College of Arts & Letters Philosophy Department PHIL 310: PHILOSOPHY & HUMAN NATURE Section 1 (22258) – MW 2:00-3:15pm – M206 COURSE SYLLABUS – SPRING 2013 ============================================================= H. Reyes Office: AL 427 Voice Mail: 619-594-8839 E-mail: hreyes@mail.sdsu.edu Office Hours: MWF 8:00-8:50am; 12:00-12:50pm ============================================================= COURSE DESCRIPTION: Phil 310: Philosophy & Human Nature deals with different concepts of human nature. Descriptive and normative aspects of major theories of human nature are discussed. LEARNING OUTCOMES: Through careful reading and re-reading 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 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 role-play in a debate format by taking the position of a philosopher regarding human nature and defending it against possible objections to construct a dialogue or conversation between two philosophers, highlighting their similarities and 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. FYI #1: Any students with special needs due to documented medical condition should avail themselves of the resources of the Disabled Student Services Office, Calpulli Center, Rm 301 (619-594-6473). Students who have concerns that might prevent them from otherwise doing well in this course should discuss this with the instructor so that proper arrangement may be made to accommodate their conditions. FYI #2: Students must inform instructor within the first two weeks of class of any planned absences on account of religious observances. REQUIRED TEXTS: Cahn, Steve (ed.). Classics of Western Philosophy (8th ed.). 2012. Hackett. (ISBN:13978-1-60384-8) 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 COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 1. Attendance/Class Participation (in-class and on-line): Because of the nature of the course and the structure by which it is conducted, simply being present is not enough! The class structure requires students to attend class each entire class session; to be prepared for and participate actively in class discussion. 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. NOTE: Out of respect for one another, during class time cell phones must be turned off or put on silent mode, no TEXTING, no using of electronic devices (other than for notetaking or accessing e-text) and/or other gadgets during class time. On-line class participation will be through the Blackboard Discussion Board. 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. 2. Final Paper (Comparative Analysis Paper): In lieu of the final exam you will write a 10-12-paged paper comparing and contrasting one western conception of human nature with one eastern conception of human nature. Specific details about this paper will be provided in the form of a handout. Please refer to the course outline section of this handout for the due date of this paper. 2 3. 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 provided in the form of a handout. 4. 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 outline section of this handout for the dates of the quizzes. GRADING POLICY: Your final grade will be based on the following distribution of points: 50% --------- 3 Major Exams 15% --------- WA on Apology 15% --------- Online Discussion Board 20% --------- Comparative Analysis Paper 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 OUTLINE: 1/23 (W): Introduction, get acquainted, distribute syllabus, discuss course requirements, etc. Assignment: Read Plato’s Apology (CWP, pp. 27-39) - Work on Writing Assignment on Apology (NOTE: Guideline on this writing assignment posted on Blackboard) and Online Discussion Board (ODB) #1 1/28 (M), 1/30 (W): SOCRATES - Discuss the Apology - DISCUSSION BOARD #1 DUE: Wednesday, 1/30 Assignment: Read Chapter 4 (TTHN text) and read the Meno (CWP, pp.80-96), Phaedo (CWP, pp. 47- 79), and Republic (CWP, pp. 128-192) - Complete work on the Apology Writing Assignment and work on ODB #2 2/4 (M); 2/6 (W): PLATO - Discuss Meno; Phaedo; Republic - WRITING ASSIGNMENT (APOLOGY) DUE: Monday, 2/4 - DISCUSSION BOARD #2 DUE: Wednesday, 2/6 Assignment: Continue to read the readings Plato in both the TTHN and the CWP, and work on ODB #3 3 2/11 (M); 2/13 (W): PLATO - Continue to discuss Plato - DISCUSSION BOARD #3 DUE: Wednesday, 2/13 Assignment: Read chapter 1 (TTHN) and the Confucianism handout posted on Blackboard - Review for Major Exam #1 (Guide questions for major exam #1 to be posted on Blackboard) 2/18 (M); 2/20 (W), 2/25 (M): CONFUCIANISM - Discuss Confucius, Mencius, Hsun Tzu - MAJOR EXAM #1: Monday, 2/25 Assignment: Read Taoism handout posted on Blackboard 2/27 (W); 3/4 (M); 3/6 (W): TAOISM - Discuss Lao Tzu - Discuss Chuang Tzu Assignment: Read chapter 5 (TTHN) - Read sections of Nicomachean Ethics (CWP, pp. 275-329), On the Soul (CWP, pp. 229-242), On Categories (CWP, pp. 195-198), Metaphysics (CWP, pp. 243-274) of Aristotle - Work on OBD #4 3/11 (M); 3/13 (W); 3/18 (M): ARISTOTLE - Discuss Aristotle’s Theory of Hylomorphism - Discuss Aristotle’s Theory of Ideogenesis - Discuss sections of Nicomachean Ethics - DISCUSSION BOARD #4 DUE: Monday, 3/18 Assignment: Read chapter 2 (TTHN) and the Hinduism handout posted on Blacbboard 3/20 (W); 3/25 (M): HINDUISM – Discuss Atman and Brahman - Discuss Shankara - Discuss Ramanuja Assignment: Review for Major Exam #2 (Guide questions on Major Exam #3 posted on Blackboard) 3/27 (W): MAJOR EXAM #2 Assignment: Read chapter 3 (TTHN) SPRING RECESS (4/1 – 4/5) – NO CLASS 4/8 (M); 4/10 (W): BUDDHISM - Discuss Gautama Siddharta - Discuss the 4 Noble Truths and the Noble 8-fold Path Assignment: Read Hobbes (CWP, pp. 562-591) and work on ODB #5 4/15 (M); 4/17 (W): HOBBES - Discuss the Leviathan - DISCUSSIN BOARD #5 DUE: Wednesday, 4/17 Assignment: Read Kant (CWP, pp. 1110-1149), and chapter 8 (TTHN) 4 - Begin work on Comparative Analysis Paper (Guideline to be posted on Blackboard) 4/22 (M); 4/24 (W): KANT - Discuss Kant’s Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals Assignment: Complete work on the Comparative Analysis Paper - Read Sartre (CWP, pp. 1321- 1333) and chapter 11 (TTHN) 4/29 (M); 5/1 (W): SARTRE - Discuss Sartre’s Existentialism Assignment: Complete Comparative analysis paper - Review for Major Exam #3 (Guide questions posted on Blackboard) 5/6 (M): MAJOR EXAM #3 5/8 (W): COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS PAPER DUE NOTE: The final paper (i.e., the comparative analysis paper) is the final exam and is due on the last class day: Wednesday, 5/8 End of Semester Rejoice!!! 5