Fall 2003
IS 360: Survival of the
Fittest
(MW) 11:00-11:50, SL 0209;
(F) 11:00-12:50 SL 3218
Prof.
Annette Baich, BIOL Prof.
William S. Larkin, PHIL
Office:
SL 3325 Office:
PH 2207
Hours:
MW, 10:00-10:50 Hours:
MW 1:00-1:50
Phone:
650-2338 Phone:
650-2643
e-mail:
abaich@siue.edu e-mail: wlarkin@siue.edu
I.
Course Description
The primary objective of this course is to
understand the evidential basis and explanatory power of Darwin’s theory of
evolution and to critically examine that theory’s potential implications for
meaning, mind, and morality. Along with
acquiring a thorough grounding in evolutionary thinking, students will survey
the landscape of such perennial philosophical issues as the mind-body problem,
free will, personal identity, and the nature of morality. Through a reading of scientific,
philosophical, and literary texts, students will explore the relationship
between the scientific and folk-theoretic images of human nature and be
encouraged to rationally reflect on what it is to be a human animal. The secondary objective of the course is to
learn and practice observational, experimental, and critical thinking skills.
II.
Texts
A.
Rental
Texts
1.
Darwin,
Charles, The Origin of Species. (OS)
2.
Diamond,
Jared, Why Sex is Fun. (WSF)
3.
Swift,
Jonathan, Gulliver’s Travels. (GT)
4.
Vonnegut,
Kurt, Gallapagos (G)
B.
Course
Packets [CP(A) and CP(B)]: There will be 2 packets of photocopied readings
handed out in class during the first two weeks.
C.
Library
Reserve
Kafka, Franz, Metamorphosis (M)
III.
Course Requirements
At the beginning of every week there will be a quiz
on the readings assigned for that week as well as on the lecture/discussion material
of the previous week.
The
cumulative quiz grade will be worth 30% of the semester grade.
Every Wednesday there will be a topic/question
presented for discussion in small groups.
Each group will write up a single brief report of the group’s
response(s), signed by every participating group member.
Discussion group participation will be worth 10%
of the semester grade.
Every Friday designated groups will meet to do a
lab. There will be 5 labs over the
course of the semester for which you will have to write up a lab report in your
notebook.
The
cumulative lab grade will be worth 20% of the semester grade.
Students will be required to write a 5-7 pp. paper
on the following topic:
Compare and contrast the views of human identity in
Swift (GT) and Kafka (M). Be sure to
include a discussion of evolutionary ideas and the conflict between
folk-theoretic and scientific views of human nature.
The first paper will be due in class, Monday,
September 29th. The first
paper grade will be worth 20% of the semester grade.
Students will be required to write a 5-7pp. paper on
the following topic:
Compare and contrast ideas of human nature in Swift
(GT) and Vonnegut (G), focusing on the question of whether you would rather be
a Yahoos or one of Vonnegut’s ‘new humans’.
Be sure to include a discussion of evolutionary ideas as they relate to
intelligence, free will, and morality.
The second paper will be due in class, Monday,
November 10th. The second
paper grade will be worth 20% of the semester grade.
IV.
(Great) Expectations
Genuine learning requires
active participation and two-way communication. Students are not merely empty vessels waiting to be filled up
with information—they come to this course with various backgrounds, beliefs,
skills, and talents. Our goal is (1) to
incorporate some new concepts, ideas, and perspectives into students’
pre-existing knowledge base, and (2) to help students acquire and hone certain
skills.
It is expected that you will help facilitate
this process by taking an active role in your own learning process. Only with your active participation can
genuine learning occur, and only genuine learning will insure success in the
course. We expect you to take an active
role in class by taking notes, participating in discussion, asking questions,
and providing feedback on your progress.
No behavior that manifests a lack of respect for others or their
learning objectives will be tolerated.
It is absolutely crucial that everyone feel comfortable stating and
defending his or her own views. Outside of class you are expected to keep
up on the assigned readings, complete writing and lab assignments, review
notes, and see us in office hours whenever a question or problem arises. We also want to encourage you to get
together with fellow students to discuss the material in the course and to read
related material. We are more than
willing to help with either of those projects in any way we can.
V.
Academic Dishonesty
No kind or degree of academic dishonesty (i.e.,
cheating or plagiarism) will be tolerated. Any
such behavior on any assignment will certainly result in failing that
assignment, will probably result in failing the course, and may require more
drastic measures through official channels.
VI.
Weekly Schedule
Week |
Reading
Assignment |
Lectures |
Lab |
1 |
|
BIO: Diversity PHIL: Critical Thinking |
Observation: Group
1 and half Group 2 |
2 |
GT:
Voyage to the Land of the H CP(A):
Olson, “Psychology and Personal Identity” |
BIO: Diversity and Unity PHIL: Personal Identity |
Observation: Other
half Group 2 and Group 3 |
3 |
OS:
Chapter 1 |
BIO: Origin PHIL: The Meaning of Life I |
Survival
of the Fittest: Group
1 |
4 |
OS:
Chapter 2 |
BIO: Origin PHIL: The Meaning of Life II |
Survival
of the Fittest: Group
2 |
5 |
OS:
Chapter 3 |
BIO: Origin PHIL: Folk-Theoretic vs.
Scientific Image |
Survival
of the Fittest: Group
3 |
6 |
OS:
Chapter 4 PAPER
#1 DUE |
BIO: Origin PHIL: Conflicting Images of
Human Nature |
DNA: Group
1 |
7 |
OS:
Chapter 7 CP(A):
Chuchland |
BIO: Origin PHIL: The Mind-Body Problem |
DNA: Group
2 |
8 |
CP(A):
Ridley, “Free Will” CP(A):
Ayer |
BIO: Biological Determinism
(?) PHIL: The Problem of Free Will |
DNA: Group
3 |
9 |
WSF:
Chapters 1-3 CP(B):
Rachels, “From Spenser to Sociobiology” |
BIO: Sex PHIL: Evolution and Ethics |
Bacteria: Group
1 |
10 |
WSF:
Chapters 4-6 CP(B):
Flanagan, “Ethics as Human Ecology” |
BIO: Sex PHIL: Naturalizing Ethics |
Bacteria: Group
2 |
11 |
WSF:
Chapter 7 CP(B):
Flanagan, “Three Burdens of Ethical Ecology” |
BIO: Sex PHIL: Naturalizing Ethics |
Bacteria: Group
3 |
12 |
CP(A):
Ridley, “Self-Interest” CP(B):
Wright, “Evolutionary Ethics” PAPER
#2 DUE |
BIO: Self-Interest PHIL: Utilitarianism and
Altruism |
Prisoner’s
Dilemma: Group
1 |
13 |
CP(A):
Ridley, “Instinct” CP(B):
Rachels “Are Humans Morally Special?” |
BIO: Animals and Humans PHIL: Human Dignity |
Prisoner’s
Dilemma: Group
2 |
14 |
CP(A):
Ridley, “Intelligence” CP(B):
Singer, “All Animals are Equal” |
BIO: Animals and Humans PHIL: The Moral Status of
Non-Human Animals |
Prisoner’s
Dilemma: Group
3 |
15 |
|
Lecture
Wrap-Up |
Lab
Wrap-Up: All
groups |
I the undersigned have read and
understood the syllabus for IS 360, Fall 2003; and I accept the conditions and
responsibilities described therein for participation in that course.
Name (Please print)__________________________________________________
Signature___________________________________________________________
Date___________________________