Faculty

PHIL-1301 Introduction to Philosophy

Aran Gharibpour

Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

PHIL-1301-023 (34595)
LEC MW 1:30pm - 2:50pm HLC HLC1 2209

Course Requirements

Grades

Syllabus Quiz = 2 points

Textual Analysis ×2 (25 points each) = 50 points

Readings Questions ×3 (6 points each) = 18 points

Attendance = 10 points

Participation = 15 points

Extra-curricular activities = 10+ points*

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Total 100 points (10+ extra points**)

All written assignments must be submitted on Blackboard by 11:59pm on the date that they are due.

Late submissions lose a third of a grade by day, e.g., B+ becomes B. I reserve the right to not grade your assignment if it is submitted three days after the deadline. For the assignments due at the end of the semester, I reserve the right to not grade any late assignments. That being said, always communicate with me if you think you might miss a deadline. I will try my best to help you out.

*Five points out of the extra-curricular points are part of the 100 points. The rest are extra points.

**You can use a maximum of 13 points from the extra-curricular activities, even if I offer more.

Written Assignments Due Dates

Syllabus Quiz January 24th

Readings Questions I February 22nd

Textual Analysis I March 8th

Readings Questions II April 5th

Textual Analysis II May 6th

Readings Questions III May 12th

Grade Scale

Out of 6	Out of 25	Letter Grade
6.0	25.0	A
5.4	22.5	A-
5.25	21.8	B+
5.1	21.25	B
4.8	20.0	B-
4.65	19.3	C+
4.5	18.75	C
4.2	17.5	C-
4.05	16.8	D+
3.9	16.25	D
3.6	15.0	D-

Total

Letter Grade	Percentage Range
A	90–100
B	80–89.9
C	70–79.9
D	60–69.9
F	0–59.9

Readings

Material

This is ZTC class. All the material is posted on Blackboard.

Course Subjects

Week	Topic
Week I (half week)	What is it to be a Human Being? An Introduction
	Syllabus Quiz
Week II	Aristotle and the Function of Humanity
Week III	Kant: The Moral Animal
Week IV	The Stone-Aged Mind: Evolutionary Biology and the Question of Human Nature
Week V	Adapting Minds: Against Human Nature
	Readings Questions I
Week VI	Nature vs. Essence: Trait Cluster Account of Humanity
Week VII	Making up Ourselves: Cultural Niches and the Looping Kinds
	Textual Analysis I
Week VIII	Sex/Gender: Socially Constructed or Biologically Determined?
	Spring Break!
Week IX	Humanity and the Existential Relevance of Lying
Week X	Language and the Problem of Free Speech
	Readings Questions II
Week XI	Luhmann on Society as Communication
Week XII	The Myth of Individuality (I)
Week XIII	The Myth of Individuality (II)
Week XIV	The Myth of Individuality (III)
Week XV	One-Dimensionality and Herd Mindedness: Theories of Escape
	Textual Analysis II
Week XVI	Humanity: A Grand Summary
	Readings Questions IV

Note: this schedule is subject to change

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

● Identify, demonstrate understanding of, and describe various major figures, divisions, theories,

and concepts in philosophy

● Analyze written texts from philosophy

● Apply concepts from philosophy to issues of both individual and universal significance

● Develop and defend a philosophical argument in a written essay

General Education Competencies

Communication Skills: Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written, oral and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.
Critical Thinking Skills: Gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking.
Personal Responsibility: Identify and apply ethical principles and practices to decision-making by connecting choices, actions and consequences

Social Responsibility (Civic and Cultural Awareness): Analyze differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.