Major Works of Western Philosophy (HUM 207)

2021 Fall
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Humanities(HUM)
3
5
Elif Yavnık eyavnik@sabanciuniv.edu,
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English
Undergraduate
--
Formal lecture,Interactive lecture,Recitation
Interactive,Learner centered,Communicative,Discussion based learning
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CONTENT

This course examines some of the major texts in the main areas of philosophy from philosophers of the Western tradition such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Locke, Hume, Kant and Nietzsche.

OBJECTIVE

To introduce students to the history of Western philosophy and to help them develop skills for understanding the relevance of the historical discussions on contemporary debates.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Gaining familiarity with the history of Western philosophy.
  • Learning how to critically assess philosophical texts from various periods.
  • Developing the ability to analyze historical texts for contemporary relevance.
  • Acquiring skills to form and express one's opinion in a clear and organized fashion.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES


1. Understand the world, their country, their society, as well as themselves and have awareness of ethical problems, social rights, values and responsibility to the self and to others. 4

2. Understand different disciplines from natural and social sciences to mathematics and art, and develop interdisciplinary approaches in thinking and practice. 5

3. Think critically, follow innovations and developments in science and technology, demonstrate personal and organizational entrepreneurship and engage in life-long learning in various subjects; have the ability to continue to educate him/herself. 3

4. Communicate effectively in Turkish and English by oral, written, graphical and technological means. 3

5. Take individual and team responsibility, function effectively and respectively as an individual and a member or a leader of a team; and have the skills to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams. 2


1. Possess sufficient knowledge of mathematics, science and program-specific engineering topics; use theoretical and applied knowledge of these areas in complex engineering problems. 1

2. Identify, define, formulate and solve complex engineering problems; choose and apply suitable analysis and modeling methods for this purpose. 1

3. Develop, choose and use modern techniques and tools that are needed for analysis and solution of complex problems faced in engineering applications; possess knowledge of standards used in engineering applications; use information technologies effectively. 1

4. Have the ability to design a complex system, process, instrument or a product under realistic constraints and conditions, with the goal of fulfilling specified needs; apply modern design techniques for this purpose. 1

5. Design and conduct experiments, collect data, analyze and interpret the results to investigate complex engineering problems or program-specific research areas. 1

6. Possess knowledge of business practices such as project management, risk management and change management; awareness on innovation; knowledge of sustainable development. 1

7. Possess knowledge of impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, health and societal context; knowledge of contemporary issues; awareness on legal outcomes of engineering solutions; knowledge of behavior according to ethical principles, understanding of professional and ethical responsibility. 1

8. Have the ability to write effective reports and comprehend written reports, prepare design and production reports, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear and intelligible instructions. 3


1. Develop knowledge of theories, concepts, and research methods in humanities and social sciences. 5

2. Assess how global, national and regional developments affect society. 3

3. Know how to access and evaluate data from various sources of information. 4

ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA

  Percentage (%)
Final 35
Midterm 30
Participation 10
Written Report 15
Other 10

RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS

Readings

Plato, Apology, selections
Plato, The Republic, selections
Aristotle, Politics, selections
Epicurus, Principal Doctrines; Letter to Menoeceus
Saint Augustine, On the Free Choice of the Will, selections
Machiavelli, The Prince, selections Montaigne, Essays, selections
Descartes, Meditations, selections
Descartes, Meditations, continued
Hobbes, Leviathan, selections
Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, selections
Rousseau, Discourse on Inequality, selections
Kant, What is Enlightenment?