Introduction to Philosophy
Dr. Michael Sudduth
San Francisco State University, Spring 2007
Course Guide and Calendar
COURSE SYLLABUS
WEEK 1: Introduction
January 25 (TH): Introduction to Class
WEEK 2: Ancient Greek Philosophy and Plato
January 30 (T): Plato, "Allegory of the Cave" (short version)
February 1 (TH): Plato's Allegory of the Cave Continued
WEEK 3: Film: American Beauty
February 6 (T): American Beauty, Part I
February 8 (TH): American Beauty, Part II
Assignment: American Beauty One-Page Essay Response Question
Which character in the film would you metaphorically describe as "living the cave"? Explain your answer
WEEK 4: Plato and American Beauty Discussion
February 13 (T): Film Discussion + Film Essay#1 Due
February 15 (TH): CLASS CANCELLED
WEEK 5: Plato, the Meno
February 20 (T): Plato, the Meno, first two pages
February 22 (TH): Meno, 70a-84c
WEEK 6: Plato, the Meno
February 27 (T): Meno, 84c-end
March 1 (TH): Meno continued
WEEK 7: Exam on Plato
March 6: Concluding Discussion on the Meno
March 8: Exam on Plato
(Only read section I of the above handout)
(Only read sections I, II, and III of the above handout)
WEEK 8: Modern Philosophy and Rene Descartes
March 13 (T): Historical Background to Descartes
March 15 (TH): Discourse on Method, Parts I and II
WEEK 9: Rene Descartes
Mach 20 (T): Discourse on Method, Parts III-IV
March 22 (TH): Meditation I
WEEK 10: Rene Descartes
March 27 (T): FILM
Disregard due date listed on questions
March 29 (TH): Class Discussion of Film
WEEK 11: Rene Descartes
April 3 (T): Meditations II and III
April 5 (TH): TBA
Handouts on the Meditations
WEEK 12: Spring Break (April 9-April 13)
WEEK 13: Review and Exam #2
April 17 (T): Descartes' Proof for the
Existence of God, Critical Examination
April 19 (TH): Review for Exam
WEEK 14: William James
April 24 (T): Exam #2 Descartes
April 26 (TH): William James, "Will to Believe"
WEEK 15: William James
May 1 (T): William James, "Sentiment of Rationality"
May 3 (TH): James, Sentiment of Rationality"
WEEK 16: William James, Science and Religion
May 8 (T): Film, Contact Part I
May 10 (TH): Film, Contact Part II
FINAL EXAM ASSIGNMENT (e-mailed May 7)
WEEK 17: Conclusion
May 15: Last Day of Class
Final Exam Due on Thursday, May 24 10:00am in Class
As of May 7, you should have received the final exam
via e-mail. Please e-mail me if you have not received it.
