Community College of Baltimore County

800 South Rolling Road

Baltimore, Maryland 21228-5317

Summer 2016 Semester School of Liberal Arts Department of Philosophy

Syllabus
INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
CRN # 50901

PHIL 101-C55

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Phil 101-3 Credits- Introduction to Philosophy emphasizes the use
of critical thinking applications to examine philosophical issues. Among these
are understanding philosophical and scientific similarities and differences,
analyzing the meaning of human existence, explaining and justifying ethical
choices, exploring and recognizing the nature, sources, and limits of human
knowledge, the question of whether God exists, how one justifies an answer
to this question, and different theories about the nature of reality. The course
actively engages and encourages students to recognize and associate the
relevance of philosophy to everyday phenomena by utilizing active critical
analysis to understand and integrate human experiences within a
philosophical paradigm.
I. Basic Course Information
Instructor: William M. Hall, Jr., J.D.

Office: Humn-011

Catonsville Campus

Office Hours: Tues &Thurs.

3:25pm-4:25pm
Also by Appointment & Via Skype
Office Phone: 443- 840-4550

Office Email: whall@ccbcmd.edu

Class Location: #027 Math/Sci.Bld.

Class Days & Times: Tues &Thurs.

4:30pm-8:25pm
Prerequisites: ENGL 052orESOL 052 or Credits: 3 credit hrs.
LVE 2 and RDNG 052 or
LVR 2 and MATH 071 or
MATH 081orMATH 013orLVM 1
Dean: William Watson
Academic Division: Performing Arts & Chairperson: Patti Crossman
Humanities
Philosophy Coordinator: Rhonda A. Amenu-El (until 6/15/16) thereafter
Sarah Morales Rm#AHUM 239 Essex 443-840-2085 smorales@ccbcmd.edu
443-840-4377
Student Out- of- Class School Work Expectations:

To meaningfully participate in the learning experience, students are expected to

be prepared. It is generally recommended that students spend a minimum of
approximately two (2) hours in preparation outside of class for every hour spent
in class (i.e. 6 hours of class preparation per week) in order to obtain above
average grade results or evaluation. This figure is only an average different
student will require different amounts of time to learn the material, and work on
their lifetime learning skills depending on their study skills and prior knowledge
developed in high school.
The professor will not cover all the assigned reading material in class. The
student is responsible for all assigned reading material. Students are expected
to read and study daily. Reading assignments are to be completed when
assigned. Additionally, students are expected to take class notes, update
their notes with text material from their reading of the text and compare
their notes with fellow classmates and review them often. This provides a
foundation for learning.
Materials:
Required Text: Looking at Philosophy: The Unbearable Heaviness of Philosophy
Made Lighter, 6th Ed.
Author: Donald Palmer
Computer:
All homework, writing assignments, and work presented in class must be word
processed. Students have the use of many open computer labs on campus and
in the library all contain Windows and Microsoft Word Office products. Students
must be familiar with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. Please make sure that
your papers and class assignments are free of all grammar, punctuation, and
mechanical errors. All assignments must be submitted on time.

II. Course Goals Overall

Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain and demonstrate how critical analysis is an essential part of

philosophizing;
2. Explain the influence that cultural, ethical, and social orientations have on
the development and acceptance/rejection of various philosophical
theories;
3. Logically evaluate a philosophical argument or position;
4. Explain the importance and relevance of rationally and constructively
questioning basic beliefs and assumptions;
5. Speak and write clearly about philosophical issues;
6. Find, evaluate, use and cite appropriate academic sources;
7. Analyze the use of technology on modern thought and discuss relevant
ethical ramifications;
8. Utilize technology to research philosophical issues
9. Identify major subdivisions within the discipline of philosophy;
10. Identify core ideas of major philosophers and the philosophical tenets
chosen from diverse cultures;
11. Distinguish between diverse opinions, ethical and justified philosophical
claims;
12. Identify the varied conceptions of human nature that are implied by
different philosophical theories, and
13. Describe ways in which philosophy is a dynamic discipline which is
responsive to new discoveries in related fields;
Major Topics:
I. The nature of philosophical inquiry and critical thinking
II. Metaphysics
III. Epistemology
IV. Ethical theory and practice and local and global diversity with regard to
Philosophy
V. Social/Political Philosophy in the contemporary, local, and global society
VI. Research and academic writing on a philosophical topic

Rationale:
Why study Philosophy?
Students can expect to learn to think and listen critically and creatively; while
communicating more effectively orally and in writing with skills learned and honed
from the study of Philosophy.

Studying philosophy improves reasoning and critical skills.

Skills gained by philosophy majors are useful in almost any career.

The ability to think logically

The ability to analyze and solve problems

The ability to assess proposed solutions

The ability to write and speak clearly, attending to details

Students learn about questions. How to ask good questions and distinguish the
worthwhile from the worthless questions. How to divide, prioritize, and simplify
questions.
Students are affected by learning about profound philosophical questions.

Studying questions liberates us from prejudice

It helps us to think independently, thus, promoting autonomy, selfgovernment, and individual responsibility
It broadens our perspective on life
The study of philosophy benefits students intellectually, spiritually, and morally.

Students learn about the origins of the ideas and concepts that are a part
of our common intellectual vocabulary.

They learn that there is remarkable intellectual and spiritual connection

between themselves and people from different times and places. They see
firsthand the common good and richness of human beings.

III. EVALUATION
There will be three major exams (including the final exam) all are mandatory.
There will weekly homework assignments.
There will be two writing assignments (arguments) where students must
demonstrate critical analysis and reasoning, information literacy, local and global
4

diversity of understanding, while making good personal and professional ethical

judgments.
One writing assignment will be 1500 words in length.
Students will be required to make one individual oral presentation (argument) to
the class with PowerPoint slides and materials demonstrating oral argumentative
and reasoning skills and technological competence.
Finally, students will have one research project exploring philosophers,
philosophical theories and a topic covered in the course
Successful completion of the course is dependent upon many factors such as
punctual and continuous class attendance, continuous and adequate class
preparation and homework preparation, class participation, completion and timely
receipt of written and oral assignments. Absence, in and of itself, is not an
acceptable excuse for incomplete assignments, for being poorly prepared for
tests, or for late assignments. Late assignments will receive a penalty of
fifteen (15) points on that assignment or one and one/half letter grade.
(except homework)
Students who fail to turn in or complete writing assignments, fail to do their
oral reports in class, and/or fail to take or turn in their Final Exam will
receive a ZERO (0) on that evaluation/assignment (Writing assignment, Oral
Report, Group Project or Final Exam).

The format of the exams may include any of the following: multiple-choice items,
True/False questions, fill in the blank questions, short answer questions, or essay
questions. Exam dates will be announced in class and on BlackBoard. As a
responsible student, you are expected to produce your own work on exams and
NOT collaborate with any other student(s). Anyone who is discovered cheating
on an exam will receive a zero (0) on that exam. Two cheating incidents will
automatically cause you to fail the course for the semester and you will be
reported to the Dean. Students will not be allowed to make up missed exams
EXCEPT FOR EXTRAORDINARY REASONS such as Illness when supported
by a note from a medical doctor.

COURSE GRADING POLICY & METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:

The method of instruction may encompass lecture, discussion, small group
activities, and movie/film presentations. Classroom activities are designed to
clarify selected points in the textbook and to present information beyond what is
given in the text. Class content as well as text content will appear on exams.
Your final grade in the class will be based on:

Final Exam (Written Argument)

20%
Written Argument Assignment
20%
Oral Argument Assignment
20%
Exams (2) (Average=30%)
30%
Homework assignments; Classroom Discussion
& Online Discussion assignments; Attendance
10%
TOTAL

100%

GRADES
A
B
C
D
F

90-100 Points
80-89
70-79
60-69
59 Points & Less

NOTE: Score on Measure X Weight= Points on Measure and

Points towards final grade.
EX: An 85 on the Final Exam = 12.75 points (85x.15%)
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class in the form of a SIGN-IN
sheet. If the student enters the class after the SIGN-IN sheet has
been pulled it is the students responsibility to inform the professor after
class of the lateness. Failure to do so will cause the absence to remain as part
of the students attendance record.
In the event of absence, the student is required to contact the professor as soon
as possible to indicate the reason. Students are encouraged to make
arrangements with classmates for note sharing in the event of absence.
Attendance is expected and students who attend class regularly are more likely
to earn satisfactory grades in their courses.
Tardiness or failure to attend class may seriously jeopardize a students
performance and academic standing. The student is responsible for the content
presented and/or assigned even if class is missed because of late registration,
illness, or any other factor.
IV. COURSE PROCEDURES
Services for Students with Disabilities:

CCBC is committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities for all

students by arranging support services and reasonable accommodations for
students with disabilities. A student with a disability may contact the appropriate
campus office for an appointment to discuss reasonable accommodations. An
appointment must be scheduled within a time period which allows staff adequate
time to respond to the special needs of the student. The student must provide
the appropriate office with proper documentation supporting the need for
reasonable accommodations. For more information, contact:
CCBC Catonsville
410-455-6946
College-Wide Syllabus Policies:
For college wide syllabus policies such as the Code of Conduct related to
Academic Integrity and Classroom Behavior or the Audit/Withdrawal policy,
please go to the Syllabus Tab on the MYCCBC page.
Other Course Information
The Community College of Baltimore County is committed to providing a high
quality learning experience that results in growth in knowledge, attitudes, and
skills necessary to function successfully as a transfer student, in a career and as
a citizen.
We take seriously our responsibility to maintain high-quality programs and will
periodically ask you to participate in assessment activities to determine whether
our students are attaining the knowledge, attitudes and skills appropriate to
various courses and programs. The assessment activities may take many
different forms such as surveys, standardized or faculty-developed tests,
discussion groups or portfolio evaluations. We ask that you take these activities
seriously so that we can obtain valid data for the continuous improvement of
CCBCs courses and programs.
Finally, students should refer to their MYCCBC page for college wide policies
not specified in the syllabus.
This syllabus may be changed with notification to the class. Any course or
course faculty concerns should be discussed with the instructor first. If students
are unable to resolve course-related concerns with the instructor, they should
contact the Philosophy Coordinator, Sarah Morales