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Introduction to 
Philosophy:

A Teleweb Course

Humanities 127-0C1…..3 Credits…..No Prerequisites…..Fall, 2003

Dr. Hollace Graff

Course Description

This course provides discussion of knowledge, ethics, aesthetics, and metaphysics as exemplified by leading philosophers.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the student will be able to

a) identify certain problems with which philosophy deals,

b) explain the answers which selected philosophers (both ancient and modern) have given to these problems,

c) begin to formulate with some degree of philosophical rigor the philosophy which guides his or her own life,

d) be familiar with the development of philosophy as a discipline,

e) exhibit curiosity about basis questions and assumptions of one’s own and others’ philosophies,

f) apply philosophical reasoning to issues outside the classroom.

Academic Integrity

The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore, Oakton Community College has adopted a Code of Academic Conduct and a statement of Student Academic Integrity. These may be found in the Student Handbook. You may also find a summary of the Code of Academic Conduct in the College Catalog. Among the violations of academic integrity listed and defined are: cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication, abuse of academic materials, complicity in academic dishonesty, falsification of records and official documents, personal misrepresentation and proxy, and bribes, favors, and threats.

It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty.

Pursuant to the due process guarantees contained in the Policy and Procedures on Student Academic Integrity, the minimum punishment for the first offense for a student found in violation of the standards of academic integrity is failure in the assignment. In addition, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of three year.



Instructional Materials

Does the Center Hold? by Donald Palmer

The Examined Life, a video series

Selections from philosophical texts available on the web

Notes from Instructor

Class Schedule

Click here for the Schedule and precise assignments.

See Announcements for updates.

Links for Further Study

Course Requirements 

 

1. You will keep a philosophical journal. In this journal you will record your reactions to the assigned readings and your responses to questions that we may pose in class. The journal should not consist of notes or summaries of the readings. Rather, you should take positions and offer arguments for those positions. You may also consider ways in which the material we read in class relates to your own experiences. Your journal will be collected several times during the semester.  Your final journal should be at least 15 typewritten pages. In the interest of preserving trees, your journal should not be more than double-spaced, should not use larger than 12-point type, and should not have extra-large margins or large blank spaces between sections. The precise format for your journal is up to you. 

2. In this class, participation is extremely important. You will earn participation points by posting on the Discussion Forum.  For an A, you should post three comments a week.   For a B, you should post two comments a week.  If you only average 1 one comment a week, you will receive a C.   D's will be given for substandard participation.  All comments should be responsive to the questions and material, philosophically significant, and  properly threaded.  If comments do not meet this standard, less than full credit will be given.  I will notify you by private email if your comments are not meeting this standard. You may not compensate for absence from the Discussion Forum by posting responses to topics from earlier weeks.  I will provide some extra credit opportunities to make up lost participation points. These extra credit opportunities will involve attending Oakton events such as Cultures Week. I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences from the Discussion Forum. However, if an illness or  family emergency means that you are absent from the discussion, I will make every effort to insure that you have ways to earn extra credit that will compensate for your absence.  

3. There will be 10 very easy online quizzes. 

4. There will be a mid-term exam and a final exam.  You must take both of these exams in the testing center.  These exams will have both essay and objective components.  A detailed study guide will be available before the exams.  

5.  You will be able to view your grades online.

Methods of Evaluation

                1. Your journal will count for 25% of your final grade.  (250 points)

Discrimination

The Oakton Community College Catalog states:
           Oakton Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or marital status in admission to and participation in its educational programs, activities and services, or employment practices. The College does not tolerate sexual harassment or sexual assault by or of its students or employees.

            In keeping with this policy of tolerance and non-discrimination, in this class all of us (myself included) should strive to listen and give careful consideration to all ideas expressed in class, especially those that are different from our own, without attacking or demeaning the people who have those views.  We should also strive to avoid using insulting terms or telling offensive jokes when talking to or about individuals or groups.