Introduction to Philosophy
Dr. Michael Sudduth
Los Medanos College, Spring 2007
Course Guide and Calendar
COURSE SYLLABUS
(1) January 16: Introduction to Class
(2) January 23: Plato's Metaphysics and the Allegory of the Cave
(3) January 30: Film
(4) February 6: Plato and "American Beauty"
American Beauty Reflection Questions Due
Class Discussion of Film and Plato's Allegory of the Cave
(5) February 13: Plato, Meno
Read Meno, 70a-84c
Study Questions for the Meno
Assignment: one-page essay response #2: What is the Significance of the Demonstration with the slave boy?
(6) February 20: Plato, Meno
Read Plato, 84c to end
Essay Response #2 Due
Assignment: one-page essay response #3: Is there progress in the Meno?
(7) February 27: Concluding Discussion on Plato and the Meno, Exam Details
Essay #3 Due
(8) March 6: Exam#1 (Plato) and Introduction to Descartes
(Only read section I of this handout).
(Only read sections I, II, and III of this handout)
March 6 is the last day to turn in any of the first three response papers for credit.
(9) March 13: Rene Descartes, Discourse on Method,
Parts I-IV
Assignment: In-Class Essay: What are some similarities between the Socratic and Cartesian methods of intellectual inquiry?
(10) March 20: Rene Descartes
Reading: Rene Descartes, Meditations 1
Class Agena
(a) Go over answers to exam #1
(b) Lecture: Descartes, Meditation 1
Break
(c) Film: Ship in a Bottle (Star Trek Next Generation Episode)
Assignment: Respond to three essay questions on the film Ship in a Bottle (below). Due March 27.
(11) March 27: Rene Descartes
Reading, Rene Descartes, Meditations 2-3
Film Response Essays Due
Class Agenda
(a) Small Group Discussions on Descartes and Film
(b) Class Discussion
Break
(c) Lecture on Meditations 2 and 3
Handouts on Descartes' Meditations
(12) April 3: No Class - Spring Break
(13) April 10: Exam#2 (Rene Descartes)
Exam Format: In class, three or four essay responses selected from a longer list of questions on Descartes (and at least one involving a comparison of Descartes and Socrates/Plato). Bring a large blueblook (or two) for the exam.
(14) April 17: William James
Readings: William James, "Will to Believe"
(15) April 24: William James, "Sentiment of Rationality"
(16) May 1: Film: Contact
(17) May 8: Discussion of Film Contact and William James
(18) May 15: James, Immortality
(19) May 22: Last Class:
Final Paper Due
