Division 1, Spring 2008
Tuesdays, Thursdays
Instructor:
Dr. Deepa Majumdar
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Contact
Information |
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Office: SWRZ 30G
Office Telephone:
219-785-5693
Web: www.pnc.edu/ss/faculty/Majumdar/dMajumdar.html
E-Mail:
Social Science (SS) Office: 203B SWRZ SS Telephone:
219-785-5275
Office Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays
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Course
Description and Objectives |
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Continental philosophy comprises a distinct set of
philosophical traditions and practices with a “compelling” range of problems.
Over the centuries, philosophers in the western tradition have defined
philosophy in different ways. While the ancients held philosophy to be love for
wisdom, Russell defines philosophic knowledge as the contemplative union
between “Self” and “not-Self.” Plato calls philosophy “the acquisition of
knowledge” ; Aristotle, as that which is concerned with “ first causes and
principles”; the Stoics and Epicureans emphasize its moral aspect and the
Neoplatonists its mystical essence; St. Thomas Aquinas considers philosophy or
wisdom to be that which “considers the first causes of all causes”; Descartes
regards philosophy as “the pursuit of wisdom”; Locke, as the true knowledge of
things; Berkeley, as “the study of wisdom and truth”; Kant reduces philosophy
to a science of the general principles of knowledge and its ultimate objects;
for Fichte, Hegel, Schelling, Schleiermacher, Schopenhauer, and others,
philosophy is the general teaching of science.
In this
introductory course we cover several historical periods – from antiquity
through the twentieth century. We study basic areas of western philosophy –
metaphysics, ethics, epistemology, cosmology, politics, and theology. We
examine central questions raised by philosophers in the continental tradition.
What is the value of philosophy? What is the First Principle? How does one
ascend to it and know it? How are good and evil related? How is knowledge
different from opinion? Do we exist because we think? We read the original
works of Heraclitus, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Epictetus, and Russell among
others. Through conversational lectures, discussions, and reading and writing
assignments, you will develop not only reading, writing, discussion and
analytical skills – but also cognitive ones. You will gain a conceptual and
historical understanding of western philosophy. To get the most out of this
course, make sure you do all pre-assigned readings, attend classes regularly
and participate actively in discussions.
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Required
Books (available in PNC Bookstore) and |
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Course
Assignments, Grading Policy |
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Assignments
• 4 response journals, 1.5-2 pp.
each (see I Drive for assignments)
Journal 1: On
Plato’s Symposium
Journal 2: On Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Journal
3: On Epictetus, passages 1-15
Journal 4: On Augustine’s On
Love of God
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1 comprehensive final essay exam: This is a narrative style, five page
(double-spaced, font size
12) take-home
assignment for which you will be asked to answer 1 out of 5-7 essay questions (see
I Drive).
Criteria for evaluation of journals and essay
• degree of reference to text • textual accuracy • quality of interpretation
• quality of writing (depth, clarity, creativity, word choice, spelling,
grammar, length)
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5 reading assignments: Check the I Drive for a document called
“Notetaking-Notemaking.” Use it to write 1 summary-response per reading listed
(see p. 3 for dates and texts). Each assignment will be graded on a +/- basis. Do
either 5 or 3 of these assignments. If you do 5, these substitute for 1
journal. If you do 3, these substitute for your discussion points (individual
and group).
Grades
Assignments Points % % Letter
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Journals, 15 points each 60 60 90-100
A Excellent
Final
Essay 30 30 80-89 B
Above Average Discussion
(Individual) 5 5 70-79 C Average
Discussion
(Group) 5 5 60-69 D Below
Average
0-59
F Unsatisfactory
Total 100 points 100%
If you need special assistance or accommodation in the course due to an
identified and diagnosed disability, please contact the instructor within the
first week of classes to discuss your needs.
For verification purposes, a documented diagnosis of your medical
condition must be on file with Ms. Jodi James in the Office of Student Support
Services, LSF Room 23.
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Late Work,
Make-Up Policy |
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Attendance |
Regular, punctual attendance is a requirement for this
course. Make sure you come to class on time. Entering late or leaving too early
will count as absences. Too many
absences may cause you to fail the course.
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Absences |
Prospective Grade |
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3-4 consecutive
absences, 4 -5 scattered absences |
no more than “C” |
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5 or more
consecutive absences or 6 or more scattered absences |
“F” (Fail) |
Note: A limited number of absences (for
medical reasons and court dates) will always be excused. If you
yourself
are sick or have a court date, bring a note from the doctor or court.
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Writing
Standards And Academic Honesty |
• use outside sources (Internet, books), fail to cite
sources, and present these as your own
• copy someone else’s work
• reproduce my handouts
If you plagiarize,
you fail the assignment and the
course.
Tentative Class Schedule and Study Guide
HIP
= Historical Introduction to Philosophy E = Handbook of Epictetus
15, 17, 22, 24 Jan • Russell’s “The Value of
Philosophy” (HIP, 587-589) • Heraclitus (HIP, 14-16, 21-24)
29, 31 Jan, 5, 7, 12 Feb • “Socrates’ Dinner-Party Speech” (from
Plato’s Symposium) (HIP, 54-60,
72-78)
14, 19, 21 Feb • Plato’s
Republic, Book VII: The Allegory of the Cave (HIP
65-67)
26 Feb • Journal 1 (Plato) due in class
26,
28 Feb, 4, 6 Mar •
Aristotle’s “Moral Virtue and the Mean,” Nicomachean
Ethics, Book II (HIP, 109-113)
11, 13 Mar • Spring Break
(no class)
18, 20, 25 Mar • Aristotle’s “Wisdom and
Virtue as the Basis of Society,” Politics,
Book VII
(HIP 116-118)
20 Mar • Journal 2
(Aristotle) due in class
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Mar, 1, 3 Apr • The
Stoics (HIP, 133-140), The Handbook
by Epictetus (E, #1-15)
8 Apr • Journal 3
(Epictetus) due in class
8, 10, 15, 17, 22 Apr
• Augustine’s (HIP, 153-160
for background) “On Love of God,” (HIP, 161-163)
24, 29 Apr, 1 May • Augustine’s “The Problem of
Evil: 2” (HIP 172-174)
24 Apr • Journal 4 (Augustine)
due in class
1 May
• Final essay due in class (late work will not be graded)
Note 1: We may drop readings if we run
out of time.
Note 2: There is no final exam. Pick up
your graded paper from my office at the start of Summer I 2008, or give me a
stamped and addressed envelope.
Do
any 5 of the following “notetaking-notemaking” assignments:
Russell: due on 1/24
Heraclitus: 2/5
Plato’s Symposium:
2/28
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics: 3/20
Epictetus: 4/1
Augustine’s “On Love of God”: 4/15