PHH 2000 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY

Instructor: Brian Sterner  
Fall Semester 2000 Sterner75@hotmail.com
Sections 008/010 Office:FAO 204
MW 9:30-10:45/TR 2:00-3:15 Phone: 813-974-5915

Course objective: This course is designed to provide an introduction to the philosophical life. Instead of a strong emphasis on the history of philosophy I have chosen to use the fundamental project philosophy as the way to initially discuss this field of study. This fundamental project is the search for, and explanation of meaning. As a result students will be expected to perform two main tasks. 1) Students must read the assigned material and begin to think philosophically/ reflectively about the content, as well as its meaning for their lives. 2) Because this is a Gordon’s Rule (6A-10.030) course, there is a writing requirement of 6000 words. Expected of you with each writing assignment is a mastery of the fundamental rules ofgrammar (this means using spell and grammar check on your computer), a clear organization of your thoughts and reflection on the assigned material, and a basic understanding of the concepts presented by the author.

Required Texts:

Frankl, Viktor, Man’s Search For Meaning, Washington Square Press, New York, 1985.
Tolstoy, Leo, The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories, Penguin Publishing, London, 1960.
Plato, The Dialogues of Plato, Bantam Publishing, New York, 1986.

King Jr., Martin Luther, A Testament of Hope, Ed. James M. Washington, Harper Collins, San Francisco, 1986.

Course Requirements:

A: Readings in text as assigned in class.

B: 4 small papers, 1-2 pages.

C: 2 medium length papers, one due at mid-term, one due during finals. 3-5 pages.

D: Attendance and participation is required. Your grade for participation will be affected by absences.

Composition of Course Grade: 25% midterm, 25% final, 35% small papers, 15% participation.