History of Philosophy II--Phi 203 A

Georgetown College Department of Philosophy

 

 

Instructor:  Brad Hadaway                                                                           

Office:  Pawling Hall 307                                    

Telephone:  863-8081 [O]  570-9537 [H]                           

Office Hours: MWF 1-2p.m.; Th 1-3p.m.; and by appointment

Email:  Bradford_Hadaway@georgetowncollege.edu                    

Website:  http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/philosophy/hadaway/index.htm

 

Course Description:  Survey of the development of Western philosophical thought within its cultural contexts from the Renaissance through the eighteenth century.  Exploration of issues foundational to contemporary philosophy, theology, and the sciences. 3 hours

   

Course Objectives

Satisfaction of the course requirements will enable the student:

·         To gain an understanding of the philosophical positions advanced by the central figures in the modern period. 

·         To gain an appreciation for some classical philosophical texts.

·         To hone one’s skills in identifying and evaluating arguments.

·         To improve one’s ability to think and write clearly and critically.

·         To gain a more complete and refined understanding of one’s own worldview.

·         To clearly see the connection between philosophical thought and life’s questions.

 

Required Texts:

Ariew, Roger and Eric Watkins, editors.  Modern Philosophy:  An Anthology of Primary Sources. 

            Indianapolis:  Hackett Publishing Company, Inc.  1998.

    

Some required articles may be placed on reserve in the Ensor Learning Resource Center.  (You may check those articles out for a period of two hours or you may photocopy the articles) 

 

Course Requirements

·         Attendance and class participation                                        (7 or more unexcused absences hurt you) 

·         Response writing and other homework                                  20%

·         1 Paper (5-7 pages)                                                             25%

·         3 Exams                                                                             55% (1^st--15%; 2^nd--20%; 3^rd--20%)

 

Final Grading Scale:

A = 100-90; B = 89-80; C = 79-70; D = 69-60; F = 59 and below

**Note:  Scores for each individual assignment will either be given numerically [quizzes] based upon a 100 pt. scale or as a letter grade [papers and exams] which will correspond to the following numerical score: 

A+ = 98; A = 94.5; A- = 91; B+ = 88; B = 84.5; B- = 81; C+ = 78; C = 74.5; C- = 71; D+ = 68; D = 64.5; D- = 61; F = 54.5

or as a ü+, ü, ü- [homework] which will correspond to the following numerical score:

ü+ = 98; ü = 84; ü- =70 

So if you receive a “B-” on a paper or exam, that score is treated as an “81” when figuring your average.  If you receive a ü+ on a homework assignment, that score is treated as a "98" when figuring your average. 

 

 

Attendance and Class Participation

You are allowed six unexcused absences before your grade is affected.  Beginning with the seventh unexcused absence, each missed class will incur a reduction in your final point total.  Every unexcused absence after six will mean a 1 point reduction in the final score.  For example, a student with 15 unexcused absences (roughly 1/3^rd of the course) will have his or her final score reduced by 9 points. The final score can be further reduced if a student repeatedly demonstrates a lack of preparation for class.  I will frequently begin class with questions designed to check your preparation.

 

Response Writing

I will frequently assign a mini-paper  or reading questions to allow you the opportunity to (a) work towards a greater understanding of a difficult concept, (b) reflect more carefully upon an author's theoretical position, or (c) to offer the beginnings of a critical assessment of an author's work.  The reading questions will be graded according to the ü+, ü, ü- system detailed above, and the mini-papers will be given letter grades.  You will do at least two 1-2 page mini-papers during the course of the semester.  The late paper/exam policy given below applies to these assignments as well.     

 

Unit Examinations

Tests are predominantly essay exams with a few short answer objective questions.

 

Paper

The paper represents your chance to ‘do’ philosophy.  Your assignment will present you with a challenge or question based upon the course material, and your paper will set out your best philosophical answer to the challenge or question.  These papers will be both expository (accurately and completely describing the view of a particular philosopher) and critical (offering relevant criticisms of the positions of a particular philosopher).  Please refer to the web reading, “Learning to Write an Excellent Philosophy Essay” before turning in your paper. 

 

Late Papers and Missed Examinations:

Late papers will NOT be accepted and examinations will NOT be taken late unless the instructor is informed ahead of time of a problem or there is a documented emergency [e.g. illness with Doctor’s note].  I cannot simply accept your word that you had an emergency.  I need to have some form of verification.  If you have not notified the instructor of a problem ahead of time or if you are unable to provide documentation of your emergency, you will receive a non-negotiable zero. Assignments can always be turned in or taken early.

 

Web Resources

During the course of the semester, I may make certain handouts, lecture note outlines, and helpful resources for the class available on my website. In light of these facts, you are required to have some basic knowledge of the internet and access to the web.  As a Georgetown College student, you are automatically given an email address and access to the web.  If you have questions about how to receive your email address or how to access and use the web, please see me immediately.

 

IMPORTANT NOTES

·         If accommodations are needed for a disability, please notify me during the first class period or as soon as possible.

·         The Academic Honor Code must be observed in this course.  Please see the Student Handbook for details.  Any infraction of the Honor Code will result in a failing grade of ‘0’ for the plagiarized work, and depending upon the circumstances, further action could be taken through the appropriate administrative channels. Please note that papers turned in via email will be counted as final drafts.  If a paper turned in via email contains plagiarized information, I must assume that the plagiarism and the sending of that particular file were both intentional.  It is not a legitimate excuse that "I turned in an earlier draft by mistake."  Please make sure you are sending the correct file, and please give me a hard copy as quickly as possible. 

·         Please note that the policies and course outline stated in this syllabus are subject to minor change.

 

 

Course Outline

I.  Course Introduction

            A.  The Historical Context 

            B.  Montaigne:  The Apology for Raymond Sebond (reserve)

            C.  Kant:  What is Enlightenment?  (reserve)

II.  Descartes

            A.   Meditations; 

            B.   Optional--Objections and Replies II, III, and IV (Hobbes and Arnauld) 

III.  Leibniz

            A.  Discourse on Metaphysics   

            B.  Primary Truths

            C.  New System of Nature

            D.  The Principles of Philosophy or the Monadology

            **First Exam**

IV.  Locke

            A.  Essay Concerning Human Understanding  

VI.  Hume

            A.  An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding

            B.  A Treatise on Human Nature

            **Paper Assignment**

            **Second Exam**

VII.  Kant

            A.  Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics

VIII.  Epilogue

            A.  Brief selections about the meaning and impact of modern philosophy. (reserve)

            **Final Exam**         Wednesday, December 14th, 9-11a.m.