Course Name: The Meaning of Existence

Course Number: PHL 203

Spring 2020

Course Credits
This course combines approximately 120 hours of instruction, online activities, and
assignments for 4 credits.

Prerequisites
None

Professor: Dr. S. Jenkins

Email: jenkstep@oregonstate.edu
Virtual Office Hours Only
Office Hours: Thursdays, 4:00-5:30pm or by appointment

Teaching Assistant: Hunter Davidson

Email: davidshu@oregonstate.edu

Course Logistics
Due to the COVID-19 remote transition, we will be using a mixture of
synchronous and asynchronous learning delivery mechanisms:
• Asynchronous: Pre-recorded content will be offered weekly via
Canvas, which you may watch at your own pace.
• Asynchronous: You will participate in a weekly discussion board
chronicling your pandemic experience.
• Synchronous: Virtual class will be held via Zoom on Tuesdays only
during regularly scheduled class time. The lecture portion of class will
be recorded and uploaded to Canvas, as a backup measure for those
who are not able to attend.
• Synchronous: Optional, open office hours will be held during our
Thursday course time. Attend via Zoom to check in with your
professor and peers.
Join SHPR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/osu.shpr

Course Description
“Philosophy is an axe. Everything you believe is questionable. How deeply have you
questioned it? The uncritical acceptance of beliefs handed down by parents,
teachers, politicians, and religious leaders is dangerous. Many of these beliefs are
simply false. Beliefs can be handed down. Knowledge can perhaps be handed down.
Wisdom can never be handed down. The goal of philosophy is wisdom. Trying to
hand down philosophy is unphilosophical. Wisdom requires questioning what is
questionable. Since everything is questionable, wisdom requires questioning
everything. That is what philosophy is: the art of questioning everything.”
–Daniel Kolak & Raymond Martin

Who are you? Why are you here? Does your life matter? Existentialism is a kind of
philosophy that attempts to understand the meaning of human existence. The exact
definition and scope of this label has been heavily debated in the discipline of
philosophy; some so-called “existentialists” lived and wrote long before the term
was coined and Heidegger even denied that he was one. Despite these disputes,
essential common ground is shared among these key historical thinkers: the
creative power of freedom, the disenchantment of the modern world, the primacy of
the individual, etc.

Through the examination of these and other major themes in the field of
existentialism, we will seek to understand the broader philosophical issues at stake,
such as the very meaning and importance of freedom, existence, embodiment, and
death. Over the course of the term, students will learn to identify and analyze
philosophical problems related to existential philosophy and literature.

Baccalaureate Core

Successful completion of this course partially fulfills OSU’s Baccalaureate Core

course requirements in the Perspectives category under Western Culture.

Students in Western Culture courses shall:

1. Identify significant events, developments, and/or ideas in the Western
cultural experience and context.
2. Interpret the influence of philosophical, historical, and/or artistic
phenomena in relation to contemporary Western culture.
3. Analyze aspects of Western culture in relation to broader cultural, scientific,
or social processes.
For more information, including details on other ways to meet this requirement,
visit: http://oregonstate.edu/main/baccalaureate-core

By focusing on existential philosophy as an aspect of Western Culture, PHL 203 will

incorporate these learning outcomes into required readings, class discussions, and
assignments. Your work will be evaluated according to course-specific measurable
student learning outcomes.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

1. Recognize, define, and explain significance of core concepts and themes in
existential philosophy
2. Interpret the significance of historical events, art, and Western culture in
relation to existential philosophy
3. Analyze central existential concepts and themes in relation to
 contemporary cultural, social, and political events and concerns

Required Learning Resources:

All course resources are available online. Check Canvas modules for weekly schedule.
Assigned readings & resources
Canvas CMS
Zoom account
WeCroak smartphone application
Camus, The Plague (Vintage International, Stuart Gilbert translation)

Course Requirements:
1. Mid-term Exam
2. Final Exam
3. Interview assignment
4. Course engagement (Pandemic Journal & other assigned activities)

Evaluation & Grading

Evaluation of Student Performance

Term grades are based on the following scale.

Grade Percentage Grade Percentage

A 93-100% C 73-76%
A- 90-92% C- 70-72%
B+ 87-89% D+ 67-69%
B 83-86% D 63-66%
B- 80-82% D- 60-62%
C+ 77-79% F Below 60%

Grades are earned from the following sources:

Midterm: 30%
Final: 30%
Interview assignment: 20%
Course Engagement: 20%

Course Policies:
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to comply with all regulations pertaining to academic
honesty. For further information, visit Avoiding Academic Dishonesty, or contact the
office of Student Conduct and Mediation at 541-737-3656.

OAR 576-015-0020 (2) Academic or Scholarly Dishonesty:

a) Academic or Scholarly Dishonesty is defined as an act of deception in which a

Student seeks to claim credit for the work or effort of another person, or uses
unauthorized materials or fabricated information in any academic work or research,
either through the Student's own efforts or the efforts of another.

b) It includes:

(i) CHEATING - use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information or

study aids, or an act of deceit by which a Student attempts to misrepresent mastery
of academic effort or information. This includes but is not limited to unauthorized
copying or collaboration on a test or assignment, using prohibited materials and
texts, any misuse of an electronic device, or using any deceptive means to gain
academic credit.

(ii) FABRICATION - falsification or invention of any information including but not

limited to falsifying research, inventing or exaggerating data, or listing incorrect or
fictitious references.

(iii) ASSISTING - helping another commit an act of academic dishonesty. This

includes but is not limited to paying or bribing someone to acquire a test or
assignment, changing someone's grades or academic records, taking a test/doing an
assignment for someone else by any means, including misuse of an electronic device.
It is a violation of Oregon state law to create and offer to sell part or all of an
educational assignment to another person (ORS 165.114).

(iv) TAMPERING - altering or interfering with evaluation instruments or documents.

(v) PLAGIARISM - representing the words or ideas of another person or presenting

someone else's words, ideas, artistry or data as one's own, or using one's own
previously submitted work. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to copying
another person's work (including unpublished material) without appropriate
referencing, presenting someone else's opinions and theories as one's own, or
working jointly on a project and then submitting it as one's own.

c) Academic Dishonesty cases are handled initially by the academic units, following
the process outlined in the University's Academic Dishonesty Report Form, and will
also be referred to SCCS for action under these rules.

Attendance
Engaged participation is mandatory, but flexible. Virtual class meetings will be
recorded and made available via Canvas if you are unable to attend during the
regularly scheduled time.

Course Announcements
Students are expected to check email and Canvas for announcements, schedule
changes, documents, and notes.

Email
If you have questions about our class, please post in our Canvas “General Q&A
Discussion Board.” However, if email about a private matter is necessary, I will
usually be able to respond within one full business day. Here are some strongly
encouraged email tips.

Expectations for Student Conduct

Student conduct is governed by the university’s policies, as explained in the Office of
Student Conduct: Information and Regulations.

Make-Up Policy
No make-up in-class assignments or exams will be given in this course without
instructor approval.

Reach Out
Reach Out for Success: University students encounter setbacks from time to time. If
you encounter difficulties and need assistance, it’s important to reach out. Consider
discussing the situation with an instructor or academic advisor. Learn about
resources that assist with wellness and academic success
at oregonstate.edu/ReachOut. If you are in immediate crisis, please contact the
Crisis Text Line by texting OREGON to 741-741 or call the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Readings & Assignments

You must bring a copy (paper or electronic) of all readings to class sessions.

Statement Regarding Students with Disabilities

Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability
Access Services (DAS). Students with accommodations approved through DAS are
responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or
during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe
they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval
through DAS should contact DAS immediately at 541-737-4098.
Important Course Deadlines
• Follow weekly assignment schedule, as per Canvas
• Pandemic Journal Discussion Board
o Original posts due Wednesday at 11:59pm
o Two reply posts due Sunday at 11:59pm
• Midterm exam due 5/10 at 11:59pm
• Interview assignment due 5/17 at 11:59pm
• Final exam due 6/9 at 11:59pm