Course: Introduction to Philosophy
Course Number: PHIL 1030
Semester:
Department: Social Sciences
Course Time:
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Instructor:
Office Location:
E-Mail:
Office Phone/Fax:
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Course Description: This course is an introduction to basic philosophical problems in exploring the meaning of
human life and reflecting our position in the world. Prerequisites: DSPW 0800, DSPR 0800
Courses Objectives/Goals:
General education requirements for completing this course are as follows:
(1) Critical Thinking—student’s ability should be enhanced by becoming familiar with the philosophical method of inquiry and
employing it in analyzing material from ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary texts.
(2) Diversity and Global Thinking—student’s ability to explain the ways in which both change and continuity have affected human
history should be improved by studying the geographical locations and environments where various philosophic ideas originated,
becoming humanistic expressions of the culture and values of their time and place.
(3) Responsibility—student’s ability to be more responsible should be improved by recognizing how philosophic ideas have spread to
different countries and cultures across the ages and created the diversity of the modern world.
(4) Communication—student’s ability to communicate should be enhanced by practicing the critical and analytical method of philosophy
in classroom discussions, oral presentations, and essays that frame a comparative context to critically assess the ideas, forces, and values
that have produced modernity.
Required Course Material: The Great Conversation, by Norman Melchert
“Why We Can’t Wait,” by Melvin Tuggle
Methods of Evaluation:
Students in this course are evaluated according to the following components:
1. Quality of classroom participation (exhibited by intellectual growth, or development)
2. Three essay exams (1000 word minimum for each), supported by three sources of reference
3. Discussion of essay topics using the following format: (1) Hypothesis stating the problem
(2) Reason(s) supporting the thesis, and (3) Conclusion summarizing the essay.
Grading Procedures:
Class participation accounts for 25% of the final grade and it is calculated on the following A – F scale: 100-90=A;
89-79=B; 78-68=C; 67-57=D; 56-0=F. The three exams constitute 75% of the final grade (25% each) and they are
calculated on the same A – F scale. Also, the final exam will be an oral presentation.
Instructor Policies:
(1) Attendance: Since 25% of the student’s grade is based on classroom participation, attendance is quite important.
Also, an excess of three unexcused absentees may result in the reduction of a letter grade. Arrange excused make-up
exams with the instructor.
(2) Attendance Reporting: Southwest policies require instructors to submit monthly reports of absent students.
Therefore, attendance records are kept daily.
(3) ADA Statement: Any student with a disability should make an appointment at Disabled Student
Service--(333-5116)--to complete a Self-disclosure form so that accommodations can be made.
(4) Drop Courses: It should be noted that .
. is the last day to withdraw and receive a grade of “W.”
(5) Prohibitions: Cheating and plagiarism are not allowed and will result in an automatic grade of “F.”
Also, no eating, drinking, smoking, telephones, beepers, nor children are allowed in the classroom
(each offense may result in the reduction of a letter grade).
(6) Computer Misuse: Computers in classrooms and laboratories are for educational purposes only.
(7) Procedural Changes: The instructor reserves the right to make necessary changes in the course.
Course: Ethics
Course Number: ETHC 2030
Semester:
Department: Social Sciences
Course Time:
Office Hours:
Instructor:
Office Location:
E-Mail:
Office Phone/Fax:
Location:
.
Course Description: This course examines opinions about right and wrong conduct in relation to self, other people,
animals, and the environment. Reflections on human values and the basic ethical positions that guide or inform peoples’
lives are emphasized. Selected readings from contemporary sources and great philosophers are studied. Prerequisites:
DSPW 0800, DSPR 0800 or equivalent
Courses Objectives/Goals:
General education requirements for completing this course are as follows:
(1) Critical Thinking—student’s ability should be enhanced by becoming familiar with the contributions of great
ethicists and analyzing material from ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary texts.
(2) Diversity and Global Thinking—student’s ability to explain the ways in which both change and continuity have affected
human history should be improved by studying the geographical locations and environments where various ethical theories
originated, becoming humanistic expressions of the culture and values of their time and place.
(3) Responsibility—student’s ability to be more responsible should be improved by recognizing how ideas about morals
have spread to different countries and cultures across the ages and created the diversity of the modern world.
(4) Communication—student’s ability to communicate should be enhanced by doing ethical analysis in classroom
discussions, oral presentations, and essays that frame a comparative context to critically assess the ideas, forces, and values
that have produced modernity.
Required Course Material: The Elements of Moral Philosophy, by James Rachels
“Why We Can’t Wait,” by Melvin Tuggle
Methods of Evaluation:
Students in this course are evaluated according to the following components:
1.
2.
3.
Quality of classroom participation (exhibited by intellectual growth, or development)
Three essay exams (1000 word minimum for each), supported by three sources of reference
Discussion of essay topics using the following format: (1) Hypothesis stating the problem
(2) Reason(s) supporting the thesis, and (3) Conclusion summarizing the essay. Also, the
final exam will be an oral presentation.
Grading Procedures:
Class participation accounts for 25% of the final grade and it is calculated on the following A – F scale:
100-90=A; 89-79=B; 78-68=C; 67-57=D; 56-0=F. The three exams constitute 75% of the final grade
(25% each) and they are calculated on the same A – F scale.
Instructor Policies:
(1) Attendance: Since 25% of the student’s grade is based on classroom participation, attendance is quite
important. Also, an excess of one unexcused absence may result in the reduction of a letter grade.
Arrange excused make-up exams with the instructor.
(2) Attendance Reporting: Southwest policies require instructors to submit monthly reports of absent students.
Therefore, attendance records are kept daily.
(3) ADA Statement: Any student with a disability should make an appointment at Disabled Student
Service--333-5116--to complete a Self-disclosure form so that accommodations can be made.
(4) Drop Courses: It should be noted that .
. is the last day to withdraw from a class and receive a grade of “W.”
(5) Prohibitions: Cheating and plagiarism are not allowed and will result in an automatic grade of “F.”
Also, no eating, drinking, smoking, telephones, beepers, nor children are allowed in the classroom
(each offense may result in the reduction of a letter grade).
(6) Computer Misuse: Computers in classrooms and laboratories are for educational purposes only.
(7) Procedural Changes: The instructor reserves the right to make necessary changes in the course.