PHIL 101 - Introduction to Philosophy

Number of Credits: 3
Introduction to Philosophy involves students in the critical and open activity of philosophical inquiry. Philosophy is an on-going conversation that explores who we are, what our world is, and how we are to act toward the world. Students will read and discuss some of the contributions to that conversation by classic and contemporary philosophers for the purpose of seeing how these people engaged questions that have real applications to us and to see how their thoughts shaped or prod at our lives today. Students will be expected to critique the contributions made by these philosophers and to critique their own ideas and worldviews Three hours lecture each week. Three Credits. Three billable hours.

GENERAL EDUCATION Category: Arts and Humanities

Pre-requisite(s): eligibility for ENGL 101.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Describe key concepts, tenets, and arguments relating to the discipline’s principal schools of thought. (GE1, GE3, PG1, PG4)
Discuss topical issues and competing philosophical perspectives in ways that are co-operative, respectful, clear, and rationally compelling. (GE1, GE3, GE7, PG1, PG4)
Interpret philosophical and topical issues in ways that acknowledge their inherent complexity and nuance. (GE1, GE3, GE6, GE7, GE8, PG1, PG2, PG3, PG4)
Communicate in writing about philosophical and topical issues in ways that adhere to accepted academic conventions. (GE1, GE3, GE4, GE5, PG1, PG4)
Recognize connections between assigned reading material and contemporary, real-world issues. (GE3, GE6, GE7, GE8, PG2, PG3. PG5)
Critically evaluate and adjudicate between competing philosophical perspectives and arguments with fairness, charity, and rigor. (GE1, GE3, GE7, GE8, PG1, PG2, PG3, PG4)
Reflect on their own philosophical beliefs and practices in a fair-minded, reasoned, and insightful way. (GE3, GE7, GE8, PG2, PG3, PG4, PG5)
Use philosophical activity to explore issues that are important to them and to expand, challenge, and refine their views. (GE3, GE6, GE7, PG2, PG5)