COURSE SYLLABUS CONTEMPORARY EPISTEMOLOGY (Term 3, AY 2011-2012) COLLEGE: Liberal Arts DEPARTMENT: Philosophy COURSE CODE: CONTEPI CLASS

DAYS AND CLASS TIME: MH 1300-1430 ROOM: M317 INSTRUCTOR: Mark Anthony Dacela (mark.anthony.dacela@dlsu.edu.ph) CONSULTATION HOURS: M 1500-1600 (W505) (by appointment) COURSE DESCRIPTION: CONTEPI (Contemporary Epistemology) is a course that introduces the students to the central issues in contemporary theory of knowledge, including the nature of knowledge and epistemic justification, the internalism/externalism debate, contemporary approaches to skepticism, and problems of introspection and self-knowledge, perception, memory, and induction. LEARNING OUTCOME: ELGA Critical and Creative Knowledge Producer Competent Professional Diversity-sensitive Communicator FINAL COURSE OUTPUT: As evidence of attaining the above learning outcome, the student is required to do and submit the following during the indicated dates of the term: LEARNING OUTCOME On completion of the course, students are expected to be able to write and orally present a well-formed philosophical research paper on one particular epistemological issue. REQUIRED OUTPUT Final course output: A well-formed philosophical research paper (4-7 pages) on one particular epistemological issue. Component outputs: 1. Oral presentation of the penultimate research paper 2. Final paper DUE DATES LEARNING OUTCOME On completion of the course, students are expected to be able to write and orally present a well-formed philosophical research paper on one particular epistemological issue.

10th week 12th week

RUBRIC FOR ASSESSMENT: The following rubric shall be used to assess the students final research paper. Please be guided accordingly.
CRITERIA EXEMPLARY 31 - 40 Understanding of the Issue The paper contains an accurate and precise description of the issue along with an excellent survey of possible alternatives and arguments. The paper presents a clear and unambiguous thesis statement that is supported with good arguments; it also answers possible counterarguments to the main thesis. The paper is highly readable; it has no factual and referencing errors; and no grammatical and spelling errors. SATISFACTORY 21 - 30 The paper contains an accurate description of the issue along with a good survey of possible alternatives and arguments. DEVELOPING 11 - 20 The paper contains a description of the issue along with a survey of possible alternatives and arguments. BEGINNING

0 - 10
The paper contains little to no description of the issue, or else it provides a short survey of possible alternatives and arguments. The paper does not contain a thesis statement, or is not supported with any good argument, or it fails to mention possible counter arguments to the main thesis. The paper is not readable; it has many factual and referencing errors; it also has some grammatical and spelling errors.

10

Presence of an Argument 30

The paper contains a thesis statement that is supported with good arguments; it also acknowledges possible counterarguments to the main thesis.

The paper contains a thesis statement but is not supported with good argument, or it fails to consider possible counter arguments to the main thesis.

Overall Style and Presentation 10

The paper is readable; it has no factual and referencing errors; it also has very few grammatical and spelling errors.

The paper is readable; it has some factual and referencing errors; it also has very few grammatical and spelling errors.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS: Aside from the final course output, the students will be assessed at other times during the term by the following:

1. Exams. There will be four major exams in this course. The coverage will be posted online at least three days before each exam. 2. Outline. The students will be required to outline relevant chapters from the book An Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge by Noah Lemos. The format and guidelines will be posted online. 3. Graded Recitation. This will be conducted every meeting. The guidelines for this assessment activity will be discussed in class.

GRADING SYSTEM: The student will be graded according to the following. Passing grade is 70%. Final research paper Exams (10% each) Outline ( 4% each ) = 40% = 40% = 20% ----------------------100% 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0

RATING SYSTEM: 97-100 93-96 89-92 85-88 80-84 75-79 70-74 LEARNING PLAN: LEARNING OUTCOME Students are expected to be able to write and orally present a well-formed philosophical research paper on one particular epistemological issue. TOPIC Knowledge, Truth, and Justification

WEEK NO. 1

LEARNING ACTIVITIES Close reading and discussion.

Gettier Problem

Close reading and discussion. Close reading and discussion. Close reading and discussion.

Foundationalism

2-3

The Coherence Theory of Justification

3-4

Reliabilism and Virtue Epistemology

4-5

Close reading and discussion.

Internalism, Externalism, and Epistemic Circularity 3

5-6

Close reading and discussion.

The Apriori

6-7

Close reading and discussion. Close reading and discussion.

Naturalized Epistemology

8-9

REFERENCES: Textbook: Lemos, N. 2007. An Introduction to the theory of knowledge. United Kingdom: Cambridge. Books: Sosa, E., J. Kim, J. Fantl, and M. McGrath, eds. 2008. Epistemology: An Anthology. Blackwell. Online Resources: Steup, Matthias, 2011. Epistemology. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ed. E.N. Zalta . Available in http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2011/entries/epistemology.

CLASS POLICIES: 1. CHEATING in any form (e.g., plagiarism, taking credit for someone elses work) warrants a FAILING GRADE (0.0). Refer to the student handbook for other cheating related policies. 2. We shall also follow the existing university policies on attendance. Students are allowed a maximum of 5 absences. 3. Late requirements (for whatever reason) as well as electronically submitted ones will NOT be accepted. 4. NO make-up will be given for any missed exam. 5. Cell phones and other electronic devices must be TURNED OFF during ALL class sessions. 6. Grade negotiations will NOT be entertained.