PL 201 - Introduction to Philosophy
Description
This course includes a consideration of some basic problems of philosophy, rationalistic and scientific knowledge, the mind and body, the nature of humanity and self-identity, and values in human conduct from the point of view of historical and contemporary schools of philosophy. It employs a historical overview and analysis of the important philosophical trends in metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics as they have developed within the western tradition. Students should bring to the course developed skills in reading and writing.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: Language & Thought
Discipline: PL
Major Course Revisions: General Education Review
Last Revision Date Effective: 20230223T14:28:27
Course Review & Revision Year: 2027-2028
Course Type:
General Education- Offering designed to meet the specific criteria for a GRCC Distribution Requirement. The course should be designated by the requirement it fulfills.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
General Education Requirement: Humanities
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
3. Critical Thinking: Gather and synthesize relevant information, evaluate alternative perspectives, or understand inquiry as a means of creating knowledge, 6. Intellectual Curiosity: Seek and apply knowledge through discovery, experimentation, or research to advance academic, personal, and career growth, 7. Problem-Solving: Apply theory, calculation, or experimentation to demonstrate effective problem-solving
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Develop intellectual tools to be able to make judgments about the quality of philosophical positions (GELO 3).
- Formulate a thesis and support it with evidence (GELO 3).
- Defend philosophical positions from the possible objections of others (GELO 3)
- Conduct research on the relationships among different philosophical positions (GELO 6).
- Apply philosophical theories to understanding how they influence thinking in sciences, social theories and broadly understanding the world (GELO 6)
- Learning how to use the tools of philosophical logic to construct valid and sound arguments (GELO 7)
- Applying philosophical theories to understand what truth and reality are, how we can learn about them and how different ideas of morality and justice can create good life and good society (GELO 7)
Approved for Online Delivery?: Yes
Course Outline:
I. Examination of major philosophical Terms and Concepts A. Philosophical Archetypes B. The Value of Maintaining an Open Mind C. Gender issues in philosophy II. Common Eastern Philosophies and perspectives A. Lao_Tzu and Taoism B. Bussha and Buddhism 1. Four Noble Truths 2. Eightfold Path C. Confucius III. Presocratic Philosophers A. Thales B. Anaximander C. Pythagoras 1. Philosophy of Music D. Anaximenes E. Heraclitus F. Parmenides and Zeno 1. Motion debate G. Empedocles and compromise H. Anaxagoras I. Democritus 1. free will IV. The Sophists A. Proagoras 1. financial success B. Callicles C. Thrasymachus V. Socrates A. His disagreements with the sophists B. Moral relativeism C. Dialectic methodology D. His trail and death VI. Plato A. Sparta and Athens B. Plato’s political philosophy C. The problem of universals 1. the Land of Forms solution a. knowledge and being b. Allegory of the Cave c. Plato’s basis for human morality VII. Aristotle A. The Naturalist solution to the problem of universals 1. Form 2. Matter 3. Change 4. Soul B. The Four Cuases C. Entelechy D. Happiness as a goal E. Naturalist ethical theory F. Political philosophy VIII. The Stoics A. The Logos 1. Fate and free will B. Epictetus C. Marcus Aurelius D. Stoics in the modern world IX. The codification of Christianity A. St. Augustine 1. the problem of evil 2. predestination and freedom 3. the origin of the universe B. St, Thomas Aquinas 1. the problem of evil 2. predestination and freedom 3. arguments for the existence of God X. Descartes A. Method of doubt B. Rationalist thought C. Cogito ergo sum as solution D. The proof of God E. The problems with dualism XI. The movements towards sketicism A. Thomas Hobbes 1. materialism 2. political philosophy B. Spinoza and neutralism C. Machiavelli’s political philosophy D. John Locke 1. empiricism 2. political philoosophy E. Newton and Liebniz and their dis[putes F. Berkeley and Idealism G. Hume 1. epistemology 2. problems in cuase and effect 3. new ethics 4. Problems with a unified self XII. Kant A. Phenomena and Noumena B. Epistemology C. Free will and science D. Overcoming skepticism E. Moral duty XIII. Happiness as the key to ethics A. Aristippus 1. modern hedomism a. Wilde and Pater and the origins of modern art B. Epicurus 1. handling desires C. Bentham and hedonic calculus D. Mill 1. refined Utilitarianism 2. political and social philosophy XIV. Efforts to improve Kant A. Schelling and Fichte B. Hegel 1. modern dialectic XV. Marx A. Influences of Marx B. Dialectical materialism C. Problems of capitalism XVI. Existential motifs A. The trasnistion from Kant to Existential thought 1. Schopenhauer B. Kierkegaard 1. Christian existentialism a. towards a fervent faith b. the individual and key C. Sartre 1. nausea 2. absurdity 3. the fear of freedom D. Neitzsche 1. the movement from a Will to Live to a Will to Power 2. Apollo and Dionysis in art 3. attack on common moral values 4. Superman morality XVII. Pragmatism A. Common theories of truth B. Peirce C. James XVIII. The 20th century A. Ludwig Wittgenstein 1. the Tractatus-Logico-Philosophicus 2. Analytic philosophy 3. the limitations fo language B. Martin Heidegger 1. dasein 2. the influence of They 3. authenticity in the modern world
Mandatory CLO Competency Assessment Measures:
None
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: NA
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 65-75%Facilitated discussion: 10-20% Video and mediated instruction: 5-15% Group work: 0-10%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corerequisite(s): None
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with IRW: IRW 99
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details: Teaching faculty shall have completed at least 18 graduate level credit hours within the field of philosophy at an accedited institution of higher learning. Teaching faculty shall also have a master’s degree in philosophy from an accedited institution of higher learning.
General Room Request: None
Maximum Course Enrollment: 30
Equivalent Courses: None
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Courses is a Requirement:
None
People Soft Course ID Number: 100737
Course CIP Code: 38.01
High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: None
Non-Credit GRCC Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Departments?: NA
Corporate Articulation Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Companies?: NA
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