PHIL 101 Introductory Philosophy II focuses on the nature of human reality. We explore metaphysical issues such as self-identity, free will, and the relationship between the mind and body. We examine questions about taste in aesthetic judgment, and we discuss issues in ethical theory including relativism, subjectivism, and egoism. We end the course by looking at theories and problems of justice.
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 discussions and activities that explore challenging philosophical ideas and arguments in a respectful and collegial manner
- Read, write, and communicate about philosophy at an introductory level
- Explain major themes in historical and contemporary philosophy regarding metaphysics, aesthetics, and ethics
- 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
- Assess the strength of philosophical views that relate to significant personal and social questions
Teaching and Learning Approach
This is a remote online course with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous elements. I will upload
asynchronous lectures every Tuesday for you to watch before you attend the synchronous sessions on
Thursdays (8am-9:30am) via Zoom. In light of this, you will need a device capable of running Zoom with a
webcam and microphone, a stable internet connection, and an environment free of background noise and
distractions in order to participate in the class discussions.Learning Resources
Required:
All readings, lecture videos, and slides will be posted on Moodle.Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. Introduction to Philosophy
2. Mind and Body: Substance Dualism
3. Mind and Body: Physicalism, Functionalism, and the Hard Problem of Consciousness
4. Personal Identity
5. Free Will and Determinism
6. Meta-Ethics – Realism and Relativism
7. READING WEEK!
8. Character and Virtue
9. Deontology and the Categorical Imperative
10. Consequentialism and Utilitarianism
11. Social Contract Theory and the State of Nature
12. Theories of Just Distribution
13. Nihilism and the Origin of Values
14. Aesthetics – Is There a Standard of Taste?Assessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
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| Attendance + Participation | (assessing learning outcome 1) | 10% |
| Short Weekly Assignments | (assessing learning outcomes 2, 3, 4) | 20% |
| First Paper | (assessing learning outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) | 30% |
| Final Paper | (assessing learning outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) | 40% |
| 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.