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Syllabus

This document outlines the syllabus for a philosophy course titled "Ethical Implications of Philosophy and Biographies" that examines how philosophers' biographical contexts can influence interpretations of their work. The course will analyze philosophers with questionable histories to determine if their ideas can stand alone without biographical context. Students will learn research and critical thinking skills, write weekly responses, and complete a final research essay and presentation connecting a philosopher's biography to their contributions and the ethics of analyzing philosophy without biographical knowledge. The course will cover topics like ethics in philosophy, Heidegger and Nazism, researching philosophers, and how the study of philosophy has changed over time. Attendance, participation, writings, and the final project will be graded.

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51 views

Syllabus

This document outlines the syllabus for a philosophy course titled "Ethical Implications of Philosophy and Biographies" that examines how philosophers' biographical contexts can influence interpretations of their work. The course will analyze philosophers with questionable histories to determine if their ideas can stand alone without biographical context. Students will learn research and critical thinking skills, write weekly responses, and complete a final research essay and presentation connecting a philosopher's biography to their contributions and the ethics of analyzing philosophy without biographical knowledge. The course will cover topics like ethics in philosophy, Heidegger and Nazism, researching philosophers, and how the study of philosophy has changed over time. Attendance, participation, writings, and the final project will be graded.

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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Philosophy 056: Ethical Implications of Philosophy and Biographies

Class time:
Instructor:
Contact:

Building 104 T/TR 3:004:15


Cassandra Driskell
[email protected]
888-777-6666
Office hours: Building 116 T/TR Noon3 and by appointment
Course Description:
Some of philosophys most famous philosophers have questionable histories. By
uncovering their secrets, we can do further interpretation of our beloved philosophers
ideals and greatest findings. The purpose in making these connections is for students to
interpret whether it is ethical for philosophers ideas to stand alone without biographical
context.
Prerequisites:
Philosophy 001 Introduction to Philosophy
Required Texts:
Heidegger and Nazism by Victor Farias
Course Reader which will be provide during the first week of school
Learning Objectives:
Analyze a text through a critical lens.
Understand the value of research.
Learn to research effectively.
Think critically rather than taking a text at face value.
Form an opinion of the ethics of philosophy as a science today.
Policies:
Attendance: More than 3 unexcused absences will result in the drop of a letter
grade. Each continued absence beyond 3 will drop a half letter grade each.
Cheating: The Philosophy Department and Group University do not tolerate
plagiarism or any other form of academic dishonesty. The result of plagiarizing or
cheating will result in failing the course with a final grade of F and further
disciplinary actions may be taken. Please read Group Universitys Honor Code for
more information.
Accommodations: If you have a disability and require academic
accommodations, please let me know and contact the Student Disability Services
office.
Technology: Be respectful. Put your cell phones on silent and refrain from
cruising the web or scrolling through Facebook during class time.
Deadlines: Assignments are due on time. Late work will not be accepted.
Grading Scale:
A=90100% (900 points or higher)

B=8089% (800899 points)


C=7079% (700799 points)
D=6069% (600699 points)
F=Below 60% (below 600 points)

Attendance=50 points
Participation=200 points
Weekly writing responses =10 responses worth 30 points each, 300 points
Final research essay=225 points
Final presentation=225 points

Grading Evaluation:
Attendance: More than 3 unexcused absences will result in the drop of a letter
grade. Each continued absence beyond 3 will drop a half letter grade each.
Participation: This is a discussion-based course, not a lecture course. I expect
each of you to contribute to the conversation and move our discussion forward in
a provocative, through-provoking manner. You can ask questions, respond to
another students comment, or state your opinion or observation, but you must be
an active participant to receive full credit for participation.
Weekly writing responses: Each week you will be given a topic to write about
on Blackboard, 250350 words. You will then be required to respond to one of
your classmates writings to further engage with the topic and possibly be used in
class discussion.
Final research essay: You will choose a philosophers biography to research and
write an in-depth historical essay about. You will connect what you find in your
philosophers biography to his/her contributions to the field of study and how this
affects how those studying philosophy should perceive your philosophers work.
Are his/her contributions misleading due to the background? Is there a connection
between the philosophers contributions to the study of philosophy and his/her
biography? Finally, you will form your own opinion of whether or not it is ethical
to only analyze a philosophers contributions without knowing any of the
philosophers background and biographical context, as you have now researched
and know more about the philosopher you chose.
Presentation: You will present to the class your findings from your research
essay and present your final opinion of the science of philosophy as it exists
today. Is it fine where it stands? Would you change anything? What do you not
agree with or what bothers you?
Course Schedule:
All course schedule information is subject to change as we progress in the course. We
may spend more time on one topic and less on another than I have originally planned. I
will assign homework as it comes, but you can count on having a writing response due
for every class period. If there is a reading assignment due, I will let you know.
Week 1
Week 2

Introduction to course
What are ethics? What are your ethics? What are ethics in philosophy?

Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16

History of ethics in philosophy


Heidegger and Nazism
Heidegger and Nazism
Heidegger and Nazism
Understanding a biography
NO CLASS SPRING BREAK
Discussion of philosopher of your choice, Course Reader
Discussion of philosopher of your choice, Course Reader
How to do unbiased research, Course Reader
Philosophy then vs. now, Course Reader
How we study philosophy and the ethical implications, Course Reader
TBD
NO CLASS, free time to work on final essays and ask me questions
Final presentations

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