Introduction to Philosophy: Philosophical Problems

Course Number:

PHL 201

Transcript Title:

Introduction to Philosophy: Philosophical Problems

Created:

Aug 15, 2022

Updated:

Jul 17, 2023

Total Credits:

4

Lecture Hours:

40

Lecture / Lab Hours:

0

Lab Hours:

0

Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:

No

Satisfies General Education requirement:

Yes

Grading Options

A-F, P/NP, Audit

Default Grading Options

A-F

Repeats available for credit:

0

Alignment with Institutional Learning Outcomes

Major

1. Communicate effectively using appropriate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. (Communication)

Major

2. Creatively solve problems by using relevant methods of research, personal reflection, reasoning, and evaluation of information. (Critical thinking and Problem-Solving)

Not Addressed

3. Extract, interpret, evaluate, communicate, and apply quantitative information and methods to solve problems, evaluate claims, and support decisions in their academic, professional and private lives. (Quantitative Literacy)

Major

4. Use an understanding of cultural differences to constructively address issues that arise in the workplace and community. (Cultural Awareness)

Major

5. Recognize the consequences of human activity upon our social and natural world. (Community and Environmental Responsibility)

To establish an intentional learning environment, Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) require a clear definition of instructional strategies, evidence of recurrent instruction, and employment of several assessment modes.

Major Designation

1. The outcome is addressed recurrently in the curriculum, regularly enough to establish a thorough understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a thorough understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Minor Designation

1. The outcome is addressed adequately in the curriculum, establishing fundamental understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a fundamental understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Department Suggestions:

Due to the complex nature of philosophical readings, formative assessment strategies are the most effective measurement of evaluating comprehension. Formative assessment strategies like the reading comprehension tool (REAP), study questions attached to the text, movie reviews, and small group report outs help students to encode their understanding of the text and ponder the material using their own critical thinking skills. 

Critical to effective formative assessments are clear scoring rubrics that identify the expectations, length, and point allocation. Because an accurate comprehension of philosophy text can rarely be achieved on a first attempt, relying on the methodology of proficient learning is recommended. Offering students an opportunity to modify the main assignments is successful in achieving a greater and more complete understanding of the text.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

There is a standard stable of philosophers surveyed in every textbook and anthology of philosophical readings:

1. Asian Sages: Lao-Tzu, Confucius & Buddha
2. The Sophist 
3. Greek Philosophers: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle
4. Stoicism and Hedonism
5. Thomas Aquinas
6. Rene Descartes
7. David Hume and the British Empiricists
8. Immanuel Kant
9. John Stuart Mill
10. Karl Marx
11. Soren Kierkegaard
12. William James
13. Friedrich Nietzsche

Department Notes

This course involves a great deal of difficult reading. Thus, the student must be able to follow complex articles and to write fluently. This is primarily a readings course and will concentrate on the writings of major figures in this history of philosophy - from early Greek philosophers to contemporary writers.