Syllabus

= = =**Fall 2010**=

**//__ PHI – 1510 __//** **//__ Introduction To Philosophy __//** **//__ Course Syllabus __//**

** Office: 204 SF Campus ** ** Email: ****jssloan@oaklandcc.edu**
 * (SF) Saturday’s 12:30pm to 4:00pm ** ** Room: 112 ** ** Facilitator: John S Sloan Jr. **

**(248) 233-2740 Fax**
 * Phone: (248) 233-2754 Office**

** __Email subject line must read__: ** ** 1510 Fall 2010 **

**// Course Theme //**

**// (E²G) = F/L/H //** **// ( or The Matrix ) //** This academe (course) will explore and engage everyone in the discussion & understanding of the formula above. In order to truly understand the complexity that philosophy brings with it you will be asked to watch the movie **//__THE MATRIX__//** & read some “original sources”. The text provides a discussion of both the Classical & Modern eras in philosophy by reviewing the major concepts and their more famous characters. How much one learns at this stage of life is self-determined and affected by the dynamics of “the group”. We will gain an appreciation of how philosophy affects mans every day activity from the Pre-Socrates (624 ** B.C **** . ** ) thru the Modern Period (1500–1850) and on into today & in the future. We are all engaged in the absorption of information and the measurement of same everyday of our lives. The goal of the course activities include: how to read, understand & write philosophy; awareness of its unique vocabulary; and how to argue by examining aspects of Epistemology, Ethics and Governance in relationship to our political, social, metaphysical and logical lives. Instructional modes will include lecture, reaction papers, audio recordings, DVD/videotapes and student lead presentations (by group / individual). ** The chapters scheduled to be covered all or parts of (subject to change) are #1-9 (Ancient/Classical) and 9-17 (Modern). **

Texts: **//__Archetypes of Wisdom (7th edition__)………………………………//**By: Douglas J Soccio Student Textbook Companion Web Site: []= This course qualifies for 3 General Education credits within the Fine Arts/Humanities area. Last Day to drop course if need be is end of 12th week of instruction…
 * CELL PHONES OFF OR ON VIBRATE. THERE WILL NOT BE ANY TEXTING, NO IPOD LISTENING OR YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE CLASSROOM. **

Grading Scale:

Point System: **1** Major Paper = **40% of grade** (no less than 12 pages to be graded A,B,C,D) Test #1 = **10%** **(150 to 200 points)** Test #2 = **10%** **(150 to200 points)** Test #3 **= 10% (150 to 200 points** Test #4 = **10% (150 to 200 points)**

Misc. = **20%** (in class assignments, quizzes, short papers  class participation / attendance, etc.)

** Attendance: ** Absences in excess of 3 will result in final grade reduction or failure

** A failing grade ** will be assigned if any of the 5 areas are not completed In- Class assignments cannot be made up. If extra credit is made available, it cannot replace course requirements…

**EMAIL:** ** We have all had horror stories re: email. This can create a problem with inadvertent deletions; re-formatting of paper; &/or just lost in email heaven/hell (your choice). Therefore papers can be submitted via email at your own discretion. **

**//__Which kind or type of Philosopher am I & why !!!__//** The result of this exercise will compare your belief systems with various philosophers &/or types of philosophies. The survey results will be a listing with % of agreement relative to their overall contribution to Philosophy. Go to the [|www.selectsmart.com] web site; (or follow links provided below) click on Philosophy Selector; click & complete each of the following:

[|CLASSICAL PHILOSOPHY SELECTOR] By Q. Pomponius Atticus Ethical Selector: [] By Tara Anderson

Complete questionnaire and make sure you keep copy before you click on button for ‘results’. You may find it important to review this information as you write your paper.

**(**[|**http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/index2.html**] **to download MLA and/or APA template)** Include a cover page **…even though MLA format doesn’t require it >>>** I do !!! __Final Paper will not be read and will receive a failing grade if:__
 * __PAPER Requirements:__**
 * MLA format: All papers are to be typed in 12pt font, New Times Roman, non-bold; double spaced **

submitted w/o cover page (not counted as part of paper) not within the 12 to 15 page requirement **a copy of your survey results is not attached to your paper**
 * submitted without citation page (not counted as part of paper) **


 * In the final paper you are to include a discussion of:**
 * (1) Survey results (compare & contrast between the survey results & yourself). **
 * (2) Discuss how the beliefs &/or philosophical position of the person identified by your survey results are reflected in THE MATRIX. **
 * (3) Conclude the paper with your personal view of The Matrix trilogy based on your own philosophical belief system. **

Philosophy ** is like a spider’s web where its center is the central question / concern / issue & the web itself is a combination of related / supporting issues, topics & or arguments that may need resolution or consideration before getting to any conclusion of the central issue. The outer edges the spiders maze has to be connected to other non-spider made things for support & strength, it isn’t just suspended in air all by itself. Just as the central question would have related logical topics & arguments…there can & most likely are questions that need answering which are not directly related to the central issue at all. **

__Paper Grading & expectations__ :

Since philosophy has to do with terminology, vocabulary and strength of argument, a numerical point system is difficult to create. Therefore there will be some in class impromptu writing assignments, discussions, readings. To acknowledge and demonstrate mastery of and competence in philosophical terminology you must be able to show proper terminology usage. Vocabulary list also attached. Vocabulary presented with textual reading is most critical.

//__ Wrong font, spacing, format, etc will result in 1 full grade reduction for each error. Paper must show at least 1 reference from a book, 1 from a magazine, paper, journal or article and 1 from an on-line source. __//

Wikipedia & textbook cannot be used as a reference or citation. It can lead you to one but cannot be one !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

__ Course Schedule: (Subject to Change) ?????????????????????????????????? __

Class #1 = 09/25 Introduction Syllabus review What is Philosophy? (Videos) SelectSmart Surveys Chapters 1 & 2

Class #2 = 10/02 Lecture Discussion ( The Argument) CH: 3 (Matrix excerpts) Dr. Robinson VHS Lec #1 History of Philosophy in 4 Min… Class #3 = 10/09 Lecture Discussion CH: 4 Socrates (VHS) Philosophy of Matrix DVD

Class #4 = 10/16 Lecture Discussion CH: 4 Test #1 Due Chapters 1, 2 & 3



Class #5 = 10/23 Lecture Discussion CH: 5 Compare & Contrast of SelectSmart Survey Results
 * Short 5 page paper due **

Class #6 = 10/30 Lecture Discussion CH: 6 Skipping Chapter 7

Class #7 = 11/06 Lecture Discussion CH: Chapter 8 Select-Smart Survey results Due! Test #2 Due: Chapters 4, 5 & 6

Class #8 = 11/13 Lecture Discussion CH: 9 & 10 Intro: Modern Philosophy Era ===========================================================================

Class # 9 = 11/20 Lecture Discussion CH: 11 Test #3 Due

NO CLASS November 27th: Thanksgiving

Class #10 = 12/04 Lecture Discussion CH: 12 Final Paper Due

Class #11 = 12/11 Lecture Discussion CH: 13

Class #12 = 12/18 Lecture Discussion Test #4 Due

__ ADA NOTIFICATION __ :

Students requiring special assistance (including those affected by the //Americans with Disabilities Act//) should contact the PASS office, which will inform the instructor of any special conditions pertaining to their learning. __Notice of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)__ __ EXTRA CREDIT: __
 * The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 was established to protect the privacy of student educational records. Only certain employees of Oakland Community College, acting individually or collectively in the educational interest of the student, are allowed access to educational records.**
 * When the collection of personally identifiable information is specifically authorized by federal law, any data collected by such officials shall be protected in a manner which will not permit the personal identification of students and their parents by other than those officials, and such personally identifiable data shall be destroyed when no longer needed.**
 * Except as allowed and required by law, no personally identifiable information from a student’s educational record will be disclosed to any third party (including parent, spouse or other students) by an official or employee of the college without prior written consent of the student.**

Extra credit cannot be **substituted for any parts of regular graded sections.**

Philosophical review of any of the reference texts listed in Book List (or others if prior approval is granted). These should probably be at least 5 to 7 pages w/@ least 1 citation excluding book being discussed.
 * Chapter reviews** for extra credit **are to contain the major concepts discussed from each chapter that relate to each part of the formula. Recommended format is to chart (as below) followed by brief narrative of info in chart.**

Epistemology //Ethics// Governance //Freedom// /

Liberty

__ Learning Outcomes __

1. Recognition, construction & evaluations of ‘the argument’. 2. Critical thinking & communication skills 3. Understanding of various philosophical terms 4. Ability to recognize major Archetypes in Philosophy 5. Develop an understanding of how to write Philosophy 6. Development of analytical skills**