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Course Syllabus: Introduction to Philosophy |
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Course Schedule: |
Wed. |
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Course Title: |
Introduction to Philosophy |
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Credit Hours: |
3 |
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Term / Year: |
“First” (Michaelmas)/2003 |
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Instructor: |
Mr.
Gordon E. Mullings, M.Sc. Physics, MBA. |
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Office: |
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Office Hours: |
Tue. |
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Phone: |
876-969-1226 /8211/8803 |
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E-mail: |
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Course
Web-site: |
“That I may know Him…that I may make Him known”
I. COURSE
DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces students to key approaches, ideas,
inquiries and issues of Philosophy in the context of their significance for/challenge
to the project of thinking, living and serving Christ and community as
informed, educated Christians. Through structured participative approaches, it
will emphasise: (1) primary questions/foci/issues; (2) terms, tools and
techniques used to address such issues with due regard for precision, clarity
and cogency; and, (3) the use of the principle
of comparative difficulties to critically reflect on pivotal elements,
issues and impacts of the systems put forward by select ancient, medieval and
modern/postmodern philosophers, in response to these questions. Through these
explorations, the interaction of philosophy and Christian faith across time
will also be explored, to discover whether biblically rooted, philosophically
informed, prophetic intellectual and cultural leadership (e.g. as sketched in
Acts
II.
INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL AND OBJECTIVES:
GOAL: Through participation in this
course, students should demonstrate an understanding of and confident ability
to critically assess – and, where appropriate, apply -- key issues, concepts, approaches and tools of
philosophy to the 21st Century
OBJECTIVES: In order to fulfill
this goal, students who have successfully completed the course should be able
to :
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1. |
Identify major themes, branches[1],
concerns and techniques of philosophy, comparing/contrasting them with those
of theology and the empirical sciences. |
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2. |
Critically but fairly assess the claims, degree of coherence
and impacts of key elements and arguments of several major philosophical
systems and associated worldviews. In so doing they should address: §
premises, presuppositions, principles, §
proof- and/or evidence- claims, §
theories/models & procedures, §
arguments, conclusions and agendas for action. (Thus participants will advance their capacity as
critical consumers of information, arguments, knowledge-claims and
proposals/agendas.) |
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3. |
Compare and contrast Philosophical and Biblical ideas,
claims and agendas; through assessing/formulating biblically aware,
philosophically informed analyses and/or proposals, in light of challenges
facing the |
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4. |
Identify and critically discuss worldview assumptions
and philosophical elements embedded in typical analyses, opinion pieces or
proposals in the |
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5. |
Present such analyses and arguments through acceptable
oral, multimedia or written formats as appropriate/required. |
III. INSTRUCTIONAL
PROCEDURE / STRATEGIES:
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1. Interactive
presentations and guided discussions 2. Presentations:
informal (discussion) and formal 3. Written
assignments: short papers and term paper 4. Multimedia/web-based
interaction |
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5. Quizzes
and tests/examinations (mid and end of term) |
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IV. STUDENT REQUIREMENTS:
A. Attendance
The class meets every scheduled
session except for emergencies. Students are expected to attend all classes.
The student must notify the lecturer if s/he is going to be absent.
B. Assignments
1.
§
Please complete assigned readings and jot down
talking points/responses to set questions before each session. This will help
to facilitate your participation in class discussion.
§
Some required readings may be placed on the reserve
shelf in the Zenas Gerig Library from
time to time. (Students will be encouraged to do at least 300 pages of reading
in the areas highlighted for the course.)
§
After the first session, each of you will be
required to re-read the “parable” of the Cave and critically assess its case,
in 250 - 300 words.
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In addition you are required to submit a brief Reading Report on a topic chosen from
those set for the group as a whole, as a contribution to the class’ joint
research.[2]
2.
Term
Paper
Prepare
a 2500 – 3000 word (type-written, double-spaced; preferably with a disk/emailed
copy as well) paper in which you discuss the question: “Are Philosophy and
N.B. All
papers must meet the Seminary’s standard which includes the use of good grammar,
careful proofreading, the citing of sources and a bibliography. Points or letter grade(s)will be subtracted
in case of grammatical errors, improper citing of references, lack of proper
proofreading and late submission unless excused by the Lecturer. Please
follow the Seminary’s policy regarding late work submission.
3.
Two 30-minute
Quizzes: These
will be given during the first part of classes in weeks 4 and 4. Tentative dates are Wednesday October 29 and Wednesday November 19. The material covered (up to that point) in the
readings and class discussions will be tested.
The quizzes will be based on short answer questions.
4.
Examination There will be an end of term,
2-hour Exam. It will be
comprehensive. The date of the Exam will
be scheduled during the 10th week of term which is the exam week.
C. Assessment
1. All
policies in the 1999-2002 Prospectus pertaining to grading and grades will be
followed.
2. Each
course requirement will be weighted as follows:
TOTAL 300 possible points
D. Grading Criteria
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1. |
Prospectus Criteria |
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A |
94-100 |
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C |
74-76 |
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A- |
90-93 |
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C- |
70-73 |
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B+ |
87-89 |
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D+ |
67-69 |
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B |
84-86 |
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D |
64-66 |
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B- |
80-83 |
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D- |
60-63 |
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C+ |
77-79 |
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F |
0-59 |
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2. Grades are based on daily attendance, participation, and completion of all other assignments. All students are expected to attend class and to participate constructively. Three or more unexcused absences will result in lowering the grade proportionately with the number of absences. Three times late to class constitutes one absence. Assignments are due on specified dates. Failure to attend less than 70% of the classes will result in automatic failure of the course.
3. Assignment deadlines are listed with assignments for the term. Late assignments will begin with one grade lower for each day late. Contact instructor for emergency situations that prevent the completion of assignments.
V. MEDIOGRAPHY:
1. Course
web site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jtsintrophil/
2. Reading:
Plato’s Republic and other set
readings (available online, in print etc as appropriate)
3. Reference
Text: Hasker, Williams. Metaphysics,
IVP, 1983
4. Bible
VI. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
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DATE |
TOPIC |
(TBA) |
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS |
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1.
Oct.
8 |
Course Intro:
Syllabus, overview & what is Philosophy; “parable” of the cave; compare
& contrast biblical, philosophical & “man of action” approaches |
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Read the
Cave and critically assess Plato’s case for philosophy as a basis for
education and action |
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2.
Oct.
15 |
Discussion:
Philosophy at work – logic vs. rhetoric, epistemology & ethics in action;
select philosophers and their arguments. |
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“Cave”
reports due; begin thinking about a reading review and a Term paper topic. |
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Oct. 20 |
Heroes’ Day |
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3.
Oct.
22 |
Discussion:
metaphysics, world views and the “proofs” for the existence of God; the
problem of evil as an atheological “proof” |
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Term
paper and reading review topics chosen |
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4.
Oct.
29 |
Quiz #
1; Discussion:
Epistemology & the rise of Science; theology, faith and philosophy |
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5.
Nov.
5 |
Discussion:
Cosmology, Science, Education & major worldviews in the post-modern age |
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6.
Nov.
12 |
Discussion:
Philosophy and the evolution of theology since C18 |
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7.
Nov.
19 |
Quiz # 2; Discussion:
ethics, sustainability and development in the |
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8.
Nov. 26 |
Discussion:
Philosophy and the |
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9.
Dec.
3 |
Student
oral presentations of topics in papers |
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Term
papers due |
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10.
Dec.
10 |
Possible
Exam day |
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VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY (work in progress)
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AUTHOR |
TITLE
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PUBLICATION DATA |
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Plato |
The Republic
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Various,
available online |
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Hasker,
William |
Metaphysics |
IVP,
1983 |
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Christian,
James L |
Philosophy: An introduction to
the art of wondering |
NY:
Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1986 [In ZGL] |
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Brummer,
Vincent |
Theology & Philosophical
thinking: An Introduction |
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Epstein
& Kennedy |
The Process of Philosophy: A
Historical introduction |
NY:
Random House, 1967 [In ZGL] |
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Popkin
& Stroll |
Philosophy Made Simple |
NY:
Doubleday, 1993 |
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Trueblood,
D Elton |
General Philosophy |
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Moreland,
J. P. |
Christianity and the Nature of
Science: A Philosophical Investigation |
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Holmes,
Arthur F |
Contours of a World View |
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[1] That is, Metaphysics, Ethics, Logic, Epistemology,
Aesthetics and extensions to “Philosophy of X,”
e.g. Religion, Education, Politics, or Science.
[2] The report should comprise two to three typed pages,
as double-spaced. It must summarize the
evidence and argument on the theme fairly but briefly, and should incorporate a
short interaction with and critique of the material. This report is due before the class for