PHIL 201 DB4

PHIL 201 Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus

PHIL 201

Philosophy and Contemporary Ideas

Course Description

A survey of the major positions and figures in philosophy and the cultural worldviews and practical applications that derive from them, focusing specifically on theism, naturalism and humanism in contemporary thought.

Rationale

Through acquaintance with the major questions and thinkers of philosophy and learning to think more critically and philosophically, students are equipped to defend Christian faith against the intellectual attacks of non-believers. “To be ignorant and simple now—not to be able to meet the enemies on their own ground—would be to throw down our weapons, and to betray our uneducated brethren who have, under God, no defense but us against the intellectual attacks of the heathen. Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.” – C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses (MacMillan, 1980), 28.

I. Prerequisites

ENGL 101

II. Required Resource Purchases

Dew, J. K., & Foreman, M. W. (2014). How do we know? Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. ISBN: 9780830840366.

Foreman, M. W. Prelude to philosophy. (2014). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. ISBN: 9780830839605.

Lewis, C. S. The complete C.S. Lewis signature classics (paperback ed.). (2007). New York, NY: HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780061208492.

Morris, T. Philosophy for dummies. (1999). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. ISBN: 9780764551536.

Disclaimer: The above resources provide information consistent with the latest research regarding the subject area. Liberty University does not necessarily endorse specific personal, religious, philosophical, or political positions found in these resources.

III. Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment

B. Internet access (broadband recommended)

C. Microsoft Word

(Microsoft Office is available at a special discount to Liberty University students.)

IV. Measurable Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Explain the characteristics of philosophy.

B. Explain why the development of the philosophical mindset is important in general and for Christians in particular.

C. Demonstrate deductive and inductive reasoning through identification of valid and invalid argument forms.

D. Analyze major philosophical issues within the different divisions of philosophy.

E. Explain major terms and concepts in philosophy.

F. Describe a Christian philosophical viewpoint on major philosophical issues in one’s own words.

G. Assess different movements and thinkers within each division of philosophy from a Christian worldview.

H. Evaluate major philosophical problems and questions within each division of philosophy from a Christian worldview.

V. Course Requirements and Assignments

A. Textbook readings and presentations

B. Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.

C. Discussion Board Forums (4)

There are 4 Discussion Board Forums designed to generate interaction among students in regard to relevant, current, course topics. In each of these 4 Discussion Board Forums, the student is required to post 1 thread of at least 350 words. The student must post 1 reply to a classmate of at least 200 words.

D. Paper: Theism and Evil

The student will write a paper on the assigned topic in philosophy of religion. The paper is to be a minimum of 1,500 words (approximately 6 pages) and must reflect an understanding of material covered in the course. This paper must be submitted through SafeAssign.

E. Quizzes (8)

The student will take a quiz in Modules/Weeks 1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, and 16 of the course. Each quiz is open-book/open-notes and will cover the course material in each respective module/week. The student will have 45 minutes to answer 19 multiple-choice and true/false questions and 1 essay question.

VI. Course Grading and Policies

A. Points

Course Requirements Checklist	10
Discussion Board Forums	(4 at 100 pts ea)	400
Paper: Theism and Evil	120
Quizzes	(8 at 60 pts ea)	480
Total	1010

B. Scale

A = 900–1010 B = 800–899 C = 700–799 D = 600–699 F = 0–599

C. Late Assignment Policy

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email.

Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will receive a 10% deduction.

2. Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20% deduction.

3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the class will not be accepted.

4. Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.

Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.

D. Disability Assistance

Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at [email protected] to make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.

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