Course Number and Title: PHIL 1301 Introduction to Philosophy

Credit Hours: 3 semester hours

Instructor:

Office: AIC 220 Phone Number: 210-486-1662

Email: jvisintainer@alamo.edu Web Address: http://www.alamo.edu/sac/phil/default.htm

I. Catalog Description:

Introduction to the study of ideas and their logical structure, including arguments and investigations about abstract and real phenomena. Includes introduction to the history, theories, and methods of reasoning.

II. Pre-requisites, co-requisites and other requirements: There are no college level prerequisites for this course.

III. Text: Philosophy: History and Systems, by Stumpf and Feiser

(Alternate text may be selected by some instructors.)

IV. Methods of Instruction

Methods of instruction used in this course will consist of any or all of the following: lecture, discussion, assigned readings, media presentations, in-class presentations by students, guest speakers, or other applicable methods as determined by individual instructors.

V. Course Content

Introduction to Philosophical Thinking

Introduction to the Problems of Metaphysics

Introduction to the Problems of Epistemology

Introduction to the Problems of Ethics

Introduction to Political Philosophy

VI. Learning Outcomes and Performance Objectives with their methods of measurement as used to determine the student’s mastery of those outcomes.

Learning Outcome: Students will gain an introductory comprehension of the fundamental issues, problems, concepts, and arguments exhibited in a selection of the dominate thinkers of western philosophy.

Performance Objective for Learning Outcome: Students will be able to explain and to think critically and analytically about some of the metaphysical, epistemological, ethical and political views of western philosophy.

Measurement of student competency of learner outcome: Student performance will be measured by examinations, quizzes, term papers and a comprehensive final examination.

This course is a writing intensive course. This means that a student will be required to write a minimum of 2000 words, and at least 60% of the student’s grade will be based on these writing assignments, and each assignment must be a minimum of 200 words. In this course, these requirements may be satisfied by examinations, term papers and/or class presentations.

SCANS COMPETENCIES

C5 – Acquires and evaluates information.

C6 – Organizes and maintains information.

C7 – Interprets and communicates information.

F1 – Reading: Locates, understands, and interprets written information in prose and in documents.

F2 – Writing: Communicates thoughts, ideas, information and messages in writing.

F5 – Listening: Receives, attends to, interprets, and responds to verbal messages.

F11 – Knowing How to Learn: Uses efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills.

F12 – Reasoning: Discovers a rule or principle underlying the relationship between two or more objects and applies it when solving a problem.

VII. Course Requirements and Grade Computation:

A. College Requirements:

A written, comprehensive final examination, not to exceed two and one-half hours in length, shall be given at the end of each semester for each course at the regularly scheduled time. Any exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the appropriate dean. Other examinations are given at the discretion of the instructor.

A student who must be absent from a final examination should petition that instructor for permission to postpone the examination. A student absent without permission from a final examination is graded F. Postponed examinations result in a course grade of I. The final examination must be taken within 120 calendar days from the end of the semester or the grade automatically becomes an F. (San Antonio College Bulletin, Faculty Handbook – January 1995)

B. Departmental Requirements: None.

C. Instructor Requirements:

VIII. College Policies:

A. San Antonio College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age or disability with respect to access, employment programs, or services.

B. Students are urged not to bring children to either a class or a lab. Minors under the age of twelve (12) must not be left unattended on campus. College Academic Council – April, 1998.

C. ADA Statement: As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if accommodation is needed contact the Office of disability Support Services, CAC 124C, Phone: 210-733-2347.

D. A Rapid Response Team exists for the purpose of responding to emergencies. If you have a disability that will require assistance in the event of a building evacuation, notify Disability Support Services, Chance Academic Center 12C, Phone: 210-733-2347.

E. Academic Dishonesty: Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting in an academic penalty or disciplinary penalty for academic dishonesty. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion. For additional information refer to the Student Code of Conduct in the San Antonio College Bulletin.

F. Students are required to silence all electronic devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, radios, etc.) when in classrooms, laboratories and the library. College Academic Council, January 2000.

G. Students must abide by the policies, procedures and rules set forth in the Student Code of Conduct and all other policies set forth in the San Antonio College Bulletin.

H. San Antonio College Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance at all classes and laboratories, day and/or evening, is required. A student absent for any reason is responsible for all work missed. Both tardiness and early departure from class are forms of absenteeism. The Instructor establishes the policy with regard to each. Absences of each student are recorded without exception. The counting of absences begins on the first day of class. A student absent for the equivalent of two weeks of instruction in a 16-week semester may be dropped by the instructor. If a student is dropped from a class for excessive absences, the instructor will record a grade of “W” (withdraw). It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the withdrawals have been submitted.

I. San Antonio College is a smoke free campus.

J. ACCD DPS Emergency Phone Numbers:
ACCD DPS Emergency Phone: 210-222-0911
ACCD DPS General Phone: 210-208-8099
ACCD DPS Weather Phone: 210-208-8189 (For information on college closures)