Course Guide on Philosophy of Man

COLEGIO DE SAN JUAN DE LETRAN-CALAMBA
Bucal, City of Calamba, Laguna 4027, Philippines

PHL 073 (Philosophy of Man)
Course Guide

A. Course Overview: This course is designed to orient students with the basic concept of man. It starts with the nature of inquiry into man as a person and as an existent being in the world. The course holds a rigid inquiry dealing both man’s bodily and spiritual nature. Its approach is critical and holistic considering man himself, his relationship with others and his relationship with God.

B. Course Goals: At the end of the semester, you are expected to:
v Realize the true nature of philosophy and philosophical inquiry
v Be knowledgeable about man and his existence in the world
v Be concerned about values, man’s truth, freedom, death, relations with God and others
v Be oriented towards a philosophical evaluation of man


C. Topics and Subject Matter:

PRELIM

1st WEEK
I. Insight
II. Philosophical Inquiry
2nd WEEK
III. Philosophical Enterprise
IV. Philosophy and the Just Man
3rd WEEK
V. Existentialism and Man’s Search for Meaning
VI. The Phenomenological Method
4th WEEK
VII. Other Approaches to the Study of Man
· Hermeneutics
· Structuralism
· Neo-Historicism
· Marxism
· Post-structuralism
· Personalism
5th WEEK
VIII. Husserl’s Transcendental-Phenomenological Reduction
6th WEEK
IX. Subjectivity and Objectivity

MIDTERM
1st WEEK
I. Primary and Secondary Reflection: The Existential Fulcrum
2nd WEEK
II. My Body: A Note on Embodiment
3rd WEEK
III. Philosophy of Time
IV. Man and Historical Action
4th WEEK
V. The Philosophical Implications of Human Labor
5th WEEK
VI. Phenomenology of Knowledge
6th WEEK
VII. Fidelity to Truth

FINALS
1st WEEK
I. Human Freedom
· Fundamental Option and the Liberty of Choice
· The Question of Man’s Freedom
2nd WEEK
II. The Elements of the Interhuman
III. Phenomenology of Love
3rd WEEK
IV. Heidegger’s Phenomenology of Death
4th WEEK
V. Man and the Absolute
5th WEEK
VI. From Fidelity to Faith
6th WEEK
VII. Oriental Concepts of Man

D. Course Requirements: To pass the course, you must attend classes regularly and take all quizzes and major exams to be administered and obtain a satisfactory mark. Other requirements include written compositions and participation in an individual sharing of insight and/or experiences relevant to the current subject matter.

E. References: The following are the suggested titles of textbooks that you may refer to for this subject. However, you are free to consult any reading materials that may be related to the lesson being taken up.

1. Selected Readings in Philosophy of Man by Manuel B. Dy
2. Philosophy of Man: An Introduction by Corazon L. Cruz

It is also encouraged that you visit websites containing topics relevant to the lessons.


G. Grading System:

Prelim/Midterm/Final Grade:
Average Quizzes+ (Major Exam x 2) + *Class Standing
4

* 10% Attendance, 40% Composition, 50% Sharing

FINAL RATING: Prelim Grade + Midterm Grade + Final Grade
3

H. Contact Information and Consultation Hours:
For class-related concerns, you may see me at the School of Arts and Sciences Faculty Room every Wednesday at 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. You may also e-mail your concerns to laarni_apacionado@yahoo.com. Lectures and articles related to the subject may be viewed at lapropagandista@blogspot.com and lda7.multiply.com.