Philosophy 490 - Senior Seminar -Spring 2006

Dr. Janice Capel Anderson - Morrill Hall 405 - 885-6065 - Email: jcanders@uidaho.edu- Office Hours are T/TH 9:20-10:50 A.M. and many other times by appointment.

*****The instructor may alter this syllabus in whatever ways she deems necessary. Changes in assignments, etc. will be posted on this on-line syllabus.

H. Bedau, Thinking and Writing About Philosophy. Bedford/St. Martins, 2nd ed. , 2002, paper. ISBN: 0-312-39653-8

G. Harvey, Writing with Sources. Hackett, 1998. ISBN: 0872204340 1998

Damien Keown, Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, first published 1996 - reissued 2000, paper. ISBN: 0192853864

Aldo Lepold, Sand County Almanac (Outdoor Essays & Reflections). Ballantine Books; Reissue edition, 1986, paper. ISBN: 0345345053

Jacob Neusner, Judaism: An Introduction. Penguin Group (USA), 2003 paper. ISBN: 0141008490

Martin D. Yaffe, ed., Judaism and Environmental Ethics .Lexington Books, 2001, paper. ISBN: 0739101188

E-reserve   - Other readings are on e-reserve or are available on the Internet. You should print out the required readings and bring them to class on the day(s) they will be discussed. A userid and password are required to access e-reserve for this class. I will give you that information in class.

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 seven days prior to the class. (an exception - five days for the Leopold and Naess readings). For some sessions there will be more than one leader and you are responsible for coming up with questions along with a partner who is focusing on the same reading. You should email me the questions in Word or WordPerfect eight 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 five (5) 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 and 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 on Wed. May 10, 2006 by 3 P.M. (25% of grade = 125 points) Further directions will be available on the class website.

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. Peer Reviews are due to the instructor and to your partner on Thurday, April 20, 2006. 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.

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 Netscape, Mozilla, 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., 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 - Students may miss one class period without any penalty, even if these absences are unexcused. 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 three or more unexcused absences will receive an F

Course Schedule  

Thursday, Jan 12 - Getting our Bearings: Issues and Definitions - How would you define "Nature", "Philosophy", and "Religion"?

Tues Jan 17 - Please read the "Introduction to the Religion and Nature Encyclopedia" by Bron Taylor at http://www.religionandnature.com/bron/ern/ERNintro.pdf Prepare the Discussion Questions available via the following weblink: Bron Taylor Discussion Questions  Not required, but of interest are the brief articles on the Studying Religion Website at http://www.as.ua.edu/rel/studyingreligion.html

Thurs Jan 19 -  Aldo Leopold - Sand County Almanac - "January" and "February," pp. 3-19 and "The Land Ethic", pp. 237-64 .  For a refresher on reading and abstracting please skim Bedau, pp. 1-24 - Write a one page abstract of the "Land Ethic" to use in class discussion.  You will turn it in, but it will not be graded.  It will be a way for the instructor to begin to get to know you.  

Discussion Leader:   - Click the following for Reading and Discussion Questions

Not required, but interesting online discussions of  "The Land Ethic"  are as follows: "The Land Ethic:  Key  Philosophical and  Scientific Challenges" by J. Baird Callicott  and Karen J. Warren, "The Legacy of Leopold's 'The Land Ethic'" at  http://oregonstate.edu/Dept/philosophy/pese/reflections/Reflections98/warren.html

Tues Jan 24 - E-reserve: Arne Naess, "The Deep Ecology Movement: Some Philosophical Aspects," in G. Sessions, ed., Deep Ecology for the 21st Century (Shambhala, 1995), pp. 64-84.  

Discussion Leader:   -  Reading and Discussion Questions 

Not required by recommended,  the pages discussing Deep Ecology in the Palmer reading on e-reserve, pp, 29-30 [page nos. in the original book, not in the pdf]; Taylor's entry on "Deep Ecology" in the Religion and Nature Encyclopedia at http://www.religionandnature.com/ern/sample/Taylor--DeepEcology.pdf ,  and Naess' earlier essay, "The Shallow and the Deep, Long Range Ecology Movements:  A Summary"  Originally published in Inquiry (Oslo), 16 (1973) at  http://www.alamut.com/subj/ideologies/pessimism/Naess_deepEcology.html   Naess (and Sessions) talks about "intrinsic value" or "inherent worth" in the Deep Ecology Platform Point One.  For a good example of how environmental concerns raise and relate to larger philosophical questions see the article "Intrinisic vs. Extrinsic Value" by Michael J. Zimmerman in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy at http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/value-intrinsic-extrinsic/

Thurs Jan 26 - E-reserve: Clare Palmer "An Overview of Environmental Ethics," 15-37 in Environmental Ethics: An Anthology (Blackwell Philosophy Anthologies) (Paperback) by Andrew Light (Editor), Holmes, III Rolston (Editor).  

Tues Jan 31 - The Lynn White Thesis -  E-reserve: Lynn White, Jr. "The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis," Science 155 (March 10, 1967) 1203- 1207 and Elspeth Whitney, "Lynn White, Ecotheology and History." Environmental Ethics 15, no. 2 (summer 1993): 151–69.  Reading and Discussion Questions

Discussion Leaders: 

Thurs Feb 2 - Bedau, Thinking and Writing about Philosophy, pp.106-32.  We will peer review rough drafts of each others essay.  Please bring a word-processed copy of the rough draft of your essay to class.  Click here for Essay Prompts.   Peer Review Questions can be found here.   First  Essay Due Fri. Feb 3 by 4 P.M.

Tues Feb 7 - Neusner, pp. 1-54, 98-123

Discussion Leader pages 1-54 and pages 98-123 - Ken Marcy Discussion Questions

Thurs Feb 9 - Genesis 1-3 at http://jewish.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=list_pages_categories&cid=3 and Jeanne Kay, "Concepts of Nature in the Hebrew Bible," pp. 86-104 in Yaffe. 

Discussion Leader:   - Reading and Discussion Questions

Tues Feb 14 - Student Choice from Yaffe: 

David Ehrenfeld and Philip J. Bentley, "Judaism and the Practice of Stewardship," in Judaism and Environmental Ethics.  Ed.  Martin Yaffe.  Lexington Books, 2001.  125-135. Eric Katz, "Nature's Healing Power," in Judaism and Environmental Ethics.  Ed.  Martin Yaffe.  Lexington Books, 2001.  309-320.  Reading and Discussion Questions

Discussion Leader - Anderson

Thurs Feb 16 -- Stephen S. Schwarzschild, "The Unnatural Jew," pp. 267-282 in Yaffe and responses by Ehrenfeld and Ehrenfeld and Jeanne Kay, 283-88 in Yaffe.  Reading and Discussion Questions

Discussion Leaders

1. Schwarzschild -

2. Schwarzchild

3. Ehrenfelds and Kay - Anderson

Week of Feb 13-17 - Student Conferences with Professor about Paper Topics and Paper Writing - Please read Bedau 177- 86 before your conference.

Tues Feb 21- Christianity - E-reserve: Kearns, Laurel. "Noah’s Ark Goes to Washington: A Profile of Evangelical Environmentalism." From: Social Compass. Volume 44(3). 1997. pp. 349-366.  Another reading is available on regular reserve, but will not be up on e-reserve until Tues Feb 21.  It is an excerpt from a chapter from a world religions textbook entitled ."Excerpt from Chapter 2 Christianity in the Modern World" pp. 37-91 in John L. Esposito, Darrell J. Fasching, and Todd Lewis, World Religions Today.  New York:  Oxford University Press 2002.   ISBN0-19-510253-3. As a result, I am substituting the following:  Douglas Burton-Christie, "Early Christianity" http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/bron/PDF--Christianity/Burton-Christie--Early%20Christianity.pdf  If you do not have very much background in the history and major themes of Christianity, I would recommend reading the Esposito, Fasching, and Lewis at some point.  Reading and Discussion Questions Burton-Christie and Kearns

Thurs Feb 23 - E-reserve: Anna Peterson, "In and of the World? Christian Theological Anthropology and Environmental Ethics," Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 12/3 (2000) pp. 237-61.  Discussion Leader:  - Reading and Discussion Questions

Tues Feb 28 - E-reserve: Sallie McFague - Chapter 2 - "Consider the Lilies of the Field:  How Should Christians Love Nature?" from Super, Natural Christians and Calvin DeWitt, "The Three Big Questions" -  Discussion Leaders:  1. McFague -  2. DeWitt -   - Reading and Discussion Questions

Thurs March 2 - E-reserve: 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.  Discussion Leaders:  1.   2. - Reading and Discussion Questions

Directions for Annotated Bibliography Due Friday March 24

Tues March 7 - Keown, pp.1-56 and 97-109 (this sounds like a lot, but the pages are very, very small)- and Excerpts from "Questions of King Milinda"at http://www.miami.edu/phi/bio/Buddha/Milinda.htm as follows: Introduction,  Why Nagasena went to Bactria, The Five Cardinal Virtues (read this one after the others), There is No-Self (from Book II. Chapter One), No Continuous Personal Identity (from Book II. Chapter 2.), Nirvana and Cessation (from Book III. Chapter 4) and The Nature of Nirvana).  Reading and Discussion Questions

Thurs March 9 - Buddhism - E-reserve Harris, Ian. "Buddhism and Ecology. Chapter 5." From: Contemporary Buddhist Ethics. Ed: Damien Keown. Publ: Curzon. Richmond. 2000. p. 113-135

Discussion Leaders -      - Reading and Discussion Questions

Friday March 10 - Essay 3 due by 4 PM in my box in Morrill 402 or via email attachment in Word or WordPerfect.

Tues Mar 21 - E-reserve: 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).  Discussion Leader - Frank Yarbrough - Reading and Discussion Questions

Thurs Mar 23 - E-reserve: 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. Discussion Leader - Karl N. Gill - Reading and Discussion Questions

Tues Mar 28 - E-reserve: Joanna Macy, "The Ecological Self: Postmodern Ground for Right Action," in Sacred Interconnections, ed. David Ray Griffin (Albany: State University Press of New York, 1990), pp. 35-48  Discussion Leader -  - Reading and Discussion Questions

Thurs March 30 - Native American Philosophy and Religion - E-reserve: Molloy and Frey "Natural Resources or Gifts at  http://www.class.uidaho.edu/envphilsummer/readings/Frey%20-%20Nat%20Res%20vs%20Gifts.pdf  and Berkes, Traditional Ecological Knowledge at http://www.umanitoba.ca/institutes/natural_resources/canadaresearchchair/Encyclopedia%20of%20Religion%20And%20Nature%20Traditional%20Ecological%20Knowledge.pdf

Reading and Discussion Questions

Recommended:  Leslie Marmon Silko, "Yellow Woman" at http://www.class.uidaho.edu/envphilsummer/readings/Spir%20Ecol%20pdfs/SilkoPuebloEcol.pdf

Fri, March 31 - Fourth Brief Essay Due

Tues April 4 - E-reserve: Callicott, J. Baird. "American Indian Land Wisdom? Sorting Out the Issues" From: Journal of Forest History. Volume 33(1). 1989. pp. 35-42 ; Discussion Leader -  - Reading and Discussion Questions

Thurs April 6 - "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    Diiscussion Leader -  - Reading and Discussion Questions

Tues April 11 -  Bron Taylor, “Earth First!’s Religious Radicalism,” in Ecological Prospects: Scientific, Religious, and Aesthetic Perspectives, Christopher Key Chapple, ed., State University of New York Press: Albany, 1994. pp. 185-209 at http://www.religionandnature.com/bron/arts/Taylor--EarthFirstReligiousRadicalism.pdf    and Karen Pickett, "Gimme that Ol' Time (Earth First!) Religion..." at http://www.earthfirstjournal.org/articles.php?a=881  Discussion Leader Chris Sanders  Reading and Discussion Questions

Discussion Leader

Thurs April 13 - Paper Workshop

Tues April 18 - Rough Drafts of Papers Due - Paper Requirements Two copies, one for your peer reviewer, one for the instructor. One Student Presentation: 

Thurs April 20 - Student Presentations - - Peer Reviews Due - Copies for the instructor and for the writers.    Peer Review Questions  -

Tues April 25 - Student Presentations -

Thurs April 27 - Student Presentations -

Essay 5 Due May 4th for those who choose to do it - remember you can drop one of the five if you want to be graded out of total points minus 20.

May 2 - Student Presentations -

May 4 - Student Presentations -

Final Draft of Paper Due - Thursday May 11 by 5 PM (25% of grade = 125 points).  Please paper clip copy of your rough draft with my comments to the final draft.  If you need to email the draft to meet the deadline, you can put the rough draft in my box on Friday.  Bibliography should include all works consulted.  Click the following for the Paper Requirements