Spring 2023 - PHIL 100W D100

Knowledge and Reality (3)

Class Number: 7104

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 24, 2023
    Mon, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Apr 24, 2023
    Mon, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to some of the central problems of philosophy. Topics to be discussed include the different theories of reality; the nature and sources of knowledge, truth, evidence, and reason; the justification of belief and knowledge about the universe. These topics and problems will be considered as they arise in the context of issues such as: relativism versus absolutism; the existence of God; personal identity; the nature of the mind and its relation to the body; free will and determinism; the possibility of moral knowledge. Open to all students. Students with credit for PHIL 100 or PHIL 300 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

In this course, students will learn to think analytically, recognizing the structure of an argument and how to critique it. Students will hone these skills through scrutiny of some classic philosophical questions: Is anything knowable beyond doubt? Could we be living in a simulation? Do gods exist? Do we have free will? Are right and wrong a matter of fact? Students will also practice explication, comparison, and synthesis of argumentation through writing, with a focus on organization and clarity.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

PHIL 100W may be applied towards the Writing Requirement and the Breadth-Humanities Requirement.

Videos: Why Study Philosophy? and Meet our professors!

Grading

  • Three short essay assignments (26.66% each) 80%
  • Final exam 20%

NOTES:

The course will be conducted in person.

There will be an in-person final exam.

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

REQUIRED READING:

Stich, S. P., & Donaldson, T. (2019). Philosophy: Asking Questions--Seeking Answers. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 0199329966, 9780199329960

This text has been often used at SFU, and so you may be able to find a used copy.


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

New elective grade policy : P/CR/NC, pilot project in place from Spring 2021 to Summer 2023. List of exclusions for the new policy. Specifically for Philosophy: 

  • Students can use a P or CR to satisfy any requirement for a major, joint major, honours, or minor in Philosophy (with the exception of Honours tutorials).
  • Students can use a P or CR to satisfy any prerequisite requirement for any PHIL course.
  • Students can use a P (but not a CR) to satisfy any requirement for the Ethics Certificate, or the Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate.
  • Philosophy Majors and Honours students can use a P (but not a CR) to satisfy any WQB requirement.

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