Spring, 2005

Instructor: Mr. Clark
Office: Michener L92
Telephone: (970) 308-6550
Office Hours: 3:30-4:30 MWF or by appointment
E-mail: mailto:clark@cs.colostate.edu

Description/Objectives

This course is designed to provide the beginning student of philosophy a comprehensive understanding of the basic problems of philosophy by way of an historical survey of some of the major figures in the field.

Text

Melchert, Norman. The Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to Philosophy, Volume I, fourth edition.

Work Required

There are two key ingredients to success in this course. First, students are required to take detailed and copious notes on the lecture material. Second, the reading schedule is structured so that students can fulfill the requirement that students read the material once, before the material is covered in class, and then again, after. This will prepare the student for five exams given during the semester. In addition, since the lecture material for this course is crucial to the success of the student, attendance in this course is mandatory.

Week 1-2		What Is Philosophy? Homer and Mythos The Pre-Socratics pp. x-xii, Chapters 1, 2
Week 3-4		The Scene at Athens Chapter 3
Week 5-6		Socrates and the Decline of Athens Chapter 4
Week 7-8		Euthyphro, Apology, Citro, Phaedo Chapter 5
Week 9-10		Plato Chapter 6
Week 11-12		Aristotle/Christianity Chapter 7 (selections) Chapter 9
Week 13-14		Anselm/Dante Chapter 11 (selections) Chapter 12 (selections)
Week 15-16		The Modern World View Descartes Chapter 13

Grading Scale

100-90 = A

89-80 = B

79-70 = C

69-60 = D

Grading

Exam I		25%
Exam II		25%
Exam III		25%
Exam IV		25%
Exam V		25%
___________________ Minus one exam = 100%

Note

This syllabus may be changed at the discretion of the instructor.

Students with Disabilities

Students who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the Disability Access Center (970) 351-2289 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.