SYLLABUS PHIL 101

FALL 1995 GREG MOSES

DESCRIPTION:

A unified sense of human purpose involves four modes of knowing: scientific, mythological, religious, and philosophical. Thus, this course explores the broad quest for human purpose through four texts which exemplify and explore the four modes of knowing.

Diop, Cheikh Anta. Civilization or Barbarism. Brooklyn: Lawrence Hill, 1991.

Plato. Timaeus and Critias. NY: Viking Penguin, 1977.

King, Martin Luther, Jr. Strength to Love. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1981.

-----. Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? Boston: Beacon, 1968.

Attendance and class participation are expected (3 absences = 1 letter grade off). Students will be responsible for readings, and will be asked to develop comparative appreciations for the four modes of knowing mentioned above. Tests will measure a student’s critical appreciation of readings and discussions. In addition, each student will write two papers (1200 words each), which explore some topic of the student’s choosing. Grades for papers will be based upon a student’s ability to articulate and defend a thesis while making critical use of scholarly sources.

10 weekly quizzes (10 points each) = 20% First paper = 20% Midterm exam = 20% Second paper = 20% Final exam = 20%

(FOR WEEK OF):

Sep. 4 -- Plato, Timaeus (pp. 29-62)

Sep. 11 -- Plato, Timaeus (pp. 62-124)

PHILOSOPHY AND SCIENCE

Sep. 18 -- Diop, "Origins of Humanity" (pp. 11-68)

First Paper (Group A)

Sep. 25 -- Diop, "Philosophy?" (pp. 309-353, 353-376)

First Paper (Group B)

Oct. 2 -- Diop, "History" (pp. 109-140, 141-208)

First Paper (Group C)

Oct. 9 -- Diop, "Culture" (pp. 209-227)

Midterm Exam

PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION

Oct. 23 -- King, Sermons (pp. 1-25, 26-55)

Oct. 30 -- King, Sermons (pp. 56-75, 76-105)

Nov. 6 -- King, Sermons (pp. 106-126, 127-155)

PUBLIC PHILOSOPHY

Nov. 13 -- King, Where? (Ch. 1 & 2)

Second Paper (Group A)

Nov. 20 -- Discussion on four modes

Second Paper (Group B)

Nov. 27 -- King, Where? (Ch. 3 & 4)

Second Paper (Group C)

Dec. 3 -- King, Where? (Ch. 5 & 6)

Final Exam

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