PHIL 1301:
In the event of an emergency or announced campus closure due to a natural disaster or pandemic, it may be necessary for Panola College to move to altered operations. During this time, Panola College may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include, but are not limited to: online learning management system (CANVAS), online conferencing, email messaging, and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor Panola College's website (www.panola.edu) for instructions about continuing courses remotely, CANVAS for each class for course-specific communication, and Panola College email for important general information.
Regular and punctual attendance of classes and laboratories is required of all students. When a student has been ill or absent from class for approved extracurricular activities, he or she should be allowed, as far as possible, to make up for the missed work. If a student has not actively participated by the census date, they will be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance. This policy applies to courses that are in-person, online, hybrid, and hyflex.
Attendance in online courses is determined by submission of an assignment or participation in an activity. According to federal guidelines, simply logging into a distance learning course without participating in an academic assignment does not constitute attendance. Distance learning is defined as when a majority (more than 50%) of instruction occurs when the instructor and students are in separate physical locations. Students must engage in an academic activity prior to the course census date.
When an instructor feels that a student has been absent to such a degree as to invalidate the learning experience, the instructor may recommend to the Vice President of Instruction that the student be withdrawn from the course. Instructors may seek to withdraw students for non-attendance after they have accumulated the following number of absences:
Fall or spring semesters:
3 or more class meeting times per week - 5 absences
2 class meeting times per week - 3 absences
1 class meeting per week - 2 absences
The student is responsible for seeing that he or she has been officially withdrawn from a class. A student who stops attendance in a class without officially withdrawing from that class will be given a failing grade; consequently, the student must follow official withdrawal procedures in the Admissions/Records Office.
Please note: Health Science and Cosmetology courses may require more stringent attendance policies based on their accreditation agencies. Please see the addendum and/or program handbook for further information concerning attendance.
Panola College welcomes pregnant and parenting students as a part of the student body. This institution is committed to providing support and adaptations for a successful educational experience for pregnant and parenting students. Students experiencing a need for accommodations related to pregnancy or parenting will find a Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations Request form in the Student Handbook or may request the form from the course instructor.
Communication Skills – to include effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication
Personal Responsibility – to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making
Social Responsibility – to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
After studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to:
- Read, analyze, and critique philosophical texts.
- Demonstrate knowledge of key concepts, major arguments, problems, and terminology in philosophy.
- Present logically persuasive arguments both orally and in writing.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills in evaluation and application of philosophical concepts to various aspects of life.
- Evaluate the personal and social responsibilities of living in a diverse world.
Course Content:
A general description of lecture/discussion topics included in this course are listed in the Learning Objectives section of this syllabus.
Students in all sections of this course will learn the following content:
- "The Philosophical Enterprise"
- "The Mind-Body Problem"
- "Free Will and Determinism"
- "The Problem of Personal Identity"
- "The Problem of Relativism and Morality"
- "The Problem of Evil and the Existence of God"
- “The Problem of Skepticism and Knowledge”
Methods of Instruction/Course Format/Delivery:
This class will convey the course material through lectures, discussions, primary/secondary documents, guest speakers, instructional videos and PowerPoint presentations. Reciprocally, students are expected to take notes, listen proactively, ask questions, conduct service learning, and read the textbook. Instructional methods for this course will vary depending upon the instructor, term, and format (online v. face-to-face).
Assignments
Assignments
This course will use the following forms assignments to determine a student’s class grade. The assignments will be based on a point value system. The total number of points earned from the assignments will determine the final class grade in according with the grade scale (see grade scale below). Instructors may determine on an individual basis the number of assignments (and point distributions) given in each category depending upon the length of the course.
- Discussion Boards
- Quizzes
- Module Exams
- Group work
- Paper
Assessments
Assessment(s):
- Displaying knowledge of a variety of philosophical problems by writing an essay in which they explain two or more different philosophical positions.
- Applying critical thinking skills by writing an essay in which they explain and assess the strengths and weaknesses of a philosophical position or theory.
- Developing an informed personal reaction to a philosophical issue by writing an essay in which they explain and justify their personal response to a philosophical issue.
Assessment and Assignment Rules
- Academic Freedom and Instructor Discretion: The government department recognizes the necessity of academic freedom. As such, each instructor maintains the right to stipulate rules in addition to this syllabus concerning assignments, make-up work, grading rubrics, classroom recordings, excused absences, extra credit, and any other matters within the individual course offerings. All of the supplemental rules must be made available to the students at the start of the semester or in advance of the completion of individual assignments.
- Academic Freedom and Code of Etiquette: The government department recognizes the right of the instructor and the students to address controversial subjects. This right to academic freedom is recognized as the principle by which truth may be pursued. Consequently, the department firmly upholds the right of instructors to appropriately express in writing, speaking or action their understanding, opinions, and knowledge on controversial subjects. Moreover, no student’s grade shall be diminished because of an appropriately expressed political opinion. However, the freedom of speech does not act as an excuse for inappropriate language or behavior as it is possible to freely discuss controversial issues without being obscene. Obscenity consists of language and behavior that lacks academic value, is repugnant to the standards of the community, and/or contains libel or slander. Moreover, the freedom of speech does not act as an excuse for violating standards of academic honesty or poor performance on assignments. The instructor and the college reserve the right to remove students from the class and hold disciplinary actions in accord with college policy for obscene language or behavior.
- Academic Honesty: The central theme of education is the enlightenment of the mind. This can only be achieved by hard, honest work. Consequently, cheating and plagiarism are strictly prohibited in the course. A student must not receive from or give to any other student information, answers, or help during an exam. A student must not "steal" the answers from an unsuspecting student during an exam. A student must not use any sources for answers during an exam (including, but not limited to notes, books, or electronic devices) without prior authorization from the professor. A student must not obtain exam questions illegally, tamper with the exam questions, nor change the results of an exam after it has been graded. Moreover, students are prohibited from plagiarizing any assignments. Plagiarism consists in the taking of another person's ideas, words, or information and claiming those properties as one's own. Properly quoting and citing borrowed information is NOT plagiarism. However, since academic integrity is based on the originality of a student's work, no student may submit an assignment that contains an excessive amount of properly cited material. The standards and violations of academic honesty shall be further defined by the individual instructor (in accord with college policy). Individual instructors reserve the right to employ any ample means for proving academic dishonesty. Students have the right to contest a plagiarism or cheating claim through the college appeals process.
Grade Scale (based on 1000 total points possible)
A = 900-1000
B = 800-899
C = 700-799
D = 600-699
F = 0-599
Texts, Materials, and Supplies:
- Marcos Arandia, Philosophy and the Good Life: A Text for Beginners, 3rd Edition, Kendall Hunt Publishing (2016). ISBN: 9781465297433
Required Readings:
The Textbook
Recommended Readings:
- None
- Courses conducted via video conferencing may be recorded and shared for instructional purposes by the instructor.
- For current texts and materials, use the following link to access bookstore listings: https://www.panolacollegestore.com.
- For testing services, use the following link: https://www.panola.edu/student-services/studentsupport/academic-testing-center.
- If any student in this class has special classroom or testing needs because of a physical learning or emotional condition, please contact the ADA Student Coordinator in Support Services located in the Charles C. Matthews Student Center or go to https://www.panola.edu/studentservices/student-support/disability-support-services for more information.
- Withdrawing from a course is the student’s responsibility. Students who do not attend class and who do not withdraw will receive the grade earned for the course.
- Student Handbook: https://www.panola.edu/ (located on at the bottom under student)