Dr Maggie O’Brien
mjobrien@yorku.ca

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Technical requirements for taking the course: internet access, and software necessary to view Microsoft Office files (MS Word and MS Powerpoint) or Adobe Reader (for pdf files).  Video-conferencing technology (such as a webcam and microphone) are necessary for the tutorials that will be delivered remotely through video-conferencing.  As well, I will be available for meetings which can be done in video or audio only, via Zoom. A microphone will be required for those meetings (and a webcam should you want to use video calling).

Here are some useful links for student computing information, resources and help:

Student Guide to Moodle

Zoom@YorkU Best Practices 

Zoom@YorkU User Reference Guide

Computing for Students Website

Student Guide to eLearning at York University

To determine Internet connection and speed, there are online tests, such as Speedtest, that can be run.

Times and locations: This course’s lectures will be delivered fully online. Each week there will be content available for viewing at the beginning of the week. The scheduled meeting times of the course will be used for virtual office hours (please see below for more details). Please note that this is a course that depends on remote teaching and learning.

This course also has tutorial groups. Some of the tutorial groups will be remote and some of the tutorial groups will be in-person. Please check carefully which tutorial you are in and be prepared to participate as required.

Virtual office hours: I will hold virtual office hours on Monday and Wednesday at 10.30 am over Zoom. Wednesday’s office hour will be a public drop-in office hour. Monday’s office hour will be one-on-one and by appointment only (email instructor to arrange).

Each student will have a TA who will have office hours and should be the first point of contact.

The Norton Introduction to Philosophy, 2^nd Edition. Eds Gideon Rosen, Alex Byrne, Joshua Cohen, Elizabeth Harman, Seana Shiffrin. (New York: Norton Publishing , 2018).

There is also an ebook version of the book available which can be purchased from the publisher’s website: https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393624427

In-class tests (2)          15% each

Essays (2)                   15% each

Final exam                   30%

Tutorial Participation    10%

TBA

Students who complete this course should be able to:

• Read a philosophical text and identify and summarize the author’s main

philosophical claims or positions as well as some of the arguments used to support those claims.

• Write a clear essay in which they identify and summarize another philosopher’s

argument, evaluate that argument, and defend a philosophical view of their own.

• Identify, define, and apply some basic philosophical terms and distinctions.
• Identify, and display familiarity with, some of the basic issues, questions, and problems in philosophy, as well as some of the main philosophical views that have been taken on those topics.
• Demonstrate an increased ability to communicate their views clearly and effectively, and to engage in constructive philosophical debate, with others both in the classroom and outside of the course.

Course policies

• This course has a flexible extension policy. Extensions will be granted by the instructor for religious accommodation and extenuating circumstances such as illness or bereavement. If you don’t think you will be able to submit an assessment please be in touch with the instructor.
• A late penalty of 2%/day will be given for late essays (including weekends).
• Students may not duplicate, copy and/or distribute recordings of the lectures without the instructor’s permission. These recordings are protected by copyright laws, and the university may take disciplinary or legal action against students who violate copyright.
• Email policy: I will do my best to reply to your emails promptly (within 48 hrs). To help reply efficiently students should indicate the course code and tutorial/TA in the subject of their email. I will not reply to email over the weekend. Each student will be assigned a TA who should be there first point of contact.