Philosophy is a class that surveys the Western canon. We start with the pre-Socratics, continue through Plato, Aristotle, the Hellenists and then we move through big names such as Descartes, Hume, Kant and other. We also cover movements such as the Renaissance, Romantic era and Existentialism. We focus on ethics as we read various novels, especially the question of whether ethics can be grounded or merely relative. As our survey text, we use Sophie's World, which is a novel with a mystery and a surprise ending.

Philosophy in Literature and Composition

Teacher: James Jennings, Community High School
Description: This course will introduce students to the Western Philosophical tradition. We will start with a mythological approach to answering questions about our world. We will then pick up the Pre-socratics and follow the tradition through to contemporary times. We will focus on ethics and metaphysics, but will also touch upon aesthetics. 

Readings will include some or all of: Three of Plato’s Dialogues; Who’s to Say a dialogue on relativism; Dialogue on Good, Evil and the Existence of God; A Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality; Candide by Voltaire; Clouds by Aristophanes; Sophie’s World; The Teachings of Don Juan; Zorba the Greek; A Clockwork Orange; A Brave New World; Black Elk Speaks; Siddhartha; The Stranger; Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates; The Monkey Wrench Gang; Ishmael.

Work: There will be approximately five hours of homework per week as well as discussions emphasizing questioning and critical reading. Frequent debates will afford students an opportunity to practice sound reasoning and elenchus. Philosophical essay assignments will enable students to hone rhetorical, grammatical, and syntactical principles. A rubric will be used in grading essays; at least one revision will be required for essays. There will be a final exam each semester with comprehension questions and a short in class essay question. Honors will read Sophie’s World and do mini-lessons on various philosophers for the 1st semester and read two extra books for the second semester as well as write an essay for each book.

Weekly Assignments: There will be reading assignments of about 80 pages per week. There will be a comprehension quiz covering reading assignments on a weekly basis (usually Frdiday). Creative writing assignments embedding vocabulary words may be done in class if students are efficient with time management, otherwise they will become homework due on Friday before quiz.