USING INFORMATION EFFECTIVELY IN PHILOSOPHY

Syllabus

Towson University Spring Semester 1999

Instructor: Richard L. Wilson Office: 219N Linthicum Hall

 

Phone: (410) 830-2656 E-Mail: rwilson@towson.edu

Phl 102 Sec Mondays 7:00-9:40 Room

FINAL EXAM: MONDAY MAY 17, 1999

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is intended to provide a general introduction to the processes of gathering, evaluating, and communicating information within the discipline of Philosophy. We will focus on three main sub disciplines within Philosophy; Epistemology, Ethics and Logic and use these as tools for analyzing topics in contemporary science and technology. We will use a variety of techniques for gathering information (lectures, reading assigned articles, searching through printed material both books and articles, searching the world wide web, etc.). We will learn to evaluate information and arguments using logic critical reasoning and argument analysis. We will learn to communicate information effectively by writing argument based essays, participating in classroom and newsgroup discussions, and developing individual and/or team PowerPoint presentations.

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

 
    1. Explore how technology can be used to retrieve process and communicate information effectively.
    2. Understand Philosophical methods of argument analysis and evaluation
    3. Practice and improve upon the use of communication skills by writing papers, using E-Mail and participating in a Newsgroup.
    4. Learn how to construct a Bibliography using Books, Journals, and the World Wide Web. Understand the importance of knowing how to assess these sources.
    5. Learn the fundamentals of logical analysis and critical thinking
    6. Learn the fundamentals of ethical analysis.
    7. Explore issues in Philosophy of Science and Technology and Ethical dilemmas arising within them.

 

 

Required Texts:

 

Logic, Values & Ethical Analysis 2nd ed., Richard L. Wilson, Kendall Hunt Publishing, Dubuque, Iowa, 1997.

 

Taking Sides: Clashing views on Controversial Issues in Science, Technology and Society, ed. Thomas A. Easton, 3rd ed., Dushkin McGraw-Hill, Guilford, Connecticut,1998.

 

 

 

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

 
    1. There will be a variety of homework assignments given during the semester that will assess the students ability to perform tasks related to what we do in the classroom as well as what we do in the training sessions in the library
    2. There will be two paper assignments due during the semester
    3. There will be a PowerPoint presentation due at the end of the semester
    4. Participation will also count towards the assessment of the students final grade
    5. I shall take attendance throughout the semester and anyone who misses TWO classes without a legitimate excuse will have their grade lowered by one letter grade. We will be covering a great deal of material and it is very easy to fall behind in this course and not get caught up. Attendance is imperative to success.

 

GRADING

Final grades will be tabulated as follows.

Participation: 15%

1st Bibliography 10%

1st Paper: 20%

2nd Bibliography 10%

2nd Paper: 25%

PowerPoint Presentation: 30%

READING SCHEDULE

 

February 1 Introduction to Critical Reasoning and Logic Wilson Chapter 1 and Easton Issue 14, pp. 272-282.

 

February 8 Introduction to E-Mail and Newsgroups

 

February 15 Introduction to Critical Reasoning and Logic and Artificial intelligence continued. Wilson Chapter 1 and Easton Issue 14, pp.283-293.

 

February 22 Researching Using Library Resources Part 1

 

March 1 Researching Using Library Resources Part 2

 

March 8 Easton Issue 4 pp.66-87, Issue 5 pp. 88-109, and Issue 6 pp.110-129. Introduction to Scientific Reasoning Easton pp. x-xxi.

 

March 15 Easton Issue 7 pp. 130-145 and Issue 8 pp.146-166.

 

March 22 Introduction to Scientific Reasoning and Easton Issue 9 pp.167 and Easton Issue 10 pp. 190-207 concluded.

 

March 29 Introduction to Ethical Reasoning, Wilson Chapters 2 and 3.

 

April 5 Introduction to PowerPoint

 

April 12 Easton Issue 11 pp. 208-232 and Issue 12 pp. 234-251.

 

April 19 Easton Issue 15 pp. 298-317 and Issue 16 pp. 318-333.

 

April 26 Easton Issue 17 pp. 334-351.

 

May 3 Introduction to PowerPoint

 

May 10 Introduction to PowerPoint

 

May 17 PowerPoint Presentations