INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY

Required Text

Stewart, D., Blocker, G. H., and J. (2012). Fundamentals of philosophy. (8th ed.) New York: Pearson.

ISBN: 9780205242993

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to philosophy, emphasizing content coverage and development of
critical reasoning skills. It pays serious attention to the personal and practical relevance of philosophy by
focusing on its experiential, therapeutic, and social applications. Topics include the definition of
philosophy, philosophical argument, epistemology and metaphysics, ethics and moral decision making,
and political philosophy.

Course Objectives

At the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

Analyze the nature of philosophy.

Generate the fundamental questions of philosophy.
Critique the contributions made by great philosophers to topics and questions still relevant
today.
Recognize the difference between valid and invalid arguments.
Distinguish between appearance and reality.
Measure some certainty regarding human knowledge.
Identify the principles of ethical human conduct.

Tentative Schedule

The following figure gives the suggested completion timeline for this course.

Week Learning Activity

Week 1 "What is Read Textbook chapters 1-4
Philosophy" Review PowerPoint slides
Watch Lecture Video
Discussion Introductions and Questions

Week 2 "How Should I
Live?"
Week 3 "How Do I
Know What Is
'RIGHT'?"
Week 4 "Do I Really
Have Free Will?"
Week 5 "What Can We
Know?"
Week 6 "What Sort of
Government Do We
Want?"
Week 7 "What Are Our
Rights and Freedoms?"
Week 8 "What We
Have Learned"
All assignments are due at 11:59 p.m. CST Tuesday nights.
Discussion Wisdom and Fallacies
Assignment Interviewing the Student About His Teacher
Read Textbook chapters 20-21
Review PowerPoint slides
Watch Lecture Video
Discussion Dying for a Coke or Pepsi
Discussion Living the Good Life
Assignment Is it Moral? Yes, No, Maybe, Who Cares?
Read Textbook chapters 23- 24
Review PowerPoint slides
Watch Lecture Video
Discussion Truman and the Angels
Discussion The Case of the Best Friends Sexting
Assignment What is more important, what you intend to happen or what
actually happens?
Read Textbook chapter 13
Review PowerPoint slides
Watch Video Lecture
Discussion Im Not Guilty, Because I Had No Choice
Assignment How Free Are You?
Midterm Exam
Read Textbook chapters 14-16
Review PowerPoint slides
Watch Video Lecture
Discussion Pinch me; I must be dreaming!
Discussion Ashes to Ashes
Assignment Create a Visual Aid about Epistemology
Textbook chapters 34- 36
Review PowerPoint slides
Watch Video Lecture
Discussion Liberty or Security
Discussion What Doesnt Kill You
Assignment The First Amendment
Textbook chapters 37-38
Review PowerPoint slides
Watch Video Lecture
Discussion Universal Human Rights
Discussion Happy People, Happy Communities
Assignment My rights end where your nose begins
Textbook chapter 40
Review PowerPoint slides
Watch Video Lecture
Discussion The Good, the Bad, and the Trainable
Assignment I feel much wiser, because
Final Exam
Grading Policy

Activities Value
Discussions 40%
Assignments 40%
Midterm Exam 10%
Final Exam 10%

Expected Student Workload

The following table outlines the academic effort required for you to be successful in this course. While
the times in the table are approximate, it is presented to help with your time management. If you have
any questions or concerns, please direct them to your instructor or student advisor.

Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours

Required
1 Online Readings/Lectures 1.2
Discussions 6.0
Assignments 0.0
Preparation Readings 1.1
Discussions 0.5
Assignments 9.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours

Required
2 Online Readings/Lectures 2.5
Discussions 4.0
Assignments 0.0
Preparation Readings 1.7
Discussions 0.0
Assignments 9.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours

Required
3 Online Readings/Lectures 1.8
Discussions 4.0
Assignments 0.0
Preparation Readings 1.2
Discussions 1.0
Assignments 9.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0
Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours
Required
4 Online Readings/Lectures 1.2
Discussions 5.0
Assignments 3.0
Preparation Readings 0.4
Discussions 0.0
Assignments 12.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours

Required
5 Online Readings/Lectures 3.0
Discussions 4.0
Assignments 0.0
Preparation Readings 1.3
Discussions 0.0
Assignments 12.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours

Required
6 Online Readings/Lectures 2.1
Discussions 4.0
Assignments 0.0
Preparation Readings 1.0
Discussions 0.0
Assignments 9.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours

Required
7 Online Readings/Lectures 1.7
Discussions 4.0
Assignments 0.0
Preparation Readings 1.1
Discussions 0.5
Assignments 9.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Week Type of Activity Activity Estimated Hours

Required
8 Online Readings/Lectures 2.0
Discussions 2.0
 Assignments 2.0
Preparation Readings 0.6
Discussions 0.0
Assignments 12.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

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