Introduction to Philosophy

Philosophy 101

Fall 2005

Course Overview: This course will introduce you to philosophical topics and writers. We will be reading three philosophers who have greatly influenced the course of philosophical inquiry: Plato, René Descartes, and John Stuart Mill. We will investigate a number of topics through the readings, as well as the method of each philosopher. We will see how a view on one topic will have an impact on a philosopher's views elsewhere. Our evaluations of these philosophers will be critical: we want to determine not only what their views and arguments are, but also whether those arguments are good ones.

Reading Assignments and Texts: You should read the assignments before coming to class. I will be lecturing on these assignments and expect you to be able to participate in the class. While some of the reading assignments might seem relatively short, don't be fooled by this. The material can be difficult at times, though I don't think it will be overly difficult. Still, I strongly advise you to read through the assignments carefully and a couple of times. This will help you to understand the material and prepare you for the class meetings. Finally, be sure to bring whatever text we are working with to class. The texts we will be reading in this class are as follows:

• Plato Five Dialogues, trans. G. M. A. Grube, Hackett
• Plato Republic, trans. G. M. A Grube, Hackett 2nd ed.
• René Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy, trans. Donald A. Cress, Hackett 3rd ed.
• John Stuart Mill Utilitarianism, Hackett 2nd ed.
• Course Packet

In the course packet, you will find five further reading assignments, which are included in the schedule below. You will also find handouts, the dates of which are included as well. Furthermore you will find study questions for the three sections of the course. These questions will be helpful both in studying for the exams, but also in completing the reading assignments. Finally, the course packet includes guidelines for writing papers and a warning about academic honesty. You should look over all of this material.

Evaluation:

(a) We will have three in-class exams: one after Plato, one after Descartes, and one at the end of the semester. These will be short essay tests, equal in value. You are expected to take each exam on the day and time scheduled, so plan accordingly.

(b) There will be two papers due. You will not need to do any outside research for this paper. Each paper will be equivalent to one exam. More on these papers below.

Papers:

You will have to write two short (3-4 pages) papers for this class. These papers should be typed, double-spaced, and in standard 12 point font, with one-inch margins. No title or cover page is required. You should not use any sources beyond the texts in our class and class discussion. Review the material on academic honesty in the course packet. If you turn in work that is not your own, or is taken from another source in some way which does not acknowledge the source, your paper will be given a failing grade. Further penalties may be imposed depending upon the case. If you have any doubts about something, come talk to me before turning in the paper.

In the papers, I want you to critically evaluate some position or argument presented in our reading. These should not be book reports, but your own responses to what we will be reading. At the end of every week (with the likely exception of weeks we have exams), I will give a paper assignment. If you want to write on that assignment, it will be due the following Friday. You must write on two different philosophers. In other words, you may only do one of the topics that will be assigned for Plato, your other paper would have to be on either Descartes or Mill. If you do not write on Plato, you must write on both Descartes and Mill. It is up to you which topics you write on. But the due date for any topic is a week after it was assigned. You should familiarize yourself with the guidelines for writing philosophy papers that is at the end of the course packet. If you have any questions or confusions on a particular topic, please come talk to me.

Policies:

(1) You are responsible for all assignments to be handed in. Excuses for an assignment not being handed in on time such as you handed in the paper to my mailbox, slid it under my door, or gave it to a friend to hand in are unacceptable. I will take assignments placed in my mailbox, but if the assignment never shows up for whatever reason, it will count as late. You should be in class to hand in all assignments; otherwise you take the risk of not getting credit for your work.

(2) I will not allow any late assignments to be handed in or allow make-up exams unless there is some good reason (it should be a true emergency – not a family vacation or birth of a niece or nephew). In any event, written documentation will be required. You should get in touch with me as soon as possible if such a situation arises.

(3) You are permitted to have two unexcused absences. Your overall grade for the course will be lowered by two percentage points for each unexcused absence beyond the first two. As with exams and assignments, excused absences will only be given for emergencies and only when there is written documentation.

(4) You are expected to be in class and have done the reading for the day. It is simple courtesy to be in class on time and in your seat. If you have to be late for some reason, please enter the room and take your seat quietly, so as not to disturb the class. PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELLPHONES AND PAGERS. Finally, do not stand up and walk out in the middle of the class period. This is distracting and rude to the other students and me. If you must leave early for some reason, please talk to me before class and sit near the door.

Schedule: These dates are tentative. I may have to make changes to these dates as the semester goes on. I will make any necessary changes in class.

Back to 101 Index

Back to MSU HOME