COURSE SYLLABUS

Term: Spring 2017 Course: Philosophy 322, “How Can I Know? Epistemology”

Instructor Information: Instructor Name Garin Cycholl Office Number: office hours meet in the CCSJ Tutoring Center Phone Number: (312) 213-2708 (in case of emergency; otherwise please contact me by email) Email: [email protected] (the best way to contact me in through email; I’ll try to respond within 12 hours) Hours Available: Mondays, 12:00 to 1:45 P.M. and 3:15 to 4:30 P.M. in the CCSJ Tutoring Center; other times can be arranged by appointment Instructor Background: I have been teaching in the humanities for the past eighteen years at schools in the Chicago area. I grew up in southern Illinois, attended college in Miami, Florida, and did my graduate work at Yale University and the University of Illinois at Chicago. I’ve enjoyed living at different places in the United States and continue to write about these experiences.

Course Information:

Course Time: Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:45 to 3:15 P.M. Classroom: Calumet College 272 Prerequisites: Phil 200 Required Books David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. 1748. and Materials: Indianapolis: Hackett, 1993.

George Santayana, Scepticism and Animal Faith. 1923. New York: Dover, 1955.

Other readings will be available through Blackboard. Learning Outcomes/ Competencies: 1. Students will understand the intricacies of core epistemological concepts including Mind, Perception, Scepticism, and Consciousness. 2. Students will understand what makes Epistemology distinctive from the other branches of philosophy and its relationship with them. 3. Students will analyze arguments and rhetorical structure through the close- reading of primary texts and the writing of papers and other assignments. 4. Students will develop active listening skills, synthesize oral arguments, and actively respond to

2400 NEW YORK AVE. Ÿ WHITING, IN 46394 Ÿ TEL. 219-473-7770 Ÿ 773-721-0202 Ÿ FAX 219-473-4259 peers' views in a seminar classroom. 5. Students will evaluate and examine arguments with an eye to detecting bias as well as the thinker's main claim and whether the grounds for that claim are reasonable. 6. Students will gain confidence in their public speaking abilities through group discussions. Course Description: This course introduces students to the field of epistemology. Points of focus include the analysis of knowledge, the challenges to inductive reasoning and a priori knowledge, skepticism, and the unique problems posed by consciousness. The course will take a historical approach, including works by Thomas Aquinas, Rene Descartes, David Hume, and Immanuel Kant. Within discussion, we will also carefully consider how issues in epistemology impact work in theology and science. Learning Strategies: In-class critical reading and discussion, short papers, and exams.

Assessments:

Major a) 2 short papers (5+ pages each) that 50 points (25 pts each) Assignments: respond to central course concepts b) midterm exam (short identifications 25 points and essay) c) final exam (short identification and 25 points essay); note that final exam is non- cumulative.

Class Participation d) course participation; includes 25 points participation in classroom discussion, quizzes, short in-class research presentations, etc. = 125 points possible in course Grading Scale (by percentage) 100 – 92: A 91 – 90: A- 89 – 88: B+ 87 – 82: B 81 – 80: B- 79 – 78 : C+ 77 – 72: C 71 – 70 : C- 69 – 68: D+ 67 – 62: D 61 – 60: D- 59 and below F

Course Schedule: TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS:

Epistemology: Historical Aspects and Issues M, 1/9 – introduction to course W, 1/11 – The Greek Tradition: Idealism, Knowing, and Reality (handout) M, 1/16 – Martin Luther King, Jr., Day (no course meeting) W, 1/18 – Medieval Philosophy and the Concept of Universals (handout) M, 1/23 – Rene Descartes and the Roots of Modern Philosophy (handout) W, 1/25 – continued discussion of Descartes’ Meditations (handout) M, 1/30 – introduction to David Hume’s An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (read Hume,

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pp. 1-15) W, 2/1 – discussion of Hume’s “sceptical doubts” (read Hume, pp. 15-37) M, 2/6 – discussion of Hume and consciousness (read Hume, pp. 37-53) W, 2/8 – discussion of Hume on “the reason of animals” (read Hume, pp. 53-72) M, 2/13 – discussion of Hume on faith and religious knowing (read Hume, pp. 72-90) W, 2/15 – first short paper due; continued discussion of Hume on religious knowing (read Hume, pp. 90-102) M, 2/20 – review for midterm exam; discussion of a “redefined scepticism” in Hume (read Hume, pp. 102-114) W, 2/22 – midterm exam

M, 2/27 & W, 3/1 – CCSJ Spring Break (no course meetings)

Scepticism and Knowing in 20th Century Thought M, 3/6 – Immanuel Kant and a priori knowledge (handout) W, 3/8 – introduction to George Santayana’s Scepticism and Animal Faith (read Santayana, pp. 1-32) M, 3/13 – discussion of intuition and a “redefined scepticism” (read Santayana, pp. 33-66) W, 3/15 – discussion of Santayana’s “discovery of essence” (read Santayana, pp. 67-108) M, 3/20 – discussion of “animal mind” and human experience (read Santayana, pp. 109-144) W, 3/22 – discussion of self, memory, and knowing in Santayana’s thought (read Santayana, pp. 145-181) M, 3/27 – discussion of substance and scepticism (read Santayana, pp. 182-213) W, 3/29 – discussion of points of definition within “animal faith” (read Santayana, pp. 214-251) M, 4/3 – discussion of natural philosophy and spirit in Santayana’s thought (read Santayana, pp. 252-288) W, 4/5 – discussion of a “redefined epistemology” in Santayana (read Santayana, pp. 289-309) M, 4/10 – second short paper due; discussion of Thomas Kuhn, scientific thought and paradigm (handout) W, 4/12 – continued discussion of Kuhn M, 4/17 – discussion of Frederick Ferre, “Explanation in Science and Theology” (handout) W, 4/19 – continued discussion of Ferre; review for final exam and course evaluations

final exam date and time TBA

I reserve the right to change this schedule to meet the needs of the class.

Responsibilities

Attending Class You cannot succeed in this class if you do not attend. We believe that intellectual growth and success in higher education occur through interaction in the classroom and laboratories. However, we do not want to penalize students for participating in college-sponsored events. When you miss class because of a college event, you must give notice of your absence in advance, and you are responsible for all missed work. Being absent doesn’t excuse you from doing class work; you have more responsibilities to keep up and meet the objectives of this course.

Having more than four unexcused absences during the semester may

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impact your final grade. Having more than six unexcused absences is grounds for a failing grade in the course. Turning In Your You cannot succeed in this class if you do not turn in all your work on the Work day it is due. Please submit all course assignments through Blackboard by the due date/time. Assignments turned in late will be lowered one letter grade per day late (at the instructor’s discretion). Using Electronic I welcome your use of a laptop within this course for note-taking, but Devices please do not allow this to become a distraction to your (and others’) work in the course. If your use of electronic devices (including cell/smart phones, laptops, etc.) becomes distracting to the classroom, you will be asked to either turn off the device or leave the classroom, at the instructor’s discretion. Continued distractions will impact your final grade. Participating in Class Philosophy is a means of investigating the world. Part of the challenge of this course is your own attempts at articulating an understanding of the readings and concepts that we will explore in class. Open participation in class discussion is also an opportunity to develop your critical thinking and public speaking skills. I look forward to your questions and points of discussion; remember that one-fifth of your final grade is your participation in the course, in terms of discussion, small-group work, and individual writing. I will also ask you to introduce your research work as assigned in class. Doing Your Own A student who submits work, at any stage of the writing process, which in Work whole or part has been written by someone else or which contains passages quoted or paraphrased from another’s work without acknowledgment (quotation marks, citation, etc.) has plagiarized. This includes utilizing source material without acknowledgment, cutting and pasting papers from unacknowledged written or online sources, or having others write your assignments. All plagiarized work will be given the grade of “0.” Maintain your integrity when completing assignments and be overzealous to give credit where it is due through footnotes or in- text citation. If you are ever unsure about what constitutes plagiarism, ask me.

If you turn in work that is not your own, you are subject to judicial review, and these procedures can be found in the College Catalog and the Student Planner. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College.

Using standard citation guidelines, such as MLA or APA format, to document sources avoids plagiarism. The Library has reference copies of each of these manuals, and there are brief checklists in your Student Handbook and Planner.

PLEASE NOTE: All papers may be electronically checked for plagiarism. Withdrawing from After the last day established for class changes has passed (see the Class College calendar), you may withdraw from a course by following the policy outlined in the CCSJ Course Catalog.

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Resources Student Success The Student Success Center provides faculty tutors at all levels to help Center: you master specific subjects and develop effective learning skills. It is open to all students at no charge. You can contact the Student Success Center at 219 473-4287 or stop by the Library. Disability Services: Disability Services strives to meet the needs of all students by providing academic services in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. If you believe that you need a “reasonable accommodation” because of a disability, contact the Disability Services Coordinator at 219-473-4349.

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In addition, you can check other media for important information, such as school closings:

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Emergency Procedures MEDICAL EMERGENCY EMERGENCY ACTION

1. Call 911 and report incident. 2. Do not move the patient unless safety dictates. 3. Have someone direct emergency personnel to patient. 4. If trained: Use pressure to stop bleeding. 5. Provide basic life support as needed.

FIRE EMERGENCY ACTION 1. Pull alarm (located by EXIT doors). 2. Leave the building. 3. Call 911 from a safe distance, and give the following information: • Location of the fire within the building. • A description of the fire and how it started (if known)

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BUILDING EVACUATION 1. All building evacuations will occur when an alarm sounds and/or upon notification by security/safety personnel. DO NOT ACTIVATE ALARM IN THE EVENT OF A BOMB THREAT. 2. If necessary or if directed to do so by a designated emergency official, activate the building alarm. 3. When the building evacuation alarm is activated during an emergency, leave by the nearest marked exit and alert others to do the same. 4. Assist the disabled in exiting the building! Remember that the elevators are reserved for persons who are disabled. DO NOT USE THE ELEVATORS IN CASE OF FIRE. DO NOT PANIC. 5. Once outside, proceed to a clear area that is at least 500 feet away from the building. Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrant areas and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and personnel. The assembly point is the sidewalk in front of the college on New York Avenue. 6. DO NOT RETURN to the evacuated building unless told to do so by College official or emergency responders.

IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY AND ARE UNABLE TO EVACUATE: Stay calm, and take steps to protect yourself. If there is a working telephone, call 911 and tell the emergency dispatcher where you are or where you will be moving. If you must move, 1. Move to an exterior enclosed stairwell. 2. Request persons exiting by way of the stairway to notify the Fire Department of your location. 3. As soon as practical, move onto the stairway and await emergency personnel. 4. Prepare for emergencies by learning the locations of exit corridors and enclosed stairwells. Inform professors, and/or classmates of best methods of assistance during an emergency.

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILL/RELEASE EMERGENCY ACTION 1. Call 911 and report incident. 2. Secure the area. 3. Assist the injured. 4. Evacuate if necessary.

TORNADO EMERGENCY ACTION 1. Avoid automobiles and open areas. 2. Move to a basement or corridor. 3. Stay away from windows. 4. Do not call 911 unless you require emergency assistance.

SHELTER IN PLACE EMERGENCY ACTION 1. Stay inside a building. 2. Seek inside shelter if outside. 3. Seal off openings to your room if possible. 4. Remain in place until you are told that it is safe to leave.

BOMB THREATS EMERGENCY ACTION

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1. Call 911 and report incident. 2. If a suspicious object is observed (e.g. a bag or package left unattended): • Don’t touch it! • Evacuate the area.

TERRORISM AND ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATIONS

1. Call 911 and report intruder.

RUN, HIDE OR FIGHT TIPS: 1. Prepare – frequent training drills to prepare the most effectively. 2. Run and take others with you – learn to stay in groups if possible. 3. Leave the cellphone. 4. Can’t run? Hide – lock the door and lock or block the door to prevent the shooter from coming inside the room. 5. Silence your cellphone -- use landline phone line. 6. Why the landline? It allows emergency responders to know your physical location. 7. Fight – learn to “fight for your life” by utilizing everything you can use as a weapon. 8. Forget about getting shot – fight! You want to buy time to distract the shooter to allow time for emergency responders to arrive. 9. Aim high – attack the shooter in the upper half of the body: the face, hands, shoulder, neck. 10. Fight as a group – the more people come together, the better the chance to take down the shooter. 11. Whatever you do, do something – “react immediately” is the better option to reduce traumatic incidents.

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