 9—Bourdieu on Television (1-38)
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Organizing Workshops
Sept. 11—Bourdieu on Television (39-67)
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Sept. 16--Bourdieu on Television (68-85)
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Sept. 18—Socrates on Trial (Apology)
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Sept. 23—Reflecting on Connections between Bourdieu and Plato
Prepare: A two-page exploration of possible common threads.
Sept. 25--Crito
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Sept. 30—Phaedrus I (416-465)
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Oct. 2—Phaedrus II (465-505)
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Oct. 7—Phaedrus III (507-579)
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Oct. 9—Brainstorming the Paper on Plato & Bourdieu
Prepare: Six quotes from Bourdieu, six from Plato, and six sentences of your own.
Oct. 14—First Paper Due
Prepare: Seven-page paper with about one page of introduction, two pages on Bourdieu,
two pages on Plato and two pages developing your own contribution. Late work and
absences will be subject to penalty.
Here is a guide to grading criteria: F=failure to meet expectations of the assignment;
D=a few expectations are realized; C=each of the three sections is adequately
represented with a coherent, scholarly development; B=not only are each of the sections
well developed, but there are substantial connections between the sections that contribute
to an overall development; A=the paper transcends the assignment, because all the
requirements are in place, but the writer has done a good job of making a fine essay that
flows from beginning to end.
Oct. 16—de Beauvoir's Introduction (xix-xxxvi)
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Oct. 21—de Beauvoir & Darwin (Ch. 1)
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Oct. 23—de Beauvoir & Freud (Ch. 2)
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Oct. 28—de Beauvoir & Marx (Ch. 3)
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Oct. 30—de Beauvoir & History (Ch. 8)
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Nov. 4—de Beauvoir & Myth (Ch. 9)
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Nov. 6—de Beauvoir's Independence (Ch. 25)
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Nov. 11—Brainstorming a Paper
How does de Beauvoir best help you understand independence as a living challenge? Six
quotes from her work, six sentences of your own.
Nov. 13—Supplementary Research at the Library
Finding another source on challenges to independence (e.g. Freud or Marx)
Nov. 18—Paper Due
Six page paper on independence, with about one page of introduction, two pages on de
Beauvoir, one page on your supplementary source, and two pages of your own
development. Please note cautions and criteria from paper one above.
Nov. 20—King's "Three Dimensions of a Complete Life"
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Nov. 25—King's "Why Jesus Called a Man a Fool"
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Nov. 27—Open Selection from King's Sermons
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Dec. 2—Open Selection from King's Sermons
Prepare: Two paragraphs (a) summarizing essential lessons from the reading, and (b)
evaluating key claims.
Dec. 4—Beginning Laozi's Daodejing
Identify a passage for sharing & discussion.
Praxis Reports: One page narrative of experiences in community service. .
Dec. 9—Sharing Laozi's Daodejing
Identify further passages for sharing & discussion.
Praxis Issues: What issues arise for you as you reflect on your community service?
Dec. 11—Supplementary Research for Praxis Issue
Final—Reflections on Spirituality and Community
A ten-page paper, with about one page of introduction, three pages on King & Laozi, two
pages of experiential narrative concerning your community service, two pages treating an
issue with supplementary research, and two pages of rousing, visionary speculations on
the philosophical value of community. Please review cautions and criteria for paper one
above.
Contact Information
Fontaine 322
x2217
greg.moses@marist.edu
Home: 473-4737
Ofc. Hrs.:
MTWR: 1-3 pm
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