College of Micronesia-FSM
PO Box 159
Pohnpei, FM 96941
Course Title:
Introduction to Philosophy Department & Number:
EN 208
Course Description:
This course introduces students to the nature of philosophy and philosophical thinking. Major
areas of philosophical inquiry developed in the western tradition are considered.
Course Prepared by: Christopher Ross Perkins
State: Pohnpei, National
Hours per week
Total Hours
Credits
Lecture
Laboratory
Workshop
3
____
__________
__________
Purpose of Course:
No. of week
x
x
x
16
______
______
Degree Requirement
Degree Elective
Certificate
Other
x
x
x
48
______
______
=
=
=
Semester
______3____
___________
___________
__________
_____X____
__________
__________
 This course also meets PLO #(s) : NA
Prerequisite Courses: EN110 Advanced Reading and EN120a Expository Writing 1
________________________________________
Signature, Chairperson, Curriculum & Assessment
Committee
__________________
Date Approved
________________________________________
Signature, VPIA, COM-FSM
__________________
Date Approved
EN208 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
A. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs):
The student will be able to:
1. Enrich and deepen self-knowledge by exploring different academic experiences.
2. Articulate and understand their experiences through effective writing, reading, speaking,
and various modes of artistic expression.
3. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge and basic skills appropriate to their personal and
professional goals in their chosen area of specialization.
B. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - GENERAL:
The student will be able to:
1. Read philosophical literature and extract the information essential to the author’s
position and method of argumentation.
2. Explain how the philosophical ideas and concepts discussed are interrelated to one
another.
3. Employ philosophical techniques and methodologies in providing justification for the
student’s own views and beliefs.
SLO
1
2
3
PLO 1 PLO 2 PLO 3
ID
ID
ID
ID
I
ID
C. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - SPECIFIC:
The student will be able to:
General SLO 1. Read philosophical literature and extract the information essential to the
author’s position and method of argumentation.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
1.1 Describe the philosophical position of
Complete worksheets, take quizzes, and
major philosophers.
participate in group discussions and
activities, which deals with the
philosophical position of major
philosophers.
1.2 Distinguish between key philosophical
Complete worksheets, take quizzes, and
terms
participate in group discussions and
activities
1.3 Describe the method of argument that
Complete worksheets, take quizzes, and
major philosophers use to emphasize their
participate in group discussions and
position.
activities.
1.4 Identify the major questions that
Complete worksheets, take quizzes, and
philosophy tries to answer.
participate in group discussions and
activities.
EN208 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
General SLO 2. Explain how the philosophical ideas and concepts discussed are interrelated to
one another.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
2.1 Compare and contrast the philosophical
Complete worksheets, take quizzes, and
arguments between different philosophers.
participate in group discussions and
activities.
2.2 Critique philosophical ideas, concepts,
Complete worksheets, take quizzes, and
and arguments using reason and logical
participate in group discussions and
analysis
activities.
General SLO 3. Employ philosophical techniques and methodologies in providing justification
for the student’s own views and beliefs.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
3.1 Apply accurate terminology to construct a Complete worksheets, take quizzes, and
cogent and comprehensive personal
participate in group discussions and
philosophy
activities.
3.2 Respond to discrepancies between his/her
personal philosophy and those held by other
individuals.
Complete worksheets, take quizzes, and
participate in group discussions and
activities.
D. COURSE CONTENT
1. Creative thinking.
2. Logic, argument. and reason
3. Hume – Dialogues concerning natural religion.
4. Descartes – Meditations.
5. Aristotle – Nichomachean ethics.
6. Spinoza – Ethics.
7. Kant – Metaphysics.
8. Mill – Utilitarianism.
9. Plato – The Republic.
10. Locke – Human understanding.
11. Neitszche – Morals.
12. Sarte – Being and nothingness.
E. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
The instructor may use but is not limited to lecture, discussion, group discussion, group
presentations, projects, quizzes, tests, videos, computer software and exercises in order to
achieve the stated objectives of the course.
F. REQUIRED TEXT(S) AND COURSE MATERIALS
EN208 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
Warburton, Nigel. Philosophy: The Classics. New York, NY: Routledge, 2006 (or most recent
edition).
Supplemental supporting materials will provided by instructor.
G. REFERENCE MATERIALS
None
H. INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS
None
I. EVALUATION
None
J. CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
None
EN208 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11