Painting: The Death of
Socrates by Jacques-Louis David (1744-1825)
Course
Syllabus: Philosophy 100
Instructor:
Philip M. Fortier, M.A. (
Lecture: TBA
Office
Hours: TBA
Office
Location & Mailbox: Faculty Office, Briggs 128
Office
Phone: (313) 933–1287
E-Mail:
oldsoul1966@yahoo.com; UDM: fortiepm@udmercy.edu
Catalog
Description:
An
introduction to philosophy through a consideration of such topics as the
person, human values, freedom, morality, knowledge, death, the meaning of life,
God, and the nature and destiny of human existence. Students come to understand
that philosophy asks the most fundamental questions about us, the world, and
the relationship between the two. The method of philosophical thinking and
critical reflection will be stressed.
Specific
Course Objective:
This course
is an introductory survey of philosophical problems. The course will in most cases follow the
outline of the Samuel Stumpf textbook. However, in some instances we will refer to
supplemental material. It will be our
task to study a wide variety of basic problems in philosophy, to discuss many
important philosophical systems of thought, to understand some of the
traditional questions philosophers ask and then to critically analyze various
significant responses to questions within their historical setting.
Learning
Outcomes:
Upon
successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
·
Define
and discuss contemporary issues and their relation to
fundamental principles and philosophical
systems.
·
Analyze
relevant philosophical problems and develop resolutions.
·
Present
logical and consistent arguments in support of philosophical positions.
·
Discuss
issues related to the boundaries of philosophical speculation.
·
Examine
the differences between some modern scientific/technological perspectives and
the more classical understandings of human
nature.
·
Acquaint
the student with some of the major themes in the history of philosophy.
Required
Texts:
Philosophy:
History and Problems. Authored by Samuel Enoch Stumpf.
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (6th
edition) Author(s): Joseph Gibaldi
Published: 2003
Required
Course Packet:
The course packet
contains text reading guides, worksheets, paper helps, charts, etc. It is available at the
·
Supplemental
Course
Prerequisites: None
Employer
Tuition Remissions:
Students
receiving course tuition reimbursement from employers must submit a written
request for letters verifying attendance and/or earned credits.
Academic
Dishonesty:
Academic
Dishonesty means any activity that tends to compromise the academic integrity
of the institution or subvert the educational process.
v
Plagiarism – to take and use another’s
words or ideas as one’s own.
Plagiarism of any material is a serious
offense, not to mention illegal and may result in academic failure. Outside sources may be used if properly
referenced as such.
Fortier Class Policy
If plagiarism is detected in a student's work, that student will
not receive credit for that assignment. If plagiarism occurs a second time, the
student will be assigned an‘E/F’ or
‘0’ for the course.
If any instance of plagiarism is suspected, that paper (without
any of its name identifying characteristics) will be submitted to a third party
for plagiarism analysis. Please refer to
the UDM policies handbook for particulars on further instances and sanctions
involving plagiarism.
Examples of academic dishonesty include
but are not limited to the following:
a) Having a tutor or friend complete a portion of your assignments.
b) Having a reviewer make extensive revisions to assignments.
c) Copying work submitted by another student.
d) Using information from online information
services without proper citation
e) Having someone write or edit examination questions or cases, or
having someone see/review/critique your answers prior to submitting those
answers
For
University-wide policy on plagiarism – please refer to (A1) located in
the course packet. .
Class
Composure/Attitude & Etiquette:
Students are
expected to show respect and understanding in their rapport with other students
and instructor. Disrespect, unkindness
or rudeness of any kind should not occur.
Offensive, obscene or vulgar language or actions will not be tolerated. Please be mindful of a respect for personal
spacing, professional boundaries and the appropriate discussion of personal
lives/issues.
v
It is
the policy of UDM and this class not to discriminate against any person
on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital
status, handicap or national origin.
Moreover, it
is accord with the very nature of philosophical inquiry to encourage a genuine
respect of the diversity in beliefs, cultures or personal lifestyles wherever
they may exist.
Student Responsibilities:
·
The
student is responsible for completing all requirements outlined in this
syllabus, the addendum and information documents.
·
The
student is responsible for informing the instructor about any health conditions
which might create a classroom emergency, i.e. seizure disorders, diabetes,
heart conditions, et. al.; and notifying the instructor of any special needs
for exam taking or other accommodations.
·
Each
student is responsible for reading the material and not relying entirely on the
instructor for presenting every detail.
·
At
all times be considerate to your classmates and to your instructor.
Further
Class Guidelines:
·
Attendance
is taken daily and participation is noted.
Be punctual. If you should arrive
late or want to leave early, please try not to disturb the lecture.
·
Ask
pertinent questions; contribute to discussions; avoid private conversations
that distract the instructor and other students. If you wish to ask a question or make a
comment – please raise your hand and wait your turn when it is
appropriate.
·
Remember
the faculty is the person to end the class: do not prepare to leave early.
·
If
you wish to leave early from class or will arrive late at the next class,
please inform me ahead of time. When
leaving or arriving, please do so quietly.
·
Recording
the lecture is not permitted.
·
No
food or smoking is allowed in the classroom.
Non-alcoholic beverages, however, are permissible.
·
If
you have a cell phone/pager – please either turn them off or place them
on mute during class time.
·
Dozing/sleeping
is not permitted in class. If you wish
to sleep, do it elsewhere.
·
No
incompletes will be given for this course, except those allowed by UDM and
described in University procedures.
·
If
the class cannot meet for some reason, a note will be posted at the door.
·
Find
‘a study partner’ and exchange phone numbers or e-mail addresses
with at least two other students for class information if you are absent.
Name: Number/E-mail: Best Time to Call/Contact:
____________________________________________________________________ The Ruins of
____________________________________________________________________
Contact
Hours: 3 contact
hours
Credit Value: 3 Credits
Class
Discussion/Participation:
Class
discussion/participation is required to keep the class interesting and to
maximize your learning. Students are required to actively participate in
discussions. Students are also
encouraged to bring personal experiences to the class forum. However, in the true spirit of philosophical
reflection, discussion will be directed toward the objective and
philosophically relevant. Students are
encouraged to bring into the course any material from current events that are
relevant to the subject matter. A
portion of the course grade depends upon your participation in class
discussion.
Grading
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
0-59% E
For
University-wide grading system – please refer to (A2) located in the
appendix of this syllabus.
Course
Grading Weights:
The maximum
weight percentages for each portion of the grade is noted below:
Exam I 20%
Paper 1 (3 – 4 pp.) 15% -
Dialogue or Interview
Paper 2 (5 – 6 pp.) 20%
- Argument Paper on a Philosophical Problem
Assignments/ 25% - Textbook Reading Guides, Worksheets, Impromptu,
etc.
Participation
Exam II 20%
Assignments/Participation
Grade: All in-class work and at-home work (reading
guides, impromptu essays, worksheets, etc.) will be evaluated according to a √ or a √-, an acceptable or unacceptable
mark. If a written assignment fails to
shows significant effort, it will be returned without a grade. Only assignments bearing the
instructor’s √- will be accepted for a
resubmission. These written assignments
along with your participation in discussion will be regarded as 25% of the
final grade.
Exam Format: Generally, the format of the exams
follows a 60%/40% split between short answer and/or multiple choice and essay
questions. The second exam is not
cumulative. An exam review will be
distributed and discussed one week prior to each exam in the course.
On Class
Papers: It is wise to save a backup copy of your
papers. All student papers must be typed
using only one font: New Times Roman on a twelve-point style, normal college-style format,
double-spaced, appropriate margins, in-text citations and bibliographic
references. The required format and content information
is contained in the course packet. A simple title page will suffice and no
fancy folders, binders and the like will be accepted. Assignment submissions are taken during class time only, not via
email or the office mailbox.
q Papers will be returned
without a grade if sources are not cited or referenced properly.
Since you are required to submit two college papers for this
course, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of UDM’s
excellent academic support program (UAAS).
The Academic Service center is located in Briggs, Room 17 (993-1143) at
the McNichols Campus.
Policy on Missed Exams/Late Papers:
An exam can be made up or an extension on a paper will be granted provided
you can produce upon request documented evidence supporting your
absence/lateness, such as a medical note in case of illness. In cases where no documented excuse is
provided, a paper will drop by one letter grade if turned in late.
q All paper topics must be submitted in
writing and approved by the instructor before final paper submission. All paper guidelines, topic choices,
philosophers’ dialogue information, ethics interview instructions and
paper evaluation criteria are contained in the course packet.
Summarized
Course Requirements:
Midterm Test (Exam 1)
1) Philosophers Dialogue (3-4 pp.) OR Ethics
Interview Paper (3-4 pp.)
2) Argument Paper: Metaphysics/Epistemology Topic (5-6 pp.)
Assignments/Participation
Final Test (Exam 2)
Bonus:
Film Review (5-6 pp, 0-3 percentage points added to final average)
A film
review on relevant philosophical themes will be allowed for extra credit due
toward the end of the course. It will
not replace a test or paper grade. A
list of film titles is located in the packet.
Due
Dates for All Student Papers/Exams: TBA – during the second week.
Tentative
Course Topics:
1) Introduction to the Study of Philosophy:
Ø Aims/Divisions
Ø Historical Framework
Ø Socrates; The Dialectic Method 
Ø Significant Terms
2)
Metaphysics/First Philosophy:
Ø Significant Metaphysical Claims about
Reality and the Person
Ø Dualism/Monism
Ø The Free Will vs. Determinism Debate
3) Use of
Logic:
Ø Major Fallacies; Rules of Reasoning;
Validity
Ø Argument Construction/Critique
Ø Syllogistic Arguments
4) On the
Existence & Nature of the Soul:
Ø Materialism; Idealism; Variations
Ø Plato & Aristotle on Soul
Ø Plato: Allegory of the Cave; Theory of
Forms
Ø Aristotle’s Critique
5)
Philosophy of Religion; Philosophy of God and/or the God Concept:
Ø Important Questions in Medieval Philosophy
Ø The Atheism vs. Theism Debate
Ø Relation between Theology &
Philosophy; Sacred & Natural Sciences
Ø Division of Philosophy & Sciences
6) Modern
Philosophy:
Ø Descartes; Cartesian Method; Rationalism;
Classical Analysis of Knowledge
Ø Early Epistemology: David Hume & Immanuel Kant
Ø Empiricism, Skepticism & German
Idealism
7) Moral
Philosophy - The Objectivism vs. Subjectivism Debate:
Ø
Socrates,
Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas
Ø
Hume,
Bentham, Mill & Sartre
8)
Philosophy of Art (Aesthetics):
Ø Beauty and the Beautiful
Ø The Meaning of Love
Ø The Paradox of Fiction
9) The
Question of Human Destiny:
Ø Life’s Meaning, Suffering & the
Human Condition.
10)
Philosophy & the Future
Ø What are some of the important questions
today?
Please
refer to the Syllabus Addendum for further information on student assessment,
class activities and assignments.
Philip
Fortier, M.A.
Department of Philosophy,
Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) 
Copyright
1997 – 2006: Philip M. Fortier,
M.A.