PHIL 105: Science and Philosophy - Fall 2004

 Instructor:      Nick Huggett

                        1413 University Hall

                        huggett

 

TAs:                Maria Balcells                         Isaac Thotz

                       UH 1410                                 UH 825

                       maribalc                                  ithoma2

Note: To email us add '@uic.edu' to our email names.

 

Web Page: www.uic.edu/~huggett

General Computer Help: go to SEL 2267 or look up www.uic.edu/depts/accc.

 

Lecture: LC C6 MW 1-1.50.

 

Office Hours: or by appointment.

Huggett =  MW 2-3
Balcells = Tue  11-12, F 2-3
Thotz = M 11.15-12.15, Th 12.30-1.30

 

Required Text: Change: What Physics Can Teach Philosophy (and vice versa), by Nick Huggett, a xerox available in CCC book store. Other chapters will be made available in the Daley library reserve later in the semester.

 

Directions: I expect students to come to class having read the assigned material ahead of time - my lectures will assume that you are prepared.

 

Schedule (subject to revision): Attendance is required.

 

Aug 23-27                   Introduction

 

Aug 30-Sep 3              Ch 2: Zeno's Paradoxes

           

Sep 7-10                     Labor Day: Monday Sep 6

Ch 2: Zeno's Paradoxes

 

Sep 13-17                   First assignment due Monday 9/13/04

Ch 3: The Shape of Space - Topology

 

Sep 20-24                   Ch 3: The Shape of Space - Topology

 

Sep 27-Oct 1              Ch 4: The Shape of Space - Geometry

 

Oct 4-8                       Second assignment due Monday 10/4/04

Ch 5: Space and Matter

Oct 11-15                    Ch 6: Handedness and Mirrors
 

Oct 18-22                   Third assignment due Monday 10/18/04

Ch 7: Time I - Passing Time

 

Oct 25-29                   Ch 8: Time II - Time Travel

                       

Nov 1-5                      Ch 8: Time II - Time Travel

 

Nov 8-12                    Fourth assignment due Monday 11/8/04
                                   Ch 10: Identity

 

Nov 15-19                  Ch 11: Spacetime

                       

Nov 22-24                  Fifth assignment due Monday 11/22/04

                                    Ch 12: Quantum Philosophy

Thanksgiving: Thursday Nov 25

 

Nov 29-Dec 3             Ch 12: Quantum Philosophy

 

                                    Sixth assignment due TBA

 

Requirements:

* Attendance and participation in class, and reading before class.

* Six essay/question sets: 1st and 6th  = 10%, 2nd-5th = 20% each.

* Attendance and participation in class, and reading before class; attendance will be taken and every 4 unexcused absences will result in a 10% drop in grade.

 

Procedures:   

* Assignments are graded A (=4.0), A- (=3.5), B (=3), B- (2.5), C (=2), D (=1), F (=0).

* Final grades are computed as weighted averages of all work.

* Paper assignments are due at the start of class: late assignments will be corrected but receive a failing grade unless excused for genuine hardship.

* Absences will only be excused in cases of genuine, documented hardship, and then only if requested as soon as possible.

* Keep all returned work in case of dispute with our records.

* The University has strict sanctions for plagiarism: it is your responsibility to understand what is acceptable, so if you are in any doubts, check with us. Academic dishonesty will be pursued to the full extent of the law. See http://www.uic.edu/depts/sja/integrit.htm for details.

* Students with disabilities who require accommodations for access and participation in this course must be registered with the Office of Disability Services (ODS). Please contact ODS at 312-413-2183 (voice) or 312-413-0123 (TTY). The instructor will make any necessary accommodations for such students on request.