(22565) PHIL 310: PHILOSOPHY & HUMAN NATURE
MW 11:00-11:50 am HH 222
COURSE SYLLABUS
Fall 2014
INSTRUCTOR: H. Reyes
Office: AL-427
E-Mail: hreyes@mail.sdsu.edu
619-594-8839 Office Hours: MW12:00-1:00 pm; F 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION
Phil 310: Philosophy & Human Nature: Concepts of human nature. Descriptive and
normative aspects of major theories of human nature [are discussed].
[Prerequisite: Completion of the GE requirement in Foundations of Learning II.C,
Humanities]
GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES
Phil 310 is an upper division course which fulfills the HUMANITIES portion of
Explorations of Human Experience section of General Education. As such, it is aimed at
achieving “4 goals: (1) analyze written, visual, or performed texts in the humanities with
sensitivity to their diverse cultural contexts and historical moments; (2) develop a
familiarity with various value systems and they ways they are communicated across time
and cultures; (3) argue from multiple perspectives about issues in the humanities that
have personal and global relevance; and (4) demonstrate the ability to approach complex
problems and ask complex questions drawing upon knowledge of the humanities.
LEARNING OUTCOMES (Specific to Phil 310): Through careful reading and rereading of the materials of the course and with full participation in class
discussion/activities (in class and online), students will develop analytical and critical
skills in their thinking and writing as evidenced by their being able
 to compare and differentiate between the major theories of human nature from
both the western and eastern perspectives
 to explain, enunciate and summarize the basic claims and concepts of the
philosophers regarding human nature
 to interconnect the philosophers’ basic claims and concepts regarding human
nature
 to write and construct a dialogue or conversation between two philosophers
(one western and one eastern), highlighting in the dialogue their similarities
and their differences, as well as showing a very good understanding of the
philosophers’ basic claims regarding human nature
In pursuit of these outcomes, the course will be based on the careful reading and
extensive examination of major theories of human nature. Insofar as philosophy is an ongoing dialogue between earlier and later thinkers, we will approach each philosopher in
the context of his/her predecessor. In view of this, class discussion of materials will
generally follow a historical order.
To help students develop keenness in the assessment of the merits and weaknesses of the
philosophical views discussed in the course, the students will be required to do a
substantial amount of expository and critical writing in response to the materials
presented in the course.
DISABLED STUDENT SERVICES:
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations
for this class, it is your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 5946473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact
Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not
retroactive, and that I cannot provide accommodations based upon disability until I have
received an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is
appreciated.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES, ATHLETICS, ETC.
By the end of the 2nd week of classes, students should provide written notification
to the instructor of planned absences for religious observances. Students must inform
instructor within the first two weeks of class of any planned absences on account of
religious observances
This also applies to student athletes and supportive groups (i.e., members of
marching bands, cheerleading squads, not fans). They must provide faculty with written
notification within the 2nd week of classes in order to be excused from scheduled class
work for scheduled class meetings.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Cahn, Steven . Classics of Western Philosophy (8th ed.). 2012. Hackett. (ISBN: 978-160384-8)
Stevenson, Haberman, and Wright. Twelve Theories of Human Nature (6th ed.). 2013.
Oxford. (ISBN: 978-0-19-985903-0)
NOTE: Additional class handouts will be posted on Blackboard
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NOTE: Because this course is “blended” class [MW F2F and F online], you need to
see whether you meet the distance learning prerequisites, please take SDSU’s “readiness
survey” at https://sunspot.sdsu.edu/pls/webapp/survey.hybrid_learning.main
2) Download Mozilla’s Firefox is recommended (however, some
students claim that Safari or Chrome work better for them).
3) Download (for free) all necessary software, including the latest
versions of: Adobe’s Acrobat Reader and Flash Player, QuickTime
Player, and Java.
4) Have a backup plan for fulfilling course obligations when/if your computer
malfunctions. For example, to find out about computers at the library; go to
http://scc.sdsu.edu/home.php.
5)
If you need to learn
http://its.sdsu.edu/blackboard/student/
how
to
use
Blackboard,
go
to:
TECHNOLOGY
The instructor cannot provide IT support. You are responsible for your computing needs.
When problems occur on the SDSU end (blackboard crash, our clerical errors), you will
not be penalized. However, when problems occur on your end, you must fix them prior
to any deadlines. Student IT problems are not an acceptable excuse for non-completion
of work. You can go to Student Computing Center in Love Library for help or to use
their computers; call (619) 594-3189; email scc@rohan.sdsu.edu; or click
http://scc.sdsu.edu/home.php.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Attendance and Participation (MW - F2F in class and F - online):
Because of the nature of the course and the structure by which it is conducted, it is
imperative for the students to attend each F2F class on time.
 It will be to your benefit to avoid unnecessary absences in the F2F part of the
class as such absences will drastically affect your appreciation and
understanding of the materials discussed as well as your performance in the
tests.

On the F2F class meeting: You must be prepared for each class and actively
participate in class activity. You will have (or at least have tried to) read and
thought about the assigned reading before each class. Be sure to bring the
assigned text or handout with you to class. Active participation requires that
you follow closely the on-going class discussion, and think of the questions
asked and the answers offered even if you may not be the one being asked.
Keep in mind that you are a major participant to the philosophical
conversation going on in class.
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
On the Friday Online class: Participation will be through Blackboard. You
will be doing online discussion through what I call Online Discussion Board
(ODB). For every major reading assigned, you will be asked to answer some
questions based on the reading, or make comments about some passages
taken from the reading, or participate in a group discussion or activity.
RE: WRITING REQUIREMENT - As per Senate Policy (2013) on Proficiency
in Writing: “SDSU students shall demonstrate proficiency in writing skills as a
requirement for graduation. Such skills shall incorporate basic rules of good
writing, subject to the argument, format, logical development, demonstration of
evidence, and style appropriate to various disciplines.” To meet this requirement,
substantial amount of writing will be done in this course (One is through several
ODBs. These ODBs are not token ODBs but will require substantial amount of
analytical and critical writing. Another is through the writing assignment on the
Apology. It is also for this reason that the major exams are long essay exams, as
opposed to the easy-to-grade multiple choice exams. The final exam, which is a
comparative analysis paper, is also intended to meet this writing requirement.).
2. Writing Assignment on Apology: You will read Plato’s Apology and answer a
series of questions about the dialogue. Specific details about this writing assignment
will be posted on Blackboard.
3. 3 Major Exams: These are announced/scheduled whole class period essay exams.
One week before the scheduled quiz (to give focus and direction in your preparation)
you will be provided with guide questions from which the quiz questions will be
chosen at random. Please refer to the course schedule section of this handout for the
dates of the quizzes.
4. Final Paper (Comparative Analysis Paper): In lieu of the final exam you will write
a 10-12-page comparative analysis paper comparing and contrasting one western
conception of human nature with one eastern conception of human nature. This CAP
is not intended to be a typical term paper. It is to be written in the format of a
dialogue (very much like Plato’s dialogue). Specific details about this paper will be
provided in a guideline that will be posted on Blackboard. Please refer to the course
schedule section of this handout for the due date of this paper.
GRADING POLICY: Your final grade will be based on the following distribution of
points:
 50% --------- 3 Major Exams
 10% --------- WA on Apology
 20% --------- Online Discussion Board (ODB)
 20% --------- Comparative Analysis Paper
!00 % ------- FINAL GRADE
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Your letter grade will be determined based on the following scale:
96-100 ---------- A
76-79 ---------- C+
90-95 ----------- A73-75 ---------- C
86-89 ----------- B+
70-72 ---------- C83-85 ----------- B
66-69 ---------- D+
80-82 ----------- B60-65 ---------- D
Anything below 60 is an “F”
COURSE SCHEDULE:
WEEK #1: Introduction to the course and Socrates
08/25/14 (M – F2F): Introductory discussion about what philosophy is and its
general divisions in order to locate where Philosophy and Human Nature course is
situated
Assignment for 08/27/14: Read the Apology from Cahn text [CWP], pp. 27-39
08/27/14 (W – F2F): Introduce Socrates and his contribution to philosophy
08/29/14 (F – Online): ODB #1 – Due Friday, 08/29/14 (11 pm)
Assignment for Week #2: Work on Writing Assignment on Apology. NOTE:
Guideline on this writing assignment will be posted on Blackboard.
WEEK #2: SOCRATES – Reflect on the claims of Socrates about human nature
NOTE: 09/01/14 (M) – NO CLASS – Labor Day
09/03/14 (W – F2F): Discuss the Apology
09/05/14 (F – Online): ODB #2 – Due Friday, 09/05/14 (11 pm)
Assignment for Week #3: Read Chapter 4 (TTHN text); read Meno (CWP, pp.
80-96), Phaedo (CWP, pp. 47- 79), and Republic (CWP, pp. 128-192);
and complete the Apology Writing Assignment
WEEK #3: PLATO – Reflect on the claims of Plato about human nature
09/08/14 (M – F2F): Discuss Plato’s Meno
09/10/14 (W – F2F): Discuss Plato’s Theory of Forms
*APOLOGY WRITING ASSIGNMENT DUE: Wednesday, 09/10/14 (Hard
copy to be submitted in class)
09/12/14 (F – Online): ODB #3 – Due Friday, 09/10/14 (11 pm)
Assignment for Week #4: Continue to read the readings Plato in both the TTHN
and the CWP texts.
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WEEK #4: PLATO - Continue to discuss Plato’s claims about human nature
09/15/14 (M – F2F): Discuss the story of Gyges; the tripartite nature of the soul;
09/17/14 (W – F2F): Discuss Cave and divided line analogies
09/19/14 (F – Online): ODB #4 – Due Friday, 09/19/14 (11 pm)
Assignment for Week #5: Read chapter 1 (TTHN) and the Confucianism
handout posted on Blackboard
WEEK #5 and Week #6: CONFUCIANISM – Reflect on the Confucianist conception
of human nature through the claims of Confucius, Mencius and Hsun Tzu
09/22/14 (M – F2F): Discuss Confucius
09/24/14 (W – F2F): Continue to discuss Confucius
09/26/14 (F – Online): ODB #5 – Due Friday, 09/26/14 (11 pm)
Assignment for Week #6: Review for Major exam #1 (Guide questions for ME
#1 will be posted on Blackboard)
*09/29/14 (M – F2F): MAJOR EXAM #1
10/01/14 (W – F2F): Discuss Mencius and Hsun Tzu
10/03/14 (F – Online): ODB #6 – Due Friday, 10/03/14 (11 pm)
Assignment for Week #7: Review for Major Exam #1 (Guide questions for
ME#1 posted on Blackboard); and read the handout on Taoism posted on
Blackboard
WEEK # 7: TAOISM – Reflect on the Taoist conception of human nature through the
claims of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu
10/06/14 (M – F2F): Discuss the concept of Tao and the claims of Lao Tzu
10/08/14 (W – F2F): Discuss Chuang Tzu and the butterfly passage
Assignment for Week #8: Read chapter 5 (TTHN); read Book 1 and Book 2 of
the Nicomachean Ethics (CWP, pp. 275-290), and On the Soul (CWP, pp. 229242) of Aristotle
WEEK #8: ARISTOTLE – Reflect on Aristotle’s conception of human nature
10/13/14 (M – F2F): Discuss Aristotle’s Theory of Hylomorphism
10/15/14 (W – F2f): Discuss Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
10/17/14 (F – Online): ODB #7 – Due Friday, 10/17/14 (11 pm)
Assignment for Week #9: Re-read the readings assigned on Aristotle
WEEK #9: ARISTOTLE – Continue to reflect Aristotle’s conception of human nature.
10/20/14 (M – F2F): Discuss Aristotle’s Theory of ideogenesis
10/22/14 (W – F2f): Comparative analysis of Plato and Aristotle
10/24/14 (F – Online): ODB #8 – Due Friday, 10/24/14 (11 pm)
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Assignment for Week #10: Review for Major exam #2 and read chapter 2 of
TTHN and the handout on Hinduism posted on Blackboard
WEEK #10: HINDUISM – Reflect on the Hindu conception of human nature through
the claims of Shankar and Ramanuja
*10/27/14 (M – F2f): MAJOR EXAM #2
10/29/14 (W – F2F): Discuss the concepts of atman, brahman, guna, purushartha,
varna, and ashrama
10/31/14 (F – Online): ODB #9– Due Friday, 10/131/14 (11 pm)
Assignment for Week # 11: Read the TTHN Chapter on Buddhism
WEEK #11: BUDDHISM – Reflect on the Buddhist conception of human nature
11/03/14 (M – F2F): Discuss Gautama Siddharta
11/05/14 (W – F2F): Discuss the 4 Noble Truths and the Noble 8-fold Path
11/07/14 (F – ODB #10 –Due Friday, 11/07/14 (11 pm)
Assignment for Week #12: Read Hobbes’ Leviathan (CWP, pp. 562-591)
WEEK # 12: HOBBES - Reflect on Hobbes’ conception of human nature
11/10/14 (M – F2F): Discuss Hobbes’ Leviathan
11/12/14 (W – F2F): Continue to discuss Hobbes
11/14/14 (F – Online): ODB #11– Due Friday, 11/14//14 (11 pm)
Assignment for Week #13: Read Kant’s Grounding for the Metaphysics of
Morals (CWP, pp. 1110-1149), and chapter 8 (TTHN); and begin work on
Comparative Analysis Paper (Guideline for CAP will be posted on Blackboard)
WEEK #13: KANT – Reflect on Kant’s conception of human nature
11/17/14 (M – F2F): Discuss Kant
11/19/14 (W – F2F): Discuss Kant’s Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals
11/21/14 (F – Online): ODB #12 – Due Friday, 11/21/14 (11 pm)
Assignment for Week #14: Review for Major Exam #3 (Guide questions for
ME #3 will be posted on Blackboard)
WEEK #14: KANT – Continue to reflect on Kant’s conception of human nature
*11/24/14 (M – F2F): MAJOR EXAM #3
Assignment for week #15: Read Sartre (CWP, pp. 1321-1333) and chapter 11
(TTHN)
(11/26/14 – 11/28/14) – THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASS
WEEK #15: SARTRE – Reflect on Sartre’s conception of human nature
12/01/14 (M –F2F): Discuss Sartre’s Existentialism
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12/03/14 (W – F2F): Continue the discussion on Sartre
12/05/14 (F – Online): ODB #13 – Due Friday, 12/05/14 (11 pm)
Assignment for Week #16: Complete Comparative analysis paper (CAP) – to be
submitted on the day of the final exam.
WEEK #16: Review week
12/08/14 (M – F2F): Conference with instructor about the status of your CAP
12/10/14 (W – F2F): Last day of class – Distribute pre-final grade
FINAL EXAM DAY: Monday, 12/15/14 – Submit CAP. This is your final exam.
Submit CAP to Prof. Reyes in her office at AL 427 between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm.
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