Syllabi for Stone
PHI 2010 – Philosophy
VALENCIA COLLEGE – Fall 2022
Justin Stone, INSTRUCTOR
Email: jstone2@valenciacollege.edu
Required Text: The following text is required and must be purchased by each student for successful completion of the course:
- Philosophy Here and Now Fourth Edition ISBN: 978-0-19-754341-2
Additional Required Materials
The instructor will post additional reading materials, worksheets, homework assignments, writing topics, and study guides to Canvas. All students are responsible for retrieving those materials.
Course Description
Contemporary problems introduce major areas of philosophy: metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics, theories of knowledge and philosophy of religion. Students explore writings of notable philosophers, past and present, and examine how their ideas have shed light on problems and their relevance to modern life.
Participation
It is important to be active in this class. Many assignments require that you interact with your fellow students through the Discussion area. You are required to log into this course at least twice a week and submit to these discussions. All assignments MUST be turned in ON TIME. Each week’s assignments are due no later than Sunday by 11:59pm of each week (unless otherwise noted). New weekly assignments will become available every Saturday. Required reading and assignment details can be found in the “Week #” Assignment Page of every Module.
Plagiarism
The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 5th edition states, "to use another person's ideas or expressions in your writing without acknowledging the source is to plagiarize. Plagiarism, then, constitutes intellectual theft” (30). Examples of plagiarism are: not using quotation marks to designate direct quotes, not citing paraphrased or summarized information from an outside source, and copying or buying papers and essays and presenting them as one's own. Any paper found to be flagrantly plagiarized will receive an automatic F, and score of zero. A second offense will lead to academic sanctions including, but not limited to, failure of this course. A citation error is not flagrant plagiarism, but presenting someone else’s ideas as your own is. For more information on plagiarism visit: https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/departments/arts-humanities-west/writing/plagiarism.php
Classroom Behavior
This is a discussion-based on-line class. Often, you will be presented with points of view that may conflict with your own. Academic debate is highly encouraged, but rude and offensive behavior toward any member of the classroom will not be tolerated.
In order to maintain a positive online environment, we all need to follow the guidelines summarized below.
All students are expected to:
- show respect for the instructor and for other students in the class
- respect the privacy of other students
- express differences of opinion in a polite and rational way
- maintain an environment of constructive criticism when commenting on the work of other students
- avoid bringing up irrelevant topics when involved in group discussions or other collaborative activities
The following list summarizes the kind of behavior that is not acceptable. Each item listed below is grounds for removal from the class.
Students should not:
- Show disrespect for the instructor or for other students in the class
- Send messages or comments that are threatening, harassing, or offensive
- Use inappropriate or offensive language
- Convey a hostile or confrontational tone when communicating or working collaboratively with other students
- USE ALL UPPERCASE IN THEIR MESSAGES -- THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF SHOUTING!!!
COVID-19 Wellness, Reporting, and Support
If you find yourself feeling unwell and suspect you might be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, test positive for COVID-19, or have been in close contact with someone who has the COVID-19 virus, please stay home. Please also report this to Valencia’s COVID-19 case manager Tanya Mahan, at COVIDillness@valenciacollege.edu, so the College can determine how to best support you.
If you are unable to participate in the course due to illness, family emergency, etc., please communicate with me as soon as possible in order to create a plan for the best course of action. In the case of a prolonged online absence of one week or more, you and I will discuss options and determine your ability to continue in the course.
Weekly Reading Assignments
You are expected to have completed all reading assignments each week. These can be found in the “Week #” Assignment Page of the Module. Demonstrating you have done so during discussions and writing assignments is a part of your grade. The written assignments and exams will also center on these readings and build off of previous readings. You will be directly graded on your ability to think critically about three specific readings. You are expected to not only answer the prompts given to you about the reading assignment, but to also cite examples from the text and to use previous readings to help explain and defend your answers. DO NOT FALL BEHIND IN THIS COURSE!
Discussion Assignments:
As a part of your grade, you will be assigned SEVEN discussion questions to answer on Canvas for the assigned readings. You are also required to reply to TWO of your classmates’ posts for each of the assignments before the due date. Often there will be two different due dates for this assignment. To see BOTH due dates you must read the corresponding Week # Assignment Page. Remember, late work IS NOT accepted.
Class Exams
The THREE class exams will be comprised of short answer questions. Test questions will come from both the readings and the class discussions. Failure to follow test-taking guidelines will result in an automatic 0 score for the exam.
Students With Disabilities:
Valencia is committed to ensuring that all of its programs and services are accessible to students with disabilities. The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) determines reasonable and appropriate accommodations for qualified students with documented disabilities based upon the need and impact of the specific disability.
Any student requiring course accommodations due to physical, emotional or learning disability must contact the instructor and provide a Notification to Instructor form by the end of the second week of class. To obtain a letter of accommodation, contact OSD at 407-582-2229.
Statement of Support for Students with Food/Housing/Financial Needs:
Any student who has difficulty accessing sufficient food to eat, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this may affect his or her performance in the course, is urged to meet with a Counselor in the Advising Center for information about resources that may be available from the college or community. Student Services can also be found online at: https://valenciacollege.edu/students/student-services/
Grading Scale
A | 90-100 |
B | 80-89 |
C | 70-79 |
D | 60-69 |
F | 0-59 |
Believe Assignments (2) - 4%
Discussion Assignments (7) - 28%
Reading Assignments (7) - 28%
Exams (3) - 30%
Why Believe? - 10%
Weekly Schedule:
Week 1: Welcome to Philosophy- What Do You Believe and Syllabus Quiz
Week 2: Philosophy and You - Discussion #1
Week 3: Philosophy of Religion - Reading Assignment #1
Week 4: Ethics and Morality - Discussion #2
Week 5: Ethics and Morality (p162-204) - Reading Assignment #2
Week 6: Exam #1 - Exam #1
Week 7: Mind and Body - Discussion #3 and Reading Assignment #3
Week 8: Free Will and Determinism - Discussion #4
Week 9: Exam #2 - Reading Assignment #4 and Exam #2
Week 10: Epistemology - Discussion #5 and Reading Assignment #5
Week 11: Aesthetics - Discussion #6
Week 12: Exam #3 - Reading Assignment #6 and Exam #3
Week 13: Justice and Politics - Discussion #7
Week 14: Thanksgiving Break - Reading Assignment #7
Week 15: What do you Believe Now? (Due 11/29) and Meaning of Life - Reading Assignment (Extra Credit)
Final - Why do you Believe? Due 12/5
** This syllabus is subject to change by the instructor at any time