Course
Syllabus
Introduction to Philosophy, PHIL 2306-0060
Instructor: Fatima Hye
Course ID: 90452
Email: fatima.hye@hccs.edu
Spring 2016, Second Start (3 Credit Hours)
Office hours: 7 – 8
Felix Morales Building
MW 5 – 7
Course Description:
This course is a study of the major issues in ethics and/or the work of major philosophical figures in
ethics. Topics may include theories of reality, theories of knowledge, theories of value, and their practical
applications (Texas ACGM). It provides a theoretically diverse introduction to the study of ideas, including
arguments and investigations about abstract and real phenomena, particularly in the areas of knowledge,
ethics, and religion (HCC Course Catalogue). This course stresses the HCC Core Objectives of Critical
Thinking, Communication Skills, Personal Responsibility, and Social Responsibility.
PREREQUISITE: ENGL 1301 or higher
HCC CORE CURRICULUM:
This course satisfies the Philosophy, Language, and Culture component area or the Component
Area Option in the HCC Core Curriculum. If you are not sure that you need this course to graduate,
please consult with your advisor.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Read, analyze, and critique philosophical texts.
2. Define and appropriately use important terms such as relativism, virtue, duty, rights,
utilitarianism, natural law, egoism, altruism, autonomy, and care ethics.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of major arguments and problems in ethics.
4. Present and discuss well-reasoned ethical positions in writing.
5. Apply ethical concepts and principles to address moral concerns.
6. Apply course material to various aspects of life.
7. Discuss ways of living responsibly in a world where people have diverse ethical beliefs.
Required Texts:
Kant, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals
Troyer, The Classical Utilitarians: Bentham and Mill
Gandhi, Selected Political Writings
Grading Components and Weights:
1. Participation: coming to class, being on time, staying focused, asking questions and
contributing positively to class discussions (10%)
2. Homework: these will be 3 short assignments related to additional readings (20%)
3. Papers: you will have 3 papers, each related to a unit/reading for the course (30%)
4. Exams: midterm and final, both cumulative (40%)
Grading Policy:
All grades will be calculated according to a percentage of total points. The total number of points for this
term is 900. The term grade legend follows:
A = 90% to 100% (810 to 900 point)
B = 80% to 89.9% (720 to 809 points)
C = 70% to 79.9% (630 to 719 points)
D = 60% to 69.9% (540 to 629 points)
F = 0% to 59.9% (000 to 539 points)
FX (Failure due to non-attendance)
IP (In Progress)
W (Withdrawn)
I (Incomplete)
AUD (Audit)
4
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
points per semester hour
points per semester hour
points per semester hour
point per semester hour
points per semester hour
points per semester hour
points per semester hour
points per semester hour
points per semester hour
points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must re-enroll to receive
credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and continuing education courses.
FINAL GRADE OF FX: Students who stop attending class and do not withdraw themselves prior to the
withdrawal deadline may either be dropped by their professor for excessive absences or be assigned the
final grade of "FX" at the end of the semester. Students who stop attending classes will receive a grade
of "FX", compared to an earned grade of "F" which is due to poor performance. Logging into a DE course
without active participation is seen as non-attending. Please note that HCC will not disperse financial aid
funding for students who have never attended class.
Students who receive financial aid but fail to attend class will be reported to the Department of Education
and may have to pay back their aid. A grade of "FX" is treated exactly the same as a grade of "F" in
terms of GPA, probation, suspension, and satisfactory academic progress.
To compute grade point average (GPA), divide the total grade points by the total number of semester
hours attempted. The grades "IP," "COM" and "I" do not affect GPA.
Late policy:
Homework: NO MAKE-UPS.
Papers: You may email the paper to me on the SAME day for 75% credit, and the NEXT day for 50%
credit. After that, it will be a 0.
Exams: Only a DOCUMENTED emergency will post-pone an exam. In that case, an alternative exam will
be given as soon as possible.
Academic Honesty:
It goes without saying that you should do your own work. Students who cheat on exams or copy other
people’s work will receive a failing grade on the assignment/exam.
Attendance and Withdrawal Policy:
HCC Students are expected to attend class regularly. A daily record of absences will be maintained
throughout the semester. NOTE: It is the responsibility of the student to drop, or officially withdraw from
this course. Your instructor will withdraw a student if and only if provided a written request from that
student. Additionally, system-wide rules affect withdrawals:
(1) Students who repeat a course for a third, or more times, may face a significant tuition/fee
increase at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities.
(2) The Texas Legislature passed a law limiting new students (those starting college in Fall 2007) to
no more than six total course withdrawals throughout their academic career in obtaining a
baccalaureate degree. There may be future penalties imposed.
(3) No student may withdraw from a course following the set "last date to withdraw". After that
date, a student can only be given a grade earned, or an "I" for incomplete. Incompletes must be
made up by the end of the following long semester, after which they will automatically change to
a grade of "F". Students receiving an “I” for a course are ineligible for graduation until the “I’ has
been removed from a student’s transcript.
!! Philosophy Tutoring is available at http://hccs.askonline.net/ Please use it if you need it !!
Students with Disabilities:
The HCC Accessibility website is located at the following url:
http://www.hccs.edu/district/departments/accessibility/. You will find information about the types of
assistance offered to students with special instructional needs on that web page. You will also find
contact information for your college’s ADA compliance and accessibility office.
For questions, please contact Donna Price at 713.718.5165 or the ADA counselor at your college campus.
You can find a list of counselors here.
Sex/Gender Discrimination:
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 requires that institutions have policies and procedures that protect
students’ rights with regard to sex/gender discrimination. Information regarding these rights are on the HCC website
under Students-Anti-discrimination. Students who are pregnant and require accommodations should contact any of
the ADA Counselors for assistance. It is important that every student understands and conforms to respectful
behavior while at HCC. Sexual misconduct is not condoned and will be addressed promptly. Know your rights and
how to avoid these difficult situations.
Log in to: www.edurisksolutions.org . Sign in using your HCC student e-mail account, then go to the button at the
top right that says Login and enter your student number.
Tentative Schedule:
* Wed, Feb. 17th – Introduction / Overview / History of Philosophy
* Mon, Feb. 22nd – Introduction to Ethics / History of Ethics
Unit 1: Philosophical Reading / Kant
Wed, Feb. 24th – Intro to Kant / Metaphysics of Morals / Section I (Feb. 25th: Day of Record)
Mon, Feb. 29th – Section II (70% Drop Deadline)
Wed, Mar. 2nd – Section III (Mar. 3rd: 25% Drop Deadline)
Mon, Mar. 7th – Supplement / Paper #1 Assigned
* Wed, Mar. 9th – Paper #1 Due / Rand / HW #1 Assigned / Due
March 14th – 18th: SPRING BREAK
* Wed, Mar. 16th – Logic Crash Course (Handbook for Arguments) / HW #2 Assigned
Unit 2: Basic Analysis / Bentham and Mill
Mon, Mar. 21st – HW #2 Due / Intro to Bentham and Mill / Classical Utilitarians
Wed, Mar. 23rd – Bentham I
Mon, Mar. 28th – Bentham II
Wed, Mar. 30th – Bentham III
Mon, Apr. 4th – Mill I / Paper #2 Assigned
Wed, Apr. 6th – Mill II / Midterm Review
* Mon, Apr. 11th – Paper #2 Due / MIDTERM
Unit 3: Philosophical Writing / Gandhi
Wed, Apr. 13th – Intro to Gandhi and Writings / Paper #3 Assigned
Mon, Apr. 18th – Part I (1)
Wed, Apr. 20th – Part I (2)
Mon, Apr. 25th – Part II (1)
Wed, Apr. 27th – Part II (2)
Mon, May 2nd – Peer Review
* Wed, May 4th – Paper #3 Due / Nietzsche / HW #3 Assigned
Mon, May 9th – HW #3 Due / Final Exam Review
Wednesday, May 11th – FINAL EXAM from 1:30 – 3:30
May. 15th – Grades Due