What follows is so self-evident to me that I have never stated explicitly in words. But there seems to be a persistent misunderstanding, so here goes. There are video-lectures that go with this course. Viewing them is essential to doing well in the course. They are a formal requirement. Just as though you could hardly expect to do well in a course you never attended, trying to take this course without watching the video-lectures is just as foolhardy.

The video-lectures are only available by rental through the Eastern Oregon University Bookstore. This means that even if you use other resources to find the assigned texts for the course, you will still need to contact the Bookstore to get the video-lectures. Here is a link to the Bookstore:

This quarter in Self, World, & God, we will be addressing some of the most basic and important questions in the history of western philosophical thinking. What is knowledge? Is it possible? Is there evidence for or against the existence of God? What is the relationship between humans and the rest of the biological world? What is the relationship between mind and body?

In addition, we will be watching some excellent Hollywood movies that nicely raise relevant philosophical questions. Since I will be asking you to devote additional time to watching and discussing these films, our course will not meet on Fridays. You will be expected to view at least five of the following films. DDE students should plan to rent these films

I am including below Eastern's Academic Honesty Code. It is vitally important that you carefully read it, and that you understand that it is my intention to follow this code to the letter. I really can't think of a better way to ruin your experience with this course, than to disregard this code. Obviously, if you have any questions, I can't urge you too strongly to ask me.

ACADEMIC HONESTY CODE

All members of the Eastern Oregon University academic community are responsible for compliance with its Academic Honesty Code. Students are required to report violations to the respective faculty member of a course. Provisions of the Academic Honesty Code are:

Collaboration while taking any quizzes, in-class examinations, or take home examinations without the instructor's written approval is forbidden. The faculty member is responsible for defining limits for other collaborative learning activities for each course.

Plagiarism or representation of the work of others as one's own is forbidden. The faculty member will make clear the format for properly citing sources of information not original by the student.

Explicit approval by all instructors is required if the same work is to be submitted to more than one course, even if is not within the same term.

Violations of the Academic Honesty Code may result in both academic and behavioral penalties including possible suspension or expulsion from the University.

An automatic grade of zero for any work which is a violation of the Academic Honesty Code will be assigned by the instructor. The instructor may also assign a grade of F for the course after discussion with the respective School Dean. Students may appeal the course grade to the respective School Dean, who is the final level of appeal on the matter of course grade penalties for academic dishonesty.

The faculty member is also required to file a disciplinary complaint to the Vice President for Student Affairs about any student believed to have violated the Academic Honesty Code. If deemed appropriate, hearing procedures will be implemented by a University Hearing Officer as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. Possible sanctions considered by the Student Conduct Committee include probation, suspension, and expulsion.

[I have kept the general structure of four lectures per week that was the format when the course was taught on-campus. DDE students have some flexibility, but should get material in no later than a week beyond the days indicated here.]