PHIL125: Introduction to Philosophy
Section: E11     (eLearning)

About This Course


Semester and YearSummer I 2018 / (6 weeks): May 21, 2018 to Jun 28, 2018
(See "Getting Started" below for details about orientation)

Instructor(s)

Cynthia Rogan de Ramirez   Email: cynthia.rogan@bucks.edu
Phone: 215-968-8150

Course Credits

3 credits

Time Requirements

Plan a minimum of 15 - 22 hours per week for your coursework. While online learning courses provide flexibility in time, geography, and travel, the work required for successful completion is identical to that for the face-to-face course.   Your instructor may specify additional time requirements in the "Other information" field below or during your orientation.

Delivery Mode

eLearning:
Web-based course

Official College Course Description

The complete college course description can be viewed at:

Student Characteristics

Open to self-motivated, self-disciplined students who can handle college-level work and study independently.

Instructor Provided Course Syllabus

A sample Course Syllabus is typically available in WebAdvisor's "Search for Sections" results. A Course Syllabus explains how the instructor will conduct the class and may include: course policies, grading guidelines, assignment due dates, etc.

Student Requirements

This course has the following requirements for students:
  • There are no special requirements for this course

Getting Started With This Course


Orientation(s)

This information has expired. If you are looking for current course information you must go to the current semester course information page.

Accessing Your Course

Canvas (by Instructure)

Your course is using Canvas. If you are new to Canvas, please visit the Canvas Basics course space to become familiar with Canvas prior to the start of your course. No login is required to access this space.

You will be able to login to Canvas about two weeks prior to the start of your class. However, your course becomes available as of 1 AM on the official course start date.

Logging In

Log in to your Canvas course space at bucks.instructure.com

  • Username: Your username is the same for every system at Bucks.
  • Password: your Bucks Network password (used to log into any Bucks campus computer or to access any Bucks Library online database from off campus.)

If you do not know your Bucks Username, you can retrieve it by using the Find Your Username Form. Enter your Name, Birthday (mm/dd/yyyy) and either your 7 digit student ID number OR your social security number, then click Submit. Your Bucks username will display on the screen.

Note: Students are uploaded to Canvas several times a day. If you registered late, you won't be able to access Canvas until the next upload takes place.


Purchasing Your Books and Other Course Materials

While you may purchase your books and other course materials from the provider of your choice (using the ISBN number available through the course's academic department where applicable to ensure the correct version), both the campus bookstore and our online bookstore, guarantee that they stock the correct version for your course.

Approximately 3 weeks prior to the start of the session you can use the link below to see the list of books that have been selected by your instructor. If you have any questions about the course materials listed, please contact your instructor or the academic department directly.

Click this link to see the book list for your course.


Other Information about the Course

Introduction: The key to learning Philosophy is to ask questions. If you hear or read something you do not understand, try to figure out why it is that you are unable to comprehend it. Feel free to create a discussion board about the subject, so that your peers can chime in. Feel free to ask me, by messaging on Canvas or text. Chances are you are not alone in your query. Your very inquiry may even help a classmate who is too “shy” to ask the question on their own. Since I intend the classes to be made of discussion and lecture, I place a large emphasis on participation. It is one thing to virtually come to class; it is another thing to participate. Your regular discussions and one-pagers will not only increase your chances of learning this complex material, but they could help push your grade up. Remember that asking questions is a sign of intelligence and the beginning of the search for knowledge. Asking questions is essential if philosophical study. We will read the original texts of important thinkers in order to wrestle with the same questions they did and make sense out of them. Do not hesitate to underline any passage that either puzzles or intrigues you. A hint: If you are stuck on a passage, mark it and read on. Come back to it later. Something you read later may clarify an earlier passage. Through the study of Philosophy, you will expand your ability to both read and write critically. Philosophy is unique in that learning it entails doing philosophy, and not just accumulating knowledge. This process often seems irritating at the outset, a natural reaction to the scalpel of deep critical reflection. I want you to see how the different approaches to the love of wisdom pertain to your own lives, studies, and ambitions. This class will in fact deepen your understanding of what it means to make valid arguments and why that is important for how we set up our worlds. In the end, as its instructor, I hope that this course will enhance your educational experience and help to make you a better person.