Introduction to Philosophy: The Big Picture

Course Description:

This course will take you on an exciting adventure that covers more than 2500 years. Along the way, you’ll run into some very strange characters. For example, you’ll read about a man who hung out on street corners, barefoot and dirty, pestering everyone he met with questions. You’ll read about another man who climbed inside a stove to think about whether he existed. Despite their odd behavior, these and other philosophers of the Western world are among the most brilliant and influential thinkers of all time. As you read about them, you’ll see where many of the most fundamental ideas of Western civilization came from. You’ll also get a chance to ask yourself some of the same questions these great thinkers pondered. At the end, you’ll have a better understanding of yourself and the world around you, from atoms to outer space and everything in between.

Course Details:

Course Title (District): Introduction to Philosophy: The Big Picture
Course Title (NCES SCED) : Philosophy
Course Provider : Genesee ISD
Content Provided By : eDynamic Learning
Online Instructor Provided By : Genesee School District
Standards Addressed : None
Academic Terms : Semester, Open Entry / Open Exit
NCES SCED Code : 04306
Subject Area : Social Sciences and History
Course Identifier : Philosophy
Course Level : High School (Secondary)
Available Credit : 0.5
Sequence : 1 of 1

How To Enroll:

Enrollment Website : https://www.gennet.us
Email : [email protected]
Phone : 810-591-4401

Students and Parents: It is important to work closely with your local school counselor or registrar to follow the school's enrollment procedures. By clicking the "Start Registration Request" button below, you will be able to notify the school of your interest in registering for the online course. However, it is the responsibility of the district or school to review the registration request and approve or deny the request. Please make a note to follow up with your school after submitting a registration request.

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Additional Course Information:

Additional Cost: $0.0

Additional Cost Description: None

Unit 1: The World of Wonder

  • Define philosophy.
  • Describe what philosophers study.
  • Identify questions that philosophers ask.
  • Explain what it means to do philosophy.
  • State what philosophy can do for you.

Unit 2: From Mythology to Philosophy

  • Explain why myth has been called the “cradle of philosophy.”
  • Describe how Western philosophy first began in ancient Greece.
  • List some of the questions that the earliest philosophers pondered.
  • Identify pre-Socratic philosophers and state how they answered the questions.
  • Explain how the earliest philosophers laid the foundations for science.

Unit 3: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle

  • Give an overview of the classical period of ancient Greece.
  • Describe Socrates’ life and the Socratic method.
  • Outline the events of Plato’s life and his main ideas.
  • Summarize Aristotle’s life and his major contributions.

Unit 4: Hellenistic Philosophy: How Can Humans Be Happy?

  • State the general aims of Hellenistic philosophy.
  • Describe the philosophy of cynicism.
  • List the ideas of the Epicureans.
  • Describe stoic philosophy.
  • Identify the basic views of the skeptics.

Unit 5: Christianity and Philosophy in the Middle Ages

  • Describe the rise of Christianity in Medieval Europe.
  • List the main influences on philosophy during the Middle Ages.
  • Explain how Saint Augustine defended the Catholic Church.
  • Describe the scholastic philosophy of Saint Anselm.
  • Identify the contributions of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Unit 6: The Rise of Modern Western Philosophy

  • Outline major changes that occurred in Europe from 1400 to 1800.
  • Identify influences on Renaissance philosophers such as Erasmus.
  • Describe the rationalist philosophies of Descartes and Spinoza.
  • Describe the empiricist philosophies of Locke and Hume.
  • Explain how Kant combined rationalism and empiricism.

Unit 7: Western Philosophy in the Nineteenth Century

  • Describe approaches to philosophy that began in 19th century Europe.
  • List the main contributions of the German philosopher Georg Hegel.
  • Summarize the philosophies of Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche.
  • Identify the main ideas of Karl Marx and Jeremy Bentham.

Unit 8: Western Philosophy in the Twentieth Century

  • Describe the philosophy of pragmatism.
  • Give an overview of analytic philosophy.
  • List the basic tenets of phenomenology.
  • Identify the main ideas of existentialism.
  • State how philosophy has changed your thinking.



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The goals and objectives clearly state what the participants will know or be able to do at the end of the course. The goals and objectives are measurable in multiple ways. Fully Met
The course content and assignments are aligned with the state’s content standards, Common Core curriculum, or other accepted content standards set for Advanced Placement® courses, technology, computer science, or other courses whose content is not included in the state standards. Fully Met
The course content and assignments are of sufficient rigor, depth and breadth to teach the standards being addressed. Fully Met
Information literacy and communication skills are incorporated and taught as an integral part of the curriculum. Fully Met
Multiple learning resources and materials to increase student success are available to students before the course begins. Fully Met
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Clear, complete course overview and syllabus are included in the course. Fully Met
Course requirements are consistent with course goals, are representative of the scope of the course and are clearly stated. Fully Met
Information is provided to students, parents and mentors on how to communicate with the online instructor and course provider. Fully Met
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The course reflects multi-cultural education, and the content is accurate, current and free of bias or advertising. Fully Met
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Online instructor resources and notes are included. Fully Met
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The course provider uses multiple ways of assessing course effectiveness. Fully Met
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Course design reflects a clear understanding of all students’ needs and incorporates varied ways to learn and master the curriculum. Fully Met
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The course design provides opportunities for appropriate instructor-student interaction, including opportunities for timely and frequent feedback about student progress. Fully Met
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All technology requirements (including hardware, browser, software, etc...) are specified. Fully Met
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The course is designed to meet internationally recognized interoperability standards. Fully Met
Copyright and licensing status, including permission to share where applicable, is clearly stated and easily found. Fully Met
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Course materials and activities are designed to provide appropriate access to all students. The course, developed with universal design principles in mind, conforms to the U.S. Section 504 and Section 508 provisions for electronic and information technology as well as the W3C’s Web Content Accessibility guidelines (WCAg 2.0). Fully Met
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Student information remains confidential, as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Fully Met

Review Conducted By: eDynamic Learning
Date of Review: 07/22/2018

1. The World of Wonder
2. From Mythology to Philosophy
3. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle
4. Hellenistic Philosophy: How Can Humans Be Happy?
5. Christianity and Philosophy in the Middle Ages
6. The Rise of Modern Western Philosophy
7. Western Philosophy in the Nineteenth Century
8. Western Philosophy in the Twentieth Century



Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends Random Draw Date Enrollment Drop Date Course Starts Course Ends # of Seats Course Fee Potential Additional Costs
Open Entry / Open Exit 08/01/2024 07/31/2025 100 $275 $0
Drop Policy Completion Policy Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends
Full refund when withdrawn within 14 days of enrollment. EdisonLearning Instructional Support Staff provide instructional feedback on all teacher-graded assignments. Grades are submitted upon course part completion or upon request from the student’s Advisor. Open Entry / Open Exit 08/01/2024 07/31/2025
Flexible; online facilitator, blended, or traditional classroom