Syllabus & Schedule

Phil 20B – BCC 20349 – Spring 2026 – Rm 51 – Mon/Wed 9:30-10:45

Instructor: Eric Gerlach – egerlach@peralta.edu

Course Description: Introduction to the basic ideas of British, German, French & European philosophy in the history of human thought and our world.

Course Material: A) watch the videos in the playlist as you B) read and follow along with the lecture links below, C) read the readings assigned at the top of each lecture page, and, most importantly D) complete the assignments by due dates listed.  Email all assignments and essays to me at egerlach@peralta.edu.

Office Hours: I will begin hosting optional Zoom meetings every Monday from 11 am to 12 noon.  Please email me for that week’s zoom link, as well as to set up additional meetings, online or in person.

Modern European Philosophy Lecture Playlist

Introduction: The East, Middle-East & West & The Analytic & Continental Schools

Rationalism: 1) Descartes 2) Spinoza & 3) Leibniz

Empiricism: A) Locke B) Hume  & C) Berkeley

Idealism: A) Kant & B) Hegel

Pessimism: A) Schopenhauer & B) Kierkegaard

Passion: A) Nietzsche & Bataille

Existentialism: A) Heidegger & B) Sartre

Positivism: Russell & Analytic Philosophy

Pragmatism, Neo-Pragmatism & Wittgenstein

Modern Art: A) Dada, B) Surrealism & C) Conceptual Art

Poststructuralism & Postmodernism: A) Foucault B) Baudrillard

Assignments: Four essays for the class (100% of your grade), the first 2 pages (15%), the second 4 pages (25%), the third 4 pages (25%), and the fourth 6 pages (35%), typed, double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, and emailed to egerlach@peralta.edu.  Focus on an idea we cover, clearly state and argue for your position with evidence, empathy, and examples from your life, history or fiction.

Here is a video with my thoughts on How To Write A Philosophy Essay

I will be providing further lists of topics and possible prompts in class, but you are welcome to speak with me about other proposed topics that are relevant.

1st Essay – Due by Friday, Jan 30th: For the first, 2-page essay (15% of your grade), I want you to reflect on your own beliefs about how truth and the mind work into the short space as simply as possible.  I want you to express your ideas so you can see what does and doesn’t change as we go.  Do not overthink the assignment, and do not worry about learning the material.  This allows me to understand how you think, and to record that you have done work for the course.

2nd Essay – Due by Friday, March 6th: For the second, 4-page essay (25% of your grade), I want you to consider the philosophical debates from early modern Europe that pitted Rationalism against Empiricism and others, focusing on one core thinker and idea, such as Descartes, Hume or Locke.  Present the argument for the point, and yours for or against it.  What do you argue, and why?

3rd Essay – Due by Friday, April 10th, a week later than first announced: For the third, 4-page essay (25% of your grade), I want you to select a philosopher who you think displays a particular insight or idea of the Idealists and Phenomenologists, presenting the argument of the thinker as best you can, and your argument for or against the position.

4th Essay – Due by Friday, May 22nd: For the final 6-page essay (35% of your grade), I want you to take one idea from the existentialists, post-Structuralists and Post-Modernists we studied, presenting the argument of the thinker as best you can and your argument for or against it.

Grading Rubric: 100 – This is outstanding work, 90 – This is good work that shows you put thought and time in, but more, 80 – This is on the right path, but clearly needs a bit more, 70 – This is somewhat wrong and off, and 0 – 60 – You are clearly phoning it in before the telegraph.

This class is acceptable for credit at UC and CSU. It counts towards GE AA/AS area 3; CSU area C2; and IGETC area 3. It can be used as an elective for the Liberal Arts with an Emphasis in Arts and Humanities, Associate in Arts Degree Program and the Liberal Arts: Intersegmental General Education Transfer (IGETC) Certificate of Achievement and the Global Studies AA Degree.

Student Learning Outcomes:  Upon completion of this class, students will be able to do the following: 1) Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of major philosophers. 2) Analyze & evaluate philosophical positions through argument that displays individual perspective.

General Student Requirements:  Students are expected to come to class prepared to ask questions and participate in discussions. All readings and assignments should be completed by the beginning of class on the day they are listed here. This class is run as a lecture/discussion course.  Students are responsible for all class material (even if they miss class). If you miss class, it is strongly advised that you ask a classmate for notes. It is your responsibility to ask if you missed something; it is not the instructor’s responsibility to remind you. Please read through the syllabus and plan ahead.

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Plagiarists, intentional or inadvertent, will receive a zero on the assignment in question; repeat offenders will get an F for the course and will be subject to college disciplinary action. Students are encouraged to review plagiarism policies in the current Vista College catalog.  Attendance is mandatory. If you miss more than five classes, you will receive an F in the course. (Note: I do not distinguish between “excused” and “unexcused” absences; if you miss more than five classes, for any reason, you cannot pass the class.)

Disabled Student Program and Services (DSPS) are provided for any enrolled student who has a verified disability that creates an educational limitation that prevents the student from fully benefiting from classes without additional support services or instruction. Please let the instructor know if you require any support services or would like more information about DSPS.

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. Any changes will be announced in class. Additional handouts of required readings may also be added.