FAQs for PHIL101 (Professor Margolis)
Q: When this course is taught online, how much will be in real time and how much will be recorded?
Much of the course will still take place in real time. For the discussion sessions (term 1 only), you will need to have your computer's video camera and microphone turned on, so that you can fully participate in the discussion. What about the lectures? Many will be in real time, so you will need to sign in a few minutes before the lecture beings to view the lecture while it is actually occurring. But I will also experiment with some prerecorded lectures (supplemented by real time Q&A sessions) and with some shorter prerecorded lectures that highlight or recap core material that may be covered in more detail in a real time lecture.
Q: What are the course objectives?
This course has four major objectives: (1) to provide you with an introduction to philosophy by exposing you to a number of representative philosophical arguments and theories, (2) to help you to begin to think philosophically, (3) to improve your critical thinking skills, and (4) to improve your analytical writing skills.
Q: Is this course suitable for students who have no background in philosophy?
Yes. It is intended for students with no background in philosophy, particularly first- and second-year students.
Q: What if I took a philosophy course in high school? Should I still take this course?
Yes. Chances are you will find that your experience in high school isn't a substitute for a good college-level introduction to philosophy.
Q: What topics are covered?
Does God exist? Do people have souls? Is there free will? Are there objective moral facts?
Q: What textbook does the course use?
The readings will include a variety of articles, reprinted chapters, and book excerpts (plus the occasional video or podcast). All of these will be made available online.
Q: Does this course provide a survey of the history of philosophy?
No. It focuses on a small number of representative philosophical problems and some important ways of thinking about them. The reading list does include a few historical texts, but most of the readings are by contemporary philosophers.
Q: How are PHIL101 and PHIL102 related?
These are independent courses. You needn't take them in order, and there is no expectation that you will take both.
Q: What are the course assignments like?
This depends on whether the course is taught online (because of covid-19) or in person. IN PERSON: There will be 2-3 short papers and a final exam. The exact format of the final exam will be decided with student input, but often what I do is give the class ten essay questions in advance and then a subset appears on the exam and you have to answer three of these. When a final exam is used in this course, passing the exam is required to pass the course. ONLINE: I am not sure yet whether it would be better to stick to my usual grading scheme or to modify it. We will talk about the various options during the first week of classes.
Q: What criteria are used in marking papers?
A good philosophy paper has a focused thesis and a carefully presented argument that supports the thesis. It isn't simply a book report that repeats the material in the texts. It does explain this material, but also does something new, reflecting your own critical assessment of the issues. Papers will be marked for clarity, originality, and for the quality of their arguments.
Q: What criteria are used in marking the final exam?
The exam is meant to test your knowledge of the major philosophical arguments and theories that are covered in the lectures and assigned readings. You will be asked questions that require thoughtful, detailed answers in which you explain and critically discuss this material. Exam essays will be marked for clarity, accuracy, and depth of understanding.
Q: Is attendance required?
Lectures: No, but you shouldn't take this course if you don't plan on attending the lectures. They are an important part of the course; they don't simply rehash the readings. Discussion sessions: Yes. (This is only applicable for the lecture + discussion version of the course and holds whether the course takes place in person or online.)
Much of the course will still take place in real time. For the discussion sessions (term 1 only), you will need to have your computer's video camera and microphone turned on, so that you can fully participate in the discussion. What about the lectures? Many will be in real time, so you will need to sign in a few minutes before the lecture beings to view the lecture while it is actually occurring. But I will also experiment with some prerecorded lectures (supplemented by real time Q&A sessions) and with some shorter prerecorded lectures that highlight or recap core material that may be covered in more detail in a real time lecture.
Q: What are the course objectives?
This course has four major objectives: (1) to provide you with an introduction to philosophy by exposing you to a number of representative philosophical arguments and theories, (2) to help you to begin to think philosophically, (3) to improve your critical thinking skills, and (4) to improve your analytical writing skills.
Q: Is this course suitable for students who have no background in philosophy?
Yes. It is intended for students with no background in philosophy, particularly first- and second-year students.
Q: What if I took a philosophy course in high school? Should I still take this course?
Yes. Chances are you will find that your experience in high school isn't a substitute for a good college-level introduction to philosophy.
Q: What topics are covered?
Does God exist? Do people have souls? Is there free will? Are there objective moral facts?
Q: What textbook does the course use?
The readings will include a variety of articles, reprinted chapters, and book excerpts (plus the occasional video or podcast). All of these will be made available online.
Q: Does this course provide a survey of the history of philosophy?
No. It focuses on a small number of representative philosophical problems and some important ways of thinking about them. The reading list does include a few historical texts, but most of the readings are by contemporary philosophers.
Q: How are PHIL101 and PHIL102 related?
These are independent courses. You needn't take them in order, and there is no expectation that you will take both.
Q: What are the course assignments like?
This depends on whether the course is taught online (because of covid-19) or in person. IN PERSON: There will be 2-3 short papers and a final exam. The exact format of the final exam will be decided with student input, but often what I do is give the class ten essay questions in advance and then a subset appears on the exam and you have to answer three of these. When a final exam is used in this course, passing the exam is required to pass the course. ONLINE: I am not sure yet whether it would be better to stick to my usual grading scheme or to modify it. We will talk about the various options during the first week of classes.
Q: What criteria are used in marking papers?
A good philosophy paper has a focused thesis and a carefully presented argument that supports the thesis. It isn't simply a book report that repeats the material in the texts. It does explain this material, but also does something new, reflecting your own critical assessment of the issues. Papers will be marked for clarity, originality, and for the quality of their arguments.
Q: What criteria are used in marking the final exam?
The exam is meant to test your knowledge of the major philosophical arguments and theories that are covered in the lectures and assigned readings. You will be asked questions that require thoughtful, detailed answers in which you explain and critically discuss this material. Exam essays will be marked for clarity, accuracy, and depth of understanding.
Q: Is attendance required?
Lectures: No, but you shouldn't take this course if you don't plan on attending the lectures. They are an important part of the course; they don't simply rehash the readings. Discussion sessions: Yes. (This is only applicable for the lecture + discussion version of the course and holds whether the course takes place in person or online.)