|
Item |
% of grade |
Due date |
|
Participation |
20% |
Ongoing |
|
Analytical Outlines (4 X 2.5% each) |
10% |
9/11, 10/7, 11/4, 11/25 |
|
Four-Sentence Papers (2X5% each) |
10% |
9/18, 10/15 |
|
Argument Papers (2 X 10% each) |
20% |
11/18, 12/9 |
|
Midterm |
20% |
10/28 |
|
Final exam |
20% |
12/18 |
|
TOTAL |
100% |
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS
Class participation
Class participation has two components: timely attendance and verbal participation. Students begin the semester with approximately 70% of this grade. They can lose points for being late or absent, and gain points by engaging in verbal discussion.
Verbal discussion—such as taking and defending positions and asking or answering critical questions—is a vital part of the practice of philosophy. Consequently, the final grade for this class reflects this. Professor MacDougall takes note of student participation after class every day. Students must be present to participate, but for full credit must actively and verbally participate by asking critical questions, answering questions posed to the class, or volunteering ideas and thoughts relevant to class topics. Sometimes participation points can be gained by posting to an online discussion board or completing some other assignment (to be explained in class). Participation points can additionally be earned by contacting Dr. MacDougall by email or by arranging meetings during office hours. However, there is no way to get full credit for this segment of the class without active verbal participation. Exceptions may be granted in unusual circumstances by Dr. MacDougall if it is discussed at the beginning of the semester.
Analytical Outlines
Analytical Outlines are outlines of short assigned readings (or sections of assigned readings) that are composed in-class. Students will be given a hard copy of the section they are expected to outline at the beginning of class and have about 45 minutes to complete the outline. Analytical Outlines identify points and arguments that form the basis of either a Four-Sentence Paper or a longer Argument Paper. You can see more information about Analytical Outlines on the Analytical Outline Assignment page.
Four-Sentence Papers
Students will write 2 Four-Sentence Papers, based on points they identify from the readings in Analytical Outlines 1 and 2. For more information see the Four-Sentence Paper Assignment page.
Argument Papers
Students will write 2 800+ word Argument Papers responding to points and arguments they identify from the readings in Analytical Outlines 3 and 4. For more information see the Argument Paper Assignment page.
Midterm
The midterm will cover material from the first half of the semester. Format will be explained during the midterm review session.
Final
The final will be structured like the midterm. The final will focus on the content learned in the second half of the course. Students will be expected to remember some of the basic ideas learned in the first half of the course, of course.
