Philosophy Syllabus Mr. Norwalk D5
Course Description:
This course aims at being an introduction to philosophical thinking in general, rather than provide a full survey of philosophical disciplines, their methods, doctrines and leading ideas. Instead of trying to give a comprehensive account of all possible forms that philosophy has assumed throughout its long history we shall zero in on several characteristic examples that illustrate how classical and modern thinkers formulate their questions and how they grapple with philosophical issues. Consequently, we shall focus on questions (for instance: What is knowledge? Does it come from reason or from experience? What is the ultimate or ideal? Are human actions free or determined? Why is there evil), as well as on some specific concepts philosophers use to articulate their experience and the world (being, substance, justice, a priori, a posteriori, contingent, necessary, empirical, etc.).
Objectives:
The main objectives of this course are:
(1) to become familiar with major philosophical problems and the methods of dealing them,
(2) to learn how to read and interpret philosophical texts
(3) to acquire an initial command of philosophical language.
(4) to demonstrate what it means to adopt philosophical attitudes as an elevated form of human curiosity.
Course Text:
There is no textbook for this class, but we will be looking at foundational documents from well-known philosophers. Our selection of readings covers the following four areas of philosophical thinking: Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, and Ontology. The selection includes pieces from different traditions, periods and authors (Plato, Aristotle, Aurelius, Aquinas, Descartes, Hume, Locke, Marx, Dostoevsky, Nietzsche, Mill, Russell, and Sartre to name a few).
Requirements:
Students need to come to class every day, on time, and ready to participate. This should be a fun class but it requires students to think and discuss sometimes controversial topics. This means students must be respectful and open minded.
Resubmission Policy:
Students who are dissatisfied with the grade they earn on any written assignment may see me to discuss whether they may be able to resubmit for a higher grade. If you intend to resubmit, you must see me immediately after receiving back the graded assignment. Students may also see me if they have an alternate note taking method to Cornell notes that works for them.
Cell Phone Policy: At the start of every class, students are required to place their cell phones in the designated classroom cell phone holder. Phones must remain there for the duration of class and may not be accessed until the end of the period unless explicitly permitted by the teacher for instructional purposes. Students are not permitted to take their cell phones with them when leaving the classroom on a hall pass; phones must remain in the holder until they return. Failure to follow this policy may result in loss of privileges or further disciplinary action in accordance with school rules.
AI Generated Work Policy: All assignments in this course must represent your own original thinking, writing, and analysis. The use of artificial intelligence tools (such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or similar programs) to generate any part of your work—unless explicitly assigned or approved by the teacher—is strictly prohibited. Submitting AI generated material as your own is considered academic dishonesty and will result in a zero on the assignment, a referral for academic misconduct, and possible further disciplinary action in accordance with school policy.
Grading Policy: In this course, assignments will make up 70% of the overall grade, quizzes will account for 20%, and the final exam will be worth 10%. Grades will reflect both the quality of work and the timely completion of tasks.
Late Work Policy: Students are expected to submit all assignments on time. Late work will be accepted only within the grading period in which it is assigned; once the quarter ends, no work from that quarter will be accepted for credit. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the teacher in advance if circumstances prevent timely submission.
Contact Me:
colin.norwalk@aps.edu
Cibola: (505) 897-0110 Ext: 40101
Room – D-5