THE PERSON & THE GOOD (PHIL 110--HONORS LLC)
SYLLABUS
FALL 2022
INSTRUCTOR: DR. STEPHEN J. LAUMAKIS
OFFICE: 206 JRC
PHONE: 962-5363
CLASS HOURS: MWF 8:15-9:20, SEPTEMBER 7-DECEMBER 14, 2022
OFFICE HOURS: 7:30-8:00 AM and BY APPOINTMENT
COURSE DESCRIPTION/GOALS:
As an introduction to philosophy, this course (1) enquires into the foundations of ethics, by (2) considering how our conception of the human person affects our understanding of the good human life. It also (3) considers the question of the rationality of belief in God and the difference (if any) God’s existence makes to our understanding of the person and the good. In addressing each of these topics, the course (4) develops and applies basic logical and critical thinking skills, introduced as an essential part of philosophical method.
The aim of the course is to introduce you to philosophy by presenting the questions and answers that philosophers think about with respect to the nature of the human person, ethics, and the existence of God--using philosophical methodology, and with substantial attention to Catholic intellectual tradition. It is expected by the end of the semester that you know something of the thought of several major philosophers and be able to articulate coherently your own understanding of the nature of the human person and the good human life.
This course is also designated as a Living Learning Community (LLC) course for the Aquinas Scholars Honors Program and counts toward the First-Year Experience (FYE) degree requirements. The Aquinas Scholars LLC is a residential community of Aquinas Scholars within the larger university-wide Aquinas Scholars Honors Program. A student participating in this course and the LLC will be required to participate in four LLC sponsored outside of class to receive FYE credit (minimum of two per semester). As Aquinas Scholars, your LLC events will count toward your required five honors events each semester. LLC events will be shared through the Aquinas Scholars LLC TommieLink group and attendance will be recorded on Canvas. Through the shared experiences in this course and the events and activities of the LLC, you will find opportunities to grow in community and begin your path toward academic excellence.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. Gaining a basic understanding of the subject (i.e., factual knowledge, methods, principles, generalizations, theories).
*This objective will be demonstrated by quizzes, tests, and class participation.
2. Developing knowledge and understanding of diverse perspectives, global awareness, or other cultures.
* This objective will be demonstrated by quizzes, tests, and class participation.
3. Learning to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view.
*This objective will be demonstrated by thought experiments, quizzes, tests, class participation, and whiteboard activities.
4. Developing skill in expressing oneself orally and in writing
*This objective will be demonstrated by tests, papers, presentations and class participation.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
BOONE, BRIAN, ETHICS 101
LAUMAKIS, HAPPINESS: THE PERSON & THE GOOD
LUCRETIUS, ON THE NATURE OF THE UNIVERSE
PLATO, FIVE DIALOGUES
ASSIGNMENTS:
Since this is a basic, introductory course emphasizing the understanding of elementary ideas, you are asked to concentrate on learning these fundamental philosophical notions. Reading of assigned texts is a MUST in order to introduce you to the subject matter, facilitate class discussion and participation, pose distressing questions, and just plain make you think. There will be 2 SHORT PAPERS (2-3 typed pages in length and NOT MORE THAN 4 TYPED PAGES) on pre-assigned readings. One paper will be presented to the class along with a 1-page summary/outline for the other members of the class. There will also be 2 EXAMS--a Mid-Term Exam and a Final Exam at the end of the semester. There will be 11 “weekly” quizzes on pre-assigned readings and class lectures, 3 Thought Experiments (TE’s), and other extra credit opportunities. There are NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES. There will also be on-line book quizzes worth at least 10% of your grade. Make-up EXAMS are possible ONLY UNDER THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES (i.e., your near-death or other kinds of serious illness that would involve a note from your doctor, a family or parenting-related emergency, or a UST-sponsored event--early purchase of an airline ticket for Fall Break or Thanksgiving does not count as such an excuse!). If you need to schedule a make-up you should see me ASAP to see if your situation meets the conditions under which a make-up may be taken. Make-up EXAMS are completely different from regular exams and typically all-essay. Late assignments will be penalized a full grade for each day they are late. Finally, for every hour of class time, students are expected to devote 2-3 hours of study to this course, including homework reading, review, and written assignments.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance is expected. Failure to attend class is a VERY SERIOUS MATTER! Excessive absence may result in grade reduction. Given the uncertainties surrounding the virus and its potential impact on our class, please familiarize yourself with the SPECIAL GUIDELINES DUE TO COVID-19 FOR COURSE ATTENDANCE.
GRADE DISTRIBUTION:
Participation= 20%
Quizzes & TE’s= 10%
Online Quizzes= 10%
Paper #1= 10%
Paper #2= 20%
Mid-Term= 10%
Final= 20%
ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS:
Academic accommodations will be provided for qualified students with documented disabilities including but not limited to mental health diagnoses, learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, Autism, chronic medical conditions, visual, mobility, and hearing disabilities. Students are invited to contact the Disability Resources office about accommodations early in the semester. Appointments can be made by calling 651-962-6315 or in person in Murray Herrick, room 110. For further information, you can locate the Disability Resources office on the web at http://www.stthomas.edu/enhancementprog/.