Department of Humanities and Philosophy
Introduction to Philosophy
Spring 2010
PHIL 1113 CRN 14303
M 4:30pm - 7:15pm/LA 230
General Class Information
Prerequisites
No official prerequisites.
Instructor
Josh Spears, MA, Adjunct Instructor
Office Hours
By appointment
Office
LA203B—SE corner of Liberal Arts, second floor
back in the corner, go through Sociology
Phone
(o) 974-3433; (c) 639-1749. You may call the cell
phone Monday - Friday from 9am- 9pm.
E-Mail
jspears6@uco.edu
Required Textbooks
Sire, James W., The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalogue (IVP, 5th Ed)
ISBN 0830838503
Sober, Elliot, Core Questions in Philosophy: A Text with Readings (Prentice Hall, 5th Ed)
ISBN 0137134355
Course Objectives
At the end of the semester students should exhibit an
 understanding of the central tenets of several worldviews.
 understanding of the central teachings concerning various philosophical problems.
 ability to express ideas through arguments--both verbal and written.
Course Description
Introduction to Philosophy is designed to expose students at a general level to the sundry issues found in the
various philosophical disciplines. The course provides a general introduction to questions surrounding the
major divisions of philosophy, i.e., metaphysics, epistemology and ethics.
Instructional Process
Classroom instruction will consist of lecture and discussion with occasional in-class group work. NOTE: Use
of any electronic device is prohibited without the expressed permission of the instructor. Cell phones are to be
turned off when class begins; text messaging is strictly forbidden. All other information may be found at
http://uco.edu/academicaffairs/FORMS/StudentInfoSheet.pdf.
Academic Integrity (i.e., I loathe cheating.)
I take cheating very seriously. Under no circumstances will I tolerate cheating of any sort. If the idea isn’t
yours, you must cite the source; anything less is lying and stealing. Cheating on any assignment will result in
a zero (0) on the assignment and immediate referral to the dean’s office. Do not cheat. The following is the
university statement on academic integrity:
Each student is expected to engage in all academic pursuits in a manner that is above reproach. Students are
expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in the academic experiences both in and out of the
classroom. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not confined to: plagiarizing; cheating on tests or
examinations; turning in counterfeit reports, tests, and papers; stealing tests or other academic material;
knowingly falsifying academic records or documents of the institution; accessing a student’s confidential
academic records without authorization; disclosing confidential academic information without authorization;
and, turning in the same work to more than one class without informing the instructors involved. Any student
found guilty of academic dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary action. To help ensure academic integrity,
faculty may employ a variety of tools, including, but not limited to, university-sanctioned Turnitin.com. More
information concerning this policy can be found on page three of the UCO Student Code of Conduct located
at: http://www.uco.edu/ssvp/conduct/New%20Conduct%20Documents/CSC(2007-2008).htm
Course Requirements
1. Reading: There will be reading for each week which should be completed before class time. I suggest
reading at least twice—the first time through, skim the article and the second time read more closely and
carefully. One very helpful tool to have with you when you read is a pencil. Keep a pencil near you as you
read. Mark in your books! Write out questions, underline things you agree with, things you don’t. This active
reading will improve your comprehension. Philosophy readings are sometimes difficult and you’ll need to
read in a distraction free environment to truly grasp the material. Don’t confuse reading with your eyes
recognizing words; the two are not the same. Take (make) time to read carefully and completely all the
assigned readings. You are responsible for the materials read, regardless of whether we discuss every word in
class.
2. Homework: You will be required to turn in 20 homework papers throughout the duration of the course.
Homework is due within the first five minutes of class; if you come into class on the sixth minute, homework
is counted late. Late homework we be docked 10% per day. I will only accept homework in class; no email or
scanned homework will be accepted for any reason. Homework will be graded on thoughtful completion—
i.e., I will check to see that you’ve completed the homework and have actually read and thought about the
answers you’ve given. If it appears that you’ve not read or that you’ve hurriedly completed the homework you
will not receive credit. Homework not stapled will not be accepted. You will find the homework at
UCONNECT under the ‘My Courses’ page.
3. Paper: You will turn in a 750-1000 word essay on 19 November 2010. Your paper will meet the following
criteria: Typed, double spaced, 12 point, Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, page number in the bottom
center of the page, no cover sheet, just put your name at the bottom center of the last page of the paper. Take
these seriously as they constitute 10% of your essay grade. You are required to upload your paper to
turnitin.com. The class ID is 3358817 and the password is philosophy. Choose one of the following
prompts for your essay. The essay should be no less than 750 words and no more than 1000 words. You will
submit three copies to me. One will be uploaded to turnitin.com, the second will be emailed to the following
address jspearslogic@gmail.com and the third other will be a hard copy handed in at the beginning of class. If
you want comments on your paper, write as your first sentence, “I would like comments.” Otherwise I will not
comment on your paper.
You paper should be an argument. That is to say, I am not interested in your opinion or beliefs except
insofar as you articulate your reasons for holding your beliefs. Failure to do this will result in a 5% reduction
of the overall paper grade. Your paper should include a thesis statement at the end of your first paragraph that
goes something like this:
In this paper I will argue that God does exist.
In what follows, I’ll argue that humans do not have a soul.
You needn’t pursue outside resources, but you are welcome to do so. Here’s what I’ll be looking for:
1. You’ll need to state your positive case for your thesis.
2. You’ll need to raise an objection to your argument.
3. Defend your thesis against the objection.
Here are the topic choices:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
God exists.
God doesn’t exist.
Humans have souls.
Humans are only physical.
Worldview X is the true worldview.
Worldview X is false.
Humans are incapable of knowing which worldview is true.
4. Quizzam: You will take two quizzams, one on 13 September 2010 and the next on 8 November 2010.
Quizzams will be 30 minute quizzes (which will include some multiple choice/short answer/etc.) covering the
week’s material. These quizzams will prepare you for the mid-term and final exams and are intended to check
your understanding of the readings and lectures. You will take two, but I will only record the better of the two
grades. Given that this is the case, make-up quizzams will not be allowed.
5. Mid-Term Exam: You will take a mid-term exam which will cover all topics from the beginning of class
until the week prior to the exam. The exam will include both objective and subjective elements. Exams will
cover both readings and class lectures. The exam is scheduled for 11 October 2010.
6. Final Exam: Your final exam will be comprehensive. The exam will include both objective and subjective
elements. The exam will cover both readings and class lectures. The exam is scheduled for 13 December
2010.
Grading
Grades will follow a 10-point scale and will be weighted as follows:
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
0-59
A
B
C
D
F
Homework
Paper
Quizzam
Mid-Term
16%
21%
19%
22%
Final
22%
Total
100%
Late Policy
Students should strive to turn in work on time. Students may turn in the paper late without penalty if the
reason is acceptable (hospitalization, death in family, etc.). Students with late papers which are not excused
will be permitted to turn in the paper at a rate of a 5% reduction per day after the due date. If you are unable to
take an exam on the assigned day you may make up the exam only if you notify me at least one week in
advance. If, as tends to happen, you are ill and unable to make it to class the day of the exam, you need to
notify me by noon of the exam day. At that time we will discuss options for making up the exam. All exams
not taken during class times must be taken during at an agreed time. Make every effort to be in class the day
of an exam, even if you aren’t feeling exactly 100%. There will be no extra credit work.
Attendance
Although your grade will not suffer directly from missing class (i.e., I will not grade on your attendance), it
may suffer indirectly. It is, therefore, vital that you make every effort to attend class. Contrary to what many
think about philosophy, it can be very difficult if you do not stay with the readings and lectures. You should
not think that getting the information from a friend will suffice for making a good grade or even passing the
course. It is essential that you attend class in order to better the opportunity of having any questions cleared
up.
Other information may be found at: http://uco.edu/academicaffairs/FORMS/StudentInfoSheet.pdf.
Course Calendar*
I. Introduction
Important Concepts
Logic
II. Worldviews
Important Concepts
Competing Worldviews
Christianity
Naturalism
Pantheism
Postmodernism
Sober: Chapter 1
Sober: Chapter 2
Sire: Chapter 1
Sire: Chapter 2
Sire: Chapter 4
Sire: Chapter 7
Sire: Chapter 9
III. Metaphysics
Mind/Body Problem
God’s Existence
Free Will/Determinism
Sober: Chapters 19, 22-23
Sober: Chapters 4,11
Sober: Chapters 24-26
IV. Epistemology
Important Concepts
Justifying Knowledge
Skepticism
Sober: Chapter 12
Sober: Chapters 13-14
Sober: Pages
V. Ethics
Important Concepts
Theories
Utilitarianism
Deontology
Virtue Ethics
Sober: Chapters 28
Sober: Chapter 32
Sober: Chapter 33
Sober: Chapter 34
Important Dates to Remember:
13 September 2010:
11 October 2010:
8 November 2010
19 November 2010:
13 December 2010:
*
Quizzam I
Mid-Term Exam
Quizzam II
Essay Due
Final Exam
4:33pm-5:03pm
4:33pm-6:03pm
4:36pm-5:06pm
4:32pm
5:30pm-7:20pm
Please note that this is a tentative calendar and as such is subject to change. The instructor will announce, in class, any
changes to this schedule. It is the student’s responsibility to note any changes.