An Introduction To Epistemology
Epistemology is an introduction to theories of knowing. Designed for high school students, the class focuses on the practical questions of how we come to know and understand complex ideas. The class is fundamentally an introduction to philosophy, but the emphasis is more on developing critical thinking skills than memorizing lists of important philosophers and their theories. Students will study topics such as logical fallacies, mind-maps, the constructed “self,” the biology of sensory perception, and the intersection of language and thought. The key question of the class is “how do we know?” At the conclusion of the class, students will be able to answer that question with much more subtlety, understanding, and depth. Formal and informal assessments will consist of journals, reflections, essays, projects, tests, and homework assignments.