PHILOSOPHY 490

PHILOSOPHY 490 – Senior Seminar - Spring 2009 - under construction

Janice Capel Anderson - Office: Morrill 405 - Work Phone: 885-6065 - E-mail: jcanders@uidaho.edu

Office Hours are T/Th 9:20-10:50 and many other times by appointment.

Requirements - This course is the capstone course for your Philosophy Major. One focus of the class is the final polishing of your oral and written critical and analytical skills. The other focus is the subject matter. I will lead and structure the seminar–and, of course, grade your work. As a seminar, however, the primary responsibility for the course falls on the seminar members. Each seminar member will be responsible for the following:

1. Reading, discussion, and attendance. (Fourteen percent of grade = 70 points). Each student should read and analyze all the material to be discussed before class and bring all assigned materials to class. He or she should attend each class and participate in class discussion, respectfully and thoughtfully

2. Leading two class discussion sessions. (Twelve percent of grade = 60 points; 30 points each.) This will include writing reading and class discussion questions to be posted on the web at least four days prior to the class. (You should email me the questions in Word or WordPerfect five days before the class and I will post the questions. Although not absolutely necessary, it would be a good idea to review the questions with me before coming up with the final version.

3. Writing four essays. (Twenty percent of grade = 100 points.) I will suggest the topics, but you may always propose a topic of your own. These essays should be two to three pages long, word-processed, 1 to 1and 1/4 inch margins, 12 point font, double-spaced. I will give you further directions via link on the course website.

4. Major Paper - This paper will involve several stages, each of which will be graded. The first will be the production of an annotated bibliography and outline (Five percent of grade = 25 points). The second will be a rough draft of the paper. (Ten percent of grade = 50 points). The third will be the final draft due during this class’s final exam period (25% of grade = 125 points) . DUE Tuesday May 12th 5 PM

5. Peer Review. (Four percent of grade = 20 points). We will divide the class into pairs and each will peer review the major paper rough draft of his or her partner. Further directions will be available on the class website.

6. Class presentations. (Ten percent of grade = 50 points). Each student will make a presentation on the topic of his or her paper–although you should definitely not read your paper to the class. Further directions will be available on the class website.

Policies

Academic Honesty including Plagiarism - At this stage in your career you should be committed to academic honesty and familiar with its requirements. 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. See the General Catalog O-2. Action may also be taken in the Student Judicial system in accord with procedures outlined in the Faculty-Staff Handbook. 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. 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. 2. Be able to use either Firefox, Internet Explorer or an equivalent browser. Check course website regularly. 3. Use a word processing program and maintain two electronic files (e.g., two diskettes, 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. 4. Check mid-term and final grades on the web and maintain printouts. 5. Use the library's electronic reserve system and article databases

Assignment and Grade Record Keeping Policy -Students are expected to save all graded work until final grades are recorded with the registrar and checked by the student.

Reasonable Accommodation - Students who require accommodation should notify the instructor the first week of class. All accommodations must be approved through Disability Support Services located in the Idaho Commons Building, Rm. 333 - 885-7200 - email at dss@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.

Late Assignments - Unexcused late assignments will drop one letter grade for each day they are late. 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.

Attendance and Class Participation - Absences due to university scheduled events such as athletic events in which one is participating, field trips, illnesses, family problems, court dates, 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. Documentation is required. 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 two or more unexcused absences will receive an F.

Jan 15 - Opening

Jan 22 - Introducing Environmental Philosophy. Readings: Aldo Leopold, "The Land Ethic" which I sent to you via email. Reading and Discussion Questions for Leopold; Andrew Brennan and Norva Y.S. Lo, “Environmental Ethics” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy at http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-environmental/; and recommended Heidi Grasswick, “Feminist Social Epistemology” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy at http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/feminist-social-epistemology/

Jan 29 - Anthropocentrism and Intrinsic Value

Holmes Rolston III “Challenges in Environmental Ethics” - Discussion Leader: Kristian - Discussion Questions

Bryan Norton “Environmental Ethics and Weak Anthropocentrism” - Discussion Leader: Matthew - Discussion Questions

Feb 5 - Individualist ethics versus holism - the Animal Welfare/Rights and Holist Debate - Class Discussion Questions

Peter Singer, "All Animals are Equal" from Tom Regan and Peter Singer, eds. Animal Rights and Human Obligations, New Jersey, 1989, pp. 148-162 at http://www.animal-rights-library.com/texts-m/singer02.htm - ***Questions to Guide Your Reading of Singer

Tom Regan, "The Case for Animal Rights' at http://www.animal-rights-library.com/texts-m/regan03.htm and 9. 3 " How to Worry About Endangered Species," pp. 359-63 in The Case for Animal Rights. 2d edition. University of California Press, 2004 or 1st ed. 1983. You can find the "How to Worry about Endangered Species" excerpt on e-reserve. (It is also available in Environmental Ethics: An Anthology by Andrew Light and Holmes Rolston pp. 71-73 on googlebooks.) ***Regan Reading Questions

J. Baird Callicott, "Holistic Environmental Ethics and the Problem of Ecofascism," from Beyond the Land Ethic: More Essays in Environmental Philosophy. SUNY Press, 1999, pp. 59-76. This is on e-reserve. It is also available in an ebook on the UI Library site at Internet GE40.C35 1999 . ***Callicott Reading Questions

Recommended: Chris Cuomo, "Ethics and the Eco/Feminist Self"

Essay One Due - Friday Feb 6 via email attachment by 5 PM. The essay must be in MS Word 2007 or below or WordPerfect 12 or below or pdf. I often cannot open Microsoft Works or other files. You should send with a return receipt or ask me to reply to make sure I have received the attachment. If you copy yourself, you should also be able to see if the attachment worked. Note the policy on late papers in the policy section at the top of the syllabus. If your paper will be late, please send via email so there is a time and date it was sent.

Feb 12 . Moral Pluralism vs. Monism - Class Discussion Questions

J. Baird Callicot, “The Case Against Moral Pluralism” Environmental Ethics 12(1990): 99-124. Reading Questions

Andrew Light, “Callicott and Naess on Pluralism” Inquiry 39 (1996) PP. 273-94 Reading Questions

Meet with Prof individually to choose paper topic - sign up for time slots during this week

Feb 19 Environmental Pragmatism

Anthony Weston, “Beyond Instrinsic Value: Pragmatism in Environmental Ethics” Environmental Ethics 7 (1985) on e-reserve. K. Strickland

Ben A. Minteer and Robert E. Manning, “Pragmatism in Environmental Ethics” Environmental Ethics 21 (1999) on e-reserve. M. Blashill

Reading and Discussion Questions

Essay Two Due - Friday Feb 20 via email attachment by 5 PM. The essay must be in MS Word 2007 or below or WordPerfect 12 or below or pdf. I often cannot open Microsoft Works or other files. You should send with a return receipt or ask me to reply to make sure I have received the attachment. If you copy yourself, you should also be able to see if the attachment worked. Note the policy on late papers in the policy section at the top of the syllabus. If your paper will be late, please send via email so there is a time and date it was sent.

Feb 26 Naturalized Epistemology

W. V. Quine, "Epistemology Naturalized" in Human Knowledge: Classical and Contemporary Approaches. 3rd ed. Eds. Paul K. Moser and Arnold vander Nat. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003: 502-511. originally published in W. V. Quine. Ontological Relativity and Other Essays. New York: Columbia University Press, 1969: 69-90. ISBN:0231033079 9780231033077 OCLC:51301 on e-reserve. Reading and Discussion Questions

Donna Haraway “Chapter Nine Situated Knowledges: The Science Question in Feminism and the Privilege of Partial Perspective” from Haraway, Donna J. Simians, cyborgs, and women : the reinvention of nature Publisher: New York : Routledge, 1991. on e-reserve Also available where it originally appeared "Situated Knowledges: The Science Question in Feminism and the Privilege of Partial Perspective" Feminist Studies, Vol. 14, No. 3. (Autumn, 1988), pp. 575-599 at http://www.staff.amu.edu.pl/~ewa/Haraway,%20Situated%20Knowledges.pdf Reading and Discussion Questions

Recommended: Lorraine Code, 1996: "What Is Natural About Epistemology Naturalized?" American Philosophical Quarterly, Volume 33, No. 1, pages 1-22. on on e-reserve.

Mar 5 Environmental Epistemology: Preston

Preston, Christoper J. selections from Grounding Knowledge: Environmental Philosophy, Epistemology and Place. Chapter 2 and 3. M. Yoney

Essay Three Due - Mar 10 OR can substitute a later essay.

Mar 12 - Critiques of Preston on Environmental Epistemology

Code, Lorraine. 2005. "Here and There: Reading Christopher Preston's Grounding Knowledge." Ethics, Place and Environment 8, no. 3 (October) : 349-360. on e-reserve.

Kawall, Jason. 2005. "Grounded Knowledge, Place and Epistemic Virtue." Ethics, Place and Environment 8, no. 3 (October) : 361-371. on e-reserve.

Code and Kawall Reading and Discussion Questions

Recommended: Preston's reply available in same issue of journal through Religion and Philosophy Index from Library.

March 16 -Annotated Bibliography and Outline of Paper Due by 12 noon - I have extended the deadline for the annotated bibliography and paper topic assignment to noon on Monday, March 16. I am not sure whether the philosophy office will be open, so if you have photocopies of your articles/chapters rather than URLS or scans, you can drop them off on Friday (or in class on Thursday) and email the annotated bibliography and outline up until Monday, March 16 at noon.

Mar 26 - Ecofeminism

Warren, Karen J. 1990. “The Power and Promise of Ecological Feminism”, Environmental Ethics 12: 125-46. on e-reserve. Reading and Study Questions

Cuomo, Chris, "So As to Flourish: The Goals of Ecological Feminism" in Feminism and Ecological Communities: An Ethic of Flourishing, pp. 62-80 available on e-reserve and as an e-book in the UI Library Catalog Internet HQ1233 .C86 1998 Reading and Study Questions

Recommended: "The Power and Promise of Ecological Feminism Revisited" in Environmental Philosophy from Animal Rights to Radical Ecology edited by Michael E. Zimmerman et al. 4th edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice-Hall, 2005, pages 252-279 on e-reserve

Essay Four Due Mar 27

April 2 - Native American Environmental - Margie

Callicott, J. Baird. "American Indian Land Wisdom? Sorting Out the Issues" From: Journal of Forest History. Volume 33(1). 1989. pp. 35-42 on e-reserve

"Transcending the Debate over the Ecologically Noble Indian: Indigenous Peoples and Environmentalism" Paul Nadasdy, University of Wisconsin—Madison at http://ethnohistory.dukejournals.org/cgi/reprint/52/2/291

Recommended: Berkes, "Traditional Ecological Knowledge" Berkes, "Traditional Ecological Knowledge" at http://www.umanitoba.ca/institutes/natural_resources/canadaresearchchair/Encyclopedia%20of%20Religion%20And%20Nature%20Traditional%20Ecological%20Knowledge.pdf

Optional Essay Five DUE April 3 by 5 PM

April 9 – Buddhist Environmental - Abe

Harris, Ian. "Buddhism and Ecology. Chapter 5." From: Contemporary Buddhist Ethics. Ed: Damien Keown. Publ: Curzon. Richmond. 2000. p. 113-135 on e-reserve. Also most of it is on googlebooks at http://books.google.com/books?id=EXwHkQJQ5ecC&dq=Contemporary+Buddhist+Ethics.&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=G6484KGY1y&sig=Ke9jo8u2vzeZntqEdxc7fegclbM&hl=en&ei=X2nVSd2UEoWusQPwtfyuCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3#PPA123,M1

Francis H. Cook, "The Jewel Net of Indra" pp. 1-19 in Hua-yen Buddhism : the Jewel net of Indra (University Park : Pennsylvania State University Press, 1977). on e-reserve and also on googlebooks in full at http://books.google.com/books?id=uaeU6JuUYtoC&dq=Francis+Cook+Jewel+Net+of+Indra&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=-ZjVSdH6CKbosgPn2qyhCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4 on er-reserve soon.

Recommended: Swearer, Donald K. "The Hermeneutics of Buddhist Ecology in Contemporary Thailand: Buddhadasa and Dhammapitaka." in Buddhism and Ecology. Publ: Harvard University Press. Cambridge. 1997, pp. 21-43 On e-reserve

April 10 Rough Draft of Paper Due by 5 PM - Two copies, one sent to Anderson, the other to peer reviewer- Follow instructions for the paper as if it was the final draft. Peer Reviews Due on April 16

April 16 – Jewish/Christian Environmental - Claudia

Sideris, Lisa H. "Philosophical and Theological Critiques of Ecological Theology." From: Environmental Ethics, Ecological Theology, and Natural Selection. Publ: Columbia University Press. New York. 2003, pp. 167-215. on e-reserve. Is also on googlebooks.

Ehrenfeld , David and Philip J. Bentley, "Judaism and the Practice of Stewardship," Judaism 34 (1985) 301-311 - I have emailed you the article.

Recommended:

Barbara Rossing, “For the Healing of the World: Reading Revelation Ecologically” in David Rhoads, ed., From Every Tribe, Tongue, People, and Nation: The Book of Revelation in Intercultural Perspective (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2005) available on googlebooks.

"Context of Ecotheology" by Laurel Kearns at http://users.drew.edu/lkearns/eco-theology.pdf from Blackwell Companion to Modern Theology;

James Schaefer, "Valuing earth intrinsically and instrumentally: a theological framework for environmental ethics." Theological Studies. Dec 2005 available online at http://www.articlearchives.com/society-social-assistance-lifestyle/religion-spirituality/1008614-1.html

April 23 - Presentations - Claudia and Kristian

April 30 - Presentations - Matt and Margie

NOTE: INPC is MAY 1-3 - http://www.uiweb.uidaho.edu/philosophy/INPC/

May 7 - Presentations - Abe and Mark

Final Paper due Tuesday May 12th 5 PM - via email attachment by 5 PM. The paper must be in MS Word 2007 or below or WordPerfect 12 or below or pdf. I often cannot open Microsoft Works or other files. You should send with a return receipt or ask me to reply to make sure I have received the attachment. Also copy yourself. That way you should be able to see if the attachment worked.