Los Angeles Pierce College – Fall 2015
PHI 02 section 0549 – Society and Values
Friday 9:00 am -12:10 pm
Prof. Valerie Giovanini
Email giovanvo@lacitycollege.edu
Classroom BEH 1311
Office BEH 1306 D
Office phone (818) 710-4371
Office hours Friday 12:30-1:15 pm
SLO (Student Learning Outcomes)
Students will demonstrate the ability to apply thinking skills to some of the major problems and responses
central to philosophical questioning. Students will understand, comprehend, subdivide, and inter-relate
major problems, philosophical questions, and responses central to social and political philosophy.
Overview
This course introduces the student to some of the traditional and contemporary theories in rational
decision making about ethical and political issues. (3 units) UC:CSU transferable
Course Description
The objective of this course is to introduce students to philosophical inquiry and discuss major themes in
an open and responsive environment. Many issues that we naturally wonder about are topics for
philosophic debate, such as: What is truth? What is the meaning of life? What is the Good life? We will
explore these main topics in philosophy through the traditional and contemporary debates, as well as
become familiar with the conceptual tools available to philosophic inquiry. The course is organized into
four themes and will be divided respectively in four major sections:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
What is Philosophy?
What is the Meaning of Life?
Why be Good at all? (Ethics)
How do we know anything for certain? (Epistemology)
This is an introductory course that will present central positions and debates within Western Philosophy.
It is not intended to be comprehensive or exhaustive of all the material in the field.
Required Text
Pojman, Louis & Vaughn, Lewis, Philosophy: The Quest for Truth, eighth edition. 2010.
ISBN: 9780199751792. Book is available for purchase at the bookstore on campus.
Moodle – Homework and handouts will be provided on http://moodle.piercecollege.edu/. Get information
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about accessing the portal here:
Special Needs
Please let me know at the beginning of the course if you have any physical or learning disabilities that
require accommodations. Make-up exams will be administered only in the event of emergencies or
religious observance. If you would like a grade you received re-evaluated or clarified, please submit your
claim in writing, explaining your question, and, if you think your position is correct, documented
evidence from the text on how you are correct. Additionally, if you prefer to hand assignments in class
please speak with me.
Safety
The Sheriff’s Department is located on campus. Their number is (818) 719-6450. It would be a good idea
to program this number into your cell phone. In case of an emergency in which you need police assistance
call them and not 911. Doing so may direct your call to another enforcement agency. They in turn will
require time to determine that they need to forward it to our Sheriff’s Department, and precious time will
be lost.
Policy on respect for others and respectful language
Some of the material in this course can lead to discussion on sensitive subjects such as religion and
politics. If you are uncomfortable reading or discussing any of the material, please let me know and I will
try to arrange an alternative assignment. Sometimes in lectures or discussions, I may use outrageous
examples to clarify points or provoke discussion; if you are offended by something that is said, please
accept my apologies in advance and express your concern to me after class. I will not share your concerns
with the class without your permission, but I will try to respond to them. While we encourage informal
discussion, I will insist that you always speak to others in the class in a respectful way and avoid
comments and behaviors that disparage individuals. Speaking informally but respectfully about sensitive
subjects is an important skill, and this class will help you learn it. No cell phone or inappropriate
computer activity is allowed. You may be asked to leave if you are given more than 3 warnings about said
activities. Note that to you may not receive an immediate response to emails so prepare for the worst.
Exchange contact information with a classmate.
Course Requirements
This class is nothing without you! You are encouraged to attend every class meeting and participate as
much as possible during class discussions. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class
meeting. 3 or more absences in addition to inactivity on Moodle can justify dropping you from the course.
Grading
All work will be assigned a grade according to the following 400-point scale
Homework – 60 points (5 points for 12 submissions) – Please submit your answers in approx. 75-150
words for each assigned Pojman reading through Moodle:
(1) What is the main point of each article? (75-150 words)
(2) How does the philosopher support his main claim? (75-150 words)
(3-5) Any 3 questions from the assigned reading in Pojman. (75-150 words per question).
Assignments are due in Moodle by 8:00 am on the day of our next class. 1 point is deducted for late
submissions. Every one of your homework has the option of answering extra credit question (or making
up a deducted point for late submission). NOTE: your homework relates to the material we will cover in
the upcoming class so answer to the best of your ability. You are mostly encouraged to think about what
you read and will not be strictly judged on content. TIP: Make time in your daily-life for the assigned
reading, rather than cram-reading before an exam.
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Basic Concepts Quiz – 75 points – September 25
Reflection Paper – 15 points – November 13
(Details will be given later in the semester)
Mid-Term Exam – 100 points – October 23
Final Exam – 100 points – December 18
Debate – 50 points – December 11
A = 400-360 points
B = 359-320
Course Requirements:
Homework (12)
Basic Concepts Quiz
Exams (2)
Reflection Paper
Debate
TOTAL
C = 319-280
D = 279-240
F = 239 and below
60 points (5 each)
75 points
200 points (100, 100)
15 points
50 points (17 your part, 33 group grade)
400 points
Weekly Schedule of Required Readings (This calendar is subject to change and revision based on our progress in class.
Final day to submit homework is December 18, 8:00 am.)
Class Schedule
Readings & homework are listed on the day they’re due!
SECTION ONE: Introduction to Philosophical Methodology & Quiz
September 4: Introduction to Philosophy & Activity on B. Russell’s Value of Philosophy
Introductions
Activity: (Pojman 27-32) Bertrand Russell The Value of Philosophy
September 11: The Simpsons Reading Activity and Methods in Philosophy
(Pojman 33-40) Method in Philosophy
(Handout in Moodle ‘Resources’ tab) Jason Holt’s on The Simpsons and Philosophy,
Springfield Hypocrisy
September 18: History of Philosophy & BASIC CONCEPTS QUIZ
(Pojman 1-21) Plato
Clip Plato’s Allegory of the Cave in Claymation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69F7GhASOdM
(Pojman 21-27) John Locke Of Enthusiasm and the Quest for Truth
Basic Concepts Quiz (find list of terms in ‘Resources’ tab in Moodle)
SECTION TWO: Meaning of Life & Mid-Term
September 25: Moderate Hedonism & Life is Absurd
(Pojman 599-606) Epicurus Moderate Hedonism
(Pojman 616-621) Albert Camus Life is Absurd
Clip Groundhog Day http://youtu.be/yKJZVxpZBbs
October 2: Religion Gives Meaning to Life & Life is Absurd, but we realize it!
(Pojman 629-632) Louis P. Pojman Religion Gives Meaning to Life
(Pojman 633-640) Thomas Nagel The Absurd
October 9: NO CLASS
(Pojman 641-642) Bertrand Russell Reflections on Suffering
October 16: Suffering & Existentialism
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(Pojman 544-550) Jean-Paul Sartre Existentialist Ethics
October 23: MID-TERM EXAM & Watch Documentary Movie
Watch documentary on Sartre’s philosophy and life in class
SECTION THREE: Ethics and The Good Life & Reflection Paper Due
October 30: Ethics: Morality as Absolute or Relative
(Pojman 473-483) Ruth Benedict Morality is Relative
(Pojman 483-492) James Rachels Morality is Not Relative
November 6: Ethics: Why Should We Be Moral? & Virtue Ethics
(Pojman 492-498) Plato Gyges’ Ring and Socrates Dilemma
(Pojman 504-514) Aristotle The Ethics of Virtue
November 13: Ethics: Consequentialism in Mill’s Utilitarianism
(Pojman 537-543) John Stuart Mill Utilitarianism
Reflection Paper is due (Remember: Bring paper version and submit in Moodle to earn full
points)
SECTION FOUR: Political Philosophy
November 20: Anarchy & The Social Contract
(Pojman 557-559) Robert Paul Wolff In Defense of Anarchism
(Pojman 559-573) Thomas Hobbes The Absolutist Answer
November 27: Democracy & Liberalism
(Pojman 574-580) John Locke The Justification of the State in Natural Human Rights
(Pojman 581-586) John Stuart Mill A Classical Liberal Answer
December 1: Contemporary Liberalism & Slavoj Zizek
(Pojman 587-596) John Rawls Contemporary Liberalism (check E-tudes)
(Slavoj Zizek) Link is forthcoming
SECTION FIVE: Debate & Final Exam
December 6 (SUNDAY):
See Debate Information Sheet for details on:
Submit Group’s 3 Main Arguments in Moodle Public Forum
December 10: DEBATE & Review for Final
(‘Resources’ tab in Moodle) See Debate Information Sheet for details on:
Submitting 1 page report on your individual contribution
Jeopardy Game for in-class Review
December 18: FINAL
Final Exam 9:00 am – 11:00 pm
Cumulative Exam
NOTE THAT ALL HOMEWORK WILL BE CLOSED AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUBMIT ANY WORK AFTER 8:00 AM ON
DECEMBER 18.
ALSO: ANY WORK THAT IS NOT MANUALLY SUBMITED BY YOU (AUTOMATICALLY SUBMITTED) WILL NOT BE COUNTED FOR
POINTS AFTER DECEMBER 18 AT 8:00 AM.
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