Class Title: Module I 

Objectives:  

✓ Gain an understanding of what philosophy is, why it is important, and how it helps us better understand the world in which we live 

✓ Review fundamental philosophical concepts 

✓ Practice engaging in philosophical discussions and debates by utilizing the Socratic method 

✓ Learn the fundamental value of philosophical inquiry

Learning Outcomes: 

✓ Can successfully engage in the Socratic method of discussion 

✓ Has a foundation in epistemology, ethics and ethical dilemmas 

✓ Gain advanced knowledge of argumentation and logical reasoning 

Class Timeline:
✓ 45 mins. per lesson (20 mins. for instruction, 20 mins. for discussion & debate, 5 mins. for homework review & Q/A)
✓ Have lessons twice per week 

Detailed Lesson Plan: 

Week 1a: Defining “philosophy”—what is it? 

Week 1b: The Socratic method—how to use it and why 

Week 2a: Debate & discussion—how to form a logical response to an argument 

Week 2b: Writing Task #1 and in-class evaluation/feedback 

Week 3a: Defining “epistemology”—how do we know what we know? 

Week 3b: Defining “ethics”—what is your personal code of ethics? 

Week 4a: Ethical dilemmas—the Trolley Problem and the Prisoner’s Dilemma 

Week 4b: Writing Tasks #2 and #3 and in-class evaluation/feedback

Class Title: Module II 

Objectives:  

✓ Review the basics of logical writing and argumentation

✓ Practice creating sound arguments in written form 

✓ Gain advanced essay writing skills needed to inform, critique, and persuade  

Learning Outcomes: 

✓ Can argue points effectively through writing 

✓ Capable of debunking flawed arguments in writing

✓ Able to identify logical fallacies

✓ Gain an understanding of multiple types of logical reasoning 

Class Timeline: 

✓ 45 mins. per lesson (20 mins. for instruction, 20 mins. for discussion & debate, 5 mins. for homework review & Q/A) 

✓ Have lessons twice per week  

Detailed Lesson Plan: 

Week 1a: Distinguish between opinions, facts, premises, and conclusions.
Week 1b: Testing arguments—are they valid?
Week 2a: Inductive and deductive reasoning—what is the difference?
Week 2b: What are fallacies? Recognize and reproduce types of logical fallacies
Week 3a: Writing Task #1 and in-class evaluation/feedback
Week 3b: Practice developing counterarguments and learn how to introduce supportive evidence
Week 4a: Craft a philosophical thesis and learn how to logically organize your arguments
Week 4b: Writing Task #2 and in-class evaluation/feedback

Class Title: Module III 

Objectives:  

✓ Critically review philosophical texts from philosophers such as Plato, Descartes, Kant, Bentham, and Sartre

✓ Practice breaking down arguments from major philosophers

✓ Apply your understanding of philosophical inquiry, ethics, and logic in writing to form your own philosophical perspective(s)

Learning Outcomes: 

✓ Can identify premises, conclusions, and arguments in writings from philosophers

✓ Gain a strong understanding of how a logical argument is formed, defended, and refuted

✓ Gain a deeper understanding of how to apply philosophy to multiple disciplines

Class Timeline: 

✓ 45 mins. per lesson (10 minutes for instruction, 30 minutes for discussion & debate, and 5 minutes for homework review & Q/A) 

✓ Have lessons twice per week        

Detailed Lesson Plan: 

 
Week 1a: Reading Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”—what is it?
Week 1b: Discussing the problems with “Allegory of the Cave”
Week 2a: Writing Task #1 and in-class evaluation and feedback
Week 2b: Reading Descartes’ “First Meditation”—what is it?
Week 3a: Proving and disproving “I think, therefore I am”—premises and conclusions Week 3b: Writing Task #2 and in-class evaluation and feedback Week 4a: Reading Kant’s “Categorical Imperative”—what is it?
Week 4b: Discussing the problems with the “Categorical Imperative”
Week 5a: Writing Task #3 and in-class evaluation and feedback
Week 5b: Reading Jeremy Bentham’s theory of utilitarianism—what is it?
Week 6a: Discussing the pros and cons of utilitarianism
Week 6b: Writing Task #4 and in-class evaluation and feedback
Week 7a: Reading an excerpt from Sartre's Existentialism is a Humanism
Week 7b: What is existentialism? What is individualism?
Week 8a: Writing Task #5 and in-class evaluation and feedback
Week 8b: In-class debate: pretend to be a major philosopher. Final Writing Project #1 and in-class evaluation/feedback