Jennifer Lemma
527-1866, Room 111
jennifer.baynelemma@wwcc.edu
Philosophy 101
Introduction to Philosophy
Winter 2013
Daily 9:30 – 10:20 AM, Room 243
Text: Classic Philosophical Questions, ed. Mulvaney
Instructor: Jennifer Lemma
Philosophy is a reasonable discussion about the meaning of life.
This course is an introduction to some of the great philosophers and their philosophical
questions. The learning goal of the course is a demonstrated written understanding of the
diverse philosophical views of classic western philosophers in regard to God, morality,
government, and human nature.
How this course works
Each class session focuses either on a lecture or class discussion. The lectures are
introductions to the philosophers the class is currently reading in the textbook. The class
discussions are centered on assigned reading study questions. All reading assignments in
the course are from primary sources in the textbook. The reading is very challenging;
you will need to read, and reread in order to complete the study question assignments.
Give yourself ample time to complete the reading and study questions, which are due two
or three times each week. It is in your best interest to attend class prepared and having
read the assigned text.
Assignments and Exams
The study question responses are an essential part of the class discussions and are graded
primarily on effort, but writing convention is factored into the grade, too. As such, they
are an integral part of the course and constitute the largest portion of your grade. Each
study question can be adequately answered in one or two paragraphs. There are 26 study
question assignments in the course, and each assignment usually has two or three
questions each. You may drop four assignments, but LATE WORK WILL NOT BE
ACCEPTED. If you do not respond to every question on a study question assignment,
you will earn a lower grade than if you respond to all of them.
Study questions on the assigned reading are worth 45% of your final grade. An A
quality, full-credit assignment is a double-spaced, typed document. It is a complete,
coherent response that thoroughly addresses the study question. Questions completed as
a class during the lecture time-period obviously cannot be typed and will not be deducted
as such, but late study question responses will not be accepted.
Jennifer Lemma
527-1866, Room 111
jennifer.baynelemma@wwcc.edu
Three, one to two page philosophical papers are due during the quarter. The papers count
for a total of 15% of your final grade. The topic choice is largely up to you, but it is
recommended that you connect one of the philosophical ideas we have discussed in class
to a contemporary situation. In your essay, you are required to cite two quotations from
the assigned reading (by page number) and if possible, one quotation from the lectures
(by date). The first one to two paragraphs of your paper should explain the philosophical
idea of your choice and the next one to two paragraphs should explain why you agree or
disagree with it and its relevance to today’s society and/or individual. The essay must
be a typed, double-spaced document. To avoid unnecessary deductions, Times New
Roman, 12-size type font is required. Its accuracy, detail, and quality of thought, in
addition to how well your agreement or disagreement reflects an informed and
philosophically thoughtful reading of the text, determines your grade.
The mid-term and final examinations require you to respond to questions similar to those
you have already written about in your study question response assignments. In addition,
the exams may have objective questions (true-false, multiple choice, identify, and so on).
Exams are graded on accuracy, detail, and quality of thought. The mid-term exam, which
takes up one regular class session, counts 20% of your final grade. The final exam,
which is comprehensive and lasts two hours during the final exam period, counts as 20%
of your final grade.
CELL PHONES AND COMPUTER USE IN CLASS WILL NOT BE
TOLERATED
An Honors Module is available to WWCC Honors Program members only. See the
instructor for details.
Important things for your success
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Attend every class session. Do not cut this class, ever. If you are planning on
not coming to class every day, you should drop early and get your money
back from the business office. If you are ill during the quarter, it is your
responsibility to contact other students for lecture notes or other material you
missed.
If you know that you will be absent on a particular day, make an arrangement
with the instructor to turn in your work in a timely manner, before it is due.
Do not request “extensions” for any written assignments; turn in written work on
time.
Class sessions are work sessions. Arrive on time, be prepared to discuss the study
questions, take notes during the lectures, and focus.
Turn off cell phones and computers. You may use a laptop for notes only if
you have documentation from Disability Support Services. Using a laptop or a
cell phone during class will result in a dramatic drop of your overall grade.
Jennifer Lemma
527-1866, Room 111
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jennifer.baynelemma@wwcc.edu
Avoid distracting behavior (for example, leaving the room once class has started,
whispering, eating, or making rude comments). The instructor may lower your
grade considerably for any distracting behavior on your part.
Turning in any work that is not your own will result in either failing or dropping
the entire course. If you work on study questions together, but do not turn in
your own unique work, you will receive partial credit for your assignments.
For assistance with concerns about disability support, contact Claudia Angus
Coordinator of Disability Support Services, Office 133D (509) 527-4543
Philosophy 101
Winter 2013
Study Question and Essay Assignments
TOPIC
DATE
ASSIGNMENTS
Introduction & Review of
Syllabus
The Ancient Greeks
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
Wednesday 1/2
Plato
Plato
Plato
Plato’s relevance to today’s
society; Socrates and the
Unexamined Life
Paper review
Monday 1/7
Tuesday 1/8
Wednesday 1/9
Thursday 1/10
p. 2: 5, 6
(#2)
p. 13: 6, 7
(#3)
p. 13: 8, 9
(#4)
In class writing question
(#5)
Friday 1/11
Review of material, paper
review
Aristotle and Virtue
Eudaimonia and Entelechy;
Epictetus
Epictetus
Monday 1/14
Tuesday 1/15
Paper Due
p. 534: 1, 2
Wednesday 1/16
Epictetus
St. Anselm and a priori
logic
Thursday 1/17
Friday 1/18
In class writing question
(#7)
p. 534: 6, 7
(#8)
p. 38: 1,2,3
(#9)
St. Anselm
St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas
Pascal
Thursday 1/3
Friday 1/4
No class Monday, 1/21
(MLK, Jr. Day)
Tuesday 1/22
Wednesday 1/23
Thursday 1/24
Friday 1/25
p. 2: 3, 4
p. 44: 3
p. 57: 1,2,3
(#1)
(#10)
(#11)
Jennifer Lemma
527-1866, Room 111
jennifer.baynelemma@wwcc.edu
Pascal
Pascal
William James
Midterm Exam Review
Monday 1/28
Tuesday 1/29
Wednesday 1/30
Thursday 1/31
p. 57: 4,5,6
(#12)
Read William James p. 62
p. 63: 5,6
(#15)
Review of material, paper
review
Paper #2 Due
Midterm Exam Review
Friday 2/1
Midterm Exam
René Descartes
René Descartes
René Descartes
René Descartes
Monday 2/4
Tuesday 2/5
Wednesday 2/6
Thursday 2/7
Friday 2/8
Midterm Exam
p. 242 Read only
John Dewey
John Dewey
Monday 2/11
Tuesday 2/12
Thomas Hobbes
Hobbes
John Locke
Wednesday 2/13
Thursday 2/14
Friday 2/15
p. 373: Read only
In class writing question
p. 373: 8
(#18)
p. 446: 1,2,3,5
(#19)
Locke
No class, Monday 2/18
(Presidents’ Day)
Tuesday 2/19
Natural Rights Discussion
Karl Marx
Marx
Wednesday 2/20
Thursday 2/21
Friday 2/22
Marx
Monday 2/25
Marx
Mill: Utilitarianism
Mill: Free Speech
Tuesday 2/26
No class, Wednesday 2/27,
Advising Day
Thursday 2/28
Friday 3/1
Mill: Religious Tolerance
Monday 3/4
Mill: Subjection of
Women
Preparation for paper
Paper Due
TBA
Tuesday 3/5
In class writing question
p. 423: 4,5,6
(#26)
Tree analogy
Wednesday 3/6
Thursday 3/7
Friday 3/8
Preparation for Paper
Paper #3 Due
TBA
p. 345: 1,2,3
p. 345: 4,5
p. 453: 1,2
(#16)
(#17)
(#20)
In class writing question
p. 454: 4,5,6
(#21)
Declaration of Independence
p. 461: 1,2,3
(#22)
p. 461: 4,5,6
(#23)
In class writing question
p. 461: 7,8;
(#24)
Read p. 472: focus on 1-10
Manifesto activity
p. 423: 1,2,3
(#25)
Jennifer Lemma
527-1866, Room 111
jennifer.baynelemma@wwcc.edu
TBA
TBA
Final Exam Preparation
Final Exam Preparation
Final Exam Preparation
Monday 3/11
Tuesday 3/12
Wednesday 3/13
Thursday 3/14
Friday 3/15
TBA
TBA
review
review
review
Final Exam
Monday 3/18
Final Exam