OAKTONCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE
GENERICCOURSESYLLABUS
I.
II.
Course
Prefix
PHL
Course
Number
290
Course
Name
Topics in Philosophy
Credit Lecture
1-4
0-4
Lab
0-4
Prerequisites
May vary by topic.
III.
Course (Catalog) Description
Course explores selected topics in philosophy. Topics included vary, with focus on a
single philosopher, group of philosophers, or particular philosophical problem. Course
may be repeated up to three times for up to nine credits.
IV.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
 read and critique major philosophical works;
 assess the relevance of philosophical works to their own lives and contemporary social
problems;
 demonstrate their understanding through philosophical writing and through class
participation;
 subject their own views and the views of others to rigorous philosophical examination.
V.
Academic Integrity
Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate
academic integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:
 cheating,
 plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
 falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
 helping others to cheat,
 unauthorized changes on official documents,
 pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
 making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
 any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
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PHL 290
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s
policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against
you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the
assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of
the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
VI.
Outline of Topics
Examples of possible topics for this course are as follows:
 19th Century Challenges to Traditional Moral Theory: An examination of works of
John Stuart Mill, Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Soren Kierkegaard. Although
the views of these four philosophers are radically different, they all seek to undercut
traditional moral theory, and this course will compare, contrast, and evaluate their
efforts. This course will especially focus on the question, “Why be moral at all?"
 The Intersection of Philosophy and Psychology: An examination of what
psychologists have said about morality and the development of a sense of morality.
This course will particularly focus on the works of Freud, Piaget, and Gilligan. We
will ask whether these psychologists have made philosophical mistakes. We will also
ask if philosophers who do not examine the insights of psychology make equally naive
mistakes. We will look at large number of philosophers who have responded to
Gilligan by developing a philosophically sophisticated version of the ethic of care.
 Jean-Paul Sartre: A study of Sartre's philosophy through his formal works of
philosophy and through his novels and plays. This course will focus on Sartre's claim
that human beings are totally free and not determined by biological or social factors. In
addition to reading parts of his major work Being and Nothingness. We will also
examine novels such as Nausea and plays such as No Exit.
 Contemporary American Philosophers Look at America: This course will look at
contemporary American philosophers particularly those philosophers who offer
criticisms of various aspects of our society, ranging from Noam Chomsky on the
media to Cornel West on materialism and nihilism. In looking at these philosophers
we will debate the relevance of philosophy to contemporary life.
 Philosophy of Language: An exploration of the claim that the language we speak
determines our conceptual framework.
VII. Methods of Instruction
Course may be taught as a face-to-face, media-based, hybrid, or online course.
Methods of instruction may include lecture, class discussion, small group discussion,
student presentations, and films. Field trips may be required. The specific methods will
be noted on the syllabus.
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PHL 290
VIII.
Course Practices Required
Students must be required to read college level philosophical works and must be required
to write at least 15 typed pages of material. This writing may take the form of a long term
paper or several shorter critical papers. Students may be required to defend their views in
class discussion and in formal presentations. There may be several in-class essay exams.
IX.
Instructional Materials
Note: Current textbook information for each course and section is available on Oakton’s
Schedule of Classes.
The instructional materials will vary with the topic. Normally, students will be reading
substantial works by major philosophers rather than anthologies or introductory texts. For
example, this might be the reading list for the course "19th Century Challenges to
Traditional Moral Philosophy" described above.
X.

John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism and On Liberty

Karl Marx's Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844

Friedrich Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra and The Genealogy of Morals

Soren Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
Exams, quizzes, papers, journals, oral presentations, group work, and class participation
may all be used to evaluate student learning. (The weight of each assignment or exam in
calculating the final grade must be specified in the syllabus.)
XI.
Other Course Information
A. Disabilities
If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be
entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations
or services, contact the Access and Disability Resource Center at the Des Plaines or Skokie
campus. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College
will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
B.
Discrimination
The Oakton Community College Catalog states:
Oakton Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or
marital status in admission to and participation in its educational programs,
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activities and services, or employment practices. The College does not
tolerate sexual harassment or sexual assault by or of its students or employees.
In keeping with this policy of tolerance and non-discrimination, in this class all of us
(myself included) should strive to listen and give careful consideration to all ideas
expressed in class, especially those that are different from our own, without attacking or
demeaning the people who have those views. We should also strive to avoid using
insulting terms or telling offensive jokes when talking to or about individuals or groups.
C. Instructor information
 Office and office hours:
 Phone
 Email and website
Approval Dates:
(Faculty: Do not include the following information on your individual syllabi created for class
distribution.)
Effective beginning term:
Fall 2013
Syllabus prepared by:
Ending term:
Date:
Revised by:
Hollace Graff
Date:
March, 2006
Reviewed by Dept/ Program Chair:
Hollace Graff
Date:
March, 2006
Approval by Dean:
Linda A. Korbel
Date:
June 2013
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