Summer 2025 - PHIL 343 B100
Topics in the Philosophy of Mind (3)
Class Number: 3341
Delivery Method: Blended
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
May 12 – Jun 20, 2025: Mon, Wed, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Zara Anwarzai
zanwarza@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
Either one of: PHIL 201 or 203; or both of PHIL 100, 100W, or 300, and COGS 200.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
A study of theories of the mind, consciousness, and human action. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic.
COURSE DETAILS:
Topics in Philosophy of Mind: Nonhuman Minds
NOTE: This course is offered as intersession and blended, with 4 hours of lecture per week, and 2 hours of asynchronous online work.
This course introduces key theories in philosophy of mind and asks whether they apply to nonhuman agents. In other words, we ask whether nonhuman animals and artificial agents meet the standards of cognition, consciousness, or mind laid out by our leading philosophical theories of mind. We will also explore with research on animal and computer cognition, as well as theories of mind that are not primarily human-centric. Throughout the course, we will engage with three primary questions: (1) What makes a mind? (2) Do only humans have minds? (3) What’s at stake in nonhuman animals or artificial agents having minds?
The class project for this course will require students to compare three specific kinds of agents (e.g., a human child, a dog, Shakey the 1966 problem-solving robot) and analyze them along a specific theory of mind. Work outside of the meeting times will include reading, watching movies, interacting with AI-based systems such as Chat-GPT, and independent work on class projects. (Note: Students can work on projects in small groups of up to 3 if they choose.) Work during the meeting times will include following along with lectures, large-group discussions, and small-group discussions.
Grading
- Weekly participation: Attendance, in-class participation, small group discussion 25%
- Short at-home assignments: Watching videos, doing readings, writing short responses 25%
- Class project: Will include several components (including proposal, outline, written component, research component, peer review, and presentation) 50%
NOTES:
This is a blended course. Students will be expected to use the asynchronous hour to watch videos and movies, perform independent research, and meet with the instructor and/or their peers to work on their class project.
REQUIREMENTS:
Written work for this course will be submitted via Turnitin, a third party service licensed for use by SFU. Turnitin is used for originality checking to help detect plagiarism. Students will be required to create an account with Turnitin, and to submit their work via that account, on the terms stipulated in the agreement between the student and Turnitin. This agreement includes the retention of your submitted work as part of the Turnitin database. Any student with a concern about using the Turnitin service may opt to use an anonymous identity in their interactions with Turnitin. Students who do not intend to use Turnitin in the standard manner must notify the instructor at least two weeks in advance of any submission deadline. In particular, it is the responsibility of any student using the anonymous option (i.e. false name and temporary e-mail address created for the purpose) to inform the instructor such that the instructor can match up the anonymous identity with the student.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Students must have access to internet and a computer/other device that permits streaming video, word processing and teleconferencing with Zoom.
REQUIRED READING:
All readings will be provided to students via Canvas.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Department Undergraduate Notes:
Thinking of a Philosophy Major or Minor? The Concentration in Law and Philosophy? The Certificate in Ethics? The Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate?
Contact the PHIL Advisor at philcomm@sfu.ca More details on our website: SFU Philosophy
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.