6. To explore these questions, we might not limit ourselves to discussions of philosophical texts alone, for philosophy can be explored through movies (and TV episodes) too. Hence, we may watch some movie or TV episode in class. (Examples of movies that could be shown include The Meaning of Life , The Name of the Rose , Total Recall , Memento , Fight Club , The Truman Show , The Matrix , AI: Artificial Intelligence, The Thirteenth Floor , Star Trek: First Contact, Nemesis, and Saving Private Ryan.) The movie will make the “abstract” concepts raised in the text more “real” or “concrete.” Following the movie we shall critically evaluate what we have read and seen. In the end, the aim of this course is not to “solve” the philosophical questions that will be raised. Rather, the aim is survey some of the major ideas, figures, and problems that have shaped Western philosophy.
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8. Course Requirements Grades will be based on a cumulative 100 point scale distributed as follows: A 100 – 89.5 points B 89.4 – 79.5 points C 79.4 – 69.5 points D 69.4 – 59.5 points F 59.4 — 0 points Participation (15%) 15 points Exam 1 (30%) 30 points Exam 2 (30%) 30 points Essay (25%) 25 points Final Grade Requirement
9. PARTICIPATION : You are required to be prepared for class and to participate. Your participation is worth 15% of your final grade. Its value will be based on your preparedness, attendance, tardiness, and both the quantity and quality of your in-class contributions. In addition, you will be required to provide via Blackboard a short answer to a question given each week. EXAMS : There will be 2 in-class exams, each covering about 1/2 of the course material. Each exam will be composed of various short answer (T/F and MC) and short essay questions taken mainly from the study questions (on BlackBoard). The exams are worth 60% of your final grade. ESSAY : Each student will be required to write 1 critical essay. The ( 1500 word) essay (and draft) must be completed in accordance with the guidelines. The essay is worth 25% of your final grade. EXTRA CREDIT : There will be an extra credit question on each of the exams.
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11. AUDITS : Whether an audit is successful will depend only on your class participation performance. INCOMPLETES : Incompletes are STRONGLY discouraged. Should you need to take an incomplete, arrangements must be made with me well before the last class meeting. LANGUAGE : Feel free to say anything to me or to your peers, but tailor your remarks so as not to be uncivil or abusive. (See my "warning" below.) LATE-STARTS : There are no special dispensations for late-start students. LATE WORK : A draft of your essay is due 4/16 . Your final essay is due 5/10 . If either assignment is late, your essay will be penalized 10%. If you do not submit a draft, your essay will be penalized 50%. If you do not submit your final essay by the time I turn in grades, you will receive a '0' for the essay. MAKE-UPS : If you miss an exam, it is YOUR responsibility to tell me promptly (via phone, email, or in person) what extreme circumstances prevented your presence in class. Failing to do so will result in your receiving a ‘0’ on the exam. Regardless of the reason for the make-up, if I give one, it will be harder than the original. Make-up exams are bad, bad things. Don't be tempted by them.
12. PARTICIPATION : This class will be taught in a highly interactive manner. You are required to participate. Participation includes asking questions, answering questions, and contributing to discussions. Failing to do such things will constitute a failure to participate. So too will being unprepared. A failure to participate will be treated like an absence. PHONES : Distracting interruptions are inconsiderate, disrespectful, and time-wasting. Phones should be turned off before class begins. WITHDRAWALS : You may withdraw from this course for any reason. Withdrawal is strictly up to you and none of my business. Look in the course listings for the last day to withdraw without a penalty — a 'W' appearing on your transcript. WARNING! Doing philosophy requires a willingness to think critically. Critical thinking does not consist in merely making claims. Rather, it requires offering reasons/evidence in support of your claims. It also requires your willingness to entertain criticism from others who do not share your assumptions. You will be required to do philosophy in this class. Doing philosophy can be hazardous to your cherished beliefs. Consequently, if you are unwilling to participate, to subject your views to critical analysis, to explore issues that cannot be resolved empirically, or to use computers, then my course is not for you.
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