Acquisition of Knowledge
IDH 2010:020, Fall 2004
Tuesday, Thursday
SOC 258
Office: FAO 216
Phone: 974-5915
Course Objectives:
The objective of this course is to introduce philosophical classics that focus on the discipline of epistemology. Through close reading and discussion of primary sources, students should gain a preliminary understanding of major themes in epistemology, such as the source, justification and nature of human knowledge. These ideas are not always readily comprehensible. Students will find the material much easier to understand if they attend class regularly and participate in class discussions.
Course Requirements:
There will be a comprehensive final examination worth thirty-percent of your grade. There will be two essays worth a total of sixty-percent of your grade with due date to be announced. We will discuss essay topics and mechanical requirements during the semester.
The remaining ten-percent of your grade is reserved for class participation. Students are expected to come to class prepared with considered questions and/or comments concerning the assigned readings. Neither can be accomplished if one does not attend class. It should be noted that nothing on this syllabus is written in stone and can be changed with prior notice from the instructor.
Make-up Exams: Make-up exams may be scheduled with the permission of the instructor. Prior consent should be obtained.
Grading Breakdown: Two Essays 30% each
Comprehensive Final Exam 30%
Class Participation 10%
Grading Scale:
A+ = 97-100 B = 83-85 C- = 70-72 F = 0-59
A = 93-96 B- = 80-82 D+ = 66-69
A- = 90-92 C+ = 76-79 D = 63-65
B+ = 86-89 C = 73-75 D- = 60-62
Plagiarism: Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated. Sources must be cited properly using either MLA or Chicago Manual of Style. We will discuss this further during the semester.
Attendance Policy: For every unexcused absence exceeding three, the student’s grade will drop ten-percent. Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class due to the observation of a major religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to the instructor, in writing, by the second class meeting.
Required Texts:
Plato: Republic
Rene Descartes: Discourse on Method and Meditations on First
Philosophy
David Hume: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding
Friedrich Nietzsche: Twilight of the Idols
Tentative Schedule:
August 24, 26 Introductory
Lecture, Republic (Books I-VI, IX, X)
August 31,
September 2 Republic I, II
September 7, 9 Republic III-V
September 14, 16 Republic VI, IX, X
September 21,
23 Medieval
and Modern Philosophy Lecture, Meditations
on First Philosophy (Letter of Dedication, Preface, Synopsis, Meditations I-VI)
September 28,
30 Meditations on First Philosophy I, II
October 5, 7 Meditations on First Philosophy III-V
October 12, 14 Meditations on First Philosophy VI
October 19, 21 Hume’s Enquiry (Sections I-IX)
October 26, 28 Hume’s Enquiry
November 2, 4 Nietzsche’s Twilight (481-538, 545-582)
November 9, 11 Nietzsche’s Twilight, Veteran’s Day
November 23, 25 On Being Authentic, Thanksgiving
November 30, December 2 On Being Authentic, Concluding Lecture and Review for Final Examination
December 7 Final Examination