Course Syllabus
1. Program of Study
Bachelor of Science Program
Bachelor of Arts Program
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Nursing Science Program
Faculty/Institute/College Mahidol University International College
2. Course Code
Course Title
ICHM 101
Introduction to Philosophy
3. Number of Credits
4 (Lecture/Lab/Independent study) (4-0-8)
4. Prerequisite(s)
None
5. Type of Course
General Education
6. Session/Academic Year
Every Trimester
7. Enrollment Cap
25 students
8. Course Description
Introduction to fundamental philosophical methods and leading philosophical ideas concerning the
notions of reality ('metaphysics'), knowledge ('epistemology'), consciousness ('philosophy of mind')
and freedom ('action theory' /'ethics'). Reading of paradigmatic texts, both traditional and
contemporary, and analysis as well as comparison of philosophical arguments. Discussion of modern
scientific research results in relationship to topics traditionally considered philosophical.
9. Course Objective(s)
After successful completion of this course, students will be able to
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
Understand of some of the questions discussed by (Western) philosophers and the
methods philosophers use in formulating their answers
Understand the enduring importance of some topics in the philosophical tradition
Improve their ability in reading and analyzing philosophical arguments
Develop their ability to write clearly about philosophical issues through proper
reasoning
Recognize philosophical questions outside the classroom and outside a text
10. Course Outline
Week
Topics
Hours
Lec.
1
4
1. What is philosophy?
2/3
2. The Question of Reality
2.1 Introduction to Metaphysics:
Knowledge of the External World
2.2 Plato and Socrates: The Cave
2.3 Philosophical
Doubt:
Rene
Meditations (Med. I-III)
2.4 .Gilbert Ryle, Descartes’ Myth
8
Descartes,
Instructor
Lab
Instructor from
the Humanities
and Language
Division
4/5/6
3. The Question of Knowledge
3.1 Introduction to Epistemology
3.2 Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass
3.3 Plato’s Rationalism
3.4 Descartes’ Skepticism
3.5 Bertrand Russell, Appearance and Reality
3.6 Empiricism: David Hume, An Enquiry
Concerning Human Understanding
3.7 Immanuel Kant, Critique of Pure Reason
12
7/8
4. Science and Philosophy
4.1 Karl Popper, Science: Conjectures and
Refutations
4.2 Thomas Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific
Revolutions
8
9/10
5. The Question of Consciousness and Free Will
5.1 Justin Leiber, How to Build a Person
5.2 John K. Searle, Minds, Brains and Programs
5.3 Thomas Nagel, What Is It Like to Be a Bat?
5.4 Baron D’Holbach, Are We Cogs in the
Universe?
5.5 Harry Frankfurt, Freedom of Will and the
Concept of a Person
8
6. Philosophy and the Meaning of Life
6.1 Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus
6.2 Thomas Nagel, The Absurd
6.3 D. E. Harding, On Having No Head
4
Total
48
11
11. Teaching Methods
11.1 Lecture
11.2 Self-study
11.3 Group discussion and presentation
12. Instructional Media
12.1 Computer
12.2 Handouts
13. Evaluation and Assessment of Student Achievement
13.1 Students will demonstrate their ability to:
13.1.1 Comprehend and critically discuss some of the fundamental questions in Western
philosophy
13.1.2 Understand the importance of some notions in the philosophical tradition
13.1.3 Analyze philosophical arguments through proper reasoning
13.1.4 Write clearly about philosophical issues through proper reasoning
13.1.5 Recognize philosophical questions outside the classroom and outside a text
13.2 Student achievement will be evaluated by means of:
Quizzes: 6x 5 = 30 %
Quizzes test reading assignments, participation and note taking of lecture content.
Assignment: 30 = 30 %1
Final Exam 40%
13.3 Student achievement will be graded according to College and University standard using the
symbols A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D and F.
Students must have attended at least 80% of the total class hours of the course to receive a
final grade.
14. Course Evaluation
14.1 Student achievement as indicated in number 13 above.
14.2 Student evaluation of course and instructor by means of questionnaire.
15. Reference(s)
15.1
John Perry and Michael Bratman, Introduction to Philosophy, Third Edition, Oxford
University Press
15.2
G. Lee Bowie, Meredith W. Michaels and Robert C. Solomon, Twenty Questions, An
Introduction to Philosophy, Sixth Edition, Wadsworth
15.3
Daniel Kolak and Ramond Martin, Second Edition, The Experience of Philosophy,
Wadsworth
16. Instructor
Barbara Ekamp
17. Course Coordinator
Barbara Ekamp
1
One take-home assignment. Clear instructions will be provided.