COURSE INFORMATION

PHILOSOPHY OF HUMAN BEING

Philosophy of Human Being, PHIL121
3 credit hours
Meets: 201 St Charles (Chapel Classroom), 9:00am - 9:50am, MWF

Course Description

This course introduces students to philosophical thought "human being" (or human nature). Students will be introduced to traits considered essential to human being, and to a range of traditional positions philosophers have taken on these traits. (An essential trait distinguishes things from other things of the same type, and makes something what it is (= nature)). Some examples of these essential traits are human intelligence, human freedom, and human individuality. The course aims to approach these topics at an introductory level. Key themes in the course will be the difference between humans and animals, and unity of physical and spiritual aspects of human being, and the possibility of knowledge about the human soul. Long-range effects of this class are the development of intellectual habits of thought to approach philosophical issues. This course makes an excellent introduction to philosophy, and, in addition to its content, promises to develop student skills in reading, analysis, and reasoning, promote student respect for facts, evidence, and argument, and foster appreciation for opposing points of view and of those who hold them..

Course Goals

Instructional Objectives

This course will introduce students to aspects of human being that philosophers have considered important for our understanding of human nature and its uniqueness. I hope that students will come to appreciate philosophical analysis, develop a tolerance for the ambiguities necessarily present in its methodology, and value the role philosophical analysis can play in the overall understanding of our place in the world.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate their learning by:

Identifying and discussing different philosophical positions about the philosophy of human being
Analyzing and evaluating philosophical arguments offered to defend the truth of these positions in philosophy of human being
Formulating and defending your own philosophical positions about human being

Disclaimer regarding these objectives:

Students may vary in their competency levels on these abilities.

Students can expect to acquire these abilities only if they honor all course policies, attend class regularly, complete all assigned work on time and in good faith, and meet all other course requirements and expectations.

A couple of good resources for philosophy research

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

COURSE PROCEDURE

This course will utilize Moodle, Carroll’s learning management system, as a platform for content and learning activities. Students should think of Moodle as their “base” for operations, which will create personalized and social learning experiences in addition to our experiences in the classroom. Though we will be meeting face-to-face in the classroom according to the posted schedule, learning activities before and after class will be assigned on Moodle. Moodle will allow you to track your course progress throughout the semester, and to monitor assigned work and upcoming deadlines. All larger assignments must also be turned in electronically at the appropriate place in Moodle. I will use the tracking system which will direct students through the course in a particular direction. Because some activities will not be available to students without having completed prior activities, students need to keep current with all work on Moodle, and plan to visit the Moodle page at least 3 to 4 times per week. In addition, you should use your Carroll email (if you don't already) and check that regularly.

“The soul is that which gives the human body its act of existing.”

St. Thomas Aquinas

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