HILLSDALE FREE WILL BAPTIST COLLEGE
Phil 1013: Introduction to Philosophy
Course Syllabus
INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Denny R. Kuhn
Tel. (405) 912-9064 (Home)
(405) 990-5805 (Cell)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a basic course introducing the student to the problems, methods, and terminology of
philosophy.
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:
Nash, Ronald H. Life’s Ultimate Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999. (BR100.N27 1999)
Holy Bible (Version of your preference)
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1.) Clearly introduce some of the problems, methods, and terminology basic to philosophy.
2.) Examine and evaluate some of the key thinkers in the history of western philosophy.
3.) Show how the major works of non-Christian philosophers have contributed to the
intellectual insight and knowledge of various Christian thinkers.
4.) Explain why and what Christians ought to believe concerning orthodox Christianity and
how it relates to non-Christian philosophies.
5.) Discover what we as Christians can learn from the study of philosophy that can help us
better understand our faith.
6.) Further develop an understanding of the Christian faith as the true philosophy for our
world and life views.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
The methods of learning employed during the course include lecture, discussion, small group
work, reading assignments and writing, testing, and other activities that seem relevant to the
topics as the course develops.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Class participation is required of all students. This involves consistent daily attendance,
making verbal contributions to class discussion, and demonstrating mental connection to
the topics of discussion. You will receive 100 attendance points and for each class
meeting you miss you will lose 5 points. If you miss class because of school-sponsored
activities, you will be given an opportunity to make up any attendance points lost.
2. Reading assignments must be completed as assigned. In order to participate in class
discussions the student needs to read the assigned reading before class sessions. Quizzes
will be given periodically in order to help students be responsible for completion of these
reading assignments.
3. Short writing assignments will be given which will enable the student to engage the
course material and develop his/her ideas and critical thinking skills. These will consist
of critical analyses, response, and/or summary papers.
4. Three section tests will be given throughout the course (including the final exam). Makeup tests will be permitted only if there is a legitimate reason for missing class on test day
(sickness, with a doctor’s statement, or an official college activity, in which case an
activity form was provided prior to the stated activity). The student who needs to makeup a test must request permission to do so and must complete the test within 2 class days
of returning to class.
5. Each student will write a research paper (page length required=5-8 pages) on an issue in
philosophy approved by the course instructor. This will be due two weeks prior to the
final exam (unless otherwise noted by the instructor).
MODELING RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY:
1. The instructor will model respect for God, students, and Hillsdale College by
guarding his actions and words both inside and outside the classroom.
2. The instructor will show respect and responsibility toward students by fulfilling his
duties as instructor with care, punctuality, and integrity.
3. The student will show respect for God, fellow students, instructor, and the College by
guarding his or her actions and words both inside and outside the classroom.
4. The student will demonstrate responsibility by fulfilling all course requirements with
care, punctuality, and integrity.
5. Each class participant will follow Paul’s admonition in 1 Cor. 10:31,
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of
God.”
GRADING:
Class Participation
Reading Quizzes
Short Writ. Assigns.
Examinations
Research Paper
Total
100 points
100 points
100 points
300 points
100 points
700 points
A = 651-700 (93%)
B = 616-650 (88%)
C = 539-615 (77%)
D = 490-538 (70%)
F = 0-489
CLASS CANCELLATION:
In cases of inclement weather or natural disasters Hillsdale FWB College will follow the
decision of the Moore Public Schools for class delays or cancellations. Students should consult
local radio and television stations for the announcements.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Any student in this course who has a verifiable disability that may prevent him or her from fully
demonstrating his or her learning should contact the instructor personally, as soon as possible, to
discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate equal educational
opportunities.
SUPPORT SERVICES:
Any student in this course who needs special assistance should engage in study groups, tutoring,
or academic intervention. Appointments with the instructor can be arranged for occasional
tutoring. The LRC and computer lab provide opportunities for research and in-depth learning
beyond that which is available in the textbook.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Primary Bibliography
Bretall, Robert. Ed. A Kierkegaard Anthology. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1946.
(ISBN 0-691-01978-9)
Cahn, Steven M. Ed. Classics of Western Philosophy. 5th ed. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett
Publishing Co., 1999. (ISBN 0-87220-436-7)
Chesterton, G.K. The Everlasting Man. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1993. (ISBN: 089870-444-8)
Clark, Gordon H. Thales to Dewey: A History of Philosophy. 4th ed. The Trinity Foundation,
2000. (ISBN 1-891777-09-2)
Craig, William Lane and J.P. Moreland. Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview.
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003. (BR100.M68)
Durant, Will. The Story of Philosophy. New York, NY: Washington Square Press, 1961. (ISBN
0-671-73916-6)
Geisler, Norman L. Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Books, 1999. (BT1102.G42)
Geisler, Norman L. and Paul D. Feinberg. Introduction to Philosophy: A Christian Perspective.
Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1980. (ISBN 0-8010-3818-9)
Geivett, R. Douglas and Gary R. Habermas. In Defense of Miracles. Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press, 1997. (BT97.2.I5)
Honderich, Ted. Ed. The Oxford Companion to Philosophy. New York, NY: Oxford University
Press, 1995. (B51.094 1995)
Johnson, Paul. Intellectuals. New York, NY: Harper Perennial Pub., 1990. (ISBN 0-06-0160500)
Jones, W.T. The Classical Mind: A History of Western Philosophy. 2nd Ed. New York, NY:
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1980. (ISBN 0-15-538312-4)
Jowett, Benjamin. Trans. The Essential Plato. New York, NY: Quality Paperback Book Club,
1991.
Kaufman, Walter. Ed. The Portable Nietzsche. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1976. (ISBN 014-015-062-5)
Kreeft, Peter. Christianity for Modern Pagans. San Francisco, IL: Ignatius Press, 1993. (ISBN:089870-452-9)
__________. Handbook of Christian Apologetics. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994.
(BT1102.K724 1994)
__________. Three Philosophies of Life. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1989. (ISBN: 089870-262-3)
Lewis, C.S. The Abolition of Man. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2000.
(LB41.L665)
__________. Christian Reflections. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1995.
(ISBN 0-8028-0869-7)
__________. God in the Dock. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2002.
(ISBN 0-8028-0868-9)
__________. Mere Christianity. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2001.
(ISBN 0-06-065292-6)
__________. Miracles. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000. (BT97.2.L49)
__________. The Problem of Pain. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2000.
(BT732.7.L48)
__________. The Screwtape Letters. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2000.
(BR125.L67)
Nash, Ronald H. Faith & Reason: Searching for a Rational Faith. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 1988. (BT50.N36)
__________. The Word of God and the Mind of Man. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1982.
(BT50.N37 1992)
Palmer, Donald. Looking at Philosophy: The Unbearable Heaviness of Philosophy Made
Lighter. 2nd ed. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Co., 1994. (ISBN 1-55934230-7)
Pascal, Blaise. Pensees. Trans. A.J. Krailsheimer. London: Penguin Books Ltd., 1995.
Reppert, Victor. C.S. Lewis’s Dangerous Idea. Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003.
(BX5199.L53R47)
Sire, James W. The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog. Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press, 1997. (B823.3.S56)
Solomon, Robert C. Introducing Philosophy: A Text with Integrated Readings. 7th ed. New York,
NY: Harcourt Pub., 2001. (ISBN 0-15-507510-1)
Stumpf, Samuel Enoch. Socrates to Sartre and Beyond: A History of Philosophy. 7th ed. New
York, NY: McGraw-Hill Co., 2003. (ISBN 0-07-256078-9)
Zacharias, Ravi. Can Man Live Without God? Dallas, TX: Word Publishing, 1994.
(BR128.A8Z33)