PHIL 2003—Introduction to Philosophy

Syllabus – Fall 2009

Tues/Thur 8:00-9:20 & 9:30-10:50

Instructor: Dawna J. Shin

E-mail:  dshin@uark.edu

Course Website:   http://comp.uark.edu/~dshin

Office Hours:  Tues/Thurs 11:00-12:30 (or by appt.)

Office Phone:   575-2924

Office Location:   Old Main 311

Philosophy Department Phone:  575-3551

Course Text :  Pojman, Louis P.  The Quest for Truth, 7th edition.  New  York: Oxford University Press  2009.  (ISBN: 9780195311327)

Goals and Objectives for this Course: 

In this course we will survey four basic branches of philosophy: Epistemology, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Religion, and Ethics.  Other branches of philosophy that we will discuss somewhat indirectly include Philosophy of Language, Political Philosophy, Metaphysics, and Logic.  The readings are based on texts both from classical and contemporary Western philosophers.  We will focus on philosophical problems/questions such as: What is Knowledge?, What is Truth?, Does God exist?, Why does evil exist?, Is there an essence to Human Being?, How is the Mind related to the Body? What makes an action right or wrong?, How should I live my life? 

As a result of full participation in this class, a student will understand: 

1.A variety of the important issues and controversies that classical and contemporary philosophers discussed extensively.

2.The perspectives of important philosophers in areas of metaphysics, epistemology, and value theory. 

Furthermore, he or she will be able to:

1.Read and analyze introductory philosophical texts and uncover the arguments and perspectives they employ.

2.Think through philosophical issues that arise in his or her own life. 

3.Think and write with increased clarity and rigor.

Assignments: Participation/Quizzes: 10%            Grading Scale: A = 90-100%

Notebook  (Dec. 3rd): 20%          B = 80-89%

Exam 1  (Oct. 13th):        35%                         C = 70-79%

Exam 2  (Dec. 8th): 35%          D = 60-69%

          F = below 60%

Participation in class discussion is just as helpful as reading and listening to the lectures when it comes to understanding philosophy.  One of the main goals of this class is to stimulate you to think critically.  If you have an idea or a question, please speak up!  I strongly encourage thoughtful class discussions (as long as they stay on topic).  If you are missing class regularly this will have a negative effect on your grade not only because you will lose participation credit but because you will not know what terms/ideas are important.  Students caught texting, daydreaming, sleeping, doing work for another class or otherwise inattentive will lose participation credit. 

Quizzes  will be given at random throughout the semester.  The purpose of these quizzes is two-fold: they allow me to track who is attending class regularly and they allow us to have an idea about how well you are understanding the readings.  If missed, these quizzes cannot be made up under any circumstances.

Exams will be predominately essay and short answer.  Anything covered in either the readings or class discussion is considered fair game, so please be sure to keep up with both.  If you feel that you will be unable to take an exam for any reason, you must notify me PRIOR to the exam date so that we can schedule an alternate time/date.

Notebooks :  See handout.

Make-up Policy:  The quizzes cannot be made up.  No late notebooks will be accepted.  If you miss class, arrange to have someone take notes for you before you miss or try to get notes from a reliable classmate after.  I will be unable to provide notes for students who miss class.  If you feel you cannot attend an exam on the day it is scheduled, you must contact me no later than 24 hours in advance so that we can make other arrangements for you to take the exam.  (So, if you feel sick the day before and are not sure if you will be able to make the exam it would be prudent of you to call/email me and let me know.)  If you miss the exam without prior notification, you will not be permitted to make up the exam.  There will be no exams given after December 8th.  If you need to take the final exam early, contact me asap.

Inclement Weather Policy:  If the University is open we will have class.  If the University is officially closed for any reason, we will not have class. 

Academic Honesty Policy:  Cheating will not be tolerated.  If I suspect you of cheating on any assignment I will be forced to report you to the Office of Community Standards and Student Ethics.  At a minimum you will receive a zero on the assignment and most likely for the course.  You may incur other penalties and it is likely that the offense will be listed on your permanent record.  You can read the official policy on academic honesty online: http://www.uark.edu/ua/ethics/academic.html

Electronic Devices:  Cell phone use in class is not permitted.  Please silence or turn off your cell phones and other electronic devices during class.  (If you need to use a computer to take notes, please let me know.  Otherwise, computers are not permitted.)  These things only serve to distract you and those around you.  If you are caught using your cell phone in class you will be asked to leave and your participation grade will be lowered.   

Accommodations:  Please come and speak to me in private if you feel that you will need special accommodations at any point this semester.  Please be advised that I can only permit special accommodations for those students registered with the Center for Educational Access.  (You may contact the CEA by calling 575-3104.)