Students who like structure, deadlines, interactive learning, and who are very comfortable using a computer for pro-longed periods of time may do better in my (on-line) course and have a more positive experience generally speaking. Currently, I teach only Phil 1301 on-line.

Orientation iInstructions will be posted in the Course Blackboard four days before the semester begins. To log into the Course Blackboard, go to http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/stlogin.html. If you experience problems logging in, call 223-HELP.

This page contains the following information in the order presented:

• Instructional strategies and learning modules
• Course materials
• Topical outine for the semester

You will complete a series of on-line learning modules each week to develop A) your understanding of philosophical content as well as B) your ability to think philosophically. One way to conceptualize the learning modules is to think of them as coherent bundles of multi-facited learning activities you complete on-line. My official jargon for the learning modules (bundles) includes the following:

Cyber Sessions: a particular, coherent bundle of learning activites designed to facilitate mastery of philosophical content and skills

Cyber Session Window: the time frame in which you must complete a particular cyber session

Frequency of Cyber Sessions: If you are taking my 9-week section, you will complete approximately 18 cyber sessions at the rate of two each week for a total of 3 hours and 20 minutes of on-line instruction each week. If you are taking my 5.5/6-week session, you will complete about 23 cyber sessions at the rate of 4 each week (2 or 3 the last week) for a total of 7.5 hours of on-line instruction each week.

9-Week Schedule
Each week you will complete TWO 160-MINUTE cyber sessions.

• Cyber Session A Window: tasks completed between Sunday 9AM to Wednesday, midnight
• Cyber Session B Window: tasks completed between Monday, 9AM to Saturday, midnight

5.5/6-WeekSchedule
Each week you will complete 3 cyber sessions: Cyber Sessions A, B, C

• Cyber Session A Window: tasks completed between Sunday 9AM toWednesday, midnight
• Cyber Session B Window: tasks completed between Tuesday 9AM to Friday, 9AM
• Cyber Session C Window: tasks completed between Thursday, 9AM to Saturday, 9AM

A Typical Cyber Session: At-a-Glance

Before each cyber session you will have completed and submitted an on-line quiz and or survey. Each cyber session is delivered in an easy-to-follow bundle of learning activities that when taken seriously should effect deep internalization of key philosophical concepts, arguments, and methods.

Typical Cyber Session (based on an 9-week course)

• Task A: Listen to Announcements and Introduction to Cyber Session (3 minutes)
• Task B: Print Handouts, Lecture Guides (for later tasks) (2 minutes)
• Task C: Post a Discussion Piece (10 minutes)
• Task D: Respond to a Discussion Piece (10 minutes)
• Task E: Listen to Lecture (30 minutes)
• Task F: Do a Thinking Activity (12.5 minutes)
• Task G: Listen to Lecture (20 minutes)
• Task H: Do a Thinking Activity (12.5 minutes)
• Task H: Submit Evidence of Critical Listening (10 minutes)

First Book

Career Development (this contains readings on thinking critically within an academic discipline; the title is completely irrelevant to the content; the publisher didn't give me an option)
Phil 1301
Professor Alvarado
A Custom Edition for Austin Community College
ISBN 10: 1-256-20446-3
ISBN 13: 978-1-256-20446-6

 

Second Book

TBD.  I am currently working with a publisher of a 1200-page reader in philosophy for permission to create a customized book of 100 pages.  This will save you at least fifty percent of the actual cost of the original text.  You will also travel lighter!  I will update this page November 2011.  The customized book should also be availble in the ACC book store.

 

For a more up-to-date outline of the course questions, please go to:http://www5.austincc.edu/faculty/syllabus.php?id=234823#section_207866

Unit1 | Introduction to the Philosopher's Way and Learning with Dr. A.
How will I learn in this class?
What does "philosophy" refer to?
What does philosophy have to do with being a strong-sense critical thinker?

Unit 2| The Metaphysician's Way
What does "self" refer to?
What is the nature of self?
How is my concept of self related to my concept of idenity?
Is it possible to remain the same self through out space and time?
Is the self an illusion?

Unit 3 | The Epistemologist's Way
What is the link between appearance, reality, and the truth?
Given the dynamics of perception formation and belief formation, how certain can we be that anyone has access to the "truth" about reality?
If truth is elusive, is genuine knowledge possible?
What does "truth" refer to? What does "knowledge" refer to?