SYLLABUS
PROFESSOR: EDWARD T. GAREAU, S.T.L., S.S.L.
COURSE
DESCRIPTION: An introduction to philosophical thought
as it has developed in
Western
Culture. Initial emphasis is placed on selected
fundamental philosophical issues and questions as these
are
experienced
in the students’ contemporary world. This is done
in order to
familiarize the beginning student with the
importance
of the philosophical endeavor. The course then
pursues a
consideration of the historical development of
classic
philosophy in the West. The emphasis is centered on
major
thinkers, their systems of thought and their special
contributions
to the philosophical enterprise.
COURSE
OBJECTIVES: 1. To familiarize the beginning student with the basic concepts and
questions which have surfaced as primary concerns in Western
Philosophy
2. To help the student develop some appreciation for the impact
that philosophy can have on living life. Of particular concern is the
influence of teachings in the areas of metaphysics, ethics,
epistemology, and politics.
3. To provide the student with an opportunity to acquire a general
familiarity with the history of philosophy in Western Civilization.
4. To challenge the student to critically read philosophical
material, reflect upon it with intellectual discipline and express
clearly in writing her/his discoveries.
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
TO BE ASSESSED
Creative Thinking
1. Seeing connections and patterns
2. Utilizing deductive and inductive reasoning
3. Thinking accurately: see the overall and the specific, compare and contrast, understand cause and effect.
Critical Thinking
1. Asking relevant questions
2. Distinguishing among fact, opinion and judgement
3. Making connections among subjects
4. Constructive criticism of society
5. Analyzing, interpreting and appreciating the thoughts and works of others.
Library and Information Literacy
1. Ability to define the purpose and goals of a scholarly investigation
2. Ability to evaluate and use available sources
3. Ability to seek help when and where needed
4. Ability to identify, locate and utilize needed resources
Reading
1. Demonstrate proficiency in reading competently in this discipline
Writing
1. Ability to write effectively
REQUIREMENTS:
A) READINGS:
Mortimer J. Adler: Ten Philosophical Mistakes
Samuel E. Stumpf: Philosophy: History and Problems
B) EXAMINATIONS
Periodic
quizzes and written assignments (6) 30pts
Midterm
exam 10pts
Final exam 20pts
C) A 6 to 8 page PAPER summarizing the thought and teaching of
TWO of the philosophers presented below on the subjects of:
1) human knowledge and its grasp of reality, 2) human
morality and 3) God. Choose ONE philosopher from either
Plato, Aristotle, Augustine or Aquinas and ONE from
Descartes, Hume, Kant, Hegel, Marx or
Nietzsche. 25pts
DUE MON
APRIL 29, 2002
D) CLASS ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION. This
Includes daily written responses to reading assignments. 15pts
NOTES:
1. Forms for written responses to reading assignments will be provided for each class. These are to be submitted at the beginning of each class or they will not be accepted. Those absent or late for class can not submit the response.
2. Except for the daily reading responses, written work must be TYPED,
DOUBLE SPACED, NO LARGER THAN 12 PT, IN ACCEPTABLE
ABILITY TO EXPRESS ONESELF EFFECTIVELY IN
WRITING IS A
SIGNIFICIANT GRADE FACTOR IN THIS COURSE.
3. Formal written assignments which are not submitted at the beginning of class
on the designated due date will NOT BE ACCEPTED. The only exception to this
policy will be if a student has seen me before the due date and received written
permission from me authorizing an extension. This written permission form must be
submitted with the assignment on the agreed upon date and time or the assignment
will not be accepted.
OFFICE HOURS:
Mon., Wed., Fri.: 8:30-10:30
Tues., Thurs.: 10:00-11:30
Other times by appointment
E-Mail: egareau@hcc-nd.edu
Phone: Off Campus 574-239-8388
On Campus 388
OFFICE LOCATION:
194 Vincent Hall
SCHEDULE:
JAN 16 Introduction: Syllabus,
approach, readings, etc.
18 Adler:
xi-xx Little errors in the beginning
21 Adler:
5-19 Consciousness and its Objects
23 Adler:
19-30
25 Adler:
30-42 The Intellect and the Senses
28 Adler:
42-53 First formal written assignment
due
30 Adler:
54-67 Word and Meanings
FEB 1 Adler:
67-82 Quiz on Chs 1&2
4 Adler:
83-94 Knowledge and Opinion
6 Adler:
94-107
8 Adler:
108-117 Moral Values
11 Adler: 117-127
13 Adler:
131-144 Happiness and Contentment
15 Adler:
145-155 Freedom and Choice 2nd
written assignment
18 Adler:
156-166 Human Nature
20 Adler:
167-177 Human Society
22 Adler:
178-190 Human Existence Test on Chs 3-5
25 Adler:
191-200 Modern Science and Ancient
Wisdom
27 Stumpf 3-28
Early Greek Philosophy
MAR 1 Early Greek Philosophy
4 Stumpf 29-45
Socrates and the Sophists
6 Midterm exam Adler: Chs 6-10 + Epilogue
8 Socrates
18 Stumpf 48-58
Plato: Knowledge Quiz
20
Stumpf 59-63
Plato: The Forms
22 Stumpf 64-79
Plato: Morality and other
questions
25 Stumpf 80-88
Aristotle: Logic
27 Stumpf 89-93
Aristotle: Metaphysics
APR 3
Stumpf 93-95
Aristotle: The Unmoved Mover Quiz
5
Stumpf 95-107 Aristotle: Human Morality
8 Stumpf 133-140
Augustine
10 Stumpf 141-150
Augustine
15 Stumpf 175-180
Aquinas: Faith and Reason
17 Stumpf 181-189
Aquinas: God
19 Stumpf 189-195
Aquinas: Humankind and Morality
22 Stumpf 203-574
The Renaissance and the Reformation
24 Stumpf 235-248
Descartes and Rationalism
26 Stumpf 224-234
261-289 Empiricism Revisited
29 Stumpf 299-324
Kant
MAY 1 Stumpf 401-418 423-430
Marx and Nietzsche
3 Stumpf
481-490 Kierkegaard Faith
and Reason