FAQs for PHIL101 (Professor Margolis) —updated May 2025
Q: What is the method of delivery?
This course employs a hybrid method of delivery in which prerecorded videos are substituted for one of the scheduled class meetings and then we meet in person (or if needed, via Zoom) for the other day(s). The synchronous meetings will be flexible and eclectic—a mix of Q&A, small group discussion, large group discussion, workshops, as well as lectures that expand on the material in the videos.
Q: Should I take section 001 (in Winter term 1) or 002 (in Winter term 2)?
The main difference between these is that 002 always meets as one large class, whereas 001 has a regular Friday discussion session that is capped at 20-25 students so that you can have the benefits of a small class experience in context of the course. If you sign up for 001, make sure you sign up for one of the designated discussion sessions: L01-L05.
Q: Which days are in person?
Details will be provided on Canvas. However, for the Mon/Wed/Fri section (001), approximately two thirds of the course is in person (with in person meetings usually on Wednesday and Friday). For the Tue/Thur section (002), approximately one half of the course is in person (with in person meetings usually on Thursday).
Q: Do I need to attend the synchronous in person meetings?
Yes! You should not sign up for this course if you are unable to attend the synchronous meetings.
Q: Are the synchronous meetings recorded?
No. These aren't recorded because they involve a considerable amount of class discussion—they aren't just lectures—and students who participate in these discussions may not want to be recorded.
Q: What are the course objectives?
This course has four major objectives: (1) to help you begin to think philosophically, (2) to improve your critical thinking skills, (3) to develop your oral presentation and communication skills, and (4) to provide you with a general introduction to philosophy by exposing you to a number of important philosophical arguments and theories.
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? Are people purely material beings? Do we have free will?
Q: What textbook does the course use?
The readings will include a variety of free articles, reprinted chapters, and book excerpts (plus the occasional video or podcast). All of these will be made available online.
Q: Will you provide a survey of the history of philosophy?
No. Although some other instructors of PHIL101 teach the history of philosophy, I don't. My version of the course 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?
For the 2025-2026 academic year, all assignment will take the form of short video projects in which you critically discuss course material to demonstrate your understanding of the material or to work on your own contribution to a given philosophical debate.
Q: What is the structure of the final exam?
There will be no traditional in class written exam. Instead, the final exam will take the form of a video project which you will complete at home and submit to Canvas.
Q: What are the video assignments like?
For some you will be asked to "explain in your own words" a major argument or theory in the course. For others, you will be asked to respond to specific texts by providing your own critical analysis of some aspect of the authors' philosophical views.
This course employs a hybrid method of delivery in which prerecorded videos are substituted for one of the scheduled class meetings and then we meet in person (or if needed, via Zoom) for the other day(s). The synchronous meetings will be flexible and eclectic—a mix of Q&A, small group discussion, large group discussion, workshops, as well as lectures that expand on the material in the videos.
Q: Should I take section 001 (in Winter term 1) or 002 (in Winter term 2)?
The main difference between these is that 002 always meets as one large class, whereas 001 has a regular Friday discussion session that is capped at 20-25 students so that you can have the benefits of a small class experience in context of the course. If you sign up for 001, make sure you sign up for one of the designated discussion sessions: L01-L05.
Q: Which days are in person?
Details will be provided on Canvas. However, for the Mon/Wed/Fri section (001), approximately two thirds of the course is in person (with in person meetings usually on Wednesday and Friday). For the Tue/Thur section (002), approximately one half of the course is in person (with in person meetings usually on Thursday).
Q: Do I need to attend the synchronous in person meetings?
Yes! You should not sign up for this course if you are unable to attend the synchronous meetings.
Q: Are the synchronous meetings recorded?
No. These aren't recorded because they involve a considerable amount of class discussion—they aren't just lectures—and students who participate in these discussions may not want to be recorded.
Q: What are the course objectives?
This course has four major objectives: (1) to help you begin to think philosophically, (2) to improve your critical thinking skills, (3) to develop your oral presentation and communication skills, and (4) to provide you with a general introduction to philosophy by exposing you to a number of important philosophical arguments and theories.
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? Are people purely material beings? Do we have free will?
Q: What textbook does the course use?
The readings will include a variety of free articles, reprinted chapters, and book excerpts (plus the occasional video or podcast). All of these will be made available online.
Q: Will you provide a survey of the history of philosophy?
No. Although some other instructors of PHIL101 teach the history of philosophy, I don't. My version of the course 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?
For the 2025-2026 academic year, all assignment will take the form of short video projects in which you critically discuss course material to demonstrate your understanding of the material or to work on your own contribution to a given philosophical debate.
Q: What is the structure of the final exam?
There will be no traditional in class written exam. Instead, the final exam will take the form of a video project which you will complete at home and submit to Canvas.
Q: What are the video assignments like?
For some you will be asked to "explain in your own words" a major argument or theory in the course. For others, you will be asked to respond to specific texts by providing your own critical analysis of some aspect of the authors' philosophical views.