THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT TYLER
Course Syllabus
PHIL 1301: Introduction to Philosophy
Instructor: Gregory L. Bock, Ph.D.
Office: BUS 245
E-Mail: gbock@uttyler.edu
Phone: 903.566.7456
Secretary Phone: 903.566.7373
Office Hours: M 12:30-3:30
Or by appointment
Required Textbooks:
Who Are We?, by Pojman
Five Dialogues, by Plato
Brave New World, by Huxley
Required Viewing:
The Truman Show (1998)
Other films may also be required in this class
Catalog Description:
A survey of the major areas of traditional and modern philosophy: philosophies of knowledge,
ethics, logic, aesthetics, and metaphysics.
Course Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to…
1. articulate a basic understanding of the questions and importance of philosophy
2. explain the theories of human nature of some of history’s most influential figures
3. compare and contrast the moral theories of prominent ancient and modern philosophers
4. explain the significance of the life and death of Socrates
5. explain Plato’s epistemology and theory of Forms
6. discuss Aristotle’s theory of the good life
7. compare and contrast Eastern and Western philosophical ideas
8. recognize strong and weak arguments
9. identify philosophical themes in pop culture
10. describe how philosophical thinking is relevant to everyday life
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Grading Scale Percents:
A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F=less than 60%
Grading:
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Exam 3:
Truman Show paper:
Final paper:
Participation:
TOTAL:
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
500 points (lowest exam score dropped)
Assessment:
Exams: Each exam is worth 100 points and will have ten short-answer questions. A study guide
will be available at least a week in advance. The final exam is not comprehensive, and each exam
covers only the material since the previous exam although some questions might ask students to
make connections with earlier material. Student answers will be graded on their accuracy, clarity,
and completeness. The lowest exam score will be dropped.
Truman Show Paper: For this assignment, students will watch The Truman Show (1998) and
answer ONE of the question options in at least 500 words (500-1000 words), typed: doublespaced. Students will use a standard college writing style (e.g. MLA), but an introduction and
conclusion are not necessary. Students simply need to use the question as the title and answer the
question with sufficient evidence. I am looking for (1) an interesting perspective, (2) connections
between the film and philosophy, especially material from the readings, and (3) a well-defended
answer. Papers will be submitted to Blackboard. These are the question options:
1. Discuss the deeper significance of the show's director: Christof (hint: his name should
be a clue). Don't just give a superficial character analysis; relate him to philosophy.
2. Christof said, "We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented."
Discuss this quote and relate it to philosophy.
3. Truman: "Was anything real?" Christof: "You were real." What does Christof mean by
this? Is he right? What is real (philosophically speaking)?
4. What does the Truman Show tell us about human nature?
5. What does the Truman Show tell us about the meaning of life?
Final Paper (Philosophy in Pop Culture Paper): Students will choose one of the options below
and analyze an item from pop culture for philosophical content (similar to the Truman Show
paper), making two or three deep connections with the course material. The paper should not only
make these connections but do so in a way that someone who has never taken a philosophy class
before could read the paper and learn something new about philosophy. Louis Pojman has a good
example of this in his treatment of the Lord of the Flies on pages 109-110 in the textbook. I have
also uploaded to Blackboard an essay I wrote about the popular TV show The Big Bang Theory
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called “Do We Need a Roommate Agreement?”, which can serve as a general model for the kind
of writing I am looking for. This paper will be 1000 words (plus or minus 100) and follow a
standard college writing style (e.g. MLA). The rubric below shows exactly what is required.
Option 1: Film
The Matrix (1999)
Lord of the Flies (1963) (1990)
Frailty (2002)
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
The Little Buddha (1993)
Option 2: Philosophy and Pop Culture Series
Recently, there have been many books about philosophy and pop culture. If you see a pop
culture topic in this series that interests you, you can choose to write your paper on that
topic. However, you will need to pick up a copy of the book and read it as part of your
research. You will still, however, need to use our textbook in your paper.
Pop culture and philosophy books: http://www.opencourtbooks.com/categories/pcp.htm
AND http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-324354.html
Rubric for Final Paper
90-100%
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Strong argument or case made for philosophical connections
Excellent philosophical analysis and understanding demonstrated
Very creative
Many references to the course textbook(s)
Excellent grammar, structure, and style
Excellent citations and bibliography
80-89%
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Good argument or case made for philosophical connections
Good philosophical analysis and understanding demonstrated
Somewhat creative
Some references made with the course textbook(s)
Good grammar, structure, and style
Good citations and bibliography
70-79%
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Argument is weak or brief
Philosophical analysis barely scratches the surface
Not very creative
Only one or two connections made with the course textbook(s)
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Poor grammar, structure, and style
Good citations and bibliography
60-69%
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Major weakness or shortcoming in argument
Possibly did not meet the minimum word count
May not have made any connections with the textbook(s)
Little to no philosophical analysis
May have struggled with citations and bibliography
0-59%
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Seriously flawed – probably did not follow instructions
Plagiarism (intentional or unintentional) merits a 0%
Participation: Students will be graded on the quality and quantity of in-class participation. In
class, students should be contributing to a positive classroom environment and engaged with the
topic. This means students should pay attention, ask questions, and offer their own opinions on a
daily basis, which should, in the process, demonstrate that the student has read and thought about
the material before coming to class (this is partly a I-have-demonstrated-that-I-have-done-thereading grade). Students who sleep, text, or just chat with their neighbors about other things will
be penalized. Students who sit quietly, contributing nothing to discussions, will also be penalized.
Disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated, but this does not preclude disagreement.
Disagreement must be civil. See classroom conduct notes in the addendum below.
Students who are reluctant to participate verbally in class may choose to participate electronically
by posting their questions and opinions online in the Water Cooler; however, this is not an excuse
for participating less. The following rubric applies to both verbal or electronic forms of
participation.
CLASS PARTICIPATION RUBRIC
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90100%
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80-89%
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In-class contributions are informed by an excellent understanding of the
reading
The student's opinion is well reasoned and supported
Contributions are made in every class meeting
Makes connections with other readings in the course
Conveys open-mindedness and respect for classmates (does not
preclude disagreement)
In-class contributions are informed by a good understanding of the
reading
The student's opinion is adequately supported
Contributions are made at least once a week
May not make connections with other material in the course
Conveys open-mindedness and respect for classmates (does not
preclude disagreement)
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
70-79%
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1-69%
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0%
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Understanding of the reading may be deficient in some way or not
demonstrated
The student's opinion may not be supported well
Critical thinking may not be demonstrated
Contributions to class discussions may be rare (less than once per
week)
Comments may be construed as insensitive to some members of
society
Students who simply remain silent in class earn a 60%.
Verbal contributions fail to demonstrate understanding of the reading
Comments may include some disrespectful language
Critical thinking may not be demonstrated
Student may be disruptive
Student may be regularly late to class
Student may engage in distracting behavior like surfing the Internet or
texting
Student may talk too much (to her neighbor about things obviously
unrelated to the class)
Student regularly uses class time to work on homework for other
classes
No participation
Make-ups: Only under special circumstances (doctor’s note required)
Reading Schedule
Unit 1: Pojman, Introduction, pages 1-4; Brave New World (all)
Unit 2: Pojman, chapters 1 and 5, pages 5-26 and 72-83
Unit 3: Pojman, chapters 2, 3, and 4, pages 27-71; Plato, “Apology,” “Crito,” and “Phaedo” (in
Five Dialogues)
Unit 4: Pojman, chapter 6, pages 84-103
Unit 5: Pojman, chapters 7 and 8, pages 104-137
Unit 6: Pojman, chapters 9 and 10
Unit 7: Pojman, chapters 11, 12, and Conclusion
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Important Information:
Disability Statement: If you have a disability, including a learning disability, for which you
request an accommodation, please contact Ida MacDonald in the Disability Support Services
office so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal law, student
requesting accommodation must provide documentation of his/her disability to the Disability
Support Services counselor. For more information, call or visit the Student Services Center
located in the University Center, Room 282. The telephone number is 903-566-7079.
Social Security Statement: It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the
confidential nature of social security numbers. The University has changed its computer
programming so that all students have an identification number.
Note regarding Student Absence due to Religious Observance: Students who anticipate being
absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the instructor by the
second class meeting of such absences.
Course Ground Rules:
Attendance Policy: Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class. Students are allowed two
unexcused absences. Unexcused absences after this are penalized 5 points per day against the
participation grade.
Late work: Papers must be uploaded to Blackboard by the deadline. Late papers are penalized
half a letter grade a day.
Communication with the instructor: The best way to communicate with the instructor outside
of class is through e-mail or during office hours. Students can expect replies within 48 hours
excluding weekends and holidays.
Class conduct: This is an interactive classroom environment. Students who sleep, text, or just
chat with their neighbors about other things will be penalized. Students who contribute nothing to
discussion will also be penalized. The subject matter of this class can make some people hot
under the collar. This said, all comments must be respectful to others who hold different views or
come from different backgrounds. This does not preclude verbal disagreement; it only requires
learning the skills of civil disagreement. Disrespect can manifest in what is said, in the tone of
voice, and in the way someone rolls her eyes. Insults, snide remarks, name-calling, talking over
one another, and demeaning tones will not be tolerated. If there is any confusion about what
counts as disrespectful, consult the instructor or the Golden Rule. Violators of these class conduct
rules may be given warnings or ejected from the class.
Extra credit: Extra credit may be offered by the instructor from time to time, but extra credit is
not given on demand or by request. And students do not have a right to it, for example, the
instructor is not obligated to provide extra credit opportunities that work with the student’s
schedule.
Final grades: Grades are final once the final grade percentage has been posted in Blackboard at
the end of the semester. No changes will be made unless the instructor has made a mistake.
Grades are not bumped up unless the student is within .5% of the next letter grade. For example,
an 89.5% is an A. An 89.4% is a B. No extra credit will be offered after grades have been posted
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in Blackboard. A request for an “incomplete” may be approved only if (1) the request is made
before final grades are issued, (2) the student has a valid reason, e.g. a verifiable medical
condition, and (3) the student has a C or higher at the time the request for an “incomplete” is
made. The terms of satisfying an “incomplete” will be set by the instructor.
Expectations of the student:
 Students will check e-mail regularly.
 Students will e-mail the instructor with questions.
 Students will not wait until the end of the semester to discuss lower than expected grades
on assignments; instead, the student will take the initiative early in the semester to meet
with the instructor to discuss ways of improving.
 Students will meet with the instructor during office hours or by appointment if extra help
is needed on assignments.
 Students will complete assignments on time.
 Students will participate in class discussions in a civil and respectful way.
 Students will not cheat on tests.
 Students will not plagiarize. Plagiarism is cheating, taking credit for material that is not
your own whether it is copied from a classmate, textbook, or online source. Plagiarism is
still plagiarism even if it is unintentional. It will result in an F on the assignment and a
possible F in the course. It could also result in suspension from the college. So, students
should be sure to use proper citation style and do their own work. If students are not sure
whether something constitutes plagiarism, they should contact the instructor to ask about
it before submitting the assignment.
 If the instructor feels that an essay or other assignment is not the student’s original work,
the instructor reserves the right to require the student to rewrite the assignment. This is
not to be understood as a student’s right to rewrite an assignment, nor does it change the
plagiarism policy above.
 Students will declare that they have read and understood this syllabus by including a
statement to this effect in a self-introduction post that will be posted to the discussion
board “Meet Your Classmates” during the first week of class.
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