Los Angeles Valley College Fall 2016

Philosophy 1 Introduction to Philosophy

Online Course

Zack Knorr

[email protected]

Course Description:

Beginning with Socrates more than 2500 years ago, western philosophy has been committed to discovering the meaning, usefulness, and implications of the basic concepts that guide our understanding of the world. Philosophers have undertaken investigations of ideas such as knowledge, rightness, justice, and meaning for a number of different reasons. On the one hand, philosophers have been concerned with how these ideas shape our individual lives: how we use them to become the people that we want to be. At the same time, they are interested in the ways in which these ideas have been used to structure the societies in which we live. In other words, ideas have an impact on our lives, and philosophy, as a discipline, is dedicated to studying and analyzing these basic ideas. In this course, we will trace the history of philosophy from the Ancient Greeks up to the modern day. Through this analysis we will not only learn more about the world in which we live but, hopefully, more about ourselves as well.

Course objectives:

1) Analyze the basic principles and concepts of the discipline of philosophy

2) Demonstrate the ways in which philosophical concepts have evolved throughout the course of history

3) Apply critical thinking and self-reflection to all aspects of life

4) Compare and contrast different philosophical theories and concepts

5) Employ philosophical concepts in an analysis of the basic concepts that guide one's life Student Learning Outcome (SLO):

Analyze several of the major principles that have shaped the philosophical tradition

Student Conduct:

Students in this class will be expected to treat other members of the class, as well as the instructor, with the proper level of respect. This requires using appropriate language in all posts and email communications. Failure to exhibit the proper conduct in this class will be dealt with by the instructor and may result in removal from the class.

Any form of cheating, whether it be on tests, written assignments, quizzes, or any additional cases of plagiarism, will not be tolerated. Any case in which a member of this class copies or uses someone else’s work without properly citing the author and the source will be considered plagiarism and will be dealt with according to LAVC policy. Anyone caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive a 0 for the assignment and will be referred to the academic discipline committee. Late work:

Late work will not be accepted. Any assignment, test, quiz, or discussion post not completed by the established due date and time will be considered late and will receive a 0.

Required text:

Velasquez, Manuel. Philosophy: A Text with Readings. 13th Edition.

Course schedule:

Each week for this course will begin on Monday and end on Sunday at 11:59 pm.

10-17 to 10-23: Chapter 1

Writing Assignment, Quiz

10-24 to 10-30: Chapter 2

10-31 to 11-6: Chapter 3

Exam 1

11-7 to 11-13: Chapter 4

11-14 to 11-20: Chapter 5

11-21 to 11-27: Chapter 6

Exam 2

11-28 to 12-4 Chapter 7

12-5 to 12-11: Chapter 8

12-12 to 12-18: Finals Week

Exam 3, Extra Credit Writing Assignment

Course requirements:

Quizzes (20%):

At the end of each chapter (except for the weeks where we have exams) you will be assigned a quiz. Each quiz will consist of 10 multiple choice/true false questions. These quizzes will be open book and there will be no time limit for taking the quiz. However, you will only be able to take each quiz once and you will not be able to go back and change any answers once a question has been completed. You must take the quiz before 11:59 pm on Sunday night of the given week. After that time the quiz will no longer be available. Writing assignments (30%):

Each week (except for weeks in which we have an exam) you will be given a writing assignment. Each assignment will provide a question that will need to be answered in a 1-2 page essay. Papers must be submitted to the instructor before 11:59 pm on Sunday night. After that time the paper will be considered late and will not be accepted.

Exams (50%):

There will be three exams consisting of a number of multiple choice and true false questions. The exams will be open book but there will be a time limit for taking the exam and each exam can be taken only once. The first exam will cover material from Chapters 1-3, the second exam Chapters 4-6, and the third exam Chapters 7 and 8. Each exam must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Sunday night of the week that it is due. Any exam not completed by that time will receive a 0.

Additional instructions for each of these assignments will be posted on the course website.

Grading scale:

A: 90-100

B: 80-89

C: 70-79

D: 60-69

F: 59 and below

Contacting the Instructor:

Please contact me either at [email protected] or through canvas.

Services for Students with Disabilities:

Students with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations are encouraged to contact the instructor at any time. Services for Students with Disabilities is located in the Student Services Annex Room 175 and can be contacted at extension 2681.

Additional information for these services is posted on the course website.