Summer Intro Syllabus PDF

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PHILOSOPHY(1010:(INTRODUCTION(TO(PHILOSOPHY( INSTRUCTOR:**Dr.*Ben*Burgis* EMAIL:*[email protected]* *

* * WHY(SHOULD(I(WANT(TO(TAKE(INTRO(TO(PHILOSOPHY?( * Because it’s awesome! Haven’t you ever wondered whether you have free will? How your mind is connected to your body? If computers can think? Philosophy has the answers! Well, maybe not. But at least it can help you think about these things in a new and different way, and then you’ll be able to state your views with clarity and confidence. Win all the philosophical arguments with your family and friends! * IS(THERE(A(TEXTBOOK?( * Nope!*All*the*readings*are*available*as*PDFs*on*iCollege.* * IS(THERE(A(LOT(OF(READING?* * Yeah.*It’s*a*philosophy*class.* * WHAT(DO(I(HAVE(TO(DO?( * READING* Yes,*you*really*do*have*to*read.**Carefully.*Philosophy*is*all*about*following*the* thread*of*arguments,*thinking*about*where*someone*with*a*different*view*could* push*back,*thinking*about*how*to*respond*to*those*objections,*and*carefully* differentiating*between*subtly*different*ideas.*Sometimes*people*say*that* philosophy*is*“the*art*of*making*distinctions.*That’s*not*all*it*is*but*that’s*certainly*a* lot*of*what*it*is.*That*all*takes*very*careful*reading.* *

READING*QUIZZES* 19#quizzes,#4#lowest#grades#will#be#dropped,#8#points#each#(4#questions#x#2#points),#120# total#points#out#of#400# We*will*have*quizzes*on*every*reading.*These(are(firm(deadlines.((Because(three( quizzes(will(be(dropped,(they(will(not(be(reopened(past(those(deadlines(for(any( reason.**Please*take*my*advice:**Do*not*wait*until*Friday*to*start*the*quizzes*for*the* week.*** * SYLLABUS*QUIZ* 19#points#out#of#400#(19#questions#x#1#points#each)# This*is*just*to*make*sure*everyone*carefully*reads*this*syllabus.*It*really*does*include* everything*you*need*to*know!*This*and*the*two*pass/fail*Philosophical*Intuitions* Quizzes*are*the*only*non-time-limited*quizzes.* * WELCOME*VIDEO*QUIZ* 8#points#out#of#400#(4#questions#x#2#points#each)# Watch*the*welcome*video!*It*should*give*you*a*better*idea*of*what*we’re*up*to*in*this* class.* * PHILOSOPHICAL*INTUITIONS*PREQUIZ* 1#point#out#of#400* This*is*just*a*quick*quiz*to*see*what*your*initial*inclinations*are*about*the* philosophical*topics*we*cover*in*the*class.*You*get*credit*just*for*answering*every* question.*This*is*mostly*there*because*I’m*curious*about*how*they*change*over*the* course*of*the*semester.* * PHILOSOPHICAL*INTUITIONS*END*QUIZ* 1#point#out#of#400* Same*deal—and*same*questions!—but*this*is*going*to*be*at*the*end*of*the*course.* See*above*about*the*point.* * POST*YOUR*INTRODUCTIONS*FORUM* 1#point#out#of#400* Post*a*few*lines*about*who*you*are*in*the*Post*Your*Introduction*Forum*and* respond*to*at*least*one*classmate’s*introduction.* * DISCUSSION*FORUMS* 5#forums,#8#points#each,#40#total#points#out#of#400# These*are*intended*as*a*replacement*(so*far*as*such*a*thing*is*possible)*for*the*class* discussions*we*would*have*in*a*face-to-face*class.**Use*these*to*give*your*opinions,* to*ask*questions,*to*tell*stories*about*how*you’ve*seen*this*material*in*your*own*life,* or*really*whatever*you*want!*** * Forum*requirements:**1)*Start*one*original*thread.**2)*If*someone*comments*on*your* thread,*reply.**3)*Engage*in*conversation*on*three*other*threads.*Please(take(my(

advice:**Do*not*wait*until*Friday*to*start*posting.*Remember(that(I’m(not(going(to( be(able(to(accept(late(work.* * FINAL*REFLECTION*PAPER* 10#points* This*is*just*a*2-3*page*informal*paper*reflecting*on*what*you*learned*this*semester* and*what*you*got*out*of*the*class.*These*are*ten*easy*points*but*(ahem)*remember( that(I’m(not(going(to(be(able(to(accept(late(work.( * EXAMS* 2#exams,#100#points#each#(5#essay#questions#each#x#20#points),#200#total#points#out#of# 400# Both*exams*will*be*posted*on*Sunday*night*and*due*on*the*Friday*of*the*week*they* are*assigned.**They*will*be*a*combination*of*multiple*choice,*short*answer,*and*long* answer*questions.**I*will*grade*them*over*the*weekend.**No*late*exams*will*be* accepted.**There*is*no*cumulative*final.**Please(take(my(advice:**Do*not*wait*until* Friday*to*start*working*on*them.*Once*more*with*feeling:*Remember(that(I’m(not( going(to(be(able(to(accept(late(work.* * SHOULD(I(OPEN(UP(THE(READING(QUIZZES(BEFORE(I(START(THE(READINGS(SO( I(CAN(READ(FOR(ANSWERS(TO(THE(QUIZZES?( ( No,*you*can’t*do*this.*The(quizzes(are(timed.*I*don’t*want*to*be*a*jerk*about*this*but* I*really*want*to*make*sure*that*you’re*carefully*reading*the*readings*and*thinking* about*them*before*taking*reading*quizzes*and*not*just*skimming*for*quiz*answers.* You*don’t*learn*much*if*that’s*all*you’re*doing*and*a*philosophy*prof*who*doesn’t* help*you*to*actually*think*through*the*material*in*a*careful*way*is*worth*about*as* much*as*an*exercise*coach*who*tells*you*that*you’re*done*for*the*day*after*you*do*a* single*lazy*half-push-up.*(And*honestly*you’ll*probably*get*better*quiz*grades*this* way,*since*you’ll*understand*what*the*authors*are*saying*in*context.)* * I(HAVE(A(DISABILITY(ACCOMMODATION(LETTER(I(CAN(SHOW(YOU.(CAN(I(GET( EXTRA(TIME(ON(THE(READING(QUIZZES?( ( I’ve*already*set*the*time*limits*to*4*times*what*I*would*set*them*to*if*not*for*the* certainty*that*some*of*you*will*need*such*accommodations,*since*we’re*talking* about*four*multiple*choice*questions*a*pop—a*minute*each*for*a*multiple*choice* question*would*be*more*than*enough*and*I’m*setting*these*to*16*minutes*each.* * ON(iCOLLEGE(I(SEE(BOTH(A(DUE(DATE(AND(AN(END(DATE(FOR(THE(QUIZ(AND( THEY’RE(DIFFERENT.(WHAT’S(UP(WITH(THAT?* * The*end*date*is*a*few*hours*after*the*due*date.*This*is*a*grace*period*in*case*you* don’t*finish*until*a*little*later*at*night.* *

IF(I(TELL(YOU(I(GOT(CONFUSED(BECAUSE(THE(END(DATE(WAS(ON(SATURDAY( (AND(I(DIDN’T(NOTICE(THAT(IT(WAS(3:30(IN(THE(MORNING(ON(SATURDAY)(SO( I(DIDN’T(THINK(I(NEEDED(DO(THE(QUIZ(UNTIL(SATURDAY(DURING(THE(DAY,( WILL(YOU(RE-OPEN(THE(QUIZ(FOR(ME(SO(I(CAN(DO(IT(THEN?* * No.*I*can’t*do*that.*It’s*your*responsibility*to*keep*track*of*the*due*dates*and*after*all* you*do*get*to*drop*three*quizzes.* * WOW.(HAS(ANYONE(EVER(ASKED(YOU(THAT(BEFORE?* * Yes.*More*than*once.*That’s*why*it’s*in*the*syllabus*now!(( ( HOW(DO(OFFICE(HOURS(WORK(IN(THIS(BRAVE(NEW(ONLINE(WORLD?( ( I’ll*be*doing*them*a*couple*times*a*week*on*Zoom.*I’ll*send*out*the*invite*links*the* night*before*as*Announcements.*I’m*thinking*probably*Monday*and*Friday*at*4*PM* EST*but*that*might*change.*(Yes,*that*means*to*participate*in*Office*Hours*you’ll* need*to*download*Zoom!)* * OH,(YOU(MENTIONED(ANNOUNCEMENTS.(ARE(THOSE(IMPORTANT?( ( Yes.*You*really*really*really*really*really*need*to*read*the*announcements.*If*you* don’t*you’re*going*to*miss*things*and*I’m*not*going*to*be*able*to*help*you.* * ARE(THERE(EXTRA(CREDIT(OPPORTUNITIES(IN(THIS(CLASS?( ( Yes,*exactly*one,*and*here*it*is:* * If*you*participate*meaningfully*in*Zoom*Office*Hours*at*least*once*during*the*first* four*weeks*of*the*class*and*at*least*once*during*the*last*three*weeks*you’ll*get*10* points*extra*credit.*So*easy!*(And*no*you*can’t*get*partial*extra*credit.)* * DO(YOU(TAKE(LATE(WORK(IN(THIS(CLASS?( ( No.*Really*no.*Don’t*ask.*I*swear*I’m*a*very*kind*and*generous*person*but*I*really* need*to*hold*the*line*on*this*point.* * OK(SO(WHAT(SPECIFICALLY(IS(OUR(SCHEDULE?( * Welcome*Module:*Syllabus*and*a*Little*Taste*of*Course*Content* * Introduce*yourself*in*the*Post*Your*Introduction*forum*and*respond*to*at* least*one*classmate’s*introduction*(1*point)* * Take*pass/fail*Philosophical*Intuitions*Prequiz*(1*point)* *

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Watch*welcome*video*and*take*Welcome*Video*Quiz*(8*points)* * Watch*Waking*Life*Free*Will*Video*and*do*“Reading”*Quiz*#1*about*it*(8* points)* * Read*the*Galen*Starwson*article*and*Take*Reading*Quiz*#2*(8*points)* * All(due(dates(for(the(Welcome(Module(on(Friday,(June(12th(

* Module*#1:*Free*Will*and*Determinism* * Read*the*William*Edward*Tomos*article*and*Take*Reading*Quiz*#3*(8*points)* * * Read*the*Jerry*Coyne*article*and*do*Reading*Quiz*#4*(8*points)* * * Read*the*article*by*that*Burgis*jerk*and*do*Reading*Quiz*#5*(8*points)* * * Read*the*Harry*Frankfurt*article*and*do*Reading*Quiz*#6*(8*points)* * Participate*in*Discussion*Forum*#1*by*posting*your*own*thread*where*you* give*your*own*answer*to*the*prompt*as*well*as*responding*to*classmates*and* participate*in*at*least*three*of*your*classmates’*threads*(10*points)* * All(due(dates((for(Module(#1(are(on(Friday,(June(19th( * Module*#2:*The*Paradoxes*of*Time*Travel* * * Read*the*Joshua*Spencer*article*and*do*Reading*Quiz*#7*(8*points)* * * Read*the*David*Lewis*article*and*do*Reading*Quiz*#8*(8*points)* * * Read*the*Nicholas*J.J.*Smith*article*and*do*Reading*Quiz*#9*(8*points)* * Participate*in*Discussion*Forum*#2*by*posting*your*own*thread*where*you* give*your*own*answer*to*the*prompt*as*well*as*responding*to*classmates*and* participate*in*at*least*three*of*your*classmates’*threads*(10*points)* * All(due(dates(for(Module(#2(are(on(Friday,(June(26th( * Exam*#1*(Due(Friday,(July(3rd)*(100*points)* * Module*#3:*Puzzles*About*Personal*Identity* * * Watch*Personal*Identity*Video*and*do*“Reading”*Quiz*#10*about*it*(8*points)* * * Read*the*Derek*Parfit*article*and*do*Reading*Quiz*#11*(8*points)*

* * *

Read*the*James*Patrick*Kelly*short*story*and*do*Reading*Quiz*#12*(8*points)* Participate*in*Discussion*Forum*#3*by*posting*your*own*thread*where*you* give*your*own*answer*to*the*prompt*as*well*as*responding*to*classmates*and* participate*in*at*least*three*of*your*classmates’*threads*(10*points)*

* All(due(dates(for(Module(#3(are(on(Friday,(July(3rd( * Module*#4:*Ethics* * Watch*the*Sam*Harris*video*and*do*“Reading”*Quiz*#13*(8*points)* * Read*the*article*by*that*Burgis*jerk*and*do*Reading*Quiz*#14*(8*points)* * * Read*the*Don*Marquis*article*and*do*Reading*Quiz*#15*(8*points)* * * Read*the*Judith*Jarvis*Thomson*article*and*do*Reading*Quiz*#16*(8*points)* * Participate*in*Discussion*Forum*#4*by*posting*your*own*thread*where*you* give*your*own*answer*to*the*prompt*as*well*as*responding*to*classmates*and* participate*in*at*least*three*of*your*classmates’*threads*(10*points)* * ( All(due(dates(for(Module(#4(are(on(Friday,(July(10th(( * Module*#5:*Philosophy*of*Religion* * * Read*the*Aquinas*article*and*do*Reading*Quiz*#17*(8*points)* * * Read*the*Bertrand*Russell*article*and*do*Reading*Quiz*#18*(8*points)* * * Read*the*Jean-Paul*Sartre*article*and*do*Reading*Quiz*#19*(8*points)* * Participate*in*Discussion*Forum*#5*by*posting*your*own*thread*where*you* give*your*own*answer*to*the*prompt*as*well*as*responding*to*classmates*and* participate*in*at*least*three*of*your*classmates’*threads*(10*points)* * * All(due(dates(for(Module(#5(are(on(Friday,(July(17th( * Exam*#2*(Due(Friday,(July(24th)*(100*points)* * Philosophical*Intuitions*End*Quiz*(Due(Friday,(July(24th)*(1*point)* * Final*Reflection*Paper*(Due(Monday,(July(27th)*(10*points)* * HOW(DO(I(KNOW(WHAT(MY(GRADE(IS?**

* The*possible*number*of*points*that*you*can*earn*in*this*class*is*400.**Your*total* divided*by*four*is*your*grade.**Letter*grades*will*be*assigned*according*to*the* following*scale*–*90s*=*A,*80s*=*B,*70s*=*C,*60s*=*D,*anything*below*60*=*F.* * WHAT(DO(I(DO(IF(I’M(HAVING(TROUBLE?( * If*there’s*something*about*the*material*that*you*don’t*understand,*you*have*two* options.**First,*this*is*one*of*the*reasons*we*have*discussion*forums*–*your* classmates*can*help*you,*and*I’ll*be*keeping*an*eye*to*make*sure*you*all*aren’t* confusing*each*other.**Second,*email*me!**I’ll*try*very*hard*to*respond*to*everything* within*24*hours.*Third,*I’ll*be*doing*regular*Zoom*office*hours.*You*can*show*up*to* those*any*day*I’m*doing*it*you*want—or*if*the*times*I’m*doing*it*don’t*work*for*you,* email*me*and*we’ll*figure*out*an*alternate*time*that*does.* * SO(WHO(ARE(YOU?( ( I did my PhD at the University of Miami, where I wrote a dissertation about logical paradoxes. More recently, I wrote a book that’s sort of half-philosophy halfcontemporary politics called Give Them An Argument: Logic for the Left. I also co-host a podcast called “The Dead Pundits Society” and regularly do videos for the Zero Books YouTube channel. I also do a regular segment called The Debunk on The Michael Brooks Show and regular debates on The Serfs’ Twitch channel. So if you’re curious about those extracurricular aspects of my life you can probably find out way more than you wanted to know with about five minutes if internet research. My wife Jennifer Burgis teaches on the Dunwoody campus, so if you decide to take a philosophy class there, it might be with her! This is only my second semester at Perimeter. Jenn and I spent the previous three and half years living in New Jersey and teaching at Rutgers. We have a miniature schnauzer named Lucy and a black cat named Shabazz whom we acquired while living in South Korea. Thus, they are known as “the Koreans.”

* * * IS(THERE(ANYTHING(ELSE(THAT(IS(REQUIRED(BY(SCHOOL(POLICY(TO(BE(ON( THIS(SYLLBUS?* * Why,*yes!**Here*you*go:* * CHEATING* * * * * * * * * Do*not*do*it.**Consequences*are*severe*and*will*be*upsetting*to*you,*your*parents,* and*me.**Please*see*the*following*for*policies*on*Academic*Honesty:* http://codeofconduct.gsu.edu/*(page*17).* * DISABILITY*ACCOMMODATIONS* Students*who*wish*to*request*accommodation*for*a*disability*may*do*so*by* registering*with*the*Office*of*Disability*Services.**Students*may*only*be* accommodated*upon*issuance*by*the*Office*of*Disability*Services*of*a*signed* Accommodation*Plan*and*are*responsible*for*providing*a*copy*of*that*plan*to* instructors*of*all*classes*in*which*accommodations*are*sought.* * In*other*words,*if*you*need*disability*accommodations,*talk*to*the*ODS.**You’ll*need* documentation*to*give*to*your*professors.* FERPA*POLICY( The*Family*Educational*Rights*and*Privacy*Act*(FERPA)*was*enacted*to*give* students*access*to*their*education*records*and*to*protect*their*privacy.*Unless*a* student*is*legally*dependent,*the*university*is*prohibited*by*FERPA*from*releasing* student*account*information*to*a*parent*or*guardian*or*other*unauthorized*third* party*without*the*student's*consent.*

Students*who*wish*to*authorize*an*individual*to*have*access*to*their*student*records* should*complete*the*Family*Educational*Rights*and*Privacy*Act*Waiver*in*the*Dean* of*Students*office.*For*more*information*regarding*access*to*student*records,* contact*the*Registrar.* * ONE*LAST*THING* Please*note:*The*course*syllabus*provides*a*general*plan*for*the*course.*Deviations* may*be*necessary.* *...