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SCHOOLCRAFT
COLLEGE
PHIL 243
Course
Syllabus
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Instructor:
Dr. Robert Allen
Section:
Meeting
Days/Times: M 6-9
Room:
LA 425
Instructor’s
Office:
Instructor’s
Office Hours:
Instructor’s
Office Phone:
734
462 4435
Instructor’s
E-Mail: allen1rf@cmich.edu
Note:
It
is the policy of Schoolcraft College that no person shall, on the basis of
race, color, national origin, gender, age, marital status, creed, or
handicap, be excluded from participating in, be denied benefits of, or be
subjected to discrimination during any program or activity or in
employment.
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Course:
PHIL
243 – An Introduction to Philosophy
(3-0)
3 Cr. Hrs.
Text:
Philosophy,
Manuel Velasquez
Catalog
Description:
Designed
to familiarize the student with philosophy as a foundation for life, this
course provides an introduction to questions in metaphysics, epistemology,
ethics, social and political philosophy and the philosophy of religion.
Classical and modern philosophers from Western, Asian, African and Native
American traditions are presented. Critical thinking and an application of
theory to contemporary issues are emphasized.
Prerequisite:
None.
Course
Objectives:
Upon
successful completion of this course the student should be able to:
1.
Understand the role, the aims and the divisions of philosophy.
2.
Apply a critical thinking process to his or her own position on
issues and to use such a process in evaluating the positions with which he
or she is confronted.
3.
Identify philosophical questions and the responses of major
philosophical figures to these questions.
4.
Recognize the philosophical base for positions and development on a
variety of personal and societal norms, values and political structures..
5.
Understand how one's metaphysical and epistemological framework
affects the positions a person takes on a variety of life issues.
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Method
of Instruction:
Any
combination or all of the following:
lecture, computer screen-projection, demonstrations, hands-on class
projects, recitation, frequent quizzing, group work, video tapes, case studies,
field trips, other projects.
Faculty/Student
Responsibilities:
1.
As a college student, you are expected to schedule at least two hours of
study time outside of class for each
hour the class meets.
2.
Questions related to homework will be answered at each session.
3.
Each student is responsible for reading the text and not
relying entirely on the instructor presenting every detail.
4.
If help is needed in completing an assignment, the student must show the
attempted work when seeking help. Student is encouraged to contact the
instructor during posted office hours or by special appointment.
5.
Any dishonesty involved with homework or exams will result in a grade of
zero.
6.
Assignments will be graded and returned to students within
days (weeks).
7.
The student may not always be able to complete assignments during the
scheduled class session. Therefore, extra time outside of class must be allowed
in order to complete these assignments.
8.
The student should save (archive) samples of his/her best work because an
electronic portfolio may be required for program completion.
Student is encouraged to contact the instructor if there are any
questions.
9.
Important dates for registration, semester start and end, withdrawal from
classes and holidays for each semester may be found by selecting the academic
calendar link at www.schoolcraft.edu.
10.
Note: Faculty must include
statement on policy for late assignments.
Testing/Evaluation/Assessment:
2 exams, each worth 45 points; term paper worth 10 points
Determination of Final Grade:
Final
grades will be transcribed using a 4.0 scale and calculated as follows:
90% or more of all possible points
= 4.0
80%
"
= 3.0 Decimal values are recorded, thus 3.5, 3.6 etc
70%
"
= 2.0
60%
"
= 1.0
59%
"
= 0.0
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Grading
Scale:
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100-94
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4.0
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76
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2.4
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93-92
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3.9
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75
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2.3
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91-90
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3.8
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74
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2.2
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89
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3.7
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73
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2.1
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88
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3.6
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Average
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72-70
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2.0
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Excellent
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87
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3.5
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69
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1.9
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86
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3.4
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68
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1.8
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85
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3.3
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67
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1.7
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84
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3.2
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66
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1.6
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83
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3.1
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Below Average
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65
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1.5
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Very Good
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82
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3.0
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64
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1.4
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81
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2.9
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|
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63
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1.3
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80
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2.8
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62
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1.2
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79
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2.7
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61
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1.1
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78
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2.6
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Poor
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60
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1.0
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Good
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77
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2.5
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Unacceptable
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59 & Below
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0.0
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Students who do not officially withdraw from this
course, have a score that falls in the unacceptable range, or do not take the
final exam will receive a final grade of 0.0.
Attendance
Information:
·
Attendance
is taken daily and will be reported to the Registrar’s Office for State and
Federal Report purposes.
·
Classes
canceled on a one-time basis during the semester due to instructor illness, etc.
will be listed on the Schoolcraft Web Page. Students may click on www.schoolcraft.edu
for more information.
·
For College
closings due to weather or other emergencies, listen to major area radio or TV
stations for updates.
Additional
Services:
1.
The Learning Assistance Center may have tutors for this course. The LAC
is located in the McDowell Center ‑ Room 210. The direct number is (734)
462-4436. The LAC is also located at Radcliff Center, RC 120.
The number is (734) 462-4400, ext. 6021.
2.
There are general (open) computer labs for student use both at Livonia
and Radcliff. In Livonia, MC100
(lower level of the McDowell Center) is open daily and on weekends with hours
posted in the lab. At Radcliff,
RC140, 150, 410 and 415 have weekly hours posted outside each room.
Call (734) 462-4400, ext. 5529 for hours at both campuses.
3.
Lab technicians are available in MC-100 to help you with hardware or
system problems in the labs. They are not tutors for various software packages.
4.
Food and drink are not allowed in any computer labs. Additional policies may be
posted in MC‑100.
Classroom
Etiquette:
For your benefit and for the benefit of your classmates—
·
At all times
be considerate to your classmates and to your instructor.
·
No
food or beverage is allowed in any classroom.
·
Come to
class on time, ready to ask questions about previous
lessons/assignments.
·
Ask
pertinent questions; contribute to discussions; avoid "private"
conversations that distract the instructor and other students.
·
Remember
that the faculty is the one to end the class — do not prepare to leave early.
·
Cell phones must
be turned completely off during class time.
Keys
to Success:
·
Have a
positive attitude about learning and the class.
·
Attend all
class sessions and be punctual.
·
Read the
textbook and the handouts before the session and again after.
·
Do your own
lab projects. Work with your "study partner." Ask for help when
needed.
·
Don't expect
to understand every topic the first time it is presented; review often; spend as
much time as necessary to master the material.
·
Enjoy the
class!
Additional
Student Responsibilities:
1.
The student is responsible for all announcements and material presented
in class, for completion of all homework and lab assignments, and for actively
participating in the learning process.
2.
The student is responsible for informing the instructor about any health
conditions which might create a classroom emergency (i.e., seizure disorders,
diabetes, heart conditions).
3.
The student is responsible for discussing with the instructor any needs
for test taking or other accommodations. The instructor must have received
notification from the Learning Assistance Center.
Important
Dates:
Final Exam
Last Day to Withdraw:
No Class Meetings:
Sequence of Instruction:
NOTE
TO STUDENTS: The
basic topics in this course must be covered but may be
accomplished using a modified version of the calendar listed below.
Week
Topic
1.
1.2 and 1.8
2.
2.4
3.
2.4
4.
2.3
5.
2.3
6.
3.2, 3.5
7.
3.7, 7.7; Review
8.
Test 1
9.
3.8
10.
4.2
11.
4.3
12.
5.5, 6.2, 6.3
13.
6.4, 9.2
14.
8.3, 8.6; Review
15.
Final Exam