PHIL 106H: Introduction to Philosophy - Honors

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2023
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Total Student Learning Hours: 162
Prerequisite: Student must be eligible for the Citrus College Honors Program or obtain a recommendation from an Honors instructor.
Strongly Recommended: ENGL 101.
District General Education: C2. Humanities
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This is a degree-applicable introductory level course for honors students. Students are expected to work and participate at an honors level, which includes strong critical thinking skills, thorough analysis of philosphical writings, and presentation skills as demonstrated by leading a seminar discussion. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • define types of philosophical argumentation and apply then to philosophical issues
  • describe the important philosophical problems of the past and present
  • define the relationships of philosophy to religion and to science
  • describe the lives and views of certain of the great philosophers
  • apply philosophical concepts to problems with which the student is unfamiliar
  • analyze philosophical concepts which emerge in everyday contexts
  • state a philosophical thesis clearly, support it with arguments and examples, and anticipate and respond to reasonable objections

Major Course Content

  1. What is philosophy?
  2. Basic logic terminology
  3. The beginnings of philosophy; philosophy, religion, and science
  4. Socrates, Plato, and the Sophists
  5. The Euthyphro question
  6. Socrates on trial
  7. Socrates awaits his execution
  8. Philosophy of religion
  9. Arguments for the existence of God
  10. Religious experience, the problem of evil, faith and reason
  11. Classics of early modern philosophy: themes in Descartes’ Meditations
  12. Locke’s view, his criticism of Descartes
  13. Berkeley’s view, his criticism of Locke
  14. Hume’s view
  15. The mind-body problem
  16. Free will and determinism
  17. The meaning of life and the fear of death

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Reading photocopied handouts from public domain original sources, such as selections from Locke's Essay, Berkeley's Principles, and Hume's Essay.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Short essay assignments, for example Short Essay on Moral Relativism, Short Essay on Arguments for the Existence of God, and Short Essay on Determinism and Free Will; midterm essay, and final exam essay.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Reading the text book and handouts, homework assignments consisting of questions on the readings, for example, Logic Terminology Questions, Reading Questions on Euthyphro, Reading Questions on Apology

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture

IGETC Area 3: Arts and Humanities

3B. Humanities