PHILOSOPHY 320

TRACES OF GOD

8/31/2004

GENERAL INFORMATION

University of Tennessee at Martin

Department of History and Philosophy

Phil 320: Traces of God

3 credits

Instructor: Dr. James Fieser

Office: Humanities 222

Office Hours: MWF 12:00-1:00, and by appointment

Phone: 587-7537 (Office)     588-2791 (Home)

E-Mail: jfieser@utm.edu

Required material: course packets (available in the college bookstore)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

                Tests: Three tests will be given throughout the semester consisting of about 40-60 multiple choice questions each. Test questions will be based on both the lecture material and the text. Students should not assume that all material in the text will be covered in the lectures or that all material in the lectures is covered in the text. Some test questions may be discarded after an exam is given if in retrospect the questions are determined by me to be ambiguous. Students will receive a five point penalty for each day an exam is taken late for up to two days. No make up exams will be given after the second day and students will fail the course by default. No make up exams will be given for the final exam at the end of the semester. Do not show up late for class on test days, especially for the final exam.

                Test Schedule: Wednesday, September 29 (first exam); Wednesday, November 3 (second exam); finals week (final exam).

                Attendance: Attendance is expected and will be taken regularly. 10-15 possible points will be given for attendance. Classes missed due to work or athletic events do not count as excused absences. Students who miss class are responsible for acquiring the missed material from other students.

                Study Questions: All of the reading material in the course has accompanying study questions, which will be posted on the web. Students are required to answer the questions in a blue exam book (to be purchased from the bookstore). The exam books are due up to three times during the semester on test day, and are worth 5 point each time collected. The exam books will not be returned.

                Short Papers: A few short essay papers of about 700 words each may be assigned throughout the semester. Instructions will be given during the semester as appropriate.

                Class Participation: Class participation is encouraged, but not required. Please note that this course will cover controversial issues and you will be exposed to views that may differ from your own. When discussing these issues, you are expected to respectfully address fellow students and the teacher, and not let your emotions take over.

                Class Dishonesty and Disruption: Class dishonesty and disruption will not be tolerated. Students may receive a one point penalty for each time he or she disrupts class. Class disruptions include leaving class early, unnecessary talking with one's neighbor, reading material which is not relevant to this course, profanity, and any other indication of disrespect. Continued disruption will result in permanent expulsion from the class. I do not object to students eating food or occasionally dozing off in class. Dishonesty on quizzes, attendance, or tests will also result in permanent expulsion from the class and further penalties from the Office of Student Affairs. Please note that class evaluations will be given once during the semester; you are expected to fill out the evaluations and remain in class after the secretary collects the forms until I return to the room.

                Course Grade: Final grades will be determined according to the total points from the three exams (120-180 total points), quizzes and Attendance (10-15 points), study questions (15 points), minus penalty points for class disruption and late exams. The total number of points will be between 145 and 215. Students should assume that final grading will follow the standard grading scale, that is, A: 90%, B: 80 %, C: 70%, D: 60 %, F: under 59% and under. However, the final grading scale may be slightly lower as will be determined at the end of the semester. When you receive your final grade at the close of the semester, please do not contact me to request a higher grade.

                Hints for Exams: All exams will emphasize definitions and pro/contra arguments in the assigned readings. I do not stress dates or superfluous names mentioned in the readings; you will get a sense of which names are important based on what I emphasize in class. Your best strategy for preparing for the exam is to outline all the readings and study from that. As a sample of how I typically construct exams, I have posted on the course web page a sample test from a course that I no longer teach (http://www.utm.edu/~jfieser/class/sample-exam.htm).

                Disclaimer: The above items are subject to change during the semester.

COURSE PURPOSE, GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES

Catalog Description: An analysis of the contemporary question of the existence and nature of God and the relevance to that question of experience, faith, revelation, mysticism, proofs, history, relationships, and creativity. Also an exploration of the relation of God and the World in terms of creation/evolution, time/eternity, and culture/values. Position paper required. (Same as RLST 320)