PHILOSOPHY
103-13 - FALL
2009 Honors Ethics
Janice Capel Anderson -
Office: Morrill 405 - Work Phone: 885-6065 - E-mail: jcanders@uidaho.edu -Office Hours are T/Th 9:30-10:45 AM and
many other times by appointment.
*****The instructor may alter
this syllabus in whatever ways she deems necessary. Check the syllabus on the web for
changes in assignments, etc. Check your e-mail for special announcements.
TEXTBOOKS:
Required:
R. Solomon, C. Martin, and
W. Vaught, Morality and the Good Life. 5th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2009 -
paper ISBN-10: 0073407429 ISBN-13: 978-0073407425 - at the UI Bookstore used at
$66.75; At amazon.com, barnes and noble, etc. you may be able to find used or new at
cheaper prices. Be sure to factor in shipping costs, however. An online
version is available at coursesmart.com - $45.75 for 180 days. Read carefully the different instructions for
online use and downloading at coursesmart.com before purchasing if you decide to go that
route. I haven’t had students use this
before, so I don’t know their track record. You can also rent the book at
chegg.com for $33.60. Again, I don’t know
their track record.
P. Angeles, The
HarperCollins Dictionary of Philosophy 2nd ed. HarperCollins. paper
ISBN 0-06-461026-8 - used
available at the bookstore for $13.25; At
amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, etc. you may be able to find used or new
at cheaper prices. Be sure to
factor in shipping costs, however.
K. Turabian et
al, Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 7th ed. Paper
ISBN: 9780226823379 - available
used at bookstore for $13.25; At
amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, etc. you may be able to find used or new
at cheaper prices. Be sure to
factor in shipping costs, however.
You will also be
responsible for scanning or photocopying charges for materials used for final brief.
Recommended: S.
E. Stumpf and J Fieser. Socrates to Sartre and beyond: A History of Philosophy .
ISBN: 0072878290 BD/ED/YR: 7th Publisher: McGraw Hill. This is expensive, but
it is a secondary source which covers almost all the philosophers in the course. I would
recommend that athletes or others with required absences purchase it. A copy is available
on regular reserve in the library. I have ordered several
used copies at the bookstore.
RESERVE:
Regular: There are books and
articles to supplement the course available on reserve in the library. You need an ID to
check out reserve materials. Recommended for use throughout the course are: J.
Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy. (Discusses ethical categories). and
S. Stumpf, From Socrates to Sartre (contains descriptions of the background
and thought of many of the philosophers covered.).
Electronic Reserve: There are also
some materials for this course on electronic reserve at http://db.lib.uidaho.edu/ereserve
You will need to enter a userid and a password I will give you in class to access these
materials.
Please read and
familiarize yourself with all of the policies which appear on this syllabus after the
course schedule. You are responsible for knowing these policies which are part of
the course syllabus.
TIME REQUIRED: This course will
require approximately eight hours of study time outside of class per week. The
course is reading intensive and requires essay writing.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
(1) Students will improve their
understanding of the historical foundations of the Western ethical tradition.
(2) Students will improve their ability
to evaluate questions of virtue and moral character.
(3) Students will improve their
understanding of how moral principles and rules may help them to decide what is right in
particular cases.
(4) Students will improve their ability
to argue in writing for or against, or analyze, an ethical position or problem.
(5) Students will learn to assess
strengths and weaknesses of Western ethical theories.
(6) Students will improve their ability
to read difficult original source material and find the main ideas.
(7) Students will practice
basic research skills and evaluate sources on an introductory college level. This includes
introduction to library databases and creating an annotated bibliography.
(8) Students will
improve their ability to prepare and present a group project.
(9) Students will make connections
between this course and other courses as well between this course and the world beyond the
classroom.
RECURRING COURSE THEMES:
1. Ethics of Virtue and Character in
contrast to Ethics Based on Principle or Rules
2. The Summum Bonum: What is the
best life? The Highest Good?
3. Human Nature
4. The Roles of Reason and Emotion in
Ethics
5. The Roles of Motives and Consequences
in Ethics
6. Universality and Particularity
7. Absolutism/Universalism and Relativism
SCHEDULE:
August 25 - Introduction and Inventory. By class you should have read on
electronic-reserve at http://db.lib.uidaho.edu/ereserve Hugo Bedau, 1-27.(Among
other things, Bedau discusses reading, note-taking, summarizing, and abstracting.) You
should fill out and print the Inventory and bring it to class.
August 27 - By class read the Introduction
to Plato in Solomon and Martin, 68-69, to The Republic on 81-82 and excerpts from Plato's
Republic Bk II and Bk IV on pp. 92-99 in Solomon and Martin. You should also write a Reading Abstract and Comment on Glaucon's argument in Plato's
Republic which can be found on pages 92-95 in Solomon and Martin. If you
don't have a book yet, you can find this in a different translation at http://www.class.uidaho.edu/jcanders/Ethics/ringgygesreadexcerpt.htm
The directions for reading abstracts and comments can be found at Reading Abstract and Comment Directions. Please
bring your work to class. You should also read and be prepared to share orally answers
to the Class Discussion Questions.
Detail of The School of Athens by Raffaello Sanzio, 1509, Plato and Aristotle- Public Domain - from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Sanzio_01_Plato_Aristotle.jpg
accessed 7-13-06
Sept 1 - Plato’s Republic,
Bk 7 Myth of the Cave section in Solomon, pp. 99-104.; Diagram by Pojman electronic
reserve at http://db.lib.uidaho.edu/ereserve;
and look up "Platonism," "Ideas (Plato)," and "Anamnesis" in
Angeles. Please read the Reading and Class Discussion Questions and prepare to answer
them orally. If you are still missing your textbook, Plato's Republic Bk 7
Myth of the Cave Section can be found at http://www.class.uidaho.edu/mickelsen/texts/republic__cave.htm
in the older Jowett translation. There will be no helpful commentary there,
however. The textbooks are on regular reserve in the library.
Sep 3- Aristotle, Ethics,
Book 1, in Solomon and Martin, 106-122. Look up "good(Aristotle)" in Angeles.
Reading Abstract and Comment on Book 1 Sections 1-5, 7
which is on pp. 108-115 in Solomon and Martin (interrupted by Solomon and Martin's
comments at one point) Due at the beginning of class - Reading and Discussion Questions The directions
for reading abstracts and comments can be found at Reading Abstract and Comment Directions.
Sep 8 - Aristotle, Ethics,
Book 2, in Solomon and Martin, 123-136. Look up "arete,"
"virtues-moral(Aristotle)," and "mean- the(Aristotle)" in Angeles.
Reading and Discussion Questions
Sep 10 - Stumpf,
"St. Augustine’s Christian Philosophy" on e-reserve at http://db.lib.uidaho.edu/ereserve
and Augustine, City of God Book XIV. Chapters 1, 6-7,
11-13, 28 on e-reserve in the Dyson translation on e-reserve (most of this is also in
Solomon and Martin, but in a more difficult translation) and Augustine, Selections from On the Morals of the Catholic Church - online.
Reading
and Class Discussion Questions.
NOTE:
Augustine’s style can be difficult because he uses multiple clauses. Stop and break
sentences into their parts if you have trouble. Also, try reading a sentence you
have difficulty with aloud. Ancient texts were meant to be read aloud. You may also
read the W. Beach and H. R. Niebuhr intro reading on e-reserve for more background or a
more complex and detailed survey at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/augustine/
Sept. 15 - Read online Cruz Writing
papers for introductory moral philosophy courses . We will
discuss writing the first essay. Read the Essay One Assignment. If you
have time read ahead on the reading for Sept. 17th as it is somewhat difficult.
Sep 17 - Augustine, City of
God Book V. Chapters 9-10; Book XII. Chapter 7 in Dyson translation pp.
198-206 and 507-508 on e-reserve at http://db.lib.uidaho.edu/ereserve (also available in Solomon and Martin in an older translation).
Before reading look up in Angeles, 1)"theodicy", 2) "evil, theological
problem of" 3) "free will problem," 4) "free will problem
(theology)," and 5) "causes, Aristotle’s four". I strongly recommend reading the entire reading before doing the Reading
Abrstract and Comment - Reading Abstract and Comment on City of God Book V.
Chapter 10 on pp. 204-206 beginning with the heading, "Whether Our Wills are
Ruled by Necessity" - Due.
Think about the following
questions as you read:
1. State in your own words the
problems of theodicy and free will. How are the two problems related?
2. What solutions does
Augustine offer to the problems of theodicy and free will?
3. Why does Augustine argue
that evil is the absence of good?
4. How would you evaluate
Augustine’s solutions to the problems of theodicy and free will?
Recommended, but
not required: Leroy
E. Loemker on "Theodicy" (especially the section on Augustine) in the on-line Dictionary
of the History of Ideas located at the Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia
at http://etext.virginia.edu/cgi-local/DHI/dhi.cgi?id=dv4-50
Note also, the handout on theodicy and free will on the overheads page.
Recommended, but not required: Beach and Niebuhr
reading on Augustine on e-reserve.
Review for Test/Quiz One
Sep 22 -
Test/Quiz One (Review for Test/Quiz One) and Intro to Hobbes
Sep 23 - ESSAY ONE -
Due by 1:30 PM in my Box in the
Philosophy Office - Fourth Floor Morrill Hall or via e-mail
attachment. Copy yourself to make sure the e-mail with attachment went through.
If via e-mail must be in MS
Word 2007 or below or WordPerfect X3 or below or pdf. I often cannot open Microsoft Works or other files.
Note the policy on late papers in the policy section at the end of the syllabus. If
your paper will be late, please send via email so there is a time and date stamp.
Thomas Hobbes - Painting by John Michael Wright - 17th
Century - Public Domain - Painting from National Portrait Gallery, London: NPG 225 -From http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Thomas_Hobbes_%28portrait%29.jpg
accessed 7-13-06
Sep 24 - Hobbes, Leviathan in Solomon, Martin, and
Vaught, 188-209. Click
here to get an image of the Title page of Leviathan which captures some of
Hobbe's ideas in visual form. Look closely at the body of the King. Reading and Class Discussion Questions. [To learn
more: read Rachels’ chapter on "The Idea of a Social Contract" on regular
reserve, Stumpf’s chapter on Hobbes, or Lloyd and Sreedhar, "Hobbes's Moral and
Political Philosophy" in the SEP at http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hobbes-moral/
]
FOR
FUN: To play the Prisoners' Dilemma online, go to http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/playground/pd.html
or to a more complex version at http://www.gametheory.net/Mike/applets/PDilemma/
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy has an extensive discussion of the
Prisoners' Dilemma at http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/prisoner-dilemma/
Sep 29 - Egoism. Please read
Tom L. Beauchamp, Philosophical Ethics: An Introduction to Moral Philosophy (56-66)
on electronic reserve: http://db.lib.uidaho.edu/ereserve Look up
"egoism-psychological", and "egoism-ethical", and "altruism"
in Angeles, Re-read Solomon, Martin, and Vaught, 208-09 Be able to define and give two
strong arguments in favor of and two against psychological egoism. The same for
ethical egoism.
David Hume - Portrait by Allan Ramsey - Public Domain
- http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/David_Hume
- accessed 7-13-06
Oct 1 - Hume in Solomon and
Martin, 211-220, 225-227, 231-32 and this excerpt omitted from the textbook: Hume Treatise Excerpt. Look up "Hume-David"
and "is/ought dichotomy" in Angeles. BE PREPARED TO
ANSWER THE READING AND CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Vocabulary note: Disapprobation
means disapproval. Turpitude means moral depravity more or less. Reading and Class Discussion Questions
Oct 6 - Bentham-
Read Chapters 1 and 4 from On the Principles of Morals and Legislation. Look up
"hedonistic calculus" and "utilitarianism" in Angeles. On
the Principles of Morals and Legislation is available in Adobe Acrobat at http://socserv.mcmaster.ca/econ/ugcm/3ll3/bentham/morals.pdf
As hypertext at http://www.laits.utexas.edu/poltheory/bentham/ipml/ipml.detoc.html
Also readable and downloadable at googlebooks at http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=EfQJAAAAIAAJ&dq=On+the+principles+of+morals+and+legislation&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=nBrVT9siLE&sig=kwS_-7T5v42evMKPinJOEluWRuk&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result
Class Discussion: Define
Bentham's seven circumstances or elements of the value of pleasure and pain used to
calculate utility? How would you apply these in calculating the utility of studying Friday
night versus attending a movie? In calculating whether to harvest organs from a brain dead
person with no ID or next of kin to save three other people?
For what
Bentham has to say about animals: On the Principles of Morals and Legislation
at http://www.laits.utexas.edu/poltheory/bentham/ipml/ipml.c17.s01.n02.html
(Chapter XVII Of the Limits of the Penal Branch of Jurisprudence.§ 1. Limits between
Private Ethics and the Art of legislation. Section 4. footnote)
You can view Bentham’s body in its case at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Jeremy_Bentham_Auto-Icon.jpg
and at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/Bentham-Project/info/auto-iconhtm.htm
and Bentham's Life or Death Mask at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/Bentham-Project/representations/mask1.htm
You can view an image of the Panopticon at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Panopticon.jpg
Oct 8 - Mill,
"Utilitarianism," in Solomon and Martin, 323-47. and Beauchamp and Bowie,
"Normative Ethics" on electronic reserve, pp. 17-24 at http://db.lib.uidaho.edu/ereserve
(The reading covers pp. 17-29, so you may want to print out the whole thing now. We will
read 24-28 later.) Reading Abstract and Comment on pp.
331-34 --only the primary material-- Due. Note: Epicurus
was an ancient Greek philosopher who started the Epicurean school of philosophy.
Epicureans argued that pleasure was the highest good, but they did not mean by that simply
the pursuit of physical pleasure. Reading and Class Discussion: 1. What is the
principle of utility or the Greatest Happiness Principle? 2. Why do critics call
utilitarianism a swine doctrine? 3. How does Mill respond? Do you agree with his
response? 4. In what ways does Mill echo Aristotle? 5. How does he differ from
Bentham?
John Stuart Mill - Public Domain - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:John-stuart-mill_1.jpg
Accessed 7-13-06
Recommended:
An interesting essay by Martha Nussbaum argues Mill drawn to both Benthamite
and Aristotelian concepts of happiness at http://www.utilitarian.net/jsmill/about/20040322.htm
Oct 13 - Read definitions of
utilitarianism-act and utilitarianism-rule in Angeles. Harron, Burnside, and
Beauchamp Reading on electronic reserve: http://db.lib.uidaho.edu/ereserve,
and Class Discussion: Euthanasia Case for Discussion - Utilitarian
Analysis, on website. Be prepared to apply act and rule
utilitarianism to the euthanasia case.
Oct 15 - Classic Criticisms of
Utilitarianism - Solomon and Martin, 15-18. Outline on website. [To learn more: read Rachels,
Chapter 8] and Review for Test/Quiz Two - read Solomon
and Martin 4-18 and 20-23 to help review for the test. Beauchamp and Bowie,
"Normative Ethics" on e-reserve also has good descriptions
of utilitarianism including act and rule from a business ethics textbook
on pages 17-24.
Oct 20 - Test/Quiz Two and Pick
Presentation Groups - Review for Test/Quiz Two - Group Presentation Information
Oct
21 - ESSAY TWO- Due by 1:30 PM in my Box in the Philosophy Office - Fourth
Floor Morrill Hall or via e-mail attachment. Copy yourself to
make sure the e-mail with attachment went through. If via e-mail must be in MS Word
2007 or below or WordPerfect X3 or below or pdf. I
often cannot open Microsoft Works or other files. Note the policy
on late papers in the policy section at the end of the syllabus. If
your paper will be late, please send via email so there is a time and date stamp.
Immanuel Kant -Prussian Philosopher - 18th Century
Painting - Public Domain from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Immanuel_Kant_%28painted_portrait%29.jpg
accessed 7-13-06
Oct 22 - Kant Groundwork
in Solomon, Martin, Vaught 259-81 and Beauchamp and Bowie, "Normative
Ethics" on e-reserve,
pp. 25-29 at http://db.lib.uidaho.edu/ereserve
. Look up "ethics (Kant)" and "deontology" in Angeles. (FYI -
Podcast summarizing Groundwork by Nigel Warburton at http://www.mefeedia.com/entry/kant-groundwork-of-metaphysic-of-morals/3964251/
and also at http://www.philclassics.libsyn.com/)
Oct 27 - Kant in Solomon and
Martin, 281-309, especially 290-299. Reading Abstract and
Comment on 290-299 (only the primary source, this section includes a lot
of comments by Solomon and Martin) Due Fill out handouts on "Willing a Universal Law" form of the Categorical Imperative and
on applying the Never as a Means Only" Form of the C.I." before writing your abstract and
comment.
Oct 29 - Prepare Euthanasia Case for Discussion - Kantian Analysis, on
website. Review the Outline of How to Apply the Willing a Universal Law Form
and Classic Criticisms of Kantianism - Solomon and Martin 18-20 and reread
305-309. There is also an overhead on classic
criticisms of Kant. [If you are interested in learning more, read Rachels,
Chapters 9 and 10 on regular reserve.] - Practice Kant Quiz
Confucius the Scholar - Qing Dynasty - Public Domain - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Confucius_the_scholar.jpg
Accessed 7-13-06
Nov 3, 5 - Introduction to
Confucianism and the Analects - "Confucianism" by Judith Berling at
http://askasia.org/teachers/essays/essay.php?no=38&era=&grade=&geo
(The old URL was http://askasia.org/teachers/essays/essay.php?no=38&era=&grade=&geo
)
and and "Confucius and Confucianism" by Hall and Ames at http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/G001SECT4
and Selections from the Analects (trans. Muller) on my
website. The Glossary of Term for Confucianism will also be helpful.
Please print out the Selections from the Analects and bring them to class.
Reading and Class Discussion
Questions
1. After reading the sayings
on jen, list the characteristics of jen
that can be derived from these sayings. How would you compare these ideas with those of
Hobbes, Hume, Mill, and Kant? Do you think this virtue should form the basis of an ethical
system?
2. After reading the excerpts
on li, how would you describe the Confucian
concept? What rites, customs, or types of "social glue" exist in U.S. culture?
How are jen and li related?
3. After reading all the
excerpts, especially those on the "superior man"
and those that mention sages and good kings of old, do you think the concept of emulation
or copying role models is a useful one? Do you have role models you try to emulate? Who
would be role models in our world today? What are the strengths and weaknesses of a system
that focuses on emulation?
4. After reading the excerpts
on hsiao or familial piety, how would you
describe this concept? Does something similar exist in Western cultures? With its concept
of hsiao Confucianism has elements of particularism
that contrast with the universality of both utilitarianism and Kantianism. Make a case for
universalism, particularism, or some combination of the two.
Picture of the Confucian philosopher
Mencius.From http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Mencius.jpg
Original source http://www.wisegorilla.com/images/confus/Mencius.jpg.The
two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain worldwide
Nov 10, 12 - The Mencius
trans. Muller excerpts at http://www.class.uidaho.edu/jcanders/Ethics/menciusmuller.htm
The Mencius is divided into numbered sections and sub-sections. Please read
1A:4, 1A:7, 2A:6, 6A:1, 6A:2, 6A:6, 6A: 8; 6A:10. Another translation of most of these
passages by Van Norden is available with commentary at http://faculty.vassar.edu/~brvannor/mengzi.html
For background after you have read the excerpts, please read the article on
"Mencius" by Kwong Loi Shun at http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mencius/
Class Discussion:
1. What advice does Mencius
give rulers? Is this advice practical?
2. What is the
difference between non-effort and lack of capacity?
2. What are Mencius’
views on human nature? How are these expressed in 2A:6? What are the four senses with
which all humans begin? What is the Mencian seed or sprout theory? What are the four key
sprouts and the four key virtues? (See especially 2A:6 and 6A:6)
3. What are the key points
made and images used by Kao-tzu and Mencius in their debate about human nature? Make a
chart with the opposing views of each opposite one another. Which position do you find
more convincing? Why? See especially 6A:1,2,6,8.
4. How do the views about
human nature of Mencius, Kao-tzu and the others in this reading compare to those expressed
by Glaucon in the "Ring of Gyges" section of Plato’s Republic and
the views expressed in Hobbes’ Leviathan?
Nov 17 - Test over Kant and Confucians - 70 points
- two essays, four define, list, describe, state
Nov 19th -
Group Presentation Group Meetings in Class
Monday-Friday,
November 23-27 - FALL RECESS
Honors Class
Presentations and Briefs.- Grading Criteria - Briefs including
Annotated Bibliography Due by 2 PM Day After Your Presentation - Evaluation of
Group Members Form
Dec 1 - Gun Laws/ Gun Control
and Death Penalty
Dec 3 - Free Speech and
Censorship and Government and School Curriculum
Dec 8 - Natural Resources and
Nuclear
Dec 10 - Research Ethics and
Poverty/3rd World
Final Exam Week - may
use our exam period for a presentation if necessary
GRADING
Plato, Aristotle and Augustine
- /Essay 60 points / Test/Quiz 40 Points
Hobbes, Hume, Bentham and Mill
- Essay 60 points/Test/Quiz 40 Points
Kant and the Confucians -
Essay Test points 70
Attendance, Individual and
group participation, miscellaneous - 72 points - ( Students with four or more unexcused absences
will receive an F.)
Reading Abstracts and Comments
- 48 points - 12 points each
Class Presentations - 40
points
Brief for Class Presentation -
60 points
TOTAL POINTS - 490
points
Extra Credit Opportunities will be available for up to a
total of 12 points.
COURSE POLICIES
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY INCLUDING
PLAGIARISM -Students who cheat or plagiarize or commit any other form of academic
dishonesty will receive at a minimum a zero on the work in question. Action may also be
taken in the Student Judicial System. For the Dean of Students' Academic Integrity site
which includes UI Policies, and Student Academic Dishonesty Resources see http://www.students.uidaho.edu/default.aspx?pid=45708
In terms of citing sources and using quotations, when in doubt, cite. Do not make
up citations. Cite correctly all materials used including textbooks, internet sources, and
lectures. I will assume that you have read and understood G. Harvey, Writing with
Sources. If you have any questions, please e-mail me or see me for help.
COMPUTER POLICY - Each student
is expected to:
1. Maintain a UI e-mail
account and check this account regularly. From time to time I may send the class e-mail
using the Registrar’s system. Please check the e-mail address and other personal
contact information in the Registrar’s system to make sure that your current e-mail
address, telephone number, etc. is entered. All students may
access http://support.uidaho.edu in
order to create accounts, change passwords, etc.
2. Be able to use either
Firefox or Internet Explorer or an equivalent browser. Check course website regularly.
3. Use a word processing
program (preferably Microsoft Word or WordPerfect) and maintain two electronic files
(e.g., a hard-drive copy and a diskette copy, hard drive and flash drive, etc.) of
all work submitted. Files should be saved until the final grade is received. If computers
are down for an extended period of time, a handwritten copy and a photocopy should be
maintained.
4. Check mid-term and final
grades on the web and maintain printouts.
5. Use the library's
electronic reserve system and electronic databases.
ASSIGNMENT AND GRADE
RECORD KEEPING -Students are expected to save all graded work until final grades
are recorded with the registrar and checked by the student.
REASONABLE
ACCOMMODATION - Reasonable accommodations
are available for students who have documented temporary or permanent disabilities. All accommodations must be approved through
Disability Support Services, located in the Idaho Commons Building, Room 306. Please
contact Disability Support Services as soon as possible so that you may receive
accommodations in a timely manner. You can reach them via telephone at 885-6307or
email at dss@uidaho.edu.
Their website is at www.access.uidaho.edu
I am happy to work with you
and with DSS. If you need accommodations, please make sure that I know. I will do my best
to support you in your work.
MAKE-UPS and LATE
PAPERS - Make-up exams permitted only by securing instructor's permission.
Permission is more likely to be granted if I am informed before the exam time. Doctor's
excuses, court summons, letter from athletic department, instructor's letter concerning UI
field trip are acceptable. The Dean of Students Office can provide me with written
notification of deaths in the family, serious illness, etc. that you were not able to
inform me of in advance. Excuses will be accepted at the instructor’s discretion.
Late Reading Abstracts and Comments are not accepted unless due to illness, university
excused activities, court appearances, or other excuses considered valid by the
instructor. Unexcused essays, briefs, etc. drop one letter grade for each day they are
late including days the Philosophy Office is closed. You may submit late papers via
email attachment in MS Word 2007 or below or WordPerfect 12 or below or in a pdf.
You should send with a return receipt or ask me to reply to make sure I have
received the attachment.
ATTENDANCE AND CLASS
PARTICIPATION - Students may miss one class
period without penalty, even if this absence is unexcused. Absences due to university
scheduled events such as athletic events in which one is participating, field trips,
illnesses, family problems, military duty, etc. should be reported to me in advance of
class if at all possible. Doctor's excuses, copy of court summons, letter from athletic
department, instructor's letter concerning UI field trip, and dates of military service
letter copies are acceptable. The Dean of Students Office can provide me with written
notification of deaths in the family, serious illness, etc. Other than officially approved
university excuses, excuses will be accepted at the instructor’s discretion. Students
will be called on to participate regularly. This includes such things as individual verbal
participation and small group work. Because of the nature of the class, attendance is
essential. Students with four or more unexcused absences
will receive an F.
HELP - Please
do not hesitate to come to see me for help. There are also tutors available from the
Academic Assistance Center located in the Idaho Commons. For those who qualify there are
also tutors at Student Support Services and athletic tutors.
NOTE TAKING -
The overheads for the class are posted on the class website. One’s style of
note-taking should reflect your learning style. Some students find that printing out the
overheads and writing on them during class is effective. They learn primarily through
hearing and are distracted by having to reproduce the overhead as they listen. Other
students find that writing all of the headings as well as information not in the overheads
forces them to concentrate and retain material. They can use the overheads after class to
fill in any holes in their lecture notes. Another excellent system of note-taking is the
Cornell System. You can use this with or without printed overheads. If you use printed
overheads, save the overheads with a two to three inch left margin in your word-processing
program before printing. The Cornell System is explained with examples at http://virtual.parkland.cc.il.us/studyskills/LectureNotetaking/CornellSystem.htm
You can also take notes for
group exercises and use them as a reference point from which to ask questions and clarify
the objectives of the exercise.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS
CLASS.
1. Come to class every day and
take notes skillfully.
2. Read each assignment once
before class and once after class. Do not worry if you do not completely understand it the
first time. If you do not understand it the second time, come to see me.
3. Prepare all reading
assignments including Reading Abstract and Comments carefully. Be prepared to answer the
class discussion questions for each philosopher or topic.
4. Start to review for each
test at least a week in advance in case you need help.
5. If you have questions or
problems, please e-mail or see the instructor in person.
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