Philosophy
Philosophy Syllabus
Eric Newson
Phone 303.982.3542
Office E-107
Room E-106
Website https://sites.google.com/jeffcoschools.us/eric-newsons-webpage/home
Email enewson@jeffco.k12.co.us
The purpose of this course is to expose students to as many philosophical ideas as possible. Due to the depth of philosophical thought, and the brevity of this class, our discussion will pertain to the following philosophers and their works.
Socrates/Plato
Protagoras
Friedrich Nietzsche
Karl Marx
Confucius
Lao-tzu
GRADES
Your grade will be determined by an average of all lectures, class assignments, homework, quizzes, tests, and research projects. The standard grading scale will be used.
90 - 100 A
80 - 90 B
70 - 80 C
60 - 70 D
ATTENDANCE
Throughout the semester ICA's (in class activities) will be given randomly at the beginning of the period. If you have an unexcused tardy on any of these days a zero will be entered into the gradebook, and the only way to recoup these points is through extra credit. Consequently, it will be beneficial for you to be here, and on time.
MAKE-UP WORK
District policy allows two days for every excused absence. Any make-up work turned in after this due date will be graded but not recorded. Make-up work for unexcused absences will have the same two day grace period but docked a full letter grade when recorded. After the first two unexcused absences from a class, makeup work will be allowed for credit with two letter grade reductions for all work completed. The only way to recoup the missing percentage points is through extra credit. No late work is accepted unless other arrangements are made.
ACADEMICS
A couple items about classwork. First, while lectures will be posted on-line you are expect to take notes. Making your own copy of notes allows for greater retention and helps in finding the main idea. Images of work may be used, but to help me in grading your assignment, I would like it pasted into a Google Doc. Lastly, any failed test may be retaken for a “C”, and must be retaken within a week of reviewing it in class.
TECHNOLOGY
The Social Studies Department has established that any student in possession of unauthorized technology including cell phones, smart watches, tablets, etc. in an established testing environment will be subject to school policy regarding cheating. It is best to keep all technology out of the classroom or in your bags/purses/pockets until otherwise instructed. That said, I will be instituting a voluntary cell phone submission policy in which students may choose to hand their phone in on a daily basis and drop an assignment every 6 weeks. To drop an assignment it must have been completed (no dropping zeros), already in the gradebook, and be 50 points or less.
REQUIRED READING
Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn, will be required reading for this course. The purpose of this assignment is to examine how the different philosophies discussed in class are used today. Books may be bought through Mr. Newson, or some will be available through checkout on a first come first serve basis.
TURN IT IN
All major essays will be graded through turnitin.com. It would be beneficial for you to set up your account as soon as possible by visiting turnitin.com and entering the following information:
Class ID - 21834094
Password - Newson
MOVIES
Throughout the semester clips from several movies will be shown to reinforce concepts discussed in class. Three of them, Good Will Hunting, Office Space, Little Miss Sunshine, and have been rated “R” by the Motion Picture Association of America. If there are any concerns about the material and relevance please call me at 303.982.3542, or e-mail me at enewson@jeffco.k12.co.us.
__________________________________ I understand that clips from rated “R” movies will be shown in class and approve my son/daughter viewing them.
__________________________________ I understand that clips from rated “R” movies will be shown in class and DO NOT approve my son/daughter viewing them.
EXTRA CREDIT
The purpose of extra credit is to take something you love like a hobby or avocation and see how it applies to concepts discussed in class. This will be the only possible way to make up for an unexcused tardy or missed assignment. One extra credit assignment is allowed every six weeks for a total of three. All extra credit work must be completed two weeks before the end of the semester. Prior approval is required.
FINAL
Your final will be cumulative and 10% of your grade.
SCHEDULE
Period 1 World History
Period 2 World History
Period 3 Philosophy
Access
Period 4 Planning
Period 5 Lunch
Period 6 Philosophy
Period 7 World History
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
Be respectful to all classmates at all times.
Anything you want me to grade must be black or blue.
You may drink anything you want in this classroom, as long as you want to drink water. No food!