Introduction to Philosophy – Spring 2013
MWF 11:00-11:50, OM207
Lisa Wilkinson, OM 205
Nathan Dawdy, student instructor
Email: lwilkins@nebrwesleyan.edu, ndawdy@nebrwesleyan.edu
Office Phone: 465-2313
Office Hours: MWF 12-1, TTH 10-11, and by appointment
Required Reading:
Books Plato, Trial and Death of Socrates
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
Karl Marx, Communist Manifesto
John Locke, Second Treatise of Government
Reading Packet (available in Old Main office, $3.00)
Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” from Republic
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (excerpts)
Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy (excerpts)
Rene Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy (excerpts)
Charles Mills’ Blackness Visible (excerpts)
Mary Daly’s Gyn/Ecology (excerpts)
David Hume’s An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (excerpts)
Immanuel Kant’s Prologomena to any Future Metaphysics (excerpts)
Viewing We have compiled a variety of lectures, movie and television clips to be
watched in conjunction with our study of the philosophers above. Links and/or
information on how to view the collected material will be given in class and
through Blackboard as scheduled.
Overview: This course proceeds historically from the “invention” of philosophy in ancient Greece to a
brief survey of contemporary issues in 20th century European-American philosophy. Although most of our
readings are traditionally “Western” and written by men, we will discuss some nonwestern ideas and
challenge conventional notions of what philosophy is and who is suited to practice philosophy. Along the
way, you will be asked to consider some strange and wonderful ideas. Your task is to ask, “What does
this mean to me?” or “how does this affect my experience?” and also “is this a good idea?” and “why, or
why not?” Our task, along the way, is to help you understand these ideas and encourage you to engage
with them for the critical development of your own “philosophy.”
Objectives:
1) gain introductory knowledge of a variety of philosophical topics and specific
philosophical ideas
2) develop working knowledge of the contributions of certain philosophers to the
discipline of philosophy
3) gain clarified understanding of your own values and ideas through comparison with
the values and ideas we study
Evaluation: My evaluation of your work will be comprised of 4 in-class, essay-type exams, one group
presentation, possible dialogue participation, and in-class writings, assignments, and quizzes.
Each exam counts 15% of your final grade (60%)
Presentations/dialogues count 20% of your final grade (20%)
In-class assignments count 20% of your final grade (20%)
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Exams: Exams are short-answer essay type. Because there are four of them, they are NOT opennote, open-book exams. We will, however, have study guides and make time in class for
questions and review.
Presentations/Dialogues: By “presentation” we mean that toward the end of the semester your
group will educate the class and facilitate discussion of a topic you think has philosophical
relevance. We will work with each group to develop an interesting and significant topic. As far
as what constitutes a “presentation,” in the past students have made videos, dramatized certain
philosophers, staged debates, etc. Guidelines and grading criteria for presentations will be handed
out and discussed as we proceed. For now, know that a significant part of your grade will depend
upon how your group facilitates discussion and evaluates your topic, and your own anonymous
assessment of other group members participation and efforts. By “dialogues” we mean that Nate
will provide each of you the opportunity to engage in a philosophical dialogue with him and
several of your peers. Nate is in charge of organizing and scheduling these dialogues, and more
about them will be discussed in class following our study of the philosopher Plato. For now,
know that dialogues constitute an alternative means of contributing to your overall grade in the
course.
In-class writing: At least once a week we will ask you write on a topic, answer a question or
series of questions, work in small groups to solve or formulate a problem, etc., in the classroom.
These assignments will be graded or assessed as is appropriate, and their their calculated average
will constitute 20% of your total grade. Because we will have many of these assignments, they
cannot be made up for any reason.
Academic Honesty: As in all your classes, you are expected to abide by the Code of Student Rights,
Responsibility and Conduct (available at Student Affairs Office). Plagiarism, presenting someone else’s
work as your own, can result in failure of the course. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Disabilities: Nebraska Wesleyan University seeks to maintain a supportive academic environment for
students with disabilities. To ensure their equal access to all educational programs, activities and services,
Federal law requires that students with disabilities notify the University, provide documentation, and
request reasonable accommodations. If you need accommodations in this course, please notify me so that
I can verify the required documentation is filed with the Academic Affairs Office and that your
accommodation plan is in place. You should also meet with Prof. Sandy McBride, the Services for
Students with Disabilities Coordinator (Old Main 126, phone 465-2346, e-mail:
smcbride@nebrwesleyan.edu).
Reading Schedule: (Take note -exact page numbers or sections will be announced each class period, but
since some of the reading is difficult and you will want to read certain passages at least twice, readings
are listed here by week to give you a sense of how this requirement will fit with your general schedule).
Week of January 21
Week of January 28
Week of February 4
Week of February 11
Week of February 18
Week of February 25
Week of March 4
Week of March 11
Week of March 18
Week of March 25
Introduction, “Allegory of the Cave” (RP), viewing
from Plato’s Trial and Death, “Euthyphro” and “Apology”
continue + Plato’s “Crito,” begin Aristotle’s Ethics (RP), viewing
continuedEthics, viewing
review, 1st Exam, begin Lao Tsu’s Tao te Ching
continue, viewing, begin Boethius (RP)
continue Boethius, viewing
continue, review, 2nd Exam
Spring Break
begin Descartes (RP), viewing
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Week of April 1
Week of April 8
Week of April 15
Week of April 22
Week of April 29
Week of May 6
May 15 (Wednesday)
begin Charles Mills (RP), viewing
begin David Hume (RP), viewing, begin Kant (RP)
continue Kant, review, 3rd Exam
begin Marx’s Communist Manifesto, viewing, begin Mary Daly (RP)
Group presentations
continue, begin Locke’s Second Treatise, viewing, review
4th exam @ 11am
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