EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN UNIVERSITY
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PHIL403 COURSE LEVEL Fourth year
Epistemology
Faculty Core
Dr. Mehmet M. Erginel,
Office: AS 217
Office Hours: Wed. 13:30-14:20, Thurs. 14:30-15:20, Fri. 14:30-15:20
Email: mehmet.erginel@emu.edu.tr
ECTS VALUE
3
6
PHIL104
None
One Semester
Website:
http://brahms.emu.edu.tr/merginel/
Facebook for my students: http://www.facebook.com/phil.emu
EMU Open Courseware: http://opencourses.emu.edu.tr/
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to introduce students to the main issues in Epistemology, and to the most influential
views on these issues. The course addresses the issues concerning the definition, and the source(s) of,
knowledge, as well as the challenge of skepticism.
AIMS & OBJECTIVES
This semester we will be surveying the main themes and views in Epistemology.
GENERAL LEARNING OUTCOMES (COMPETENCES)
On successful completion of this course, all students will have developed knowledge and understanding of:
- What epistemology is about, some of the main issues in epistemology
- Some of the main views on the epistemological issues discussed
On successful completion of this course, all students will have developed their skills in:
- critical thinking, by showing that they can respond critically to issues, form and articulate opinions as well
as justify them in both the written and spoken medium.
- constructing clear and coherent arguments for the views they wish to defend.
On successful completion of this course, all students will have developed their appreciation of and respect for
values and attitudes regarding the issues of:
- academic honesty, including such issues as formatting, referencing, plagiarism and research ethics.
RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER COURSES
This course is meant to provide the students with philosophical and theoretical tools that can be applied in their
other courses as well. This training in epistemology will allow them to view the materials covered in their other
courses in a more critical and philosophical way.
LEARNING / TEACHING METHOD
This course will be conducted primarily through a combination of lectures and classroom discussion. Students
will also be expected to engage in self-directed learning through homework requiring research.
ASSIGNMENTS
Homework/projects requiring research.
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Homework/Papers: 20%
Quiz: 10%
Midterm: 30%
Final: 40%
There will also be 5 points of extra credit for classroom participation.
ATTENDANCE
According to EMU Regulations for Education, Examinations, and Success, students who fail to meet the required
level of attendance and/or do not fulfill the requirements for the evaluation of the course are given the “NG”
grade by the course Instructor. For further information please refer to EMU Rules and Regulations
http://mevzuat.emu.edu.tr/.
TEXTBOOK/S
Pritchard, D. 2010. What is this thing called knowledge? 2nd edition. Routledge (London).
INDICATIVE BASIC READING LIST
NONE
EXTENDED READING LIST
Extra readings may be assigned during the semester.
SEMESTER OFFERED
Fall 2014
CONTENT & SCHEDULE
Lectures will be held at the following hours:
Group 01: Mon. 10:30-12:20, Thurs. 11:30-12:20
Group 02: Wed. 10:30-12:20, Thurs. 14:30-15:20
The lecture topics within the semester are as in the following schedule:
WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9-10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17-18
DATE
Oct. 13
Oct. 20
Oct. 27
Nov. 3
Nov. 10
Nov. 17
Nov. 11
Nov. 24
Nov. 28-Dec. 9
Dec. 10
Dec. 15
Dec. 22
Dec. 29
Jan. 5
Jan. 12
19-31 Jan.
TOPICS
Introduction and orientation
The Value of Knowledge
Defining Knowledge
The Structure of Knowledge
Rationality
Virtues and Faculties
Virtues and Faculties/Perception
Perception
Midterm Exam Period
A priority and Inference
A priority and Inference/The Problem of Induction
The Problem of Induction
Scepticism
Scepticism
Wrap-up and Review
Final Exam Period
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Academic dishonesty refers to any form of misrepresentation of student abilities, including, but not limited to,
cheating on exams, plagiarism, and submitting work that has been composed, translated and/or substantially
edited by someone else. Please refer to the Eastern Mediterranean University web site for a complete
description of the Regulations for Student Discipline (http://mevzuat.emu.edu.tr/).
MAKE-UP POLICY
Within a few days after the final exam there will be a make-up exam, for people who missed either the midterm
exam or the final exam with legitimate and documented excuses. In order to be able to take the cumulative
make-up exam, valid documentation should be provided to the Psychology Department Administration within 3
days of the scheduled exam that is missed. It is students’ responsibility to check with the Psychology department
for the make-up schedule.
ASSIGNMENT DEADLINES
No extensions will be granted on assignment deadlines. Late work will not be accepted.
CLASSROOM POLICIES
Students must come to class on time – coming in late is disruptive and will not be tolerated. All requests for
grade re-evaluations on exams, quizzes and class assignments must be made within three days of grade
notification. There are no re-evaluations of previous work (i.e., exams, quizzes or class assignments) after final
point calculations are posted at the end of the semester. Final grades are assigned solely based on points
earned during the semester. Please make sure to read the complete set of classroom policies described in the
Departmental Catalogue on the Psychology Departmental Website: http://brahms.emu.edu.tr/psychology