Course Description.
This course will examine the philosophical foundations and assumptions of major schools of psychology, including Freudianism, behaviorism, evolutionary psychology, developmental psychology, and cognitivism. In the course of examining these major schools, as well as in the discussion emerging therefrom, the following philosophical topics within psychological science will also be addressed: nativism vs. empiricism, the relation between emotion and reason, psychological taxonomy, animal intelligence, localization vs. holism, and the heuristic value of aberrant cases. Prerequisites: Junior standing or above, or permission of instructor.
 

Required Texts.
1) Antonio Damasio. Descartes' Error.
2) Flanagan, Owen. The Science of the Mind, 2nd ed.
3) Sacks, Oliver. An Anthropologist on Mars. 
Additional readings may be distributed later in the semester, depending on class progress and interest.
 

Requirements. Students are required to read and prepare the assigned materials, attend class regularly, and participate meaningfully in class discussions. The assigned readings are intended to stimulate thoughtful discussion, quetsions, and observations. Please remember that the professor is not attempting to encourage specific student viewpoint, but rather to encourage conceptual and verbal clarity. Be respectful and tolerant of others; disruptive or discourteous behavior will not be tolerated and may result in a lower grade, failure, or outright dismissal from the course. Excessive absence and/or lack of participation will lower the final grade. 
 

Grading.
Note: I will use the "plus/minus" system of grading in assigning your final course grade.
- Three quizzes, drop lowest: 40% (20% each)
- Short paper: 30%
- Final Exam: 30% (cumulative, but with emphasis on later material)
- Class participation, attendance, and preparation
(The extent and quality of meaningful class participation and regularity of attendance will also affect your grade.)
 

Test Attendance. If you miss a quiz or exam, you will not automatically be granted a makeup. Makeups will be granted at the discretion of the professor, and only in the case of extreme illness or other dire circumstances, for which you must supply written documentation from a doctor or other competent authority. Unexcused absence from an exam will result in a score of zero for the exam. However, if you know in advance that you will not be able to attend class on the day of the quiz or exam, see me well ahead of time, and if possible, I will arrange for you to take it early. 
 

Web Resources. From time to time, additional web resources will be suggested for the class. If you are not able to navigate the world wide web, please see me as soon as possible.
 
 

Philosophy of Psychology Course schedule. (May vary some depending on class progress).

Aug. 21: Student information, go over syllabus.

Th 23: Sacks, "An Anthropologist on Mars", pp. 244-296.

Tu 28: Sacks, "The Case of the Colorblind Painter", pp. 3-41 and "To See and Not See", pp. 108-152.

Th 30: Sacks, "The Landscape of his Dreams", pp. 153-187 and "Prodigies", pp. 188-243.

Sept. 4: Sacks, "The Last Hippie", pp. 42-76 and "A Surgeon's Life", pp. 77-107.

Th 6: Concluding class discussion over entire Sacks book, review.

Tu 11: QUIZ 1, introductory remarks concerning Flanagan text.

Th 13: Flanagan, Chapter 1, "Minds and Bodies...", pp. 1-22.

Tu 18: Flanagan, finish Chapter 1, "Minds and Bodies...", pp. 1-22.

Th 20: Flanagan, Chapter 2, "Naturalizing the Mind...", pp. 23-53.

Tu 25: Flanagan, finish Chapter 2, "Naturalizing the Mind...", pp. 23-53.

Th 27: Flanagan, Chapter 3, "Science and the Secret Self, pp. 55-82.

Oct. 2: Flanagan, finish Chapter 3, "Science and the Secret Self, pp. 55-82.

Th 4: Flanagan, Chapter 4, "The Science of Behavior", pp. 83-117.

Tu 9: Flanagan, finish Chapter 4, "The Science of Behavior", pp. 83-117.

Th 11: Class discussion and review over Flanagan, Chapters 1-4. 

Tu 16: QUIZ 2, begin Flanagan, Chapter 5, "The Case for Cog.-Dev. Psych....", pp. 119-149 (Piaget only).

Th 18: Flanagan, Chapter 5, "The Case for Cog.-Dev. Psych....", pp. 119-149 (Piaget only).

Tu 23: Flanagan, Chapter 6, "Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence", pp.175-263

Th 25: Flanagan, finish Chapter 6, "Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence", pp.175-263

Tu 30: Flanagan, Chapter 8, "Consciousness", pp. 306-366

Nov. 1: Flanagan, finish Chapter 8, "Consciousness", pp. 306-366

Tu 6: Class discussion and review over Flanagan, Chapters 5, 6 & 8.

Th 8: QUIZ 3, begin discussion of Damasio.

Tu 13: Damasio, Descartes' Error, Part One, pp. xi - 79. Distribute short paper assignment.

Th 15: Damasio, Descartes' Error, Part Two, pp. 83-201.

Tu 20: Damasio, Descartes' Error, finish Part Two, pp. 83-201. 

Th 22: Thanksgiving, no class.

Tu 27: Damasio, Descartes' Error, Part Three, pp. 205-267.

Th 29: Conclusion of Damasio, review for final exam, Collect short paper.

Final Exam: Friday, Dec. 7, 7-9:50 p.m. (in same room).