University of West Florida
FALL 2013
Introduction to Philosophy
Online Course
PHI 2010
Instructor: Garrett Howard
Office: Bldg. 50, Rm. 231-A.
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 12 – 1 or by appointment.
Email: gnhoward@uwf.edu Phone: 474-2066
Required readings: All required readings are available on our E Learning page. All reading
materials are provided in a Pdf adobe acrobat format. There is no required text book for this course.
Course Description:
This course will provide an introduction to Philosophy through an examination of Metaphysics,
Epistemology, the philosophy of mind and Identity theory.
Course Format: This course is entirely via the internet. From the course home page you will access all links for:
assignments, chat sessions, discussion boards; and links to additional course material content and resources. The
instructional modules, discussion boards and Essay Exams are designed to allow students to devise a schedule and a
pace of study that will fit their personal schedule within a weekly time frame.
Discussion boards: This feature allows students to interact and share thoughts, questions and ideas in regard to the
assigned reading materials and essay assignments. The primary goal of the discussion boards is to assist the student
in building a basic understanding of the philosophical questions, concepts, problems and arguments encountered in
the assigned readings and lecture material. In turn, this will provide the student with the knowledge and tools
needed to engage in the essay exams.
Essay Exams: Each of the essay exams are directly linked to the assigned readings, lecture material, and discussion
boards.
Objectives/Student Learning outcomes:
In classroom discussions and essay exams students will:
(1) Clearly identify and define the central theories, concepts and questions encountered in the field
of Philosophy.
(2) Compare, contrast, and critically evaluate concepts and arguments,
(3) demonstrate the ability to derive cogent insights and conclusions,
(4) Display an understanding of the material’s relevance in discussions on life, truth and existence.
Semester Schedule
Week Dates
TOPICS/ASSIGNMENTS
1
Aug. 26 - 30
Introduction to Online Instruction
2
Sept. 2 - 6
Introduction to Philosophy
Readings: Introduction to Philosophy by Robert Solomon (Pdf doc).
Introductory discussion board (no grade)
3
Sept. 9 - 13
Epistemology and Skepticism
Readings:
Descartes Pp. 49—64 (Robert Wolff pdf doc)
Descartes Pp. 190 – 201 (Robert Solomon pdf doc)
Discussion Board: Descartes:
4
Sept. 16 - 20
Epistemology and Skepticism
Readings:
Descartes Pp. 49—64 (Robert Wolff pdf doc)
Descartes Pp. 190 – 201 (Robert Solomon pdf doc)
Discussion Board: Descartes:
Essay Exam 1/Epistemology is assigned
5
Sept. 23 - 27
Epistemology and Skepticism
Readings:
Mary Litch and Total Recall
Film: Total Recall by Philip K. Dick and Paul Verhoeven
6
Sept. 30 – Oct. 4
Metaphysics
Readings:
What is Metaphysics? (Wolff, p.94—96)
Reality (Solomon, Pp. 43-45)
Brian Greene, The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space and Time
Essay Exam 1/Epistemology is due.
Discussion Board 2
Essay Exam 2/Metaphysics is assigned
7
Oct. 7 - 11
Metaphysics
Readings:
Hobbes’ Materialism (Wolff, P. 96—105)
Brian Greene, The Fabric of the cosmos:
Quantum Leap and Universe or Multiverse
Discussion Board 2
Week Dates
Topics/Assignments
8
Oct. 14 – 18
Metaphysics
Brian Greene, The Fabric of the cosmos: Universe or multiverse
David Chalmers, The Matrix as Metaphysics
Film: The Matrix by the Wachowski Brothers
Essay Exam 2/Metaphysics is due.
9
Oct. 21 – 25
Philosophy of mind
Readings:
The Problem of Dualism (Solomon, Pp. 343—348)
The Rejection of Dualism (Solomon, Pp. 348—362)
Discussion Board 3/the Problem of Dualism:
Essay Exam 3/The Philosophy of mind is assigned.
10
Oct. 28 – Nov. 1
Philosophy of mind
Cox and Levine, It’s all in the mind: AI Artificial Intelligence and Robot Love
Mary Litch, Artificial Intelligence
Film: AI by Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg
11
Nov. 4 - 8
Personal Identity theory
Personal Identity by Eric Olson
Film: Memento by Jonathan and Christopher Nolan
Essay Exam 3/The Philosophy of mind is due.
Essay exam 4/Personal Identity Theory is assigned.
12
Nov. 11 – 15
Personal Identity theory
Mary Litch, Personal Identity
Film: Memento by Jonathan and Christopher Nolan
13
Nov. 18 – 22
Ethics and the Dark Knight
Jason F. Howard, Dark Knights and the Call of Conscience
Film: The Dark Knight by Christopher Nolan
Essay Exam 4/Personal Identity Theory is due.
Essay Exam 5/Ethics and the Dark Knight is assigned
14
Nov. 25 – 27
Ethics and the Dark Knight
Cox and Levine, The Dark Knight on Deontology and Consequentialism
Film: The Dark Knight by Christopher Nolan
15
Dec. 2 – 6
Course Review. Last week of classes
Essay Exam 5/Ethics and the Dark Knight is due
16
Dec. 9 – 13
Final Exam week
Grades and Grading criteria:
Discussion Boards
1
Epistemology
2
Metaphysics
3
Philosophy of Mind
4
Identity Theory
5
Ethics and the Dark Knight
DATES
Sept 9 – 27
Sept. 30 – Oct. 18
Oct. 21 – Nov. 1
Nov. 4 - 15
Nov. 18 - 29
Points
300
300
200
200
200
ESSAY EXAMS
Essay Exam 1
Essay Exam 2
Essay Exam 3
Essay Exam 4
Essay Exam 5
Due Dates
Oct. 4
Oct. 18
Nov. 8
Nov. 22
Dec. 6
200
200
200
200
200
COURSE POINTS TOTAL
1200
Grade Scale:
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
95-100
90-94
88-89
80-87
78-79
76-77
70-75
68-69
66-67
60-65
00-59
Grading Criteria for Discussion Boards:
Your discussion board grade is determined by the following:
(1)The Quantitative measure
The quantitative measure takes into account: (1) the total number of postings, (2) the total number of calendar
dates/days in which the student participates in the discussion. (3) the number of calendar weeks in which the student
participates in the discussion. (4) Also, the quantitative measure takes into account the student’s ability to create
postings which allow for a reasonable time frame in which students and/or the instructor can respond. For example,
postings made in the last 48 hours do not allow for a reasonable time frame in which classmates and/or the
instructor can respond. So, although a student may create a high number of postings, if they are confined to the last
48 hours, the student will receive a poor grade with regard to this measure.
(2) The Qualitative measure
Before engaging in the discussion board, students are expected to read the assigned reading and lecture material.
Some of the discussion boards may require responses to specific questions and/or topics. Some discussion boards
will provide the student with the freedom to create topic threads, and post questions about the assigned readings.
The minimum expectations for each discussion board are: (1) respond to the instructor’s set topic or question for
the discussion board, (2) read the responses of other students, (3) read the responses of the instructor, (4) post three
or more responses to a classmate, and engage in rational discourse.
Discussion Boards
Just remember, the discussion boards are a tool for enhancing the knowledge and understanding of the assigned
reading and lecture materials. So, feel free to share your insights, and ask questions about concepts you may not
understand.
All postings should:
 Be respectful in tone and rational in content.
 Conform to the standards of the English language. This means, it is important to check your posting for
spelling and grammar.
 Strive for clarity, coherence and consistency.
 Avoid irrelevant digressions and red herrings.

Strive to focus on sharing insights.
Grading Criteria for Essay Exams:
Form:
(1) Unity of thought and Coherence of Expression.
(2) Sentence and paragraph variety, grammar and spelling.
Content:
(1) “Reporting” is a concise demonstration of your acquaintance with the material. (Minimum
requirement for a “C”).
(2) “Analysis” is the ability to compare, contrast, or critically evaluate the material. (Minimum
requirement for a “B”).
(3) “Synthesis” is a demonstration of your ability to adequately develop your thesis (or main
idea), and to reach a sound conclusion. (Minimum requirement for an “A”).
EMAIL: I check my e-mail daily, Monday thru Friday, and will respond within 48 hours.
Important Course Information:
(1) General Studies Course:
PHI 2010 Introduction to Philosophy is designated as a General Studies course. The General Studies
curriculum at the University of West Florida is designed to provide a cohesive program of study that
promotes the development of a broadly educated person and provides the knowledge and skills needed to
succeed in university studies. This course has been approved as meeting your requirement in the
Humanities/Values and Expressions area. The major General Studies learning outcomes for this course
are: Analysis/Evaluation and Ethical Reasoning.
(2) Choosing a major:
If you are interested in a major in Philosophy, you should contact the Chair, Dr. Brian Hood, at
shood@uwf.edu or the Philosophy Department office at 850-474-2672. If you are undecided
about your major you should contact your academic advisor or the Career Center at 850-4742254.
(3) The Disability Resource Center:
Students with a documented disability who require specific examination or course related academic
accommodations should contact the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) by email at
sdrc@uwf.edu or by phone at (850) 474-2387.
(4) Late Exams:
Late exams will only be allowed in cases of legitimate need, and authentication of excuse will be required
(e.g., doctor's note.) Arrangements should be made in advance except in cases of emergency, and as soon
as possible in the case of emergency. You will find that I am much more understanding of your problems
if you attempt to make arrangements with me in advance, rather than waiting until after the fact.
(5) Plagiarism is an extremely serious issue to me. It strikes at the very heart of the intellectual enterprise
in which we are mutually engaged, and undermines all of our collective efforts. As a result, I take all
suspected cases of plagiarism seriously, and will punish them to the extent that the University of West
Florida policies allow, which include failure for the assignment, failure for the course, and
recommendation of further action by university administration. Briefly, plagiarism is the failure to
accurately and openly provide citations for the ideas and words used in your written assignments. This
includes lifting quotations without credit from books, magazines, and newspapers or other printed
material as well as “borrowing” from the Internet. It also includes presenting ideas as your own when
they have in fact been derived from another source. The University’s plagiarism policy can be found in
the Student Handbook under “Expectations for Academic Conduct” (available online at
http://www.uwf.edu/uwfmain/stuHandbk/).
(6) CAPSTONE COURSE INFORMATION
All Philosophy Majors must complete a “Capstone Course” project before graduation. If this course is to
be designated as your Capstone Course, please speak with the instructor as soon as possible. By the end of
second week of classes, speak to your instructor about your interest using that course for your Capstone
Project. If the instructor accepts, fill out and submit the Capstone Declaration form in office declaring
project and topic area(s). No designations for Capstone Course status will be accepted after the third week
of class.
(7) Syllabus Agreement Instructions:
After reading the syllabus, In a word document copy and paste the following:
Just below the agreement statement, you can type your full name as it appears on the class roster. Also,
include your student ID number, and the date. Please submit the agreement document in the E Learning
Drop box titled: Syllabus Agreement. Students that fail to submit a signed syllabus agreement by the end
of drop and add week will be dropped from the class roster.
PHI 2010 Introduction to philosophy syllabus Agreement:
I read and agree to accept without objection all course requirements and policies as stated in the
syllabus for PHI 2010: Introduction to Philosophy (ref # 2438) with Garrett Howard, Fall semester,
2013.
Signature
Student ID number
Date