PHIL 2160. Section 100. Ohio University, Spring 2021.
Lectures on Microsoft Teams, MW 4:35–5:55pm (EST).
Instructor: Dr. Yoichi Ishida.
For office hours, click the menu on the left.
Course Description
Scientific views of the world change over the course of history, often in radical ways. In this course, we study basic philosophical ideas about science and use them to understand some of the most important and radical changes in Western science and their implications.
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe the philosophical ideas about science discussed in the readings.
- Describe the historical changes in science discussed in the readings.
- Explain evidence and arguments for and against various scientific views discussed in the readings.
- Explain philosophical questions raised by the history of science.
Technology Requirements
This course is offered online through this website, Blackboard, Microsoft Teams, and Top Hat. To be successful, you will need to have reliable internet and a computer with audio and video capabilities. You will also need to have Microsoft Word (or equivalent) to do assignments.
Textbook
You will have to purchase a textbook on Perusall to complete reading assignments. The textbook costs $30, but Perusall itself is a free service. The course code will be sent by email. Below is the print edition of the textbook:
Richard DeWitt. Worldviews: An Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science. 3rd edition. Wiley Blackwell, 2018.
Again, you should buy the textbook on Perusall.
Course Policies
Assignments and Final Grade
The assignments listed in Table 1 below are required in this course, and your final grade will be calculated according to Table 2.
| Assignments | Due Dates | Weights |
| Attendance in Lectures | Every class starting Week 3 | 15% |
| In-class Quizzes | Every week starting Week 3 | 15% |
| Annotations | Every reading assignment | 15% |
| Exam 1 | By the end of Week 5 | 10% |
| Exam 2 | By the end of Week 9 | 10% |
| Exam 3 | By the end of Week 13 | 15% |
| Final Exam (Cumulative) | By the end of Friday, April 30 | 20% |
In-class Quizzes: In-class quizzes will be given on Top Hat. There will be at least one quiz each week starting Week 3. Three (3) lowest quiz scores will be dropped (see Course Policies).
Annotations: For each reading assignment, excluding the readings for the writing workshops, you will make annotations on the social annotation platform Perusall. You can start a new annotation thread in Perusall by highlighting text, asking a question, or posting a comment. You can also add a reply or comment to an existing thread. Each thread is like a chat with one or more members of your class, and it happens in real time. For full credit, you are to make at least two (2) substantive annotations per assignment. A substantive annotation demonstrates your understanding of the text and clearly describes your own thoughts or questions on a specific part of an assigned reading. You can also comment on other students’ annotations, and high commentary activities will be counted favorably toward your final grade (see below).
Exams: All exams will be done out of class. Each exam is a timed test on Blackboard. It is open book, but if you try to look up an answer to every question, you will not have enough time to do it. More exact due dates for Exams 1–3 will be announced as we progress in the course. See Study Guide and Course Policies about these assignments.
| Grade | Percentage | Grade | Percentage |
| A | 93 or above | 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 | 59 or below |
Although not formalized in these tables, your improvements over the course of the semester and exceptionally good participation in class or commentary on other students’ annotations will count favorably toward your final grade.
Study Guide
Schedule
You can download an overview of a tentative schedule, but for up-to-date assignments, consult weekly pages below.
Yoichi Ishida 