Epistemology Syllabus

Course Syllabus

Northwest Missouri State University College of Arts and Sciences Department of History, Humanities and Philosophy 39-571 Epistemology (3 credit hours)

Course Description
An inquiry into the nature and function of knowledge claims, the validity of induction and deduction, theories of justification and truth. Prerequisites: Phil 39-571 or consent of instructor. (Alt. Years) This course is being offered in the Fall Semester 1998.

Instructor Information

Dr. Eiswert will be available in Garrett-Strong 104A at these listed office hours.
Office Tel.: 562-1257. E-mail: jeiswer@mail.nwmissouri.edu.

Rationale
The rationale for the study of epistemology is grounded in the fundamental role that knowledge plays in human experience. First and foremost, it is imperative to distinguish the varieties of claims that people make, such as the classic difference between a knowledge claim and an opinion. Second, one must recognize the varieties of knowledge generating methodologies and their respective criteria for truth and certainty. Third, various applications of epistemic structures to issues completes the theoretical-praxis cycle of this course. The University Key Quality Indicators (Institution-Wide Instructional Goals) which this course is designed to address are communications competencies, problem solving competencies, critical/creative thinking competencies, competence is a discipline, team work/team leading competencies, self-directed learning competencies, multicultural competencies, and cultural enrichment.

Critical Success Factors
The specific philosophy program KQI's are coherency, consistence, adequacy, applicability and communicability. These are implemented by the following critical success factors or objectives:

1. develop the critical skills of the student;
2. acquaint and develop the student's awareness of the principal philosophers, movements in epistemology, etc.;
3. discuss fundamental issues which relate to epistemology (truth, meaning, certainty, etc.);
4. develop an appreciation of philosophical method and inquiry, develop the reading of philosophical texts skills;
5. attempt to inculcate an appreciation of the diversity and richness of the Western Philosophical tradition;
6. instill the virtues of tolerance towards those who hold different views and humility with respect to the limits of ones own perspectives.

Content/Topical Outline

Formalities, Syllabus, Texts, etc.
Introduction - The Problem of Knowledge
- Week One: Plato - Theaetetus and The Republic
Part I: Theory of Knowledge - Chisholm
- Week Two: The Terms of Epistemic Appraisal
- Week Two: The Directly Evident
- Week Three: The Truths of Reason
- Test One
- Week Four: The Indirectly Evident
- Week Five: Truth
- Week Five: Knowledge
- Week Six: The Problem of the Criterion
- Test Two
Part II: The Holographic Paradigm - Ken Wilber
- Week Seven: Introduction, A New Perspective on Reality, Karl Pribram's Changing Reality
- Week Eight: What the Fuss is all About; Field Consciousness and Field Ethics
- Week Nine: The Enfolding-Unfolding Universe: A conversation with David Bohm
- Test Three
- Week Ten: 1st Seven Commentaries
- Week Eleven: 2nd Seven Commentaries
- Week Twelve: Physics, Mysticism and the New Holographic Paradigm; The Physicist and the Mystic
- Test Four
- Week Thirteen: The Tao of Physics Revisited; Reflections on the New-Age Paradigm
- Weeks Fourteen-Fifteen: Conclusions
Final Examination in Exam Week

Methods of Instruction
Each section of the course will have the following structure:

1) lectures introducing the chapters and issues at hand; the student's task is to take notes and think critically
2) presentation of the chapters being utilized in the given section; the student's task is to read and think critically
3) group discussion on texts and issues; the student's task is to speak and think critically
4) test and indicated points; the student's task is to write and think critically

Textbook Information
Required texts are available through the book store:
Book Store:
Chisholm, Roderick. Theory of Knowledge. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1977.

Wilber, Ken. The Holographic Paradigm and other paradoxes. Boulder and London: Shambhala; 1982. Supplemental Readings
See bibliography in texts as well as references cited in class.

Course Evaluation
Your final grade will have the following numerical equivalences: A> 92%, B>84%, C>76%, D>68%, F<68%. I will periodically circulate, in class, a grade sheet with current grade status which will utilize '+' and '-' in addition to the above letter grades. Your final grade will be determined in accordance with the following weighting:

Attendance - 5%
Adjusted Participation - 10%
Tests - 50% (Master credit - Tests + Additional Research Paper 50%)
Paper/Presentation - 20%
Final Examination - 15 %

Attendance (5% of final grade)
Philosophy Program Attendance Policy: Because class participation is an important element of the learning process in the discipline of philosophy, the Philosophy Program requires attendance in all philosophy classes, and attendance policies in each class will be strictly enforced.Each class there will be circulated a sign-in sheet. Excused absences are up to the discretion of the instructor. The attendance grade will be determined as the percentage of classes attended of the total number of classes.

Adjusted Participation (10% of final grade)
Participation grade is determined by quarterly self-evaluations and the instructor. The adjusted participation grade is determined by multiplication of the percent of actual attendance (not including excused absences) by the percentage of participation. For example, a student who receives a 90% attendance and a 90% participation receives an adjusted participation grade of 81% (.90 x .90 = .81).

Tests (50% of grade)
There will be four tests during the semester at the end of each section as indicated on the topical outline. Each test will be worth 12.5% (10% for master credit) of the final grade. There will be no make-up examinations except in the most grievous of situations. The tests will vary in style and format. There will be two written tests and two oral examinations. Each test will be discussed prior to its being administered as to content and format. After each test I will circulate a grade sheet using the last four digits of your student number. After each test I will circulate a grade sheet using the last four digits of your student number. All students whose overall grade average for this course is below a 'C' grade must schedule an appointment with me to discuss strategies for success. This appointment must take place prior to the subsequent test.

Additional Research Paper
For students taking this course for master's credit there is an additional research paper required. This paper should demonstrate the student's ability to research a philosophical theme and produce a formal text based on this research. Topics must be approved by the instructor and final version must be submitted no later that two week prior to the end of the semester. For more information see A Brief Guide for Philosophy Research Papers.

Paper/Presentation (20% of grade) Each student will individually or in a team of no more than two persons develop and present a paper using Power Point or some equivalent demonstration technique. The presentation will be evaluated on content, form and delivery. Topics must be decided upon by the end of September and be approved by the instructor of the course.

Final Examination (15% of grade) The final exam will be comprehensive and consist of an oral and written component.

Strategies for Success

1) Take charge of your education and learning processes; only you can make your experience at NWMSU a success;
2) Identify any problems that you may be having as early as possible, set up an appointment with me and we can develop a plan to address the problem;
3) Become familiar with philosophical vocabulary, do not just memorize definitions but use the words;
4) Spend time attempting to explore the new and sometimes strange ideas involved in philosophy, talk to your friends, parents, etc. about what you are studying.

Policy Statement The instructor of this course abides by University policies and regulations concerning academic dishonesty ( relevant pages of the Academic Catalog), attendance ( see attendance policy section above), make-up exams (see tests section above), and all pertinent University policies stated on appropriate pages of the current Academic Catalog.

Syllabus prepared by J. Eiswert in the Summer of 1998 for implementation in Fall 1998. End of Syllabus

DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY: The individual to whom this page pertains is solely responsible for the information, content or materials contained in it. Because Northwest Missouri State University has no involvement in managing the content of this page, Northwest will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from the use of it, including, but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, and consequential damages.