GEP0811 Readings in PhilosophyBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERINGGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
GEP0811 Readings in Philosophy Spring 3 0 3 5
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: GE-Elective
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Dr. BURCU ALARSLAN ULUDAŞ
Recommended Optional Program Components: none
Course Objectives: Our main aim in this course is to introduce you to different fields of philosophy. In this regard, we will survey the texts, from different periods in the history of philosophy, which exhibit contrasting styles of philosophical argument in various sub-fields of philosophy, but are linked by a common theme: valuefree/value-laden distinction (The theme can be configured according to the interests and background of the audience in each term). We will attempt to reveal and understand the role assigned to values in different fields and styles of philosophy: moral philosophy, political philosophy, science/biotechnology, analytical and continental philosophy.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
Lectures will deliver basic course-specific knowledge, and provide a framework for further study. Tutorials will provide opportunities for you to test your own understanding of the material studies, and defend and debate different opinions. Guided reading will provide a structure within which, you can exercise and extend your abilities to make use of available learning resources.
We will deal with the issues of interpretation and comprehension with an aim of reading thematically related philosophical texts through the tools of critical thinking.

Course Content

Formative essay (counts for 10% of your final mark).
Attendance (10% of your final mark)
One midterm exam on [30.10.2019] (counts for 30% of your final mark).
Summative essay at the end of the year (counts for 50% of your final mark).

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Introduction
2) Who's to Say What's Right and Wrong? Sharvy. R. 2007. Who’s To Say What’s Right or Wrong? People Who Have Ph.D.’s in Philosophy, That’s Who. Journal of Libertartian Studies, 21 (3): 3-24.
3) Values: Objectivity and Subjectivity McConnell, Terrance C. “Objectivity and Moral Expertise,” Canadian Journal of Philosophy XIV (2) (June 1984), pp. 193-207.
4) Identifying Values in Politics I: Plato Plato. 2008. Crito, Oxford World’s Classics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
5) Identifying Values in Politics II: Aristotle Sandel, M. 2010. Justice: What is the Right Thing to Do. Farrar, Straus and Giroux: New York. pp, 98-109
6) Value-neutral Politics I: Utilitarianism? J. Harris. 1975. Survival Lottery. Philosophy 50.
7) MIDTERM
8) Value-neutral Politics II: Machiavelli's Politics Free from Confusion Machiavelli. N. 1992. The Prince. Dover: Dover Publications.
9) Values, Duty and Suicide: Kant Langton R. 1992. Duty and Desolation. Philosophy 67: 481-505.
10) Ethical Perspectives on Biomedical Science: David E. Cooper Cooper. D. E. 2002. The Frankensteinian Nature of Biotechnology. Aldershot: Ashgate.
11) Identifying Values in Science: Social Phenomena Sartre Sartre. J. P. 2007. Existentialism is Humanism. London: Yale University Press
12) Identifying Values in Freedom I: Berlin's Value Free/ValueLaden Conceptions of Freedom Berlin. I. 2002. “Two Concepts of Liberty”, in Liberty ed. H. Hardy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
13) Identifying Values in Freedom II: Heidegger's Existence and Freedom Heidegger. M. 1962. Being and Time. Trans. John Macquarrie and Edward Robinson. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
14) Overview and Feedback

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: You do not need to buy any books for Readings in Philosophy, but you may need to print the reader (primary sources), which I will provide to you weekly via itslearning. Apart from these, as a first port of call on any particular topic, check out the online Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy (http://plato.stanford.edu/). The Routledge Encyclopaedia of Philosophy is also particularly useful. It is available on-line.
References: You do not need to buy any books for Readings in Philosophy, but you may need to print the reader (primary sources), which I will provide to you weekly via itslearning. Apart from these, as a first port of call on any particular topic, check out the online Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy (http://plato.stanford.edu/). The Routledge Encyclopaedia of Philosophy is also particularly useful. It is available on-line.

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Total %
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 0
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK %
Total %

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) Adequate knowledge in mathematics, science and electric-electronic engineering subjects; ability to use theoretical and applied information in these areas to model and solve engineering problems.
2) Ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems; ability to select and apply proper analysis and modeling methods for this purpose.
3) Ability to design a complex system, process, device or product under realistic constraints and conditions, in such a way as to meet the desired result; ability to apply modern design methods for this purpose. (Realistic constraints and conditions may include factors such as economic and environmental issues, sustainability, manufacturability, ethics, health, safety issues, and social and political issues, according to the nature of the design.)
4) Ability to devise, select, and use modern techniques and tools needed for electrical-electronic engineering practice; ability to employ information technologies effectively.
5) Ability to design and conduct experiments, gather data, analyze and interpret results for investigating engineering problems.
6) Ability to work efficiently in intra-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary teams; ability to work individually.
7) Ability to communicate effectively in English and Turkish (if he/she is a Turkish citizen), both orally and in writing.
8) Recognition of the need for lifelong learning; ability to access information, to follow developments in science and technology, and to continue to educate him/herself.
9) Awareness of professional and ethical responsibility.
10) Information about business life practices such as project management, risk management, and change management; awareness of entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development.
11) Knowledge about contemporary issues and the global and societal effects of engineering practices on health, environment, and safety; awareness of the legal consequences of engineering solutions.