Teacher: David Christopher Lane, Ph.D. Class: Introduction to Philosophy Publication date: Winter/Spring 1998
Introduction to Philosophy
Class Outline: Winter/Spring 1998
Professor: David Christopher Lane, Ph.D. Office: Cyberspace and Point Panic Phone: 909 594-5611 (4593)--off campus only On campus: dial 4000 then 4593 Fax: 909 594-7661 E-mail address: dlane5@hotmail.com Web site: THE NEURAL SURFER (http://www.mtsac.edu/~dlane) Office hours: By appointment only Subjects currently teaching: Honors World Religions Honors Philosophy Introduction to Philosophy Introduction to SociologyREQUIRED BOOKS:
1. THE SOCRATIC UNIVERSE 2. DEAD PHILOSOPHERS (http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/deadphilosophers) 3. THE UNKNOWING SAGE (book version and/or internet version) 4. THE LIFE AND WORK OF RAMANA MAHARSHI (book version or internet version) 5. THE ESSENTIAL KEN WILBER (book version and internet assignment) 6. THE ART OF SPIRITUAL HYPERBOLE (book version and internet assignment) 7. THE GURU HAS NO TURBAN (book version) 8. SCHRODINGER'S KITTENS (book version and http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/einsteinschalkboard) 9. DARWIN'S DANGEROUS IDEA (book and internet assignment: http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/selfishgene) 10. PHANTOMS IN THE BRAIN (book and internet assignment) 11. GENTLE GODLESSNESS (internet version) 12. NIETZSCHE'S LIFE AND WORK (various book versions and internet assignments). 13. THE PHYSICS OF IMMORTALITY (book and internet assignment) 14. i DON'T KNOW: Nor Did Socrates, Nicholas of Cusa, or Richard Feynman (book version)RECOMMENDED (but not mandatory) TEXT:
1. The World Treasury of Physics, Astronomy, and Mathematics edited by Ferris.
OVERALL CLASS REQUIREMENTS (mandatory):
1. Perfect class attendance (must read an extra book for each class missed) .br 2. Absolutely no tardies (must read an extra book for any class missed) .br 3. All reading completed on time. .br 4. Up-to-date record of class/test progress and bi-weekly e-mail updates. .br 5. Consistent in-class participation and engagement. .br
WEEKLY READING ASSIGNMENTS
(All reading assignments must be done on the required date; absolutely no exceptions)
SCHEDULED TESTS
(All tests must be taken on the assigned dates; absolutely no exceptions.)
REQUIRED THREE QUESTIONS PER WEEK
Each student is required to write three questions each week (due per book). Be sure to write them out and bring them to class as well.
INTERNET
Each student will be assigned a computer account (during the first week of school) which will allow them access to the internet and to e-mail. Each student is required to e-mail the professor at least twice a month about his/her progress in the class; additionally each student is required to read in several of online philosophy clubs, including http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/msacphilosophygroup and http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/neuralsurferwebsitediscussion.
GRADING POLICY
In order to pass Dr. Lane's class (with a "C" or higher) you must do the following minimum requirements (absolutely no exceptions):
1. Perfect attendance (Any class that is missed must be made up by reading one of the extra books in its entirety mentioned below. After reading the book thoroughly, the student will then e-mail the Professor with his/her one page analysis. Any student missing more than 4 or more classes must immediately drop the class or receive an "F" for the entire semester. There are no exceptions to this rule. Why? Because I consider perfect attendance a cornerstone to the class. If you must miss a class for whatever reasons, you must read one extra book per missed class and e-mail your critique within two weeks. Each student is also required to keep an accurate record of his/her attendance. One of the following books may be read to make-up for a single class session. Keep in mind that three missed classes is the terminal limit and therefore three extra books are the limit allowed. A. Biology as Ideology by Lewontin. B. Matter and Consciousness by Paul Churchland. C. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. D. Darwin for Beginners. E. Einstein for Beginners. F. Nietzsche for Beginners. G. Foucalt for Beginners.
2. No Tardies Any student who enters the classroom 30 seconds or more after the class starts is required to make up that tardy by reading one of the following short books. There are no exceptions to this rule. Four or more tardies and the student is required to drop the class or receive an "F" for the semester. Below is the list of books one may read if one is tardy (one book per tardy): A. The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx; B. The Gospel of John. C. The Way of a Pilgrim. D. A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis.
3. Do All of the Assigned Reading Each student is required to thoroughly read each week's assignment. There are no exceptions to this rule and the student is advised that unless the reading is done by the required time he/she should seriously consider dropping the class. Each week the student will be asked if he/she did the reading; it is assumed that any student who attends class has a priori met the reading requirement.
4. Three Questions Each Week Each student must write three questions each week on the assigned reading. These questions form the basis for the Socratic lecture/discussion which commences each week. Any student who does not do the necessary three questions should seriously consider dropping the class. There are no exceptions to this rule. The questions should also be posed weekly on the philosophy discussion group: http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/msacphilosophygroup.
5. Pass Each Scheduled Test
Every test is an important one and each one reflects, more or less, the effort the student has put into the class. Each test must be taken at the scheduled time. There are no make-ups given.
6. Complete All Assigned Internet/Computer Tasks
7. DESIGN YOUR OWN WEB PAGE DEVOTED TO A "DEAD PHILOSOPHER" (to be discussed in class).
PERSONAL NOTE TO THE STUDENT FROM YOUR TEACHER:
If you do the necessary work I can guarantee you that you will excel in this class. I am not asking for brilliance; I am not asking for you to understand difficult things; I am not asking you to be a great writer. I am asking that you give me your fullest effort. With that I can assure you that you will pass with flying colors.