Philosophy Course Description
This course is about questioning the framework of our human existence and exploring the many different paths to find possible answers to these questions. Students will need to be active thinkers and participants in the classroom dialogue. Students will also need to be active listeners and value the importance of beliefs that may differ from their own beliefs.
We will ask some of the fundamental questions that philosophers have studied for millennia:
What is the nature of the universe?
What is the nature of man?
What is the function and nature of society?
What is reality?
Why are we here?
What is good?
What is evil?
What is knowledge?
We will also ask more personal philosophical questions:
What do I believe?
What do I know?
What does it mean to be American?
Possible texts: Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaardner
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
1984 by George Orwell
Earth Abides by George R. Stewart
The Matrix starring Keanu Reeves
Defiance starring Daniel Craig
There will be daily discussions, journals, periodic quizzes, papers, projects and a final exam.
Your successful experience in this course is dependent upon your participation and the participation of your fellow classmates. Contribute, be active learners and listen.
Grades will be awarded on : Projects/papers/tests 40%
Class Participation/ journals 40%
Quizzes/small assignments/homework 20%