Principles of Philosophy

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Are you drawn to the big questions that shape our world? Why do we exist? What is the nature of knowledge? How do we define right and wrong? In this course, you’ll embark on an intellectual journey through timeless debates about truth, knowledge, justice, and ethics, guided by the insights of great thinkers from ancient Greece to today’s modern visionaries. From metaphysics and epistemology to ethics, political philosophy, and social justice, you’ll explore the ideas that have influenced humanity for centuries. Through thought-provoking lessons, lively discussions, and critical thinking exercises, you’ll gain the tools to analyze complex problems and uncover how philosophy connects to your everyday life.

Whether you’re considering a major in psychology, sociology, political science, law, science, or business, this course lays a solid foundation for understanding human thought and behavior. It’s ideal for students who thrive on asking questions, debating ideas, and exploring diverse cultural perspectives. By studying philosophy, you’ll sharpen your reasoning skills, expand your worldview, and prepare for success in any field that values creativity and critical thinking. Discover how philosophy shapes not just our understanding of the world—but also your ability to shape the future through the power of ideas.

COURSE FORMAT

The class meets 90 minutes twice a week (M/W or T/Th) for 20 weeks.  Like all other courses in our curriculum, Principles of Philosophy consists of two components:  asynchronous and synchronous learning.

1. The asynchronous flipped classroom portion of the course makes up 30% of your overall grade. It is based on the Philosophy 321: Principles of Philosophy course developed by Study.com.

2. Your academy instructor will facilitate the virtual in-person synchronous portion of the course. This makes up 50% of your overall grade.

Asynchronous Learning

The Philosophy 321: Principles of Philosophy courses developed by Study.com was created by panels of expert instructors who break down concepts with bite-sized, animated video lessons organized into topical chapters that improve comprehension and retention, making learning fun and engaging.  Each video is approximately 5-8 minutes long and comes with a quick quiz to help you measure your "first exposure learning" during the pre-work phase before the actual class. At the end of each chapter, you will complete a chapter test to see if you're ready to move on or have some material to review.

You should expect to spend 40-60 minutes per week on these homework assignments. The academy intentionally schedules no classes on Fridays to provide dedicated time for homework assignments and out-of-class projects.

Synchronous Learning

Our academy instructor, who will also serve as your Gamemaster, will facilitate the live, virtual classroom sessions, which will supplement and build upon the content introduced in the asynchronous portion of the course. Additionally, they will answer any questions you may have about the asynchronous material.

Our in-person sessions are designed to make learning fun and interactive! Here's what you can expect:

• Interactive discussions:  We will delve deeper into key concepts from the asynchronous material and address any common misconceptions.

• Game-based activities:   Earn points and badges, and climb the leaderboard as you embark on edventures through grammar and !

Exams

There will be a comprehensive mid-term exam over all content covered during the first quarter and a comprehensive final exam over all content covered during the second quarter. Both of these exams are weighted equally, and the combined average will make up 10% of your course grade.

COURSE TOPICS

Chapters: 15; Lessons: 157

TOP^

INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION BOARD

Each chapter features an interactive discussion board powered by Discussion Hero, a gamified platform developed by Northwestern University. Students choose between "hero" and "villain" roles and avatars, earning points for their contributions. This fosters a sense of competition and engagement, making discussions even more rewarding.

Benefits of Participating in Discussions:

1. Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills:  Go beyond memorization and passive learning by analyzing information, evaluating different perspectives, and forming your own conclusions.

2. Enhance communication skills:  Practice clear communication, learn to articulate your ideas effectively, and develop respectful listening and rebuttal skills.

3. Fosters a collaborative learning environment:  Learn from each other, share knowledge, and collaborate on problem-solving, creating a dynamic and enriching learning community.

4. Deepen your understanding of the content:  Actively engaging with the course material through discussion solidifies and expands your understanding beyond lectures and readings.

5. Provides diverse perspectives:  Discussions expose you to different viewpoints and interpretations, encouraging critical thinking and broadening your understanding of the subject matter.

6. Offers opportunities for self-reflection:  Examining your own thoughts and arguments in response to prompts and engaging with others' perspectives helps solidify your learning and identify areas for further exploration.

7. Apply knowledge to real-world scenarios:  Apply course concepts to real-world situations through discussions, enhancing the material's relevance.

8. Build a digital learning portfolio:  Discussions serve as a reference for your learning journey, allowing you to revisit key concepts and track your progress.

9. Develop digital literacy:  Discussions provide a platform to practice online communication etiquette, including respectful disagreement, constructive argumentation, and responsible information sharing.

To actively engage in meaningful learning and reap the benefits mentioned above, participation in each chapter's discussion board is expected and will contribute to your overall grade. Your instructor will provide a clear rubric within Discussion Hero outlining the expectations for participation and how your contributions will be evaluated. This ensures consistent and transparent assessment while allowing you to showcase your understanding and critical thinking skills throughout the course.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Define and discuss the key branches of philosophy, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, and social justice.

• Identify and explain the central philosophical questions related to the nature of reality, knowledge, ethics, and governance.

• Trace the evolution of epistemological thought from ancient to contemporary philosophy, comparing key philosophers and their theories.

• Analyze and differentiate between major epistemological theories, including empiricism, rationalism, idealism, and skepticism.

• Critically evaluate the relationship between metaphysics and epistemology in understanding reality and knowledge.

• Explain the contributions of ancient philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, and Eastern thinkers, to the development of epistemology and ethics.

• Investigate the key ideas of modern epistemologists like Descartes, Hume, Kant, and Berkeley, and their impact on contemporary thought.

• Identify and explain major ethical theories, such as virtue ethics, utilitarianism, deontology, and existentialism, and assess their applications.

• Discuss the implications of feminist, African American, and postmodern approaches to knowledge and social justice.

• Analyze the political philosophies of classical thinkers like Plato and Aristotle, and understand their relevance in contemporary political theory.

• Explain and critique key political theories, including Marxism, liberalism, and social contract theory, and their impact on modern governance.

• Evaluate the role of ethics in political philosophy, especially in relation to justice, equality, and governance.

• Apply the principles of social justice theory, including the ideas of John Rawls, bell hooks, and Marx, to current social issues.

• Critically assess the intersection of gender, race, and social justice, and their influence on philosophical discourse.

• Apply philosophical concepts to real-world issues, including ethical decision-making, political systems, and social justice movements.

PREREQUISITES

This course is open exclusively to Juniors and Seniors unless otherwise granted access by the instructor through private invitation.

COLLEGE OR DUAL CREDIT

Philosophy 321: Principles of Philosophy has been evaluated and recommended by ACE for 3 semester hours and may be transferred to over 2,000 colleges and universities. If you're seeking college credit, after completing this course, you can take the online proctored exam at any time for an additional fee.