Welcome to Philosophy 113
Philosophical Issues Online Course
Below are answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) about this online Philosophy 113 course. Online students should read this ENTIRE PAGE.
1. How do I log-in to the course web site?
Go to the Palomar home page ( www.palomar.edu ) and find and click on the “Blackboard” link at the top of that page.
Then log-in to Blackboard using your nine digit Palomar ID number as your username and your Palomar e-Services password. Then find and click on your PHIL 113 course. (I recommend that you save the Log-in Page as a “Favorite” or “Bookmark” on your browser at home.)
2. Is there an orientation meeting for this course?
Yes. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that all students attend the orientation meeting for this course. Important information about online courses and the specific requirements of this Philosophy course are covered at the orientation.
The day and time for the orientation is listed in the Palomar Class Schedule. To view the online class schedule click on the following link: http://www.palomar.edu/schedule/
3. What if I cannot attend the scheduled orientation?
If you cannot attend the orientation you should log on to the class Blackboard website and:
- Read carefully all the documents in the Course Information area of the course web site.
- Complete on time and accurately, the first Discussion Board assignment.
Students who fail to take the above steps will be dropped from the course after the first week of the semester.
All the information about course procedures and policies are contained in documents located in the Course Information area of the course web site. Please read all theses documents carefully before emailing or calling your instructors with questions about this course.
4. Is it possible to crash this course?
The enrollment in this course is limited to those officially registered in the course. Non-registered students will be enrolled in the course only if they attend the orientation meeting and there is space available in the course. Attending the orientation does not guarantee a student enrollment in the course.
5. Are there any on-campus meetings for this course?
In addition to the orientation, there will be two on-campus exams given about the 8th and 12th week of the semester. There will be some flexibility in times and days when you can take the on-campus exams. IF YOU CANNOT COME TO CAMPUS FOR THE ON-CAMPUS EXAMS, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE INSTRUCTOR BEFORE ENROLLING IN THIS COURSE.
6. What books are required for this course?
The required text for this course is Ultimate Questions – Thinking About Philosophy, 3rd ed. by Nils Ch. Rauhut. The text is published by Prentice Hall.
The text can be purchased at the Palomar College Bookstore. It may also be available at Off Campus Books (1450 W. Mission Rd. San Marcos, phone 760-598-2665) and online.
The Bookstore, Off Campus Books, and online bookstores often carry USED copies.
Several web sites sell the textbooks online including Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
It is very important that you have a copy of the text at the start of the semester. There are assignments based on readings in the text that are due the first week of class.
7. What is the first assignment assignment in the course?
- Read Carefully All the Documents in the Course Information Area of the Course website.
- Read the first chapter in Ultimate Questions – Thinking About Philosophy, 3rd ed. by Nils Ch. Rauhut.
8. Are online courses right for me?
Since online courses do not have the structure of the traditional classroom, successful online students are those who are self-disciplined, self-motivated and possess good study habits as well as good reading and writing skills. Online courses require just as much of your time and effort as traditional classroom courses. For a three-unit college level classroom course it is recommended that you devote a minimum of nine hours a week (three hours in the classroom and at least six hours of study time). Must student will need to spend at least 9 hours a week to be successful in this online course. If cannot find nine hours a week to commit to this course, please do not enroll. The only time you will save by taking this course online is the time spent driving to campus and finding a parking space (which could be considerable!).
Online courses are not for everyone. To read about the advantages and disadvantages of online courses and to determine if you are a good candidate for online classes, please visit this web site set up by Montgomery College:
Characteristics of Effective Online Learning
Online Student Success, Montgomery College, MD
At this web site you can read about Online Study Skills and Strategies, Learning Styles and Online Learning, Technical Skills for Online Learners, Potential Personal Barriers to Online Success and take a readiness and assessment quiz to determine if online courses are for you. If you find that you are not a good candidate for online courses, please reconsider taking your course in an on-line format.
It is extremely important that students have RELIABLE Internet access, are comfortable browsing the Internet, and know how to use e-mail and a word-processing program (e.g., Microsoft Word).
9. What topics are covered in this course?
We live our lives based on certain assumptions we make about the answers to such fundamental questions as:
- What is human nature and does human life have a purpose?
- Do I have a soul and do I survive the death of my body?
- Do I shape my destiny through my free choices or do forces beyond my control primarily determined my fate?
- Does God exist and if so why does He permit so much suffering in the world?
- What is truth and how do I know when I know the truth?
Most people spend very little time reflecting on these questions or critically evaluating their answers to them. The discipline of philosophy seeks to help us develop clear, coherent, and justified answers to fundamental questions of existence. Philosophy is not easy: it asks some of the most perplexing questions. Philosophy also requires that we subject our most cherished beliefs to rigorous critical scrutiny. However, philosophy can be a very rewarding undertaking, for in the very process of answering these questions we come to learn more about ourselves and can reap the benefits of an examined life. I invite you to join your classmates and me on a journey into philosophy.
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” — Socrates