PHIL 101

Self, World, & God

Winter Quarter 2008

Dr. Jeff Johnson

Grades going into the final

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?

We will be carefully reading two texts:

• Inference and Explanation by Jeffery Johnson

• Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion by David Hume

As well as some on-line selections from Descartes, Darwin, and yours truly.

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 seven of the following films.  

• The Matrix

• Reversal of Fortune

• Regarding Henry

• Awakenings

• Inherit the Wind

• The Mind's Big Bang & What About God?

• Schindler's List

• Freaky Friday

• Three Faces of Eve

• A Midnight Clear

Movie prompts

UWR Writing Intensive Outcomes:

• Students will produce at least 3,000 words (including drafts, in-class writing, informal papers, and polished papers); 1,000 words of this total should be in polished papers which students have revised after receiving feedback and criticism.

• Students will be introduced to the discourse forms appropriate to the discipline the course represents.

• Students will write at least one paper integrating information from at least one source, employing the appropriate documentation style for the discipline represented by the course.

• Students will draft, revise, and edit their formal written work.
  Students will seek assistance from a Writing Tutor in the Writing Lab when needed and when referred by the instructor.

Additional Outcomes:

• Understand the philosophical and scientific controversies concerning evidence evaluation, Descartes' Meditations, Hume's Dialogues, natural selection, and philosophical psychology.

• Read philosophical texts critically and with understanding.

• Critically view cinema dealing with philosophical issues.

• Write effectively about philosophical and scientific controversies.

• Write effectively about philosophical issues in contemporary cinema

Means of Assessment and Grading:

• Three, closed-book, essay examinations.  (20% each) (outcomes 1,2, and 4)

• A 1000 to 1500 words analytical paper -- 30% of course grade. (outcomes 1, 2, and 4)

• A portfolio of seven short (300 to 400 words) on assigned movies -- 10% of course grade. (outcomes 3 and 5)

• Please note: a grade of C- is required in order for this course to count toward the University Writing Requirement 

ACADEMIC HONESTY

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

TENTATIVE CALENDAR