PHIL 345 Outline

THE KING'S UNIVERSITY

COURSE NUMBER:

PHIL 345

COURSE TITLE:

Philosophy from Descartes to Kant

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:

Dr. Jeffrey Dudiak

CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION:

credits 3(hrs lect 3 - hrs sem 0 - hrs lab 0)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is a survey of the origins and development of philosophy from Descartes to Kant. Special attention is paid to the relationship between epistemological ideas and political, ethical and religious thought.

Prerequisites: PHIL 230

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Kenny, Anthony, The Rise of Modern Philosophy, Oxford: Clarendon Press, Oxford University Press, 2008.

MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT:


Reflection paper 1	15%
Reflection paper 2	15%
Weekly critical questions	20%
Class presentations/participation	20%
Exam 1	15%
Exam 2	15%

	100%

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

In this course we will explore the themes of modern philosophy with a focus on the thought of Kant, in whom the era reached its apogee. Along the way we will:

develop strategies for effectively reading philosophical texts
learn and critically engage the basic theories Kant and the moderns as communicated in these texts
develop a philosophical vocabulary
meaningfully reflect upon Kant’s views on religion in light of his larger project, and their significance for our lives and faith

COURSE OUTLINE:

Work though and critically discuss these two texts, spending roughly half the course on each (supplemented by contextualizing lectures).

Required texts, assignments, and grade distributions may vary from one offering of this course to the next. Please consult the course instructor for up to date details.