PHIL 100 Introductory Philosophy I focuses on reality and its relationship with human consciousness. In this course we explore questions about truth, objectivity and subjectivity, the existence of God, and the nature and limits of human knowledge.
Prerequisites: English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or ENGL 60 with a minimum grade of 60%
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 45 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 3 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Participate in a discussion-based learning environment about controversial topics in a respectful and collegial manner
- Read, write, and communicate about philosophy at an introductory level
- Outline major themes in historical and contemporary philosophy regarding truth, knowledge, and reality
- Identify and analyze contributions made by philosophers in scholarly and professional publications as well as in significant primary source texts, predominantly in the Western tradition
- Formulate arguments that use evidence and reason to support claims
- Demonstrate developing skills at reasoning through philosophical issues related to significant personal and social questions
Teaching and Learning Approach
The aim of this course will be to introduce students to the most fundamental questions in Western philosophy
through a combination of classical and contemporary readings. Through critical examination and collegial
discussion, students will learn to articulate positions on complex philosophical issues such as the existence of
god, the reality of the external world, the foundations of moral values, and whether beauty is in the eye of the
beholder. This is a class that will require active participation and engagement with the material. Understanding of
philosophical concepts will be assessed via short written assignments and two longer papers.Learning Resources
All readings will be available on MoodleDetailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. What is philosophy? How is philosophy done? Why does philosophy matter?
2. How do we talk about reality? What are the basic building blocks we use to understand the world?
3. How do we talk about reality? What are the basic building blocks we use to understand the world?
4. What can we know? Is there anything of which we can be truly certain? Where does knowledge come from?
5. What can we know? Is there anything of which we can be truly certain? Where does knowledge come from?
6. What can we know? Is there anything of which we can be truly certain? Where does knowledge come from?
7. What can we know? Is there anything of which we can be truly certain? Where does knowledge come from?
8. Can religious belief be rationally justified? What are the arguments for and against the existence of god?
9. Can religious belief be rationally justified? What are the arguments for and against the existence of god?
10. Can religious belief be rationally justified? What are the arguments for and against the existence of god?
11. Are we ethically obligated to justify our beliefs? Can it be wrong to believe something without sufficient evidence?
12. Can there be value and meaning in a world without a god? Where does life's meaning come from?
13. Can there be value and meaning in a world without a god? Where does life's meaning come from?
14. How should we resist evil and injustice? Is violence ever justified?
15. Yet to be determined topic in philosophy based on student interest.Assessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
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| Attendance | 1 | 5% |
| Participation | 1 | 5% |
| Short Written Assignments | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | 40% |
| Paper # 1 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | 25% |
| Paper #2 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Table
Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 90-100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 85-89 |
A |
4.00 |
| 80-84 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 76-79 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 72-75 |
B |
3.00 |
| 68-71 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 64-67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 60-63 |
C |
2.00 |
| 55-59 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 50-54 |
P |
1.00 |
| 0-49 |
F |
0.00 |
| |
DNW |
0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.