Lincoln University

Philosophy Program

Department of History, Political Science, Philosophy and Religion

Course Title:	Epistemology	Course number:	PHL 401 -W1
Credit Hours	3	Prerequisite (s):	None
Term:	Fall 2020	Co-Requisite (s)	None
Course Method	Lecture and discussion	Meeting day and Time:	MWF 10-10:50 a.m.
Instructor:	Safro Kwame, Ph.D.	Classroom/lab/Studio Location:	Grim Hall 306
Office location:	GRIM HALL 310	e-mail:	kwame@lincoln.edu
Office Hours:	MWF 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.	Phone Extension:	7569 (484-365-7569)

Course Description: (as in the university bulletin): 

This course is an examination of issues such as skepticism, induction, the Gettier problem, justification, foundationalism, theories of truth, internalism and externalism, naturalized epistemology, a-priori knowledge, and perception. Course Objective: (a) To familiarize the student with the popular epistemologists and theories of knowledge; and (b) to foster deep and critical thinking about knowledge, belief and truth.

Writing Intensive Course: This is a writing-intensive course. Writing assignments are incorporated as an integral part of the course, and the writing assignments are structured and sequenced in a way that can help students improve their writing. Students have opportunities to receive constructive criticism on drafts, and the opportunity to revise their work, particularly drafts of longer projects. Assignments and course-planning devote time for students to reflect on their writing and their intellectual growth. Written assignments are a major component of the course grade.  All assignments and examinations include written assignments.

Writing Assignment: Three drafts and a final, critical thinking and research paper or essay, comparing and evaluating any three of the recommended readings (chapters) from our textbook which are listed on the syllabus and applying those readings to a current event; and a written reflection assignment for students to reflect on their writing and their intellectual growth. Due dates for the drafts, reflection and final essays or papers will be announced at the beginning of the course or semester.

Required Text/Materials:

Pojman, L. 2003.  The Theory of Knowledge: Classic and Contemporary Readings, 3rd Edition, Belmont, CA., Wadsworth, ISBN-13: 978-0534558222 (Required); and Nagel, J. 2014. Knowledge: A Very Short Introduction, New York, Oxford University Press. ISBN-13: 978-0199661268 (Optional)

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Textbook, Computer, Word Processor, Internet Browser, E-mail Account, and Internet Access (Wifi).

REQUIRED SOFTWARE/TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS:

Word-processing, use of Microsoft Office or equivalent, document conversion, use of e-mail, social media and a learning or course management system including Moodle and Blackboard, use of the Internet including Internet searches and grade checks; web or video conferencing (or teleconferencing including the use of Zoom and Skype).

Communication mode: E-mail, Moodle or current University learning or course management system, web or video conferencing (or teleconferencing including the use of Zoom and Skype). Initial student contact with instructor should be by e-mail followed by the current University learning or course management system e.g. Moodle or Canvas. Additional or subsequent communications will be conducted by e-mail, the use of the current University learning or course management system, and/or web or video conferencing (or teleconferencing including the use of Zoom and Skype).

UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC, INSTITUTIONAL and TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES:

Students can access assistance for academic, institutional and technology support at:

Academic Support: https://www.lincoln.edu/departments/academic-support

Institutional Support: https://www.lincoln.edu/departments/institutional-effectiveness-research-and-planning

Technology Support: https://www.lincoln.edu/departments/information-technology

Academic Advising: https://www.lincoln.edu/departments/academic-advising

Counseling Services: https://www.lincoln.edu/departments/counseling-services

Health Services: https://www.lincoln.edu/departments/health-services

Student Learning Outcomes (What student should be able to do at the end of course.): Define "knowledge" and "truth;" Critically evaluate major theories of knowledge and truth; Critically examine several major approaches to the problem of induction; Define the role and value of skepticism in theories of knowledge; and Identify and interpret the role of science in theories of knowledge. Focus on (a) learning something new, (b) preparation for graduate school, and (c) ability to compete with students from other American colleges.

Course SLO	Program SLO	Core  SLO	Direct and Indirect Assessment Measures
1. Define "knowledge" and "truth."	Interpret and appraise major texts and philosophical systems in the history of philosophy. (Program  SLO 5)	Apply information literacy/research skills to assist their systematic process of critical thought; articulating the problem; gather information from multiple sources and venues; evaluating the accuracy/thoroughness/timeliness of the collected data, and determining when/if the problem has been satisfactorily resolved (Core SLO 3).	Course and homework assignments Examinations and quizzes Term papers and reports
2. Critically evaluate major theories of knowledge and truth.	Critically evaluate arguments and claims in philosophical and non-philosophical contexts. (Program  SLO 3)	Think critically via classifying, analyzing, comparing, contrasting, hypothesizing, synthesizing, extrapolating and evaluating ideas (Core SLO 2).	Examinations and quizzes Term papers and reports Class discussion participation
3. Critically examine several major approaches to the problem of induction.	Analyze philosophical and logical problems. (Program  SLO 1) Analyze and critique major texts and positions in the areas of epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics. (Program  SLO 6)	Think critically via classifying, analyzing, comparing, contrasting, hypothesizing, synthesizing, extrapolating and evaluating ideas (Core SLO 2).	Course and homework assignments Examinations and quizzes Term papers and reports Class discussion participation
4. Define the role and value of skepticism in theories of knowledge.	Interpret and appraise major texts and philosophical systems in the history of philosophy. (Program  SLO 5)	Apply information literacy/research skills to assist their systematic process of critical thought; articulating the problem; gather information from multiple sources and venues; evaluating the accuracy/thoroughness/timeliness of the collected data, and determining when/if the problem has been satisfactorily resolved (Core SLO 3).	Course and homework assignments Examinations and quizzes Term papers and reports Class discussion participation
5. Identify and interpret the role of science in theories of knowledge.	Apply philosophical theories and normative principles to current events and broader issues pertaining to the individual and society. (Program  SLO 4) Create clear and cogent oral and written presentations. (Program  SLO 2)	Demonstrate good citizenship and service to one's community and/or engage in free intellectual inquiry seeking truth, understanding and appreciating self as well as a readiness to learn from and about different cultural and/or linguistic perspectives (Core SLO 5).  Demonstrate positive interpersonal skills by adhering to the principles of freedom, justice, equality, fairness, tolerance, open dialogue and concern for the common good (Core SLO 8).	Course and homework assignments Examinations and quizzes Term papers and reports Class discussion participation

Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLO):

1. Analyze philosophical and logical problems. (Program SLO 1)

2. Create clear and cogent oral and written presentations. (Program SLO 2)

3. Critically evaluate arguments and claims in philosophical and non-philosophical contexts. (Program SLO 3)

4. Apply philosophical theories and normative principles to current events and broader issues pertaining to the individual and society. (Program SLO 4)

5. Interpret and appraise major texts and philosophical systems in the history of philosophy. (Program SLO 5)

6. Analyze and critique major texts and positions in the areas of epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics. (Program SLO 6)

Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILO): (List only those assessed with this course.)

Diversity/Cultural Awareness (ILO 3).

Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement (ILO 4)

Critical Thinking (ILO 5).

Integrative and Life-Long Learning (ILO 8).

Calculation of Final Grades:

Final Exam 30%

Midterm Exam 30%

Essay &  reflection 30%

Class Participation 10%

GRADING SCALE:

Grade	A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D+	D	F
GPA Points	4.0	3.7	3.3	3.0	2.7	2.3	2.0	1.7	1.3	1.0	0.0
%	100-93	92.9-90	89.9-88	87.9-82	81.9-80	79.9-78	77.9-72	71.9-70	69.9-67	66.9-60.1	60 and under

University ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Lincoln University uses the class method of teaching, which assumes that each student has something to contribute and something to gain by attending class. It further assumes that there is much more instruction absorbed in the classroom than can be tested on examinations. Therefore, students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled class meetings and should exhibit good faith in this regard. For the control of absences, the faculty adopted the following regulations: 1. Four absences may result in an automatic failure in the course. 2. Three tardy arrivals may be counted as one absence. http://www.lincoln.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/registrar/Catalog.pdf

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:

Lincoln University is committed to non-discrimination of students with disabilities and therefore ensures that they have equal access to higher education, programs, activities, and services in order to achieve full participation and integration into the University.  In keeping with the philosophies of the mission and vision of the University, the Office of Student Support Services, through the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Program, provides an array of support services and reasonable accommodations for students with special needs and/or disabilities as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  The Services for Students with Disabilities Program seeks to promote awareness and a campus environment in which accommodating students with special needs and/or disabilities is natural extension of the University’s goal. Any student with a documented disability should contact the Office of Student Support Services. http://www.lincoln.edu/studentservices/index.html

UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC INTEGRITY STATEMENT:

Students are responsible for proper conduct and integrity in all of their scholastic work. They must follow a professor's instructions when completing tests, homework, and laboratory reports, and must ask for clarification if the instructions are not clear. In general, students should not give or receive aid when taking exams, or exceed the time limitations specified by the professor. In seeking the truth, in learning to think critically, and in preparing for a life of constructive service, honesty is imperative. Honesty in the classroom and in the preparation of papers is therefore expected of all students. Each student has the responsibility to submit work that is uniquely his or her own. All of this work must be done in accordance with established principles of academic integrity. http://www.lincoln.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/registrar/Catalog.pdf

POLICY ON ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN CLASSROOM:

Use of electronic devices is prohibited unless approved by the instructor for purposes directly related to the course.  Texting, searching the internet, recording, taking pictures or videos, talking, and playing games, among other things, are specifically prohibited.   During exams, all electronic devices must be turned off.

Textbook: Pojman, L. 2003.  The Theory of Knowledge: Classic and Contemporary Readings, 3rd Edition, Belmont, CA., Wadsworth, ISBN-13: 978-0534558222 (Required)

Day	Date	Discussion Topic/Learning Opportunities
Mon	08/17/2020	Prologue
Wed	08/19/2020	Introduction
Fri	08/21/2020	Read 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION: THE THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE. Introduction pp. 1-4 before today's class.
Mon	08/24/2020	Read 1. Bertrand Russell, What Can We Know? Appearances and Reality pp. 5-8 before today's class.
Wed	08/26/2020	Read 2. Roderick Chisholm, The Problem of the Criterion pp. 9-17 before today's class.
Fri	08/28/2020	Read 2. SKEPTICISM. Introduction pp. 19-21 before today's class.
Mon	08/31/2020	Read 2. David Hume, Skepticism Regarding the Senses pp. 39-48 before today's class.
Wed	09/02/2020	Read 3. G. E. Moore, A Defense of Common Sense pp. 49-55 before today's class.
Fri	09/04/2020	Read 4. Keith Lehrer, Why Not Skepticism pp. 56-62 before today's class.
Mon	09/07/2020	Labor Day: Discussion and first draft of paper, on 3 of the readings on our syllabus, due.
Wed	09/09/2020	Read 5. Norman Malcolm, Two Types of Knowledge pp. 63-70 before today's class.
Fri	09/11/2020	Classwork 1: Quiz on Readings and Classes
Mon	09/14/2020	Read 4. ANALYSIS OF KNOWLEDGE. Introduction pp. 121-124 before today's class.
Wed	09/16/2020	Read 1. Edmund Gettier, Is Justified True Belief Knowledge? Pp. 125-126 before today's class.
Fri	09/18/2020	Read 2. Richard Feldman: An Alleged Defect in Gettier Counterexamples pp. 127-128 before today's class.
Mon	09/21/2020	Read 3. Alvin Goldman, A Causal Theory of Knowledge pp. 129-137 before today's class.
Wed	09/23/2020	Read 4. Keith Lehrer and Tom Paxson, Knowledge: Undefeated Justified Belief pp. 138-141 before today's class.
Fri	09/25/2020	Read 5. Alvin Goldman, Discrimination and Perceptual Knowledge pp. 142-156 before today's class.
Mon	09/28/2020	Review.
Wed	09/30/2020	Comprehensive Midterm Exam.
Fri	10/02/2020	Second draft of paper, on 3 of the readings on our syllabus, due. (See guidelines.)
Mon	10/05/2020	Read 7. A-PRIORI KNOWEDGE. Introduction pp. 367-369 before today's class.
Wed	10/07/2020	Read 1. Immanel Kant, A-Priori Knowledge pp. 370-377 before today's class.
Fri	10/09/2020	Read 2. A. J. Ayer, An Empiricist Critique of the A-Priori pp. 378-384 before today's class.
Mon	10/12/2020	Read 3. A. C. Ewing, In Defense of A Priori Knowledge pp. 385-390 before today's class.
Wed	10/14/2020	Read 4. W. V. Quine, Two Dogmas of Empiricism pp. 391-402 before today's class.
Fri	10/16/2020	Read 5. H. P. Grice and Peter F. Strawson, In Defense of a Dogma pp. 403-409 before today's class.
Mon	10/19/2020	Read 6. Roderick Chisholm, Truths of Reason pp. 409-421 before today's class.
Wed	10/21/2020	Read 7. Saul Kripke, A-Priori Knowledge, Necessity and Contingency pp. 422-430 before today's class.
Fri	10/23/2020	Read 8. INDUCTION. Introduction pp. 431-433 before today's class.
Mon	10/26/2020	Read 1. David Hume, The Problem of Induction pp. 434-439 before today's class.
Wed	10/28/2020	Read 2. Bertrand Russell, On Induction pp. 440-442 before today's class.
Fri	10/30/2020	Read 3. Frederick Will, Will the Future Be Like the Past? Pp. 443-450 before today's class.
Mon	11/02/2020	Read 4. Hans Reichenbach, The Pragmatic Justification of Induction pp. 451-454 before today's class.
Wed	11/04/2020	Read 5. Peter F. Strawson, Dissolving the Problem of Induction pp. 455-459 before today's class. Third draft of paper, on 3 of the readings on our syllabus, due.
Fri	11/06/2020	Read 6. Nelson Goodman, The New Riddle of Induction pp. 460-464 before today's class.
Mon	11/09/2020	Read 9. SCIENCE, JUSTIFICATION AND THE DEMARCATION PROBLEM. Introduction pp. 465-467 before today's class.
Wed	11/11/2020	Read 1. A. J. Ayer, The Verification Method and the Elimination of Metaphysics pp. 468-475 before today's class.
Fri	11/13/2020	Classwork 2: Quiz on Readings and Classes
Mon	11/16/2020	Read 2. Karl Hempel, The Scientific Method of Hypothesis Testing pp. 476-483 before today's class.
Wed	11/18/2020	Read 3. Karl Popper, Conjectures and Refutations pp. 484-496 before today's class.
Fri	11/20/2020	Term paper, on 3 of the readings on our syllabus, due. (See guidelines.)
Tu-F	12/1/20 to 12/4/20	See Registrar's Exam Schedule for update or changes. You cannot take it earlier than scheduled or with another class. Do not schedule anything that conflicts with your exam.

Calculation of Final Grades: Mid-term grade will be determined by a mid-term exam and semester grade determined by final examination (30%), midterm exam (30%), term paper comparing and evaluating any three of the readings listed on the syllabus, not just from the textbook, and applying those readings to a current event that took place this year (30%), Moodle homework (extra-credit), and class participation/presentation (10%) minus absences or lack of attendance and/or poor participation -- unless stated otherwise on supplementary details. Unless you officially withdraw or formally request an incomplete (in writing) and submit appropriate documentation before the end of the semester, you will receive a passing or failing grade based on performance and attendance. There is no makeup for classwork, quizzes, or extra-credit. Class participation/presentation is the extent to which a student is (perceived by the instructor as being) involved in class discussion of readings and application (not the same as attendance). See instructor for paper guidelines and due-date.

Grading Scale: A=100-93, B=92-82, C=81-72, D=71-60, F=59-0 or for difficult exams A=100-80%, B=70-60%, C=50-40%, D=30-20%, F=10-0%. (+/- determined by curve.) Note:  Each unauthorized use of an electronic device in class -- including the use of a mobile or cell phone -- may count as an absence or, in the case of class exercises (such as exams, tests and quizzes), an act of academic dishonesty (cheating) and sanctioned appropriately. It may result in failure in a project or course.

Class/Course Website: kwame.50webs.com/ or http://kwame.atspace.com/ or http://kwame.byethost22.com or https://philosophydepartment.tripod.com/ or Moodle: http://lincoln.mrooms.net/ To check your grade on the computer or internet, go to any one of the websites listed above and follow the instructions there. Note that some of the websites may be down and not updated.

YOU MAY ASK FOR AN ABSENCE AND EXCUSES FORM

Use the Absence and Excuses Form to indicate which absences you want to be excused and why. (Attach the proper documentation to this form and submit at the end of semester.)