[ Fall 2011 ]

Professor : Dr. M. J. Seidler / Office: CH 322
Phone : 745-5756  /  E-mail: michael.seidler@wku.edu
Office Hours : MWF 10:15 - 11:15 a.m., & by appt. 

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT : Like its associates, Phil 101: Truth and Relativism, & Phil 103: The Committed Life, Phil 102 is a general introduction-to-philosophy course.  Phil 101, 102, and 103 are thematized  differently and may be taken separately for GenEd or philosophy credit. 
 

DESCRIPTION :  This course introduces students to philosophy by focusing on the important disciplinary areas of ethics (the good) and aesthetics (the beautiful).  Like other introductory-level courses in any field, it surveys basic topics, introduces major figures, and seeks to develop students’ skills in philosophical reasoning and discussion. Through a variety of assignments, it seeks also to improve students' writing skills. 

TEXTS : 

• Simon Blackburn, Being Good (Oxford, 2001), pbk.  [B] 
• Plutarch, Lives of Noble Greeks and Romans (selections), on BB / Documents [P]
• Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Selected Letters (Oxford, 2010), pbk. [Sen] 
• Thomas Hurka, The Best Things in Life (Oxford, 2010) [H] 
• Roger Scruton, Beauty: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford, 2011), pbk. [Scr] 
• George, What Should I Do? (cases in ethics) (Oxford, 2010), pbk. 

Assignments : There are four writing assignments of varying lengths and increasing value, based on the materials covered in class and amounting altogether to about 20 pp. for the semester.  Due dates are indicated on the schedule below.  Further instructions will be provided as we work our way through each of the books and thematic possibilities become clear.  Each student will also be responsible for a short class presentation of a case from George's collection.  The final course grade is based on 95 pts. (see the Conversion Chart on the website and  BB); 5 additional points (optional) may be earned through class participation.

Attendance : Students are allowed a maximum of four (4) unexcused absences; additional unexcused  absences may be penalized.  Note that attendance and class participation are not identical: the former signifies passive physical presence, the latter your active involvement in the class. 

Electronic resources : Class website ( http://people.wku.edu/michael.seidler), BlackBoard (http://ecourses.wku.edu), Research Tools (http://people.wku.edu/michael.seidler/research.htm). 

Electronic Equipment:  Use of any gadget (including laptops) during class must be approved in advance by the professor.  Abuse of such privileges will result in their withdrawal.  

SCHEDULE

Topics and dates may shift slightly during the semester, as will be evident to students attending class.  Assignment dates are more fixed, but will also be confirmed in class.  You should read the assigned selections before coming to each class.  Note: on the schedule below, ibid. means 'the same'.