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An introductory study of basic philosophical concepts and problems.

Once upon a time, there was a discipline that sought to tell the difference between "alternative facts" and The Real McCoy, between "fake news" and the genuine article. Its name was Philosophy. The aim of this introductory course is to survey the history of Western Philosophy from its inception in ancient Greece. The focus of our course will be on the early thinkers who gave rise to many of the great philosophical questions of the West – from the nature of the “mind” or “soul” to free will and determinism, from the place of the gods in myths and various religious systems to the role of the individual in relation to the state. These classic thinkers include the Pre-Socratics, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle (figures whose work has shaped the cultures of both Western Europe and America, and led to our contemporary division between reason and emotion, and between the arts and science). Our aim will be to see how much the thinking of these ancient philosophers still affects our current beliefs and values, and what role they play in modern society, contemporary cultural divisions, and our personal search for happiness.

The University of New Orleans International Summer School program has a mandatory class attendance policy. All students are required to attend class for all morning classes and any required afternoon and/or weekend fields trips and lectures. No unexcused absences are allowed. However, LFU students who have to miss a UNO class due to LFU examinations in the first two weeks of our program, can receive one excused absence for this. Any further unexcused absences will result in an academic penalty. Each faculty member determines the penalty for missed classes. Most professors deduct a letter grade for each additional missed class day. For details, please refer to your course syllabi, which will be distributed on the first day of class. The listed ECTS credits are a recommendation by the University of New Orleans Innsbruck Summer School, based on contact hours, anticipated out-of-classroom requirements such as field trips, and projected workload for readings, assignments, and exam preparation. Mail: Center-New-Orleans@uibk.ac.at