Philosophy 201	Office Hours:  10:00-11:15, MWF
Spring 2007	(and by appointment)
Yancy Hughes Dominick	414 Tredway Library
11:30-12:45 M,W,F	794-8616
14 Old Main	yancydominick@augustana.edu

 

Course Description:

In this class we will attempt an introductory exploration of epistemology and ethics. Our concern lies with how philosophical questions are asked and answered, and with two questions in particular:  what does it mean to say that one knows something? and How might one behave morally?  As we will see, these are related issues, and so we will also address the question of whether one can know moral facts.

 

Structure:

As philosophy operates through questions and attempts at answers, this course will place some emphasis on class discussion and conversation, though there will be a significant amount of lecture.  In order that these conversations be productive, reading assignments must be completed before each class meeting. The reading is substantial, so be prepared to spend an hour or more before each class. Homework assignments throughout the semester should help facilitate class discussion.

 

Texts:

• Aristotle.  Nicomachean Ethics.  Hackett.
• Descartes, René.  Meditations on First Philosophy.  Hackett.
• Hume, David.  An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding.  Hackett.
• Kant, Immanuel.  Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals.  Hackett.
• Mill, John Stuart.  Utilitarianism.  Hackett.

• Plato.  Meno.  Hackett.
• Additional readings on the Internet.

 

Website:

Students may see their grades, view the syllabus, and obtain supplementary readings on the moodle site for this course.  To access the site go to http://moodle.augustana.edu/ and follow the instructions.  The enrolment key for the course is 'PL201'.  For assistance or problems with the website, please see instructor.

 

Requirements and Grades:

Attendance is expected. More than three unexcused absences will affect final grades. Homework and participation in class discussion will be worth 20% of the final grade.

 

Exams:

There will be two in-class exams and a final exam.

• First exam:  20% of final grade
• Second exam:  25% of final grade
• Final exam:  35% of final grade

 

Etc.:

• Academic dishonesty will be not be tolerated.  Students are expected to adhere to the Honor Code. 

(See http://www.augustana.edu/library/Services/AcademicIntegrity.html.)

• Makeup exams and late homework will be awarded full credit only upon demonstrated need (i.e., through proof of illness or emergency). Otherwise, 10% will be deducted.

• If you have special needs, please bring these to your instructor’s attention at the earliest opportunity.

Course schedule:

 

	Required Readings	Notable Dates
Week One	Descartes, Meditations I-II	Reading response due
Week Two	Descartes, Meditations III. VI Hume, Enquiry, Sections II-III	Reading response due
Week Three	Hume, Enquiry, Sections IV-V	Reading response due
Week Four	Plato, Meno	First exam:  Monday 26 March
Week Five	Plato, Meno Shafer-Landau (online)	Reading response due
Week Six	Shafer-Landau Aristotle, Book I	Reading response due
Week Seven	Aristotle, Books II, VI, X	Second exam:  Friday 20 April
Week Eight	Kant, First Section	Reading response due
Week Nine	Kant, Second Section Mill, Utilitarianism, chapters 1-2	Reading response due
Week Ten	Mill, Utilitarianism, chapters 4-5	Reading response due   Final exam:  9:00am Tuesday 15 May