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Overview |
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In this course you will come
to appreciate the sense in which philosophy involves the identification and
systematic questioning of the most basic assumptions we make in our
everyday lives and concerns. We tend to take it for granted that what we
perceive is the way we perceive it to be, that what is real is what
everybody says it is, that we know what sorts of things are good and bad,
right and wrong, etc. Philosophy helps us to see that these and many other basic ideas are
merely assumptions we make, and that these assumptions can be -- and have
been -- challenged.
In this course you will embark
upon an exciting adventure in which you will find yourself in company with
some of the most brilliant intellects of all time. Together with people
like Socrates, Plato, Descartes, David Hume, and Jean-Paul Sartre, you will
identify and questions those basic assumptions. Perhaps you will make the
same assumptions when the course is completed--Perhaps not. What is
important is that you will have thought about them -- philosophized about
them -- and you will have taken part in an intellectual dialogue which is
as ancient as Greece, and as contemporary as the latest "tough
problem" you may have had to face in life. |
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Objectives |
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At the completion of this course, the student will have developed an understanding of the nature of philosophical questions and will know many of the attempts that have been made to answer them. Specifically, the student should be able to: to:
- Define the term “philosophy” with an appreciation of the many philosophical issues involved in the very attempt to do so.
- Distinguish such typical philosophical terms as epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics.
- Identify and critically evaluate the positions taken by great philosophers on typical philosophical questions.
- Understand the basic logical terms and principles used in assessing a philosophical argument.
- Appreciate the importance of philosophy as the systematic questioning of basic assumptions.
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Materials |
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Grading |
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Your course grade will
be determined by 4 quizzes and 4 exams, according to the following points:
Assignment |
Points |
Quiz 1 |
7.5 |
Quiz 2 |
7.5 |
Quiz 3 |
7.5 |
Quiz 4 |
7.5 |
Exam 1 |
25 |
Exam 2 |
25 |
Exam 3 |
25 |
Exam 4 |
25 |
Four Discussion Forums
(3 points each) |
12 |
Total |
142 |
Grading Scale |
A |
142-127 points |
B |
126-113 points |
C |
112-99 points |
D |
98-85 points |
F |
84-0 points |
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Exams |
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There are
4 exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one
of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to
complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have
specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will
need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the
appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.
For
Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.
For
information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.
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ELI
Policies and Procedures |
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This is an Extended Learning Institute (ELI) course. ELI courses differ
from campus courses in several important ways, including enrollment dates, communication
with faculty, assignment completion requirements, and exams. You must
follow ELI's policies and procedures if you take this course. Read (or
review) ELI's
Policies and Procedures before you begin the course. If you have
questions, call ELI at (703) 323-3347 or (888) 435-6822.
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Contacting
the Instructor |
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I am here to help you succeed
in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how
to contact me when they do:
E-mail :dgregory@nvcc.edu
Telephone : (703)
323-3347.
You may contact me through email or visit my webpage to see detailed
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Beginning
the Course |
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1. Use your web
browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart.
Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account
user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will
be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire
course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start
completing the assignments.
Please note that
account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid
registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you
can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI
or your instructor.
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