PL 201 Introduction to Philosophy   Syllabus and Reading Schedule

William Soderberg, Professor
Office 518 Campus Tower
Telephone (240) 567-7428

Email for the course is included within the course site on MyMC.

My Montgomery College e-mail address is: bill.soderberg@montgomerycollege.edu

Required text: William Soderberg, The Game of Philosophy, University Press of America, 2000. (The text is abbreviated GP in the reading schedules.)

Course Description:  PL 201 INTRO TO PHILOSOPHY 3 semester hours PL-Philosophy. Introduction to philosophical analysis of the problem of knowledge, the problem of reality, and the problem of the good. Major philosophical attitudes of Western civilizations are introduced. Special attention is paid to some of the philosophical implications of contemporary natural and social science. The basic themes of the course are that the major questions philosophy deals with are present in the lives of all persons; that we must clarify the questions, if possible, before we try to answer them; and that the basic questions are always concerned with the nature and meaning of human existence. (HUMD) PREREQUISITE: Second-year standing or consent of department. Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, MA 100/101/103, RD 120. Three hours each week.

Course Objectives

1.  Identify major positions in moral philosophy (the study of judgments of what is right).

2.  Evaluate major positions in moral philosophy.

3.  Identify major positions in political philosophy (the study of judgments of what is just).

4.  Evaluate major positions in political philosophy.

5.  Identify worldviews that lie behind judgments of what is right (moral judgments) and what is just (political judgments).

6.  Identify strengths and weaknesses of different worldviews—such as materialism and dualism.

7.  Describe alternatives to materialist and dualist worldviews.

8.  Identify strengths and weaknesses of alternatives to materialist and dualist worldviews.

9.  Describe correspondence, coherence, and pragmatist theories of truth and knowledge.

10.     Identify strengths and weaknesses of correspondence, coherence, and pragmatist theories of truth and knowledge.

11.     State the ontological, cosmological, and design proofs for the existence of God.

12.     Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the ontological, cosmological, and design proofs for the existence of God.

13.     Compare major features in the philosophies of various cultural traditions.

I invite you to join me on an adventure in the history of ideas, a journey that will encompass ancient as well as modern philosophers. On the way we will encounter thinkers from various Western traditions with a brief excursion into Eastern thought. The journey may be difficult, but those who struggle to the end may well discover some magnificent views of the human landscape—both social and personal.

The main goal or objective of the course is to express the positions as well as strengths and weaknesses of major Western ethical, political, metaphysical, and epistemological traditions. Critical analysis of influential arguments for the existence of God will also be a goal of the course, as will a comparison survey of multicultural, feminist, and Eastern thought.

The evaluation in the course will consist of three exams and class participation. The three exams will be worth 60% of the grade and class participation will be worth 40%. Class participation includes class attendance. Since the class meets twice each week, three absences will be considered excessive.

A weekly self-quiz is included for your convenience. You will not be graded on the weekly self-quizzes; the questions are designed to help you sort out significant issues that the philosophers address.

The College makes available various support services. Tutorial centers for writing and math are available at no additional cost, and computer labs are also available.

A student who may need an accommodation due to a disability should make an appointment to see me in my office. A letter from Disability Support Services (DSS) authorizing your accommodations will be needed. The DSS office is located in Room 122 of the Counseling and Advising Building (CB) and may be called on telephone numbers (240)-567-5058 and (240)-567-9672 (for the hearing impaired).

Academic dishonesty, plagiarism, abusive language, and misconduct—either in the live classroom or online—are governed by College policy. Please consult the sections in the student handbook on "Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct" and "Classroom Behavior" for the College policy.

If for any reason you decide to drop the course, you must sign the drop form and leave the form with the records office in Student Services.

Students auditing the course must complete the reading and class participation requirements of the course.