Course Syllabus

Course: PHIL 2900

Division: Humanities
Department: English & Philosophy
Title: Special Topics in Philosophy

Semester Approved: Fall 2023
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2028
End Semester: Summer 2029

Catalog Description: This course is designed to introduce unique and diverse philosophical topics on a semester-to-semester basis. The course allows students to explore a variety of philosophical topics, theories, and concepts that are not covered within the typical course offerings. The specific subject for any given semester will be shown in the class schedule.

General Education Requirements: Humanities (HU)
Semesters Offered: TBA
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
Repeatable: Yes.


Justification: : This course allows students to explore a variety of philosophical, political, religious, and social ideas that are beyond the scope of typical philosophy course offerings. It will provide variety in the English & Philosophy Department offerings and a chance for faculty to experiment with potential new courses. While this course is fairly unique to Snow, it meets all HU outcomes and thus fulfills the Humanities GE requirement. It will transfer as part of the GE package or elective credit to other USHE institutions.

Other institutions within the USHE system also offer similar special topics classes, like Phil 2900 at SLCC, Phil 2988 at Utah State, and Phil 290G and Phil 290I at UVU.

The Humanities are a group of academic disciplines that study the many ways by which humans have attempted to understand themselves and their world. At Snow College, the Humanities focus on cultural traditions that are expressed largely through text or which have a strong textual component: languages, literature, and philosophy. The methods by which the Humanities study culture are at once analytical and interpretive, objective and subjective, historical and aesthetic.

General Education Outcomes:
1: A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Students will learn about the humanities through an introduction to philosophy from a theme-based perspective. The particular emphasis will vary by course. An important goal of this course is to foster an appreciation of philosophy in general, the variety of projects and disciplines within philosophy, and to introduce students to diverse voices and cultures.

Readings, quizzes, assignments, exams, and writing assignments will ask students to consider readings, examine ideas, and demonstrate understanding in a variety of contexts.


2: A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students will practice close reading of philosophical texts and will demonstrate comprehension and analysis through participation in class discussion, assignments and exercises, exams, projects, and application of philosophical terminology.

3: A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. No matter the topic of a particular iteration of this class, students will consider the perspectives offered by philosophy, history, science, or any number of other disciplines as they engage with course materials. Students will demonstrate their ability to make these interdisciplinary connections through readings, quizzes, assignments and exercises, exams, projects, and writing assignments.

4: A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Students will reason critically about philosophical problems by grappling with issues raised in the relevant philosophical literature and broader historical and social context. Students will demonstrate this skill through discussions, exams, assignments and exercises, and projects.

5: A student who completes the GE curriculum can communicate effectively through writing and speaking. Students will use effective philosophical and logical methodology to write arguments and responses to the questions, problems, and debates they encounter through the course. They will also learn discipline-specific language and terms used to effectively discuss philosophy and its connection to our universe. They will demonstrate these skills by participating in class discussions, written assignments, projects, and presentations.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes:
1: Through a study of representative historical and contemporary issues and accompanying texts and primary sources, students will be introduced to various philosophical theories, concepts, arguments, principles, and methodologies. Students will learn how these theories, concepts, and methods apply to the world around them to inform us about the world as well as solve a variety of different problems that we face in our contemporary world. Using class discussion, exams, presentations, and projects, students will demonstrate their understanding of these methods as well as ask and explore related philosophical questions.
 Through a study of representative historical and contemporary issues and accompanying texts and primary sources, students will be introduced to various philosophical theories, concepts, arguments, principles, and methodologies. Students will learn how these theories, concepts, and methods apply to the world around them to inform us about the world as well as solve a variety of different problems that we face in our contemporary world. Using class discussion, exams, presentations, and projects, students will demonstrate their understanding of these methods as well as ask and explore related philosophical questions.


2: Understand how knowledge is created through the study of language systems, literature, and/or philosophy. Through readings, class discussion, and activities, students will use philosophy to examine how different philosophers in different times, cultures, and places thought about the world and the human place in it and used philosophical methods and arguments to explain our universe and our place in it. Students will then apply these skills to the world around them by using the tools they developed to engage with the world they inhabit. Students will demonstrate these abilities through written assignments, exams, and group and individual projects.

3: Understand cultural traditions within an historical context and make connections with the present. By reading and discussing the origins and historical development of various philosophical questions and topics, students will explore the development of science, art, technology the plurality of logical and epistemic tools that allow us to understand and navigate that world. Students will show that they can critically engage with the various theories presented both historical and contemporary so that they can better understand their lives and the nature of our current human situation. Students will demonstrate this critical engagement through class discussions, assignments, exams, and group and individual projects.

4: Critically read and respond to primary texts (original, uninterpreted) from a Humanities’ perspective. Students will be able to read, interpret, analyze, and respond to historical and philosophical text. Class discussion, assignments, exams, and projects will allow students to demonstrate their ability to read critically in order to understand, explain, analyze, and apply metaphysical, epistemic, ethical, and logical tools to these cases, problems, and situations.

5: Write effectively within the Humanities discipline to analyze and form critical and aesthetic judgments. Using exams and assignments, students will be able to use the metaphysical, epistemic, ethical, and logical tools developed in this class to write and analyze problems and dilemmas that they face as contemporary members of our society. In doing so, students will show that they can construct arguments that utilize the tools discussed in class to develop strong arguments with textual, philosophical, and logical support that show critical thinking and philosophical nuance.


Content:
Course content varies according to the specific topic in any given semester; however, the content will include reading a substantial number of major works philosophical works associated with the topic of the course. Course content will typically be delivered through lecture and class discussion. Instructors are encouraged to use this course to introduce diverse voices in philosophy.

Key Performance Indicators:
Assignments 10 to 40%

Quizzes and/or Exams 20 to 40%

Projects 0 to 40%

Presentations 0 to 30%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Texts will vary according to content of the class. Typically, the class will include at least six major works by writers in the area of concentration.


Pedagogy Statement:
In order to create an inclusive environment for students from diverse backgrounds, course content will be delivered through short lectures, class discussions, collaborative group activities, and writing assignments to ensure an engaged and interactive classroom. Instructors will establish accountability for students' reading through reading quizzes, discussion boards, bell work, etc. Because students enter the classroom with differing skills and experience responding to philosophical theories and problems, time will be devoted throughout the semester to help students either develop or strengthen the skills necessary to understand, respond to, and analyze texts. The course should also build to a signature assignment that will allow students to demonstrate their learning related to the HU GE outcomes. Exams can have some focus on recall and content but should also be opportunities for critical thinking and synthesis of concepts across the philosophical literature. Furthermore, after students are prepared to engage with the material, their first encounter with the literature occurs outside of the classroom. Class time employs differentiated and inclusive learning techniques, including discussion in varying formats, lecture, small and large group discussion, class discussion, etc. The professor functions as a guide, asking students to engage with the literature and its broader significance as they move from initial impressions to informed analysis, close reading, interpretation, and critical thinking.

Instructional Mediums:
Lecture

Maximum Class Size: 30
Optimum Class Size: 20