Syllabus


Philosophy 201
Introduction to Philosophy
GT 200
MWF 10:30-11:20
Fall 2009
Jean-Paul Vessel
jvessel@nmsu.edu
Office: Breland 324
Office Hours: Tu 2:30-4:00 PM, and by appointment
 
Course Website: http://web.nmsu.edu/~jvessel/Philosophy/intr.html
 
Course Objectives:
 
This course provides an introduction to philosophy by way of a discussion of three central philosophical problems—the problem of free will and determinism; the "mind-body” problem (including puzzles about personal identity); and the problem of the existence and nature of God. In each case, the focus is on careful formulation of doctrines and arguments. The goals are (i) to understand the doctrines and arguments; (ii) to develop the ability to evaluate the doctrines and arguments; and (iii) to begin to develop the ability to extract well-formulated, interesting arguments from philosophical texts.
 
Required Texts:
 
Some of the required readings are in the texts entitled Ultimate Questions: Thinking About Philosophy (by N. Ch. Rauhut), Meditations on First Philosophy (by R. Descartes), and Introduction to Philosophy (edited by Fred Feldman)—available at the NMSU Bookstore (2nd Floor) in the Corbett Center. The other readings and selected handouts will either be distributed in class or available on the class web site.


Some Potential Course Readings:

Reading Assignments, Exam and Quiz Dates:
 
All schedule-related information will appear on the class web site. You are responsible for viewing the class web site on a very regular basis.
 
 
Course Requirements:
 
Exams (75%)
Quizzes (15%)

Mini-Quizzes (10%)

Your scores on 3 exams will constitute 75% of your grade. The exams will be given only at the stated times, barring a legitimate academic excuse with documentation. You will be alerted of an exam date at least one week prior to that date. Your quiz scores will constitute 15% of your grade. 2-6 quizzes will be proctored throughout the semester. You will be alerted of a quiz date at least one class meeting prior to it. Quizzes will be proctored only at the stated times, barring a legitimate academic excuse with documentation. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped. Your scores on mini-quizzes will constitute 10% of your grade. 5-10 mini-quizzes will be proctored throughout the semester. Mini-quizzes will not be announced; they are “POP” quizzes. Mini-quizzes will be proctored only at the stated times, barring a legitimate academic excuse with documentation. Occasionally, contests will be posted on the class web site. Winners of contests will receive grade-boosting rewards.
 
Email:
 
I check my email very often. I therefore urge you to send comments, questions, and concerns via email. I will respond promptly (within a day or so at least—I hope). As a University student, you have access to the Internet and to an email account. For how to acquire an account, go to http://ict.nmsu.edu or contact ICT at 646-1840. Note that official communication to you will often come through your NMSU e-mail box. Please access it regularly, or forward it to your current use address, as your success in college may ride on your ability to respond quickly.
 
Cell Phones:
 
If your cell phone rings during class—or if you are using your cell phone or any other unauthorized electronic device during class—40 quiz points will be deducted from your quiz point total. A deduction of 40 quiz points in my classes amounts roughly to at least a drop of two complete letter grades, for example, from a “B” to a “D”.

Plagiarism and Cheating:

Don’t do it! If you do, I will attempt to burden you with the greatest possible penalty. Find out all about plagiarism at http://www.nmsu.edu/%7Evpsa/SCOC/misconduct.html.

Academic Disabilities and Discrimination:

If you have or believe you have a disability and would benefit from any accommodations, you may wish to self-identify by contacting the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office located in Room 244 of Corbett Center (phone: 646-6840). If you have already registered, please make sure that your instructor receives a copy of the accommodation memorandum from SSD within the first two weeks of classes. It is your responsibility to inform either your instructor or SSD representative in a timely manner if services/accommodations provided are not meeting your needs.

Feel free to call Michael Armendariz, Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities, at 575-646-6840 with any questions you may have on student issues related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. All medical information will be treated confidentially.

Feel free to call Jerry Nevarez, Director of Institutional Equity, at 575-646-3635 with any questions you may have about NMSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and complaints of discrimination, including sexual harassment.