Philosophy 1 – Introduction to PhilosophySummer 2008Course DescriptionThis course is designed to be an introduction to philosophy. Participants will be introduced the nature of philosophical inquiry by considering some of the most fundamental philosophical issues in the fields of metaphysics, epistemology and ethics. Some of the issues that will be considered include: the question of God’s existence, personal identity, free will, our knowledge of the world (and whether we have any), the nature of morality and moral responsibility, etc. The material covered in the course will include selections from both current and historically important philosophers. The requirements for the course include a mid-term exam, one short paper and a final exam. There are no prerequisites required for the course.
Instructor
Chris Tennberg
South Hall 5432-S | Office Hours: T (10:00am-12:00pm)
chris@tennberg.comTASian Griffith
South Hall 5432-U | Office Hours: R (2:00am-3:00pm) & F (11:00am-12:00pm)
siangriffith@umail.ucsb.eduLecture
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday @ PSYCH 1902 (12:30pm-1:35pm)
Sections
Monday, PHELP 1445 (11:00am-12:20pm)
Friday, SOUTH HALL 5617 (12:30pm-1:50pm)
Website
http://www.philosophy.ucsb.edu/websites/phil1/Textbook
Course Reader available at Grafikart, 6550 Pardall Road, Isla Vista.
Grading
Mid-Term exam - 25%
Short paper - 35%
Final exam - 35%
Participation - 5%
NOTE: There will be no rescheduled final exams. If you take this course, then it is your responsibility to be in town on to take the final exam. The date and time for the final is TBA.Course Attendance and ParticipationStudents are expected to complete the assigned readings (which includes turning in summaries), attend course lectures and to participate in the course discussion sections. The assigned readings and summaries need to be completed before coming to lecture. The course readings are important (some test questions will come directly from reading), but there is no substitute for lecture or section attendance. Most of the test material will come straight from the lectures, so attending greatly increases the likelihood of receiving good grades. For the most part, the TA will review the material presented in lecture during the discussion sections, so they are also very valuable. You may attend whichever section you prefer, regardless of which you registered for. Just be sure to let your TA know what’s going on. Borderline final grades may be determined in your favor if you have made a positive impression on the instructor and/or teaching assistant through regular attendance and participation, and/or draft conferences.
Plagiarism and CheatingThe Philosophy Department takes this issue seriously. In other words, we will prosecute any offenses, seeking penalties ranging up to and including expulsion from the university. So it is your responsibility to make sure that your work does not violate university policies about plagiarism and other academic cheating. If you need any help in understanding these standards or are in any doubt about whether your work for this course violates them, it is your responsibility to find out by checking with me.
Tentative Lecture SchedulePreliminariesThe Nature and Method of Philosophical Inquiry
MetaphysicsArguments
For and
Against the Existence of God
Free Will
Personal Identity
EpistemologyKnowledge and Skepticism
EthicsMeta, Normative and Applied Issues
NOTE: This tentative schedule is simply a best-guess at our rate of progress, not a cast-iron guarantee. As such, it may be subject to change as we proceed.Final Exam Review Session – September 8th
Final Exam – Part #1, September 9th | Part #2, September 10th