INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
PHILOSOPHY 1301
Spring 2014
Philosophy Senior Lecturer: Dr. R. Stephen Krebbs
Office Building and Number: Business 245
Office Phone and Voice Mail: 903-566-7456
E-mail: skrebbs@uttyler.edu -- best way to contact me
Office Hours: Tues. & Thurs. 9-10:30 & 2-3:30; Tues. 5-5:45, or by appointment.
COURSE OBJECTIVE: This course introduces students to the study of philosophy. As such, students will
become acquainted its language and with some of the major issues within the field including: rationalism
versus empiricism, realism versus phenomenalism, proving God exists, the problem of evil, the mind/body
problem and freedom versus determinism.
LEARNING STUDENT OUTCOMES: Through readings, discussions, and research students will:
 (Critical Thinking) critically comprehend some of the major issues Western
philosophers uncovered in their inquiry into knowledge, reality, theology, psychology, and
ethics and the varied schools of thought (like rationalist, empiricist, theist, naturalist,
monist, dualist, materialist, panpsychist, determinist, and free will theorists) which offered
solutions to these problems.
 (Communication) speak and write clearly, effectively, and critically about the questions
raised;
 learn the difference between the disciplines making up the study of philosophy;
 (Social Responsibility & Personal Responsibility) acquire a historical sense of
Western philosophy and major issues defining each of the periods making up this history
including current events;
TEXTS: A Concise Introduction to Philosophy –William Halverson
Ishmael—Daniel Quinn-- http://ansonchi.webng.com/ishmael_by_daniel_quinn.pdf
FINAL GRADE: All homework must be typed and turned before the beginning of class
1. plagiarism/academic dishonesty statement due January 19th (3%);
2. attendance, preparation and informed participation in class discussion (7%);
3. guided book report over Ishmael—due February 11th (20%)
4. four out of five chapter exams lowest grade or missed exam dropped (12.5% each); and a;
5. comprehensive final exam (20%)--required
PLAGIARISM OR ACADEMIC DISHONESTY OF ANY KIND WILL RESULT
IN AN AUTOMATIC GRADE OF F
Important Dates to Remember
(Exam dates and content may be altered as necessary)
January 14th—First day of Class-Introductions
January 19th—Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty statement due:
email me at skrebbs@uttyler.eduthe following statement:
I realize that plagiarism or academic dishonesty in any form will
result in a semester grade of “F” for this class.
February 4th—1st Exam over disciplines, history and rationalism/empiricism chapters
February 11th—Ishmael Guided book report due
February 25th—2nd Exam over Realism/Phenomenalism chapters
March 8-17th—Spring Break
March 25th—3rd Exam over God’s Existence
March 26th—Last day to drop
April 3rd—4th Exam over the Problem of Evil
April 24th—5th Exam over the Mind/Body & Freedom/Determinism Chapters
May 6th—PHIL 1301.001 Comprehensive Final Exam—11:00-1:00
May 8th—PHIL 1301.002 Comprehensive Final Exam—12:30-2:30
Further Reminders
Students Rights and Responsibilities
To know and understand the policies that affect your rights and responsibilities as a student at
UT Tyler, please follow this link:
http://www.uttyler.edu/wellness/StudentRightsandResponsibilities.html
Cell phones and pagers: All cell phones and pagers must be turned off at the beginning of
class. If messages are so important, leave the class. Texting in class is simply rude.
Attendance and Make-up Policy
Attendance is required for this course and non-attendance will cause a semester grade
reduction. No exam make-ups are allowed; one exam missed will count as the lowest grade
dropped. All written assignments (for example, book reports, abstracts and/or research papers)
are due on the date assigned. Late papers will not be excused without serious justification.
Broken printers or computers do not count as serious justification. Students need to back up all
written data.
Grade Replacement/Forgiveness
If you are repeating this course for a grade replacement, you must file an intent to receive grade
forgiveness with the registrar by the 12th day of class. Failure to do so will result in both the
original and repeated grade being used to calculate your overall grade point average.
Undergraduates will receive grade forgiveness (grade replacement) for only three course
repeats; graduates, for two course repeats during his/her career at UT Tyler.
State-Mandated Course Drop Policy
Texas law prohibits a student who began college for the first time in Fall 2007 or thereafter from
dropping more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career. This includes courses
dropped at another 2-year or 4-year Texas public college or university. For purposes of this rule,
a dropped course is any course that is dropped after the 12th day of class (January 26th).
Exceptions to the 6-drop rule include, but are not limited to, the following: totally withdrawing
from the university; being administratively dropped from a course; dropping a course for a
personal emergency; dropping a course for documented change of work schedule; or dropping
a course for active duty service with the U.S. armed forces or Texas National Guard.
Petitions for exemptions must be submitted to the Registrar's Office and must be accompanied
by documentation of the extenuating circumstance. Please contact the Registrar's Office if you
have any questions.
Disability Services
In accordance with federal law, a student requesting accommodation must provide
documentation of his/her disability to the Disability Support Services counselor. If you have a
disability, including a learning disability, for which you request an accommodation, please
contact Cindy Lowery Staples in the Disability Support Services office in UC 3150, or call (903)
566-7079.
Student Absence due to Religious Observance
Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to
inform the instructor of such absences by the second class meeting of the semester.
Student Absence for University-Sponsored Events and Activities
If you intend to be absent for a university-sponsored event or activity, you (or the event sponsor)
must notify the instructor at least two weeks prior to the date of the planned absence. At that
time the instructor will set a date and time when make-up assignments will be completed.
Social Security and FERPA Statement:
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of social
security numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so that all students
have an identification number. The electronic transmission of grades (e.g., via e-mail) risks
violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; grades will not be transmitted
electronically.