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PHIL 110A Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality Syllabus

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PHIL 110A Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality Syllabus PHIL 110A Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality Fall 2015 Syllabus Instructor: Prof. Doreen Fraser E-mail (for quick questions): [email protected] Office Hours (for substantive questions): Tuesdays 1-2p.m. and Thursdays 11:30a.m.-12:30p.m. Office: HH 330 Teaching assistant: Phillipe Beriault E-mail (for quick questions): [email protected] Office Hours (for substantive questions): See the Calendar on LEARN Office: HH 337 Course Meeting Time and Location: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30-11:20p.m. in AL 124 Course Description This course provides an introduction to some central questions about knowledge and reality. What is knowledge? What are our best sources of knowledge? What are the distinguishing features of our best sources of knowledge? What sorts of things exist? How do we know? What is the relationship between our minds and our brains? We will study answers to these questions offered by a selection of philosophers past and present, including Descartes, Berkeley, Hume, Russell, P.S. Churchland, Thagard, and Searle. Methods for analyzing and assessing arguments will be an important focus of the course. Readings All of the texts for the course are available free of charge online from either the LEARN course web site or the library e-reserves web site. Required readings for each class are listed on the attached course schedule. All of the readings listed on the course schedule are required. Students are expected to read each assigned text prior to the class for which it is assigned. The assigned texts should be brought to class. You will probably find that it is necessary to re- read the texts at least once after they are discussed in class. LEARN Web Site There is a LEARN course web site for this course. This site will contain links to the online readings, instructions for the assignments, the Power Point slides that are shown in class, and your grades. Assignments for the course are to be submitted electronically using the Dropbox on the LEARN web site. To log in, the username and password should be the same as your UW Quest/WATIam userid and password. Please ensure that the e-mail address that you have listed on WATIam is one that you check regularly. 1 PHIL 110A Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality Fall 2015 Expectations In addition to fulfilling the coursework requirements outlined below, it is expected that students will complete the assigned readings, attend class regularly, and participate in class discussions. Policy on Laptops, Tablets, Phones, etc. Laptops and other electronic devices may only be used in class to access course materials. Please turn off the ringer on your phone prior to the start of class. Coursework The grade for the course will be broken down as follows: No grade In-class written response (feedback only) 45% Three quizzes (each worth 15%) 5% Peer review of a draft short paper and on time submission of your draft paper 15% Short paper 35% Term paper In-class written response You will write a paragraph in response to a question about Descartes in class on September 28. Bring the assigned text from Descartes’ Meditations. You will receive feedback, but this assignment will not be graded. The purpose of this assignment is to enable you to gauge how well you are understanding the material. Quizzes Quizzes will be written in class on October 6, November 12, and December 3. They will cover material from class and the assigned readings. Each quiz will consist of short answer questions (e.g., fill in the blanks, multiple choice, questions requiring an answer of at most a few sentences). Make up quizzes may only be written if there are extenuating circumstances (e.g., serious illness, death in the family) and if appropriate documentation is provided (e.g., note from doctor). If there are extenuating circumstances, you must contact me prior to the quiz (unless, of course, your extenuating circumstance prevents you from doing so). Short paper A short paper analyzing and evaluating an argument, maximum length two pages double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, standard margins (1 inch = 2.54 cm on each side). A handout with paper topics and a detailed description of the requirements will be distributed later in the term. Due before 5p.m. on November 16. Submit your paper to the Dropbox on the 2 PHIL 110A Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality Fall 2015 LEARN web site. Late assignments will be penalized 10% per 24 hours unless there are extenuating circumstances (e.g., a grade of 72% would be reduced to 62% if the assignment is handed in 24 hours past the deadline). Extensions may be granted in extenuating circumstances (e.g., serious illness, death in the family) if appropriate documentation is provided (e.g., note from doctor). If there are extenuating circumstances, contact me prior to the deadline (unless, of course, your extenuating circumstance prevents you from doing so). Peer Review of Short Paper Drafts of the short papers will be anonymously reviewed by classmates. A handout with instructions will be distributed later in the term. To receive the full grade for this activity, you must both submit a complete draft of your paper to LEARN prior to the deadline (5p.m. on November 2) and submit a review of the draft of the paper which you are assigned prior to the deadline (5p.m. on November 9). You will receive full marks for a good-faith effort on both components (i.e., completing all of the requirements to the best of your ability). Extensions may be granted in extenuating circumstances (e.g., serious illness, death in the family) if appropriate documentation is provided (e.g., note from doctor). If there are extenuating circumstances, contact me prior to the deadline (unless, of course, your extenuating circumstance prevents you from doing so). Term paper A term paper analyzing and evaluating arguments, maximum length five pages double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, standard margins (1 inch = 2.54 cm on each side). A handout with paper topics and a detailed description of the requirements will be distributed later in the term. Due before 5p.m. on December 10. Submit your paper to the dropbox on the LEARN web site. Late assignments will be penalized 10% per 24 hours unless there are extenuating circumstances (e.g., a grade of 72% would be reduced to 62% if the assignment is handed in 24 hours past the deadline). Extensions may be granted in extenuating circumstances (e.g., serious illness, death in the family) if appropriate documentation is provided (e.g., note from doctor). If there are extenuating circumstances, contact me prior to the deadline (unless, of course, your extenuating circumstance prevents you from doing so). The Writing Centre There is a Writing Centre on campus that offers help to students who want to improve their writing skills. The Writing Centre works across all faculties to help students clarify their ideas, develop their voices, and write in the style appropriate to their disciplines. Writing Centre staff offer one-on-one support in planning assignments and presentations, using and documenting research, organizing and structuring papers, and revising for clarity and coherence. You can make multiple appointments throughout the term, or drop in at the Library for quick questions or feedback. To book a 50-minute appointment and 3 PHIL 110A Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality Fall 2015 to see drop-in hours, visit the Writing Centre web site. Group appointments for team-based projects, presentations, and papers are also available. Please note that writing specialists guide you to see your work as readers would. They can teach you revising skills and strategies, but will not proof-read or edit for you. Please bring hard copies of your assignment instructions and any notes or drafts to your appointment. Accommodation for Students with Disabilities Note for students with disabilities: The AccessAbility Services office, located located on the first floor of the Needles Hall extension, collaborates with all academic departments to arrange appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities without compromising the academic integrity of the curriculum. If you require academic accommodations to lessen the impact of your disability, please register with the AS office at the beginning of each academic term. Academic Integrity Academic Integrity: In order to maintain a culture of academic integrity, members of the University of Waterloo are expected to promote honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. Discipline: A student is expected to know what constitutes academic integrity, to avoid committing academic offences, and to take responsibility for his/her actions. A student who is unsure whether an action constitutes an offence, or who needs help in learning how to avoid offences (e.g., plagiarism, cheating) or about “rules” for group work/collaboration should seek guidance from the course professor, academic advisor, or the Undergraduate Associate Dean. When misconduct has been found to have occurred, disciplinary penalties will be imposed under Policy 71 – Student Discipline. For information on categories of offenses and types of penalties, students should refer to Policy 71 - Student Discipline. Grievance: A student who believes that a decision affecting some aspect of his/her university life has been unfair or unreasonable may have grounds for initiating a grievance. Read Policy 70 - Student Petitions and Grievances, Section 4. Appeals: A student may appeal the finding and/or penalty in a decision made under Policy 70 - Student Petitions and Grievances (other than regarding a petition) or Policy 71 - Student Discipline if a ground for an appeal can be established. Read Policy 72 - Student Appeals. Other sources of information for students Academic integrity (Arts) Academic Integrity Office (uWaterloo) 4 PHIL 110A Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality Fall 2015 Course Schedule and Readings All readings are available on the LEARN course web site under “Content.” All readings are required.
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