AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
Department of Philosophy and Theology
Course Instruction Plan
Epistemology
Prepared by: Dan Speak
Course: PHIL 440
Spring 2007 -- 3 Units
MWF 10:40-11:35A
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University Mission
"Azusa Pacific University is an evangelical Christian community of disciples and
scholars who seek to advance the work of God in the world through academic excellence
in liberal arts and professional programs of higher education that encourage students to
develop a Christian perspective of truth and life."
Course Description
This course is designed to expose advancing philosophy students to the major problems in the theory of
knowledge. Some historical background will be covered, but the principle focus will be on the contours
of the contemporary debates about such issues as skepticism, epistemic justification, foundationalism,
coherentism, internalism, and externalism.
Objective of the Course
To understand the central puzzles about knowledge that have to come occupy contemporary
philosophers and to develop further the broad analytic skills needed for continued success in the study
of philosophy.
Textbooks
Huemer and Audi. Epistemology: Contemporary Readings. (Routledge, 2006)
Bertrand Russell. The Problems of Philosophy. (Oxford University Press, 1997)
John Hawthorne. Knowledge and Lotteries. (Oxford University Press, 2004)
Course Requirements
PARTICIPATION
You are expected to be a full participant in the course. To do this intelligently, careful reading and
thinking are necessary. Make the time for both. Then be prepared to engage the topic of discussion for
the day. This is not an invitation to discourse at will on whatever happens to strike your fancy. Rather,
it is an invitation to interact seriously with our authors and the arguments and ideas that emerge from
our treatment of them.
EXAMS
There will be three exams spaced roughly evenly throughout the semester (week of 2/12, week of 3/19,
finals week). The exams will be essay format in each case.
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CRITICAL PAPER
Due on the final day of instruction, the goal is to analyze carefully a core issue or argument in
contemporary epistemology. You should be aiming for 1800-2200 words that maintain a clear and
lucid focus on defending a crisp thesis. Some minimal independent research will be required, but the
point of the assignment is to force you to sharpen your analytic thinking and writing about
epistemology. I am willing to read and comment on a first draft if I receive it 10 days prior to the due
date. I highly recommend allowing me to see a draft.
Topics I would be happy to see treated include (but are not limited to):
-What is the preface paradox and how should we respond to it?
-Is Alvin Plantinga’s conception of “warrant” defensible?
-Distinguish internalism and externalism about justification. Develop one argument in
defense of the position toward which you lean.
Course Outline and Readings
Topics and Readings
Week of 1/8
Introductions
Plato (Meno)
Week of 1/15
no class on 15th (MLK)
Russell, Chapters 5 and 12
Week of 1/22
Russell, Chapters 13 and 14
Ayer, p. 440
Week of 1/29
Gettier, p. 444
Clark, p. 447
Goldman, p. 450
Week of 2/5
Nozick, p. 475
DeRose, p. 491
Week of 2/12
Exam #1
President’s Holiday
Week of 2/19
Sextus, p. 372
Oakley, p. 375
No class on Friday (Society of Xian Philosophers Conference)
Week of 2/26
Bonjour, p. 387
Alston, p. 402
Week of 3/5
Putnam, p. 524
Dretske p. 539
Moore, p. 602
Week of 3/12
Klein, p. 552
Huemer, p. 575
Week of 3/19
Chisholm, p. 590
Exam #2
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Week of 3/26
Hawthorne, chapter 1
Week of 4/2
Easter Vacation!!
Week of 4/9
Hawthorne, chapter 2
Week of 4/16
Hawthorne, chapter 3
Week of 4/23
Hawthorne, chapter 4
Critical Paper Due!
Week of 4/30
Finals Week (Final Exam TBA)
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Method of Grading
Participation
Exam #1
Exam #2
Exam #3
Critical paper
= 20%
= 20%
= 20%
= 20%
= 20%
Your grade will be determined by multiplying your raw scores by the percentages above, then adding the scores
together.
Scale
A
A
A-
98-100
94-97
90-93
B+
B
B-
87-89
84-86
80-83
C+
C
C-
77-79
74-76
70-73
Exam Policy
Students are expected to take exams at the scheduled times. Failure to take an exam will result in
and "F" for that exam. Exceptions will be made if and only if (1) you contact me before the time
the exam is scheduled and (2) your absence cannot be avoided. In place of the exam a 5 page
research paper must be turned in covering the material contained on the test.
APU's Final Exam Policy
"No final examination shall be given to individual students BEFORE the regularly scheduled time.
No exception can be made to this rule without the written approval of the instructor, the department
chair, and the Dean of the School of Theology."
Attendance Policy
Attendance will be taken at the start of each class. The student is allowed 2 unexcused absences during
the semester. Three unexcused absences will result in the loss of the "Participation" portion of the
grade (20%). It is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor of excused absences.
Students With Disabilities
Any student in this course who has a disability that might prevent him/her from fully demonstrating
his/her abilities should meet with an advisor in the Learning Enrichment Center as soon
as possible to initiate disability verification and discuss accommodations that might be necessary
to ensure your full participation in the successful completion of course requirements.
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Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty harms the guilty student, classmates, and the institution, and will be dealt with
severely. Any instance will result in an “F” for the entire course. Academic dishonesty includes, but is
not limited to, plagiarism, false citations, submitting work done for another class, cheating, or the
facilitation of cheating. If you have questions about what constitutes academic dishonesty, consult your
student handbook.
Personal Information
Office Hours: TBA
Email: dspeak@apu.edu
Office: Duke 259 (West Campus)
Office Extension: 5631
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