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SyllabusIntroduction to PhilosophyFall 2000Marist CollegeDr. Greg MosesLinks:Course Description In this course we will survey classic philosophical writings of Plato, Locke, and Kant, then using a philosophical point of view, we will examine three fields of human valuation: esthetics, religion, and science. Required Texts
Requirements and Grades The final grade will be based on the following, each weighted equally:
Outcomes By the end of the course, students should be able to (1) characterize and apply a variety of philosophical positions and (2) demonstrate an ability to make comparative valuations of philosophy, esthetics, religion, and science. Frequent assignments and papers will assess student competency in these areas. Praxis: Each student is required to undertake 12 hours of community service, attend two Praxis roundtables, and submit five pages of reflection on experience and scholarly literature related to the service activities. Attendance Policy Excused absences should be documented within two weeks. More than two unexcused absences will result in the deduction of a full letter from the final grade. After more than four unexcused absences, the instructor reserves the right to issues a failing grade for the course. Preparations: For each class meeting, a preparation is indicated, which will be due at the beginning of class. Preparations not ready for class will be counted late at half value. Schedule of Inquiry: Sep. 5-Introduction to course. Part One: Plato In this section of the course we will review two dialogues by Plato, seeking to develop one of the philosophical themes found there. A paper at the end of section will review relevant textual citations in order to demonstrate a philosophical position taken by Plato (4 pages), indicate how another philosopher has treated the theme (2 pages) and conclude with the student's own treatment of the theme (2 pages). Assessment will be based on completeness of assignment, attention to scholarly habits of citation, composition, soundness of arguments, difficulty, and creativity of your chosen position. Sep. 8-Plato's Symposium, part one. Read: Dialogues, pp. 15-37. Preparation: Divide the following five speakers among group members, and for each speaker summarize the view given on love: Phaedrus, Pausanias, Erixymachus, Aristophanes, and Agathon. In a second paragraph, evaluate which of the speakers you favor and why. Workshops: Share your preparations, taking turns with representations of the various speakers and sharing your choices for best speech. Please be sure that each participant gets two to three minutes for presentation. Forum: Five tributes to love. Sep. 12-Plato's Symposium, part two. Read: Dialogues, pp. 37-51. Preparation: Two paragraphs, typed (1) summarizing the view of love presented in this section and (2) selecting an interesting passage for elaboration and critical commentary. Workshops: As above, please allow each participant two to three minutes for presentation. Forum: On interesting passages. Praxis: Selecting service projects. Sep. 15-Plato's Phaedrus, part one. Read: First two speeches, pp. 87-102. Preparation: Divide your group into two parts, each part taking one speech for specialized attention. Two paragraphs, typed. (1) Summarizing your selected speech (2) selecting an interesting passage for elaboration and critical commentary. Workshops: Sharing presentations & passages. Forum: What is the difference between these two speeches? Sep. 19-Plato's Phaedrus, part two. Read: Concluding speech and analysis, pp. 102-137. Preparation: Two paragraphs (1) summarizing the third speech and (2) presenting one of the claims that Socrates would make about the speech as an example of proper rhetoric in his concluding analysis.. Workshops: Sharing preparations, again allowing sufficient time for each member of the group. Forum: On the third speech and the proper criteria of rhetoric. Praxis: Announcing service projects. Sep. 22-Themes in Plato Preparation: Select a philosophical theme in Plato and present relevant passages to demonstrate a cumulative position. Workshops: Sharing themes and scholarly evidence. Forum: Selected themes & evidence. Sep. 26-Library visit. Finding philosophical commentary on our selected themes. At the end of the period, please turn in a key passage and citation from a philosophical commentary on your selected theme. Sep. 29-Final Workshop on Plato Paper Due (see above). We will share papers in workshops and hear a few samples during our forum period. Part Two: Locke and Kant In this section of the course, we will survey two classic works by Locke and Kant, aiming toward a comparative paper that identifies a philosophical theme for each thinker (3 pages each or 6 pages total), makes an interesting comparison or contrast between the themes (3 pages), and discusses the student's own reflection upon the themes. Assessment will be based on completeness of assignment, attention to scholarly habits of citation, composition, soundness of arguments, difficulty, and creativity of your chosen position. Oct. 3-Beginning Locke Read: Book I, Ch. II, pp. 48-65. Preparation: (1) Summarize the argument of the chapter and (2) select a passage for more detailed critical evaluation. Workshops: Share preparations. Forum: Examining the main thesis. Looking at the table of contents and index. Oct. 6-Locke, first free selection Read: Based upon your review of contents and index, select a passage that looks to be of interest to you. Preparation: (1) Summarize the main point of the passage and (2) select a specific claim for more detailed criticism. Workshops: Share preparations. Forum: Implications of a Lockean framework. Oct. 10- Locke, second free selection Read: Based upon your further review of contents and index, select a passage that looks to be of interest to you. Preparation: (1) Summarize the main point of the passage and (2) select a specific claim for more detailed criticism. Workshops: Share preparations. Forum: Further implications of a Lockean framework. Oct. 13-Switching to Kant Read: Kant's "Introduction", pp. 41-64. Preparation: (1) Summarize the main point of the passage and (2) select a specific claim for more detailed criticism. Workshops: Sharing first impressions of Kant. Forum: Introducing pure reason. Oct. 17-Kant, first free selection Read: Based upon your review of contents and index, select a passage that looks to be of interest to you. Preparation: (1) Summarize the main point of the passage and (2) select a specific claim for more detailed criticism. Workshops: Share preparations. Forum: Implications of a Lockean framework. Oct. 20-Kant, second free selection Read: Based upon your further review of contents and index, select a passage that looks to be of interest to you. Preparation: (1) Summarize the main point of the passage and (2) select a specific claim for more detailed criticism. Workshops: Share preparations. Forum: Further implications of a Lockean framework. MIDTERM BREAK Oct 24-Selecting a theme from Kant Preparation: Based upon your review of Kant, select a philosophical theme or concept that is of interest to you and show how it is developed by Kant (one page sketch). Workshops: Sharing themes in Kant. Forum: Discussing themes in Kant. Oct. 27-Selecting a theme from Locke Preparation: Based upon your review of Locke, select a philosophical theme or concept that is of interest to you and show how it is developed by Locke (one page sketch). Workshops: Sharing themes in Locke. Forum: Discussing themes in Locke. Some comparisons with Kant. Oct. 31-Hollywood Video Selection, part one First we will have brief workshops to share notes on comparative passages for the paper. Nov. 3-Hollywood Video Selection, part two Brief workshops on your concluding passages for paper. Nov. 7-Paper Due Workshops & Forum Part Three: Four Modes of Knowing--Philosophy, Esthetics, Religion, and Science In this section of the course, we will investigate alternative modes of knowing the world, and we will make a philosophical inquiry into each of the modes, asking about their relative values and limitations. At the end of this section, students will write an eight-page paper that briefly characterizes each mode and explores the relative values and limitations of each (2 pages each). Assessment will be based on completeness of assignment, attention to scholarly habits of citation, composition, soundness of arguments, difficulty, and creativity of your chosen position. Nov. 10-Pause for Praxis Preparation: Two pages: (1) A vivid description of some experiences in community service and (2) a personal consideration of some issue that is raised as a result of your community service experience. Workshops: Sharing Praxis experiences. Forum: Experiences and issues in community service. Nov. 14-Beginning Scarry Read: On Beauty, part one, pp. 1-53. Preparation: Two paragraphs: (1) summary of Scarry's argument and (2) presentation of a specific passage that you would like to critically examine. Workshops: Sharing summaries and critical passages. Forum: On beauty in our lives. Can we apply this to Hollywood? Nov. 17-Scarry continued Read: On Beauty, part two, pp. 57-124. Preparation: Two paragraphs: (1) Summary of Scarry's argument and (2) applying a particular passage to our video selection earlier in the month. Workshops: Sharing thoughts on Scarry and Hollywood. Forum: Beauty as entertainment? Nov. 21-Beginning Black Elk (divide chapters for cooperative reading) Read: Black Elk Speaks, Chs. 1-11, pp. 1-145. THANKSGIVING BREAK Nov. 28-Black Elk, part two Read: Black Elk Speaks, Chs. 12-18, pp. 146-212. Preparation: Two paragraphs summarizing each of two selected chapters. Workshops: Sharing the story of Black Elk. Forum: How to read a religious text. Dec. 1-Black Elk, part three. Read: Black Elk Speaks, Chs. 19-25, pp. 213-270. Preparation: Two paragraphs: (1) Summarize your selected chapter and (2) suggest how the text might be read from a religious point of view. Workshops: Sharing the sacred. Forum: On the religious way of knowing. Dec. 5-Science of Love, part one Read: General Theory of Love, Chs. 1-5 Preparation: Two paragraphs (1) summarizing your selected chapter and (2) reflecting on the characteristics that distinguish a scientific way of knowing. Workshops: On love's science. Forum: What we expect from science vs. entertainment or religion. Dec. 8-Science of Love, part two Read: General Theory of Love, Chs. 6-10. Preparation: Two paragraphs (1) summarizing your selected chapter and (2) reflecting on the value and limitations of a scientific approach to love. Workshops: Sharing notes on love and science. Forum: On the values and limits of science. Dec. 12-Outlines for paper on modes of knowing. Preparation: Outline for modes of knowing paper. Workshops: Sharing outlines. Dec. 15-Presentation of papers on modes of knowing Workshops and Forum Final Workshop On Praxis-Prepare six page paper: presenting vivid descriptions of experiences in community service (2 pages), reviewing literature on pertinent issue (2 pages) and a personal reflection on the meaning of your experience (2 pages). Assessment will be based on completeness of assignment, attention to scholarly habits of citation, composition, soundness of arguments, difficulty, and creativity of your chosen position. Contact: Office: Fontaine 322 Phone: 575-3000 x2217 Email: Greg.Moses@Marist.edu Web: gregmoses.net Home: 473-4737 Moses--Intro--p.5 |
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