COURSE NAME: Philosophy

SCHOOL DISTRICT: Catskill

INSTRUCTOR: Warden

HALF YEAR

MAXIMUM TOTAL CLASS ENROLLMENT - 25

COURSE PREREQUISITES: Social Studies 11

BRIEF COURSE DESCRIPTION / OUTLINE: This course will examine the thinking of some the world's greatest
and most accessible philosophers--both Western and Eastern--with a focus on ethics and political and social
philosophy. It will be themed based centering on a given timeless philosophical question such as "What is
goodness?" or "What is the ideal form of government?" or "How can we know what we know?" or "How can
happiness best be achieved?"

Some of the early Western philosophers that will be discussed would include the ancient Skeptics, Cynics,
and Epicureans. The course will continue on by examining the key writings on virtue and the ideal society
with the help of the great philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Eastern philosophy--Confucianism,
Daoism, and Legalism, and Buddhism would also be consulted to weigh in on these matters. Moving in forward
in time, the great British philosophers David Hume and Adam Smith will be examined for their view on the
above questions. And last, but certainly not least, the German school Kant, Hegel, Marx, and Nietzsche.

This class will be geared to honors students, but any student who is willing to do the reading and who enjoys
intense philosophical discussion will be welcomed to enroll. Several short papers and unit exams would be
part of assessment process, as well as participation in the discussions. Students that maintain an 80% or
higher English average may register for college credit (3) that is transferable to most major universities. Cost
of credit is determined yearly. Students choosing this option may have an expectation of an advanced
course load, readings and/or projects.

OTHER NOTES / MISCELLANEOUS:

FOR COLLEGE CREDIT COURSES ONLY:

SPONSORING COLLEGE: Columbia-Greene Community College

NUMBER OF CREDITS AVAILABLE: 3

APPROXIMATE TUITION FEE (PER CREDIT): $55

2/5/14