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Philosophy 101: Introduction to Philosophy, §E6M3, Queens College
Fall 2002, Russell Marcus
Mondays, 6:30-9:20 pm, except where noted, Music 265
Syllabus
Required Texts:
Rene Descartes, Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy, Fourth Edition, Hackett.
George Berkeley, A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge, Hackett.
David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Hackett, Second Edition.
Plato, Five Dialogues, Hackett.
Week I: September 9. Introduction. Logic and argument. Background to Descartes.
Week II: Tuesday, September 17. Descartes, Meditation I.
Week III: September 23. Descartes, Meditation II.
Week IV: September 30. Descartes, Meditations III and IV. Anselm, "The Ontological Argument" (handout).
Week V: October 7. Descartes, Meditations V and VI. Review.
Week VI: Wednesday, October 16. Midterm. Locke, "Some Further Considerations Concerning our Simple Ideas of Sensation" (handout).
Week VII: October 21. Berkeley.
Week VIII: October 28. Berkeley.
Week IX: November 4. Berkeley.
Week X: November 11. Hume. Essay Due.
Week XI: November 18. Hume.
Week XII: November 25. Hume.
Week XIII: December 2. Plato's Apology and Crito.
Week XIV: December 9. Plato's Euthyphro.
Final Exam: December 16, 6:15-8:15 pm.
Course Requirements
1. All the readings listed above.
2. Regular attendance, participation, and journal writing. (10%)
3. Weekly Quizzes. (10%)
4. One 4-6 page (1000-1500 words) essay. (30%)
5. Midterm, based on the readings and lectures. (20%)
6. Final Exam. (30%)