Introduction to Philosophical Thought Online Course Syllabus

Introduction to Philosophical Thought Online Course Syllabus

Philosophy 150-OL Fall 2006 with Prof. Gregory Owcarz

Philosophy begins in wonder. And at the end, when philosophic thought has done its best, the wonder remains. - Alfred North Whitehead

Granted that we cannot do anything with philosophy, might not philosophy, if we concern ourselves with it, do something with us? - Martin Heidegger

Required Readings

Philosophical Questions: Classic and Contemporary Readings - William Lawhead

What Does It All Mean? - Thomas Nagel

Web-Based Lecture Notes and Selected Website Entries

Additional Assistance

Office Hours: Online appointments available via message sent to course Mailbox Icon

Course Description

Philosophy, the love of wisdom, involves attempts to answer the most profound and perennial of questions. The ultimate aim is to find and embrace the good life and ideals in its pursuit. The philosophical wonder and methods of inquiry presented in this introductory online course are admittedly less heroic, but taken in light of such lofty goals. The focus is on problems concerning the nature of meaning, truth, reality, religion, morality and mind. Through posted lectures, text readings, website contents, weekly quizzes, online discussion, and written exams, both classic and contemporary treatments of these problems are pondered, their assumptions considered, their arguments analyzed.

This course satisfies the Philosophy and Religion Section (C3) of the General Education Program. Courses in this section are designed to promote critical reflection on questions concerning the nature, meaning and value of human existence, the world in which we live, and our relations with one another. Students should understand the sources and limits of knowledge, and they should appreciate and be able to assess different world views and moral teachings that have played central roles in human culture.

Requirements and Policies

Class Format Philosophy calls for the critical evaluation of challenging material and thorough analysis of one’s own opinions. This course is ideal for independent students with committed reading habits and disciplined time management strategies. Students must follow a demanding schedule of lectures and readings, and submit relevant response work for evaluation on a weekly basis as outlined below.

Weekly Quizzes Each quiz constitutes 4% of the final course grade, with the best ten of twelve total quiz scores being counted. The quizzes may be taken at any point during the week, and will consist of ten multiple choice questions covering the week’s lecture notes, text readings and websites. Make-up quizzes will not be offered.

Take-Home Exams Each exam constitutes 30% of the final course grade, with the final exam presupposing familiarity with material from the midterm. The questions for the midterm and final exams will be made available online ten days prior to their due dates. Answers to all questions must be submitted via typed message text sent directly to the instructor through the Mailbox Icon on the Course Homepage. Only a random subset of answers will be graded and no make-up exams offered.

Website Homepage Additional materials that can be accessed from the Course Homepage include the following: course overview, course tips, calendar, lecture notes, mailbox, quiz, exam, and grading sections.

Deadlines The deadline this semester to add or drop the course or to change grade basis without having to seek special permission is Friday, September 22nd. After that date, according to CSUN’s regulations, withdrawal will require additional approvals and can only be obtained for “serious and compelling reasons” and provided that there is “no viable alternative”.

Academic Dishonesty Given the independent nature of many online course activities, all submitted work will undergo computer-filtered monitoring to ensure originality. Academic dishonesty of any kind will result in a failing course grade, a report of the misconduct to the Office of Student Affairs, and possible suspension or expulsion. Consult the 2004-2006 University Catalog (pp.531-532), which clearly specifies what constitutes academic dishonesty.

Tentative Schedule of Topics

Week One: What is Philosophy?

- Readings: Philo Quest Pgs.1-7; What Does Pgs.3-7

- Websites: Philosophy Defined

Week Two: How Do Arguments Work?

- Readings: Philo Quest Pgs.32-43; What Does Pgs.38-46

- Websites: Argument

Week Three: What Does Life Mean?

- Readings: Philo Quest Pgs.576-602

- Websites: Meanings Life Questions

Week Four: Is Life Meaningless?

- Readings: Philo Quest Pgs.603-617; What Does Pgs.95-101