Course Description and Objective:   PHI 2011 is a course in philosophical reasoning in which we will examine some major arguments in philosophy and engage in critical evaluation of the concept of rationality itself.  The first half of the course will be devoted to an examination of some major problems of philosophy, their argumentative structure, and critical appraisal of their merits.  The second half of the course is an inquiry into the nature of rationality and some contemporary critiques of the notion of "reason," its use(s) and application.  You should become familiar with philosophical terminology, philosophical argumentation, problems in reasoning, and classical and contemporary debates regarding the nature of rationality.

Requirements and Grades:  Three examinations and individual assignments determine your grade for the course.  Exams count as 75% of your grade (25% each), and assignments count collectively as 25%.  One assignment grade can be dropped, but NO test grade is dropped.  Be sure to attend regularly because you are responsible for meeting all obligations for this course.  Make-up exams and assignments are given only with good, legitimate, and verifiable reasons.  Any late exams or assignments must be made up within three class meeting days of their initial administration.  THERE IS NO EXTRA CREDIT OFFERED OR AVAILABLE IN THIS COURSE.  Grades are earned, not given.

Grades and Grading Scale:  Grades are based on the following numerical values and are assigned using the +/- grading system.
 
 

Incomplete grades are assigned only in cases of severe or extreme hardship and are subject to conditions as appropriate.  "NC" grades are NOT available for this course.
    Plagiarism of any kind is a violation of the "Golden Rule" as published in the UCF Catalog.  Acadmic honesty and integrity are expected of everyone all the time.  Violations of academic integrity will be dealt with as appropriate.  See the link to academic integrity and visit the UCF website for information on the "Golden Rule."  In this course, it is probably a good idea to study with others and to collaborate to a reasonable extent on course assignments without going beyond the point at which you and another person or persons are submitting the same or substantially similar or identical work.  Do NOT collaborate on tests.
    Common courtesy is expected at all times.  Wandering in late is disruptive and impolite.  So are ringing cell phones and screeching beepers.  Please turn them off, or set to them to a silent alarm.  I prefer that you not record lectures.
    Attendance is strongly encouraged and expected, but it is not "counted" in determining your grade for the course.  In particular, you get no credit simply for "showing up."  Being is class, one would think, is a given.  You are responsible for being in class and for any exams or assignments you may miss.  Much of the material covered in class may not appear in the text or in any notes in this syllabus or website.  If you miss a class, you are responsible for obtaining any notes or information you missed.  Office hours are not held to repeat a lecture already given in class.  They are held to clarify points, provide assistance, and otherwise attend to academic matters relevant to the course.  If a test or assignment falls on a day of religious observance in which you participate, you must provide at least two weeks' advance notice in writing to be able to make up any missing test or assignment.

Texts:  1.  Cornman, Lehrer and Pappas, Philosophical Problems and Arguments, 4th Edition.  Hackett Publishing Company.
                2.  Genevieve Lloyd, The Man of Reason: "Male" and "Female" in Western Philosophy, Univ. of Minnesota Press.
                3.  Other works required for the course will be placed on reserve in the UCF Library or they will be available on-line.

Schedule and Information about On-line Notes:  From time to time, course materials may appear as links in this syllabus or may be given out in class as photocopies.  Watch for them.  Some elements of course contents may appear in "review" questions for exams.
    A message board is appended as a link in this syllabus.  The link appears in the table at the top of this document.  The message board is for on-line review and discussion.  You should use it for posting questions to other people registered in this course and for studying for exams.  It may also prove useful in completing course assignments.  When posting quetions or information on the message board, please use either your "real" name or a screen name by which you may be identified by others.  Anonymous posts are not always helpful.  Messages are not edited or screened as they are posted, so be decent and civilized and don't post anything inappropriate.  I do not necessarily engage in discussions or read all posted messages, but the board is regularly checked and maintained.

Schedule:
    Note:  The schedule below is meant only as a guide.  Changes and alterations in the schedule, scheduled examinations, readings, and other information may be made from time to time to ensure completion of all major sections listed below.
    If a work required for the course does not appear in one of the texts, a link to electronic documents, or a notation regarding reserve materials will be made in the schedule below.
    When review questions are posted, they are designed for review of major theories, issues, problems, etc., and do not necessarily reflect the content, format, or number of actual questions appearing on examinations.