Philosophy and Contemporary Ideas – PHIL 201

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

A survey of the major positions and figures in philosophy and the cultural worldviews and practical applications that derive from them, focusing specifically on theism, naturalism and humanism in contemporary thought.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

The purpose of this course is to help the student become a better disciple of Christ by introducing the major topics, branches, problems, and thinkers in philosophy and thereby preparing the student to better “make a defense…for the hope that is in you” (I Peter 3:15) by “destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and…taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:5).

“To be ignorant and simple now—not to be able to meet the enemies on their own ground—would be to throw down our weapons, and to betray our uneducated brethren who have, under God, no defense but us against the intellectual attacks of the heathen. Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.” —C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the purpose of the Discussions is to generate interaction among students in regard to relevant current course topics. For each Discussion, the student will create a thread of at least 350 words. In addition to the thread, the student will also write a reply of at least 200 words to the thread of at least 1 classmate (CLO: A, B, C, D, E; FSLO: CT 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

Response Essay Assignment

The student will complete short readings on the problem of evil. The student will then write an essay of at least 1,000 words addressing the questions provided. Research and use of outside sources is encouraged, but not required (CLO: A, B, C, D. E; FSLO: CT 1, 2, 3, 5, CGE 1 and CIL 1).

Extra Credit GENED Assessment Test

Students may complete a comprehensive General Education Assessment for extra credit. Questions are drawn from the six foundation skills (Civic & Global Engagement, Communication & Information Literacy, Christianity & Contexts, Critical Thinking, Social & Scientific Inquiry, and Technological Solutions and Quantitative Reasoning). Extra credit point(s) will be awarded for each correct response and will be factored into overall student grades. 

Quizzes (8)

The student will take a quiz in each module of the course. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes and will cover the course material for the assigned module. The student will have 45 minutes to answer 25 multiple-choice, true/false, and/or essay questions (CLO: A, B, C and CIL 1).