Introduction to Philosophy I (PH111) | GSÜ

Content

Objective

To learn some of the fundamental questions and concepts of philosophy by reading and discussing major philosophical texts. To develop the skills of philosophical analysis, criticism, and argumentation.

Course Content

Text-based study of fundamental concepts of the major branches of philosophy, such as ontology, ethics etc. The key concepts to be addressed are the followings: “Science and Sciences”, “Myth, Science and Philosophy”, “Freedom: Freedom and Necessity, Political Freedom”, “Foundations of Morality”, “Duty and Happiness”, “Law and Justice”, “Religion”, “History”, “State and Society”, “Work”.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course:
- know the general characteristics of philosophical thought,
- are able to think about specific problems using philosophical concepts,
- are capable of explaining and analyzing philosophical texts,
- have a an overall view on the history of philosophy, and on the evolution of philosophical thought,
- adopt a philosophical point of view on current debates and issues.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Reading, explanation, commentary, discussion.

References

G. Chomienne (éd.), Lire les Philosophes, Paris, Hachette, 2001.
G. Chomienne, A. Sénik, F. Collet, R. Giblat, J.-Ch. Sacchi, Philosophie Terminale L, Paris, Hachette, 2001.
P. Rosenberg & A. Sage, Philosophie Terminale, Paris, Nathan, 1994.
L.-M. Morfaux & P. Henriot, Philosophie Terminale Scientifique (Notions et Textes), Paris, Armand Colin, 1979.

Weekly Contents

Theory Topics
Week	Weekly Contents
1	The Origins and the Beginnings of Philosophy
2	Definition of Philosophy: Subject Matters and methods
3	Consciousness: Conception of Man as Thinking Subject
4	Passions and Human Nature
5	Philosophy as a Preparation for Death, Philosophy as a Way of Life
6	Critics of universalist conception of principes of reason.
7	Mid-term
8	Philosophical Theories on Language
9	Language, Mind, Imagination, and the World
10	Conditions of Possibility of Knowledge: Doubt and Certainty
11	Reason and Sense-Experience
12	Opinion and Truth in Philosophy and Science
13	Art Work and Beauty
14	Technology and Work

Practice Topics
Week	Weekly Contents
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Assessment System

Contribution to Overall Grade
Activities	Number	Contribution
Contribution of in-term studies to overall grade	1	40
Contribution of final exam to overall grade	1	60
Total	2	100

In-Term Studies
Activities	Number	Contribution
Assignments	1	10
Presentation	0	0
Midterm Examinations (including preparation)	1	30
Project	0	0
Laboratory	0	0
Other Applications	0	0
Quiz	0	0
Term Paper/ Project	0	0
Portfolio Study	0	0
Reports	0	0
Learning Diary	0	0
Thesis/ Project	0	0
Seminar	0	0
Other	0	0
Total	2	40

Relation of Proficiency

No	Program Learning Outcomes	Contribution
No	Program Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	Analyze philosophical texts with analytical and critical rigor;				X
2	Get an exhaustive knowledge on the history of philosophy; from antiquity to 20th century;				X
3	Provide access to information and expertise in the fields of systematic philosophy, such as ethic, esthetic, history of science, philosophy of society;				X
4	Establish the relation between philosophy and other fields of knowledge, such as, history, psychology, anthropology, sociology and other positive sciences;				X
5	Learn the theories of political science and the philosophical evaluation of historical and actual events;			X
6	Have a sufficient level of French and English in order to follow philosophical debates;					X
7	Have a sufficient level of the ancient Greek, Latin and Ottoman languages for reading philosophical texts written in these;	X
8	Develop a creative thinking and a knowledge of aesthetic theories which will allow the analysis of artworks and the history of art;				X
9	Acquire academic research methods and writing ability as well as to develop analytical skills, interpretation and criticism.				X

ECTS

Activities	Number	Period	Total Workload
Class Hours	14	3	42
Working Hours out of Class	14	2	28
Midterm Examinations (including preparation)	1	13	13
Other Applications	2	2	4
Final Examinations (including preparation)	1	23	23
Other	10	3	30
Total Workload			140
Total Workload / 25			5.60
Credits ECTS			6