HS301: Philosophy (2019-20)

HS301: Philosophy (2019-20)

Course Name: Introduction to Philosophy

Course Code: HS301

Credits: 6

Course Instructor: Prof. Arun Iyer

Course Type: HSS core (Theory)

Prerequisite: none

Course Content:
  1. Plato's Apology 
  2. Plato's Republic 
  3. Plato: The Allegory of the Cave 
  4. Aristotle : Nicomachean Ethics Book VI 
  5. Rene Descartes: Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy 
  6. David Hume: An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding 
  7. Kant: What is Enlightenment?
  8.  Marx on the Jewish question 
  9. Sartre: Existentialism is a Humanism 
  10. Tagore on Nationalism , Tagore-Gandhi correspondence 
  11. Bhagat Singh's works 
  12. Ambedkar: Annihilation of Caste
Books/Study Material:  Readings were provided for each topic

Lectures: 5% of course total was allocated to attendance. 
The Prof. used to discuss important sections from the assigned reading material for the week. Slides summarizing the material were provided for most of the topics. The professor is a good speaker and was able to convey the interpretation of the readings in an understandable manner. The course involved a lot of reading. However the professor was good enough to be comprehensible even if you forgot to read the material.

Assignments: Class Participation had 10% weightage. 
This included Film interpretation exercises, and Reading and comprehension for unseen passages. Yes, he actually screened two films during class hours. Class Participation meant full marks for a legitimate attempt at answering the exercises. No right answer as such.

Exams:
 Midsem - 40% 
 Endsem - 45% 
 Exam pattern: MCQs on Class material. Few-sentence answers on unseen passages 
 Relative grading was implemented

Online study material:
Pro-tips: Mark the important sections from each reading material. The Prof. doesn't cover the entire text. He makes sure that the exams had only questions on discussed sections.

Personal Comments: One of the best professors I've come across in Insti. Entire course was structured towards learning of the student and making it as simple as possible. If you're inclined towards Philosophy then you're in for a really good time.

Respondent: Vedant Motamarri

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