Red Rocks Community College
Philosophy 111
Introduction to Philosophy
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Course Title: Introduction to Philosophy 111-008
Instructor: M. Jonas Mabey
Credits: 3
Time/Day(s): T 6:00-8:45
Location: Lakewood 2305
Dates: Spring: 1/20-5/12
E-mail: jonas.mabey@rrcc.edu
Office: 2634
Phone: 303-914-6368
II. COURSE DESCRIPTION
“Introduction to Philosophy” surveys the philosophical issues addressed by the great thinkers of
the Western tradition and other world traditions. It introduces questions about whether there is
truth and how it can be known, what is the nature of reality, whether there is a God, what is the
“self,” what is the good life for human beings, how people can best live together in society, and
others. College level reading and writing abilities will be needed. The course will involve
reading chapters that explain the history of philosophy, reading historical writings from different
times in the past, lecture presentation of the ideas of philosophy, discussion and other classroom
activities, and various kinds of written work and exams
.
111. TEXTBOOKS/MATERIALS
Stumpf, Samuel Enoch and Fieser, James. Philosophy: History and Problems. 8th ed. McGrawHill, 2003.
Note that the book consists of Part One and Part Two. The first is a history of philosophy, and the
second is original writings by historical and recent philosophers. In the scheduling of reading,
the chapters will be listed by their number (e.g., Ch. 2, followed by pages #’s . Historical
writings will be referred to by their number and title (e.g., #1, “A Life Worth Living”).
Supplementary reading will be provided by the instructor.
IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES
Students in this class will be introduced to the basic: questions being asked in Western
philosophy and encouraged to get personally involved in those questions through reading,
writing, and discussion.
Students will learn the names of important philosophers, what they believed, and how they fit
into history. They will develop a vocabulary with which to think and write about philosophical
issues from their own point of view.
Students will be able to identify the possible positions on philosophical questions, compare and
evaluate them, and state their own views, supporting them with clear written and spoken
arguments. They will be able to understand the relevance of philosophical questions and issues
to the contemporary life of this society.
V. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1 ) Participation-50 points- Philosophy is an active pursuit. Students are expected to come to
class having completed all assigned readings and prepared to discuss the material. You as the
learner play a vital role in the quality of class time. If you are late to class and have poor
attendance or are unprepared, this will impact your grade!
2) Office Visit- 100 points- All students will be required to visit my office at some point during
the semester. Your visit must be after the first test, February 15 and before the end of week 13,
April 21. This will be discussed in detail on the first day of class
3) Graded work- 400 points- Students will write four 100 point take home exams. Each will
consist of three individual essays in response to questions provided. Each essay will be 2-4
pages giving you 2-12 pages of written work for each exam.
4) Final Assignment 50 points - Write a 3-4 page evaluation of your experience in this class.
This is not a course evaluation but rather an exploration of your understanding of philosophy.
What did you not know that you know now? How has your study of philosophy affected your
outlook? Do the ideas explored in this class find their way in to your day to day life? Your
decision making?
This assignment will be graded based on the depth to which you explore this question. Have fun
with this.
Attendance is mandatory. If you absolutely must miss a class, then you alone are responsible
for finding out what you missed. If possible, please inform the instructor in advance if you are
going to miss a class. Students enrolled for credit or audit are expected to attend all class
sessions. Excessive unexcused absences (15% of total class hours or 2 classes) may result in
students being dropped from the course or penalized in other ways. Students are responsible
for dropping courses. Do NOT depend on your instructor to do so!
Preparation and Participation: The instructor will present material based upon the expectation
that the reading has been done. To fully understand and enjoy the classroom activities, and to be
prepared for exams, students must read the assigned material before coming to class. The grading
system includes a score for participation, which will be hurt by poor attendance or arriving
unprepared. Be on time and please communicate with the instructor regarding and problems that
might affect your class participation. Also please avoid shuffling papers and closing books in the
final moments of class; please wait until I end the class.
Lap top computers are not allowed in the classroom. Please turn off cell phones.
-I reserve the right to alter any of the above requirements for the class as a whole, upon
consultation with members of the class present on a given day. By taking the class, learners
acknowledge the provisions of this syllabus and recognize that the responsibility for seeking
clarification of course requirements is theirs.
-There will be no opportunity for making up class work after the last day of the term.
NO EXCEPTIONS
-For those students with disabilities, please let me know so that I can do what I can to meet your
needs.
-Communicate with your instructor if you are having difficulties with assignments, requirements,
etc. Don’t just drop the class. I can help.
VI. GRADING
o
An “A” paper must be readable, concise, and clear. It will make claims that are clear and backed up with
supporting textual evidence. The claims must be convincing and well-articulated. The structure of the paper will be
appropriate for the topic and content; there will be few grammatical errors. The paper will meet or exceed the length
requirement.
o
A “B” paper must be readable, concise, and clear. It will include, at the very least, an attempt towards
making a clear claim and backing it up with supporting evidence. However, a “B” paper may be only somewhat
convincing – OR – the structure of the document and content may disrupt the clarity and meaning. There must be
only a few grammatical errors. The paper will meet or exceed the length requirement.
o
A “C” paper may have some problems with readability, but will be readable for the most part. It may not be
clear what the claims are, although some points may be well articulated – OR – perhaps problems with the structure
and/or grammar make the overall meaning unclear. The paper will meet or the length requirement.
o
A “D” paper will have problems with content, structure and/or grammar that make it difficult to
understand. Papers without any claims will likely receive a D. For example, a paper that is nothing other than a
summary will receive a D.
o
An “F” paper is one that is unreadable, far short of length requirement or has not been turned in.
Participation:
Take Home Exams:
Office Visit
Final Assignment
50 Points
4 @ 100 Points Each
100 Points Each
50 Points
Course score by percentage: 90-100 = A, 8o-89 = B, 70- 79 = C; 60-69 = D
VII. SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS/READINGS:
Readings and are in bold and should be completed prior to the day of instruction.
Week 1 1/20 Introduction & Socrates
Chapter 2
Week 2 1/27 Plato
Chapter 3
Week 3 2/3 Aristotle, Greeks after Aristotle, Augustine and the Middle Ages
Chapter 4 pp. 68-71 / 82-86
Chapter 5 (optional)
Chapter 6 pp. 114-121
2/4 Last day to drop with refund
Week 4 2/10 Middle Ages continued: Anselm & Aquinas
Test one Due 2/15
Ch 7. pp. 140-143
Chapter 8, pp.149-154, Reading Part 2: # 7 Natural Law
Week 5 2/17 and Thomas Hobbes & Descartes
, Chapter 9 195-202
Chapter 10 pp. 204-214, Reading Part 3: #3 Certainty of Mind
Week 6 2/24
Chapter 11
Empiricism: Lock and Hume
Week 7 3/3 Kant
Chapter 13
Week 8 3/10 Bentham and Mill
Chapter 15 pp.318-332
Test Two Due 3/15
Week 9 3/17 Comte and Marx
Chapter 15 pp. 333-340, Chapter 16 pp. 346-359
3/23-29 SPRING BREAK
Week 10 3/31 Nietzsche and Sartre
Chapter 16 pp. 360-370, Chapter 19 pp. 431-438
Reading #4 Existential is a Humanism
Week 11 4/7 Buddhist Philosophy
A-6 – A-10 Buddhist Fundamentals -Link on Home Page
Test Three Due 4/12
Week 12 4/14
page
Week 13 4/21 No Class-Development Day
4/21 Last day to withdraw
Week 14 4/28 Chinese Language and Philosophy
A-11 – A-22
Week 15 5/5 Environmental Philosophy and the Land Ethic
Test Four Due 5/10
Week 16 5/12 Wrap up
Final Assignments Due 5/11