The University of Western Ontario

Department of Philosophy    

Philosophy 020E (038)

Introduction to Philosophy

Instructor:  Shannon Dea, TC 407

Class Days and Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 2:30-3:30

Location:  P&AB 36  

Office Hours: Wednesday 1:30-2:30, or by appointment

Office:  TC 407

Email: sdea at uwo dot ca

Students are responsible for following the Philosophy Department procedures included with this outline. I will announce the dates, times and locations of tests and review sessions, as well as posting same on the course website (URL to be announced), and emailing it to all students via a class mailing list.  It is the responsibility of the student to attend class, and to check their email account and the course website regularly to stay informed about these matters.

 

Course Objectives:

Philosophy 020E offers a wide-ranging tour of philosophical questions and some of the answers that have been proposed for them.  Six such questions will be studied throughout the year.

In 2006-2007 the questions for study will be: Does God exist? What is knowledge and what can be known? Of what does reality consist? In what does moral obligation consist? and What is the best society?  Finally, we will round off the year by considering the shape of philosophy today with our final question:  What is the character of contemporary philosophy?

   

Texts:

·       James A. Gould and Robert J. Mulvaney, Eds.  Classic Philosophical Questions, 12th ed.  Upper Saddle River, NJ:  (Pearson) Prentice Hall, 2007.

·       Additional readings to be posted online by the instructor.

 

Work required:

Four short essay assignments (about 5 pages each)                                                          40%

One mid-year test                                                                                                          15%

Final Written Examination                                                                                                35%

Attendance and participation                                                                                           10%

 

THIS OUTLINE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, GIVEN SUFFICIENT PRIOR NOTICE.

   

You are responsible for ensuring that you have successfully completed all course prerequisites and that you have not taken an antirequisite course. Lack of prerequisites may not be used as basis of appeal. If you are not eligible for a course, you may be removed from it at any time, and you will receive no fee adjustment. These decisions cannot be appealed.

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