This syllabus outlines an introductory course on world philosophy offered at Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia. The 3 credit, 48 contact hour course will introduce students to major areas of philosophy including epistemology, moral philosophy, philosophy of religion, political philosophy, and philosophy of science from both Eastern and Western perspectives. Students will learn about topics like empiricism, deontology, virtue ethics, religious arguments for God's existence, and the nature of scientific knowledge through lectures, discussions and presentations. Assessment will be based on a midterm exam, final exam, assignments, and class presentations. Required reading includes the textbook Philosophy for AS and A2 and other recommended philosophy texts.

1. Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia
Syllabus
Course Title : Introduction to World Philosophy/World Philosophy (PHIL 310)
Course Credit : 3 Credits (48 contact hours including exams)
Instructor : Prof. Pong Pheakdey Boramy
Contact : Tel: 012 533 250
Email: phdboramypong@gmail.com
Course Description:
This course will familiarize students with the major disciplines in world philosophy,
including the theory of knowledge, moral philosophy, philosophy of religion, political
philosophy, and Philosophy of Science.
Course Objectives:
The course seeks to provide students with a foundational understanding of the major
philosophical disciplines from both the Eastern and Continental European philosophical
perspectives.
Course Outline
Session Lecture Topics Hours Reading
1 Class Orientation and expectation 1.30 Textbook &
Lecture Notes
2 Theory of knowledge: Introduction 1.30 Chapter 1
3 Theory of knowledge: Empiricism and Rationalism 1.30 Chapter 1
4 Theory of knowledge: Knowledge and Justification 1.30 Chapter 1
5 Theory of knowledge: Knowledge and Scepticism 1.30 Chapter 1
6 Class discussion (Moral Philosophy) 1.30 Chapter 2
7 Moral Philosophy: Deontology & Utilitarianism 1.30 Chapter 2
8 Moral Philosophy: Rights Ethics & Ethical
Subjectivism & Ethical Egoism
1.30 Chapter 2
9 Moral Philosophy: Virtue Ethics (Plato) 1.30 Chapter 2
10 Moral Philosophy: Virtue Ethics (Aristotle &
Aquinas)
1.30 Chapter 2
11 Philosophy of Religion:
1. Class Discussion
2. God’s attributes and Properties
1.30 Chapter 3
12 Philosophy of Religion: Cosmological Argument 1.30 Chapter 3
13 Philosophy of Religion: Teleological Argument 1.30 Chapter 3
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2. 14 Philosophy of Religion: Ontological Argument 1.30 Chapter 3
15 Philosophy of Religion: Faith, Reason & Belief 1.30 Chapter 3
16 Review 1.30
17 Mid Term 1.30
18 Class Discussion (Political Philosophy) 1.30 Chapter 5
19 Political Philosophy: Descriptive and Normative
Philosophy
1.30 Chapter 5
20 Political Philosophy: Ideologies 1.30 Chapter 5
21 Political Philosophy: Freedom 1.30 Chapter 5
22 Political Philosophy: Law 1.30 Chapter 5
23 Political Philosophy: Authority 1.30 Chapter 5
24 Political Philosophy: the State 1.30 Chapter 5
25 Philosophy of Science: Scientific Method 1.30 Chapter 6
26 Philosophy of Science: The Nature of Scientific
Development
1.30 Chapter 6
27 Philosophy of Science: Scientific Knowledge and the
Aims of Science
1.30 Chapter 6
28 Philosophy of Science: The Objectivity of Science 1.30 Chapter 6
29 Class Presentations 1.30
30 Class Presentations 1.30
31 Class Presentations 1.30
32 Class Presentations 1.30
33 Class Presentations 1.30
34 Class Presentations 1.30
35 Review 1.30
36 Final-term Exam 1.30
Methods of Teaching:
The course uses a lecture-discussion method: the instructor gives an introductory lecture,
which is followed by group discussions.
Assessment:
Students will receive a letter grade from A to F (A = 90-100%, B = 80-89%), C = 70-79%,
D = 60-69%, F = below 60%) based on the following assessment methods:
Final-term Exam: 40%
Mid-term Exam: 30%
Assignments (Class discussions/Presentations) 20%
Class Presentation: 10%
Total: 100%
Textbook:
Required Books
Elizabeth Burns and Stephen Law. (2004). Philosophy for AS and A2. New York:
Routledge. (Basic course text that is available in PUC Bookstore)
Recommended books:
Roger Scruton. (1995). A Short History of Modern Philosophy. London: Routledge.
Nigel Warburton. (2004). Philosophy: The Basics. London: Routledge.
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3. Nigel Warburton. (2001). Philosophy: The Classics. London: Routledge.
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