Schedule

Textbooks: Ultimate Questions by Rauhut and Readings on the Ultimate Questions by Rauhut and Smith

Course Description: In this survey course, we will discuss a breadth of questions of contemporary and historical philosophical interest. My goals are to guide you in your reading of philosophical texts, to familiarize you with a range of established positions on various questions, and to help to develop your evaluative skills regarding some of “the big questions.” More generally, I hope to familiarize you with the critical techniques underlying philosophical thought. This course is a general education humanities elective.

Preparation and Expectations: Students are expected to attend all class sessions, to be familiar with the day’s assigned reading prior to each meeting, and to actively participate in classroom discussions. Students are strongly encouraged to visit the course web site regularly and to print all handouts and overheads prior to each class meeting.

Grading: There are 500 points available in this course. Your final grade will be determined as follows: two exams (100 pts. each), two take-home writing exercises (50 pts. each), précis & presentation (100 pts.), & portfolio (100 pts.). Due dates are firm; no makeup exams are given. See the course website for specific information on each requirement.

· Exams: There will be three exams in the course, only the two better of which will be used when determining the course grade. Each exam will include both short answer questions and a long essay. Study questions for the essay portion will be distributed approximately one week prior to the exam.

· Writing exercises: Each student will submit a brief essay in response to each of two assigned readings.

· Précis & presentation: Each student is expected to participate in a group presentation on one of the assigned readings. This includes both drawing up a précis of the article and giving an oral presentation on that material.

· Portfolio: Each student will be required to submit a portfolio of written work prior to noon April 10, 2006.

· Class attendance: Roll will be taken regularly and will act as a ceiling on the student’s course grade. Regardless of total points received, a student’s final grade will not exceed the percentage of classes actually attended.

· Extra credit: There may be a few opportunities for small amounts of extra credit as determined by the instructor.

Important Notes:

· The use of all electronic information devices in the classroom (cell phones, PDAs, headphones, etc.) is prohibited.

· The academic community regards academic dishonesty as an extremely serious matter with serious consequences that range from a failing grade to expulsion from the University. When in doubt regarding plagiarism, quotation, collaboration, etc. consult with the instructor. For further information regarding UCA’s academic misconduct policy, see the UCA Student Handbook.

· Sexual harassment by any faculty member, staff member, or student is a violation of both federal law and university policy and will not be tolerated at UCA. For further information regarding the university’s sexual harassment policy, see the UCA Student Handbook.

· The University of Central Arkansas adheres to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need an accommodation under this act, contact the Office of Disability Support Services at 450-3135.

Course schedule:

UT: Ultimate Questions; RO: Readings on the Ultimate Questions; REC: Recommended Reading

Monday

Wednesday

Friday

1/9

1/11

1/13 Introductory Bits

(REC: RO: Conceptual An.: 42-52)

1/16

M.L.K. Holiday – No Class

1/18 What is Philosophy?

UT: 1-25

1/20

RO: Russell: Value of Phil. 37-42

1/23

UT: 25- 43

1/25

UT: 25-43

1/27

RO: Plato: Apology 16-37

Writing Assignment #1 Due

1/30 What do we know?

RO: Clifford: The Ethics of Belief 385-391

2/01

UT: 44-63

2/03

UT: 63-73

2/06

UT: 73-83

2/08

RO: Descartes: Meditations 57-68

Writing Assignment #2 Due

2/10 Do we have free will?

UT: 84-96

2/13

UT: 97-106

2/15

UT: 106-111

2/17

RO: Ayer: Freedom & Nec. 140-148

2/20

Exam #1

2/22 Is there an enduring self?

UT: 112-116

2/24

RO: Perry: A Dialogue … 185-197

2/27

UT: 116-124

3/01

UT: 124-134

3/03

RO: Dennett: Where Am I? 202-215

3/06 What is the mind?

UT: 135-142

3/08

UT: 142-152

3/10

UT: 152-161

3/13

UT: 161-169

3/15

RO: Searle: Minds, Brains… 345-366

3/17

Exam #2

3/20 – 3/24 Spring Holiday – No Class

3/27 Does God exist?

UT: 170-178

3/29

UT: 178-183

(REC: RO: Cosmo.. Arg. 405-414)

3/31

UT: 183-191

4/03

UT: 191-196

(REC: RO: Onto. Arg. 414-431)

4/05

UT: 196-200

4/07

UT: 200-210

(REC: RO: Evil and Om. 472-484)

4/10

RO: Swinburne: God & Evil 484-496

Writing Portfolio Due

4/12

RO: Mathieu: Male-Chauvinist Religion 496 510

4/14 What is Moral?

UT: 211-225

4/17

UT: 225-228

RO: Rachels: God’s C.…532-535

4/19

UT: 229-239

(REC: RO: Utilitarianism 535-558)

4/21

UT: 239-247

(REC: RO: Groundwork … 558-569)

4/24

UT: 247-254

(REC: RO: Nic. Ethics 569-585)

4/26 Applied Ethics: Gay Marriage

RO: Nava & Davidoff: For 632-637

RO: Lopez: Against 637-642

4/28

Reading Day – No Class

5/01-5/05

Exam #3