Knowledge and Its Limits

Mr. Graves

This handout gives a general description of the requirements for the course, including the texts, testing, attendance policy, and grading. Read it carefully. Ask any questions now. By continuing in this class, you are agreeing to accept the responsibility for understanding and adhering to these requirements for the rest of the semester. [See Student Contract, in your Reader.] "Incompletes≤ in this class will be issued extremely rarely, so if you anticipate serious problems meeting these responsibilities, you should arrange to drop the class. However, most students find these requirements quite achievable. Please feel free to discuss any concerns with me immediately.

GOALS: To develop --

A fundamental understanding of some of the goals, tools, subject areas, issues, approaches, and processes of philosophy;

A basic appreciation for the asking of philosophical questions, and for the seeking of answers through critical and imaginative reflection, and through systematic inference and abstraction;

An elementary sense of the necessity for, pleasures and difficulties of, and consequences arising from, the doing of philosophy, for persons as individuals and as communities;

A beginning mastery of specific issues, problems, approaches, and methods found within the fields of metaphysics and the theory of knowledge (AKA. "Epistemology").

TEXTS:

Twenty Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy, 4th edition, by Bowie, Michaels, and Solomon; and,

The course reader, available at Copy Edge, a few blocks west of campus at Ocean and Miramar;

A dictionary; and,

A notebook with pockets in which to do exercises and retain all of your work (including reading quizzes, tests, and papers) for review. You will need something that secures loose work, not just a folder.

The novels Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, by Robert Pirsig, and Sophie's World, by Josten Gaarder, are recommended for your own reading, as they deal informatively with many of the issues we will address. They not required. (Labyrinths of Reason, by William Poundstone, is also highly recommended, but may be out of print, in which case it would be available only on line or from used-book stores.) I can make many other recommendations regarding interesting, relevant reading at your request. Also, see Recommended Readings, at the back of this Reader.

Be sure to purchase your texts right away, and to bring them and your notebook to each class meeting.

READING: Readings will average 10-50 pages, plus handouts and exercises, each week. Use any study guides, outlines, and other materials when they are provided in order to identify important points and practice central techniques. (You may also be expected to view one or more one-to-two hour videos on your own time.) Though they may not happen every week, you should expect either a homework assignment or a reading quiz each week, and you should be prepared to demonstrate your work on and understanding of course materials at any time.

TESTING: There will be a test normally lasting 40 - 50 minutes every three weeks beginning with week three, and a test on week 17, the last week of class. These tests will check your knowledge of the material and your ability to apply the skills it discusses. Class discussions, weekly assignments, and available study sheets and outlines should give the general flavor of what will be covered. Be sure you are aware of upcoming tests, as indicated in your course syllabus; and be certain to attend on quiz days.

There will be no midterm, final exam, or test covering material cumulatively through the semester. However, some test questions will relate prior material to current material. You should expect, and be prepared for, unannounced tests or writing assignments at any time.

This approach means that, while you won't experience any "exam crunch" times during the term, neither will there be any "cram" times. Your success will depend upon continuing study, practice, and participation.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: There will be a number of writing assignments of various lengths. You should be prepared for a written assignment at any time, and should expect at least one every week. Unless otherwise specified, written assignments are due at the next class meeting; they will receive a substantial deduction if turned by the 2nd class meeting following the assignment. No papers will be accepted beyond that time. No exceptions; please donπt ask.

ACTIVE, SKILLED PARTICIPATION: This is central to the class, and to the practice of good philosophy and good learning. Solid participation demands full preparation -- in this case, completion of the reading and exercise homework -- and reflective thought.

Good participation will also show both active discussion and active listening. Both should show concern for relevance to issues under discussion, sensitivity to the needs of others in the class community, and a sense of proportion -- that is, if you are talking only a little, or not at all, you need to begin making more of a contribution; if you are talking significantly more than most other class members, you should use that opportunity to practice active listening. If you are unsure whether your participation shows these qualities, check with me. (See ≥Meeting With Me,≤ below.)

Also take care not to withdraw from the community into mere note taking, or to withdraw into a "sub community of neighbors" in the classroom. (In the rare case where class performance has distracted us from, or worked against, class goals, points will be subtracted.) Do not take this requirement for granted; it will reflect substantially upon your grade. If you are unsure of how you are doing, please see me. If -- for whatever reason -- you are not prepared to participate in this manner, you should drop this section now; this requirement will not be altered or ignored.

MEETING WITH ME: I strongly recommend that you schedule at least two meetings during the term: the first, to make sure you are well oriented and clear all the facets and details of the course; the second, between week 4 and week 10, to assist you in doing the strongest work you can. (Other office visits are welcome.) In addition to discussing your participation, tests, paper, etc., you should determine, through our discussion, how you are doing in the course, strengths and weaknesses you display, and what you can do to improve. You should be at least roughly aware of how you are doing in the course at all times. (Be sure to use the Semester Scorecard in the back of the Reader.) This is also a time to let me know how the class is going for you, to let me know what you find helpful and unhelpful, and to ask any questions you might not have brought up in class. Bring all of your written work, and any questions you have. My office is in Room 664 Batmale.

We will have a third of a year together. Making sure that these meetings happen is solely your responsibility. So, you have a third of a year to make the necessary arrangements, which will take into account the realities of both your schedule and mine.

ATTENDANCE: This is essential. Roll will be taken and attendance policy observed. If you miss more than five meetings -- two meetings for the Tuesday evening class -- you must discuss dropping the course with me. If you arrive after the roll has been taken, you will be counted absent. If you are present for the roll but absent later in the class period, you will be counted absent and you must come and see me before or directly after the next class meeting. There are no exceptions to these rules.

GRADES: Grades will be computed on the basis of all points accumulated during the term. Grading will not be done on a curve; that is, you will not be competing with each other for grades. Here is some general information about grades, so you can keep track of how you are doing during the term using the Semester Scorecard in the back of your Reader:

Course:

A Range = 90% of total possible points (or above)

B Range = 80% of total possible points (to 89%)

C Range = 70% of total possible points (to 79%)

D Range = 60% of total possible points (to 69%)

F Range = 59% of total possible points (or less)

Possible points:

Tests 40 points each

Reading quizzes 10 points each

Short writings, other homework 10 - 20 points each

Participation* 100 points

*(Includes class participation, office visit, etc.)

Attendance -- problems will seriously diminish your grade. Also, see "ATTENDANCE."