Course Outline and Evaluation Summary
Mr. A. Wittmann - Earl Haig S.S.
Mr. A. Wittmann - Earl Haig S.S.
Course Outline and Evaluation Summary
Course Code: HZT4U1
Title of Course: Philosophy: Questions and Theories
Department: Social Science
416-395-3210
Course Description
In this course, students will explore the origins and ongoing evolution of three (or more) of the main areas of philosophy: metaphysics, logic, epistemology, ethics, social and political philosophy, and aesthetics. Students will learn critical-thinking skills, the main philosophic ideas from a variety of the world’s traditions, how to develop and explain their own philosophical ideas, and how to apply those ideas to contemporary social issues and personal experiences.
Course Evaluation
Course evaluations incorporate one or more of the achievement categories (KICA). A brief description of each category can be found here. The final grade is calculated using the weighted percentages below.
70% Term Work:
A variety of tasks where you show your learning and have marks assigned using the Achievement Categories/Strands...
17.5% Knowledge & Understanding
17.5% Thinking & Inquiry
17.5% Application
17.5% Communication
30% Summative Evaluation:
Marked summative tasks which assess your learning on the entire course...
15% Culminating/Summative Task
15% Final Exam
Learning Skills
Learning skills provide Information to help students understand what skills, habits & behaviours are needed to work on to be successful. These are not connected with any numerical mark. A brief description of each skill can be found here. Responsibility, Organization, Independent Work, Collaboration, Initiative and Self-Regulation
E – Excellent G – Good S – Satisfactory N – Needs Improvement
Required Materials
Students should have materials specified by the subject teacher at the beginning of the year. There is no textbook for this course. The course materials, evaluations and lessons will available on this course syllabus website...
School/Departmental/Classroom Expectations
Attendance: The student is expected to attend class on time. Parents/guardians will be contacted if lates/attendance becomes an issue/hindrance. If the student knows about an absence in advance, they should contact the teacher.
Plagiarism/Cheating: A mark of 0 will be assigned for any work submitted that does not belong to the student. A mark of 0 will be assigned to a student who was found to have cheated. Parents/guardians will be informed.
Missed Work: If a student is absent from class, (e.g. illness, sports team) it is their responsibility to find out what they have missed and to catch up. The student is responsible for completing all of the work that was missed due to an absence. If a student misses an assignment or test without a legitimate explanation and documentation, marks up to and including the full value of the evaluation may be deducted. Make-up tests must be arranged to be written.
Late Work: Late work may result in a deduction of marks up to and including the full value of the evaluation.
Course Assessment Tasks
Unit/Topic/Strand
Big Ideas
Major Assignments / Evaluations
Estimated Duration
Unit 1: Logic and the Early Philosophy of Science
Students will examine the development of formal and informal logic and learn to define and correctly use the core terminology of logic and to demonstrate an understanding of the main questions in logic. Students will also be given opportunities to apply their knowledge to distinguish valid from invalid arguments. Students will learn to apply logical and critical thinking skills in practical contexts and in detecting logical fallacies. Students also investigate the development and history of philosophy of science around the world and its impact on ethical, aesthetic, social & political thought and formulate and defend their own responses to philosophy of science. Students will evaluate classic texts, philosophers, and schools of philosophy to formulate and demonstrate their own opinions.
-Annotated Bibliography Assignment
-Unit 1 Test
Approximately 24 classes, over 5 weeks, in a regular semester schedule
Unit 2: Epistemology: Knowledge & Truth
Students will explore the main questions, concepts, and theories of epistemology, as well as evaluate the responses of philosophers and schools of philosophy to the major issues in this area. Students will formulate and defend their ideas concerning epistemology and demonstrate the applicability of epistemological theories to everyday life and other subject areas. Students will investigate the empiricist/rationalist debate from its ancient incarnation with Plato and Aristotle through Descartes and Locke to the scepticism of Hume and the transcendental idealism of Kant. Students will evaluate classic texts, philosophers, and schools of philosophy to formulate and demonstrate their own opinions. Differences in Eastern and Western approaches are explored, along with the relevance of epistemology to artificial intelligence. Students also investigate the impact of epistemology on ethical, aesthetic, social & political thought.
-Thesis Proposal Assignment
-Unit 2 Test
Approximately 24 classes, over 5 weeks, in a regular semester schedule
Unit 3: Metaphysics: Reality, Existence, & God
Students will explore the main questions, concepts, and theories of metaphysics. Metaphysics is generally concerned with defining the ultimate constituents of reality and how we perceive them. The world appears to be structured by space and time. It is proliferated by matter and minds, things and their properties. Students will investigate historical approaches to metaphysical questions. Students also explore concepts of God and arguments for and against the existence of God. Students will evaluate classic texts, philosophers, and schools of philosophy to formulate and demonstrate their own opinions. Students also investigate the impact of metaphysics on ethical, aesthetic, social & political thought.
-Unit 3 Test
Approximately 24 classes, over 5 weeks, in a regular semester schedule
Culminating/Summative Task(s)
Expository Essay: encompassing the entire course and covering the four categories of achievement
Final Exam: encompassing the entire course and covering the four categories of achievement