Introduction to Philosophy

PHI 111-01/07 (face-to-face) and PHI 111-02/03 (online)

Fall 2015
Instructor: Dr. Richard (Rick) Gallimore
Where & When: MWF 1-1:50 & 2-2:50 Petty 213 & 219
Office: Philosophy Dept. Curry 235
Office Hours: TBA
Email: RLGallimore@gmail.com
Department Secretary (Maggie Dargatz): (336) 334-5059
Course Description: This course introduces students to some of the central topics, figures, and problems in
western philosophy through a careful consideration of historical and contemporary readings. Topics to be
discussed include: the existence of God, knowledge and skepticism, the mind-body problem, consciousness
and personal identity. The format for the course is a mix of lecture and discussion. The primary learning
goal is to enable you to think more critically about philosophical issues and everyday life. Students are
encouraged to disagree with me and develop their own views supported by good reasons.
Required Text: Introduction to Philosophy by Perry, Bratman, & Fischer (5th or 6th edition)
Recommended Texts: Does the Center Hold by Donald Palmer; Think by Simon Blackburn; and Riddles of
Existence by Earl Conee & Theodore Sider
Canvas: Some of my lecture notes are available on the Canvas site for our course. Go to
uncg.instructure.com to see the course. Be sure to check your UNCG email account and Canvas site
regularly for any group emails or announcements I might make.
Participation, Attendance, and Classroom Etiquette: Regular attendance and class participation are a vital
part of getting the most out of this course and constitute a percentage of your final grade. I monitor
attendance using a sign-in sheet. It is not possible to do well in this course without attending since the
exams emphasize comprehension rather than memorization. Students may use their electronic devices to
take notes, but non-academic pursuits are distracting to everyone and will not be tolerated, e.g., playing
video games, surfing the web, text/video chat, etc. This also applies to smart phones, tablets, music players,
and similar digital devices. Texting, listening to music, watching a movie, talking with the person beside
you during lectures, passing notes, etc., is disruptive and rude, and it will be penalized. I take note of this
behavior, whether you realize it or not, and your final grade will suffer.
Exams: There will be four online true/false, multiple-choice exams. Additional details will be provided
online or in class, as applicable. The exams are not cumulative and will focus on the views, principles, and
arguments presented in class and covered in the assigned readings for each section. Make-ups will be given
at the instructors discretion and only for legitimate and verifiable reasons, e.g., being in a coma is a
legitimate reason, wanting to stay in Cancun for an extra day over a break is not.
Grading: Each exam will count for 25% of your grade, with class participation and attendance being
factored in as appropriate. There is no cumulative final exam. There is no extra-credit.

Tentative Schedule (Subject to change)

Test Dates (in bold below; holidays are indicated with a strikethrough):
Each of the exams will become available in Canvas beginning on the following Fridays at 8 pm and will
expire on Sunday night at 11:55 p.m. There are no make-ups so do not wait until the last minute.
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Test 4

Sep. 4
Oct. 2
Nov. 6
Nov. 30

Readings from the Required Text:

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3

Aug. 17, 19, 21

Aug. 24, 26, 28
31, Sep. 2, 4

Philosophical Preliminaries: Canvas: Basic Terms & Concepts

Bb: Basic Terms & Concepts
Bb: Basic Terms & Concepts
(TEST 1)

Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7

Sep 7, 9, 11
Sep. 14, 16, 18
Sep. 21, 23, 25
Sep. 28, 30, 2

The Existence of God

The Existence of God
The Existence of God
The Problem of Evil & Pascals Wager

(TEST 2)

Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12

Oct. 5, 7, 9
Oct. 12, 14, 16
Oct. 19, 21, 23
Oct. 26, 28, 30
Nov. 2, 4, 6

Knowledge & Reality

Knowledge & Reality
The Mind-Body Problem
The Mind-Body Problem
The Mind-Body Problem

(TEST 3)

Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16

Nov. 9, 11, 13
Nov. 16, 18, 20
Nov. 23, 25, 27
Nov. 30

Consciousness
Personal Identity & Immortality
Personal Identity
Last day of class

(TEST 4)