Syllabus For Introduction to Philosophy

Evangel University, Fall 2006, Phil 115, Professor Douglas F. Olena

M, W, F - 12:00 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. AB II 305

M, W, F - 1:00 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. AB II 305

Office: AB II room 214G

Evangel Policy regarding term papers and tests

Special Cases Policy for learning or physical disabilities

Purpose of Philosophy in the Curriculum:

I cannot overstate the reasons why a course in Philosophy is so essential for a Liberal Arts education. The history of philosophy is full of the best attempts mankind has made to explain the reasons for his existence, what man is obligated to do, why there is a world or a universe at all. In essence the questions that are continuous throughout the history of mankind are the root cause of speculative thinking. With respect to Christian and Jewish faith, the hunger for knowledge and wisdom drove many of the writers of scripture to write. The hunt for reasons for our existence, freedom, responsibility and man's place in the universe are constant topics of the Psalms and Proverbs.

Philosophy is a course that helps us put in perspective many of the issues that face us. It is a course that asks the big questions unasked anywhere else in the curriculum.

Course Description:

Introduction to the principal systems, basic problems, and terminology of philosophy.

Addendum to the catalog description:

This Introduction to Philosophy will survey Freedom and Determinism, God and Religion, Morality and Society, State and Society, Mind and Body and finally Knowledge and Science. With The Abolition of Man, we will discuss some of the main streams of thought and behavior in the world for the last few centuries: how our society has been changed from a God centered to a man centered society and what effect that has had on our lives. The student will be required to write a paper using The Abolition of Man as a starting point to examine philosophically, some problem in our current culture.

Course Objectives:

Students explore fundamental philosophic issues of western philosophy such as existence, the purpose of life, right and wrong, the nature of happiness, appearance and reality, knowledge and speculation. These issues are explored through reading and discussion of major philosophic ideas, ancient and modern.

The student will be able to:

Identify major trends and issues in western philosophical thought.
Place major philosophers in historical context.
Define and identify examples of major philosophic concerns such as the nature of truth, the investigation of ethical questions, the nature of being and the self.
Identify themes common to both ancient and modern philosophic thought.
Analyze philosophic problems and positions by applying principles and insights from class readings and discussions.

Texts:

A. Philosophy and Contemporary Issues; Ninth Edition, John R. Burr & Milton Goldinger

This text is a compilation of contemporary essays that are accessible to the college reader. They are arranged topically. The essays in each topic give various positions that are representative of a wide variety of opinions on perennial problems in philosophy.

B. The Abolition of Man; C.S. Lewis

This text is a series of three essays said to be the philosophical underpinnings of his acclaimed Space Trilogy, comprised of his books Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength. The Abolition of Man stands at the crossroads of modernism and prophetically predicts its demise as a world view.

Course Requirements:

Read the Burr and Goldinger text and be prepared to respond in class both in writing exercises and verbally.

Write a speculative paper using The Abolition of Man as an origin and model.

Take sectional exams and a final exam.

Grading:

1/4 — Class participation and homework

1/4 — Sectional tests

1/4 — Written speculative paper

1/4 — Final exam

Grading will be on the Evangel Standard:

93-100% = A

90-92.9% = A-

87-89.9% = B+

83-86.9% = B

80-82.9% = B-

77-79.9% = C+

73-76.9% = C

70-72.9% = C-

67-69.9% = D+

63-66.9% = D

60-62.9% = D-

0-59.9% = F

Class Participation and Homework:

For each day the student attends, he or she will receive a point toward their class participation and homework grade. Absences will be counted as per Evangel standard practice. Included in this grade are papers I will ask you to write from time to time, including the three chapter reviews of The Abolition of Man.

Speculative Paper:

Rules and specifications for the speculative paper based on "The Abolition of Man" by C. S. Lewis.

A two page paper describing the arguments of the chapter "Men Without Chests" the first chapter of "The Abolition of Man" shall be handed in on 10/30/2006. It shall consist of a discursive or hierarchical outline taking up to, but no more than 2 pages. This assignment will count toward the homework and class work grade.
A two page paper describing the arguments of the chapter "The Way" the second chapter of "The Abolition of Man" shall be handed in on 11/6/2006. It shall consist of a discursive or hierarchical outline taking up to, but no more than 2 pages. This assignment will count toward the homework and class work grade.
A two page paper describing the arguments of the chapter "The Abolition of Man" the first chapter of "The Abolition of Man" shall be handed in on 11/13/2006. It shall consist of a discursive or hierarchical outline taking up to, but no more than 2 pages. This assignment will count toward the homework and class work grade.
The outlines are to be used to acquaint you with the method of discussion Lewis uses that should inform the writing style and temper of your Speculative Paper.
The Speculative Paper will be due on 12/6/2006, the second Wednesday after Thanksgiving Vacation. It will be composed of three clearly delineated parts. These parts will be marked out with an appropriate subtitle and number as necessary. Merely an additional space between sections is not appropriate.

The length of the paper will be approximately 2000 words. If your argument and evidence are clear and concise then 1600 words will do. If there is more substance that can not be covered in 2000 words, then write no more than 2500 words.

The Introduction: where you will lay out and define a contemporary problem in politics, culture, society, philosophy, the Church or science as a practice. This is where you will ask the central question of the paper. What are you trying to answer by writing this paper?
The History of the Problem, or why there is a problem today: where you will tell the history of the problem using at least 3 book references. Internet research is forbidden for the actual paper. You may use the internet to find books, but not to write the paper. Notation style is not important. What is important is that all references are noted clearly. That means for direct quotes and paraphrases and simple phrases taken out of the books, there must be clear citations including book and page references.
The third and final part will be your speculative conclusion: How can our society deal with this problem? What are the risks and benefits of your solution, and what possible objections might there be?

Your accomplishments in this paper will determine one quarter of your grade.

Addendum:

If you have any questions about any of this syllabus or any of the course requirements, please email me. You are responsible for everything in this syllabus and if you fail to hand in an assignment, you are still responsible for it and will be graded without it. I may remind you the assignment is due, but am not obligated to. I will also direct you to this syllabus if the answer you seek is in it.

I have made and will make mistakes. When I do, I am disposed to favor the student. Begging me to reconsider a grade sometimes will help you, though the last time I read a paper for the second time, I found more mistakes, and realized why I had given the student the grade I did. I did not lower the student's grade.

If you are having trouble in class, please see me, email me or call me. I am more likely to be generous to you if we have a relationship of some kind. If you sneak into class late, leave early, never say anything in class or out of it, show no interest in the material, etc., there are few options to me when it comes to grading your work. I will be as fair as humanly possible, but if I don't know you, all I will have is the work you give (or don't give) me.

As much as the techne of education disposes us to treat each other perfunctorily (adj. (of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection), I am convinced that the effort required to master the material is a very humanizing process. We depend on each other for this conversation to be productive. Fostering relationships with fellow students and professors will be to our mutual advantage.