Digital Learning Department

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.

State Standards and Learning Expectations

Objectives stated within course lessons. Washington State Standards guided the design of the course. Learning expectations are found within the course itself.

Writing Standards

EALR 1: The student understands and uses a writing process.
1.1 Prewrites to generate ideas and plan writing.
1.2 Produces draft(s).
1.3 Revises to improve text.
1.4 Edits text.
1.5 Publishes text to share with an audience.
1.6 Adjusts writing process as necessary.

EARL 2: The student writes in a variety of forms for different audiences and purposes.
2.1 Adapts writing for a variety of audiences.
2.2 Writes for different purposes.
2.3 Writes in a variety of forms/genres.

EARL 3: The student writes clearly and effectively.
3.1 Develops ideas and organizes writing.
3.2 Uses appropriate style.
3.3 Knows and applies writing conventions appropriate for the grade level.

EALR 4: The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of written work.
4.1 Analyzes and evalute others' and own writing.
4.2 Sets goals for improvement.

Reading Standards

EALR 1: The student understands and uses different skills and strategies to read.
1.2 Uses vocabulary strategies to comprehend text.
1.3 Build vocabulary through wide reading.
1.4 Apply word recognition skills and strategies to read fluently.

EALR 2: The student understands the meaning of what is read.
2.1 Demonstrate evidence of reading comprehension.
2.2 Understand and apply knowledge of text components to comprehend text.
2.3 Expand comprehension by analyzing, interpreting, and synthesizing information and ideas in literary and informational text.
2.4 Think critically and analyze author's use of language, style, purpose, and perspective in informational and literary text.

EARL 3: The student reads different materials for a variety of purposes.
3.1 Read to learn new information.
3.2 Read to perform a task.
3.4 Read for literary/narrative experience in a variety of genres.

EARL 4: The student sets goals and evaluates progress to improve reading.
4.1 Assess reading strengths and need for improvement.
4.2 Develop interests and share reading experiences.

 

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

Weekly Contact Requirements: Students are expected to submit work each week following the provided checklist. They are also expected to maintain weekly communication with their teacher, ask for assistance when needed, and respond to e-mails from the teacher. If they are having trouble keeping up with the checklist, they should email their teacher immediately. The teacher is flexible and willing to work with students to meet their needs as they are communicated. If students are unable to meet these expectations, they will be dropped from the class for lack of attendance.