The University of Utah Philosophy
 
  • "Stump the Egghead": a brief (5-10 minute) meeting with the instructor during the first two weeks of class (i.e., by Friday, Sept. 4). Bring any question you like, and I'll answer it if I can.
  • Three 5-page papers, due Fri, Sept 18, Fri Oct 23, and Fri Dec 11 (20% each). (For graduate students, the final paper is 10-15 pages.)
    Papers are to be submitted by 4:00 on the due date to my mailbox, which is located in the Philosophy Department Office, on the 4th floor of the Tanner Humanities Building (CTIHB).
    Late paper policy: the later the paper, the harder it will be graded. No exceptions. The final paper must be turned in on time; late final papers will not be graded. Papers are to be submitted in printed, not electronic, form.
  • In-class participation. (20%)
    Participation is not the same as attendance; come prepared to talk in class. You will receive a mid-term participation grade. (Note that this grade will reflect only your in-class discussion, and not your overall performance in the class.)
    Midterm adjustment: Have an esprit d'escalier? Students will be able to post comments on the class blog for participation credit (discounted 50% -- so you still have an incentive to talk in class) for 24 hours (i.e., until noon on the next day). Post below the class date; make sure to identify yourself.
  • Weekly Assignments. (20%)
    OK, this bit is a little complicated, but please bear with me. During the first half of the semester (i.e., while we're reading Mill), these assignments consist of an outline of an argument in the readings. I will suggest passages, but you are free to outline an argument of your own choice instead. (However, to keep things fair, you can't do a suggested passage from a previous week.) I will provide models and a more detailed description of what these outlines look like on the first day of class.
    During the second half of the semester (i.e., when we start reading Wilde; I'll announce the changeover), weekly assignments consist of microcommentaries: typically a paragraph (not more than half a typed page) in which you either explain a passage in the readings, or you explain why you don't understand the passage. (There's no grade penalty for choosing the latter option; you will be graded on thoughtfulness. Here's a sample microcommentary.) Again, I will suggest passages (they will be posted on the web page, under "Weekly Assignments", each Friday), but you are free to explain a (short) passage of your own choice instead.
    The weekly assignments are due Tuesdays at 4:00 sharp, and may be submitted either to my mailbox (located in the Philosophy Department Office), or by email (ascii text only in the message buffer, please; no Word files or other attachments). Late weekly assignments will not be accepted. Due to aggressive spam filters, if you submit your weekly assignments by email, you have to send them to both of my email addresses, and retain a timestamped copy in your "Sent" box.
    You need to turn in ten of these; which weeks you skip is up to you; however, you may not turn in more than one per week. You can turn in 11 if you want, and if you do, I'll drop the lowest grade.
  • Attendance is required. You get three freebie absences; after that, your final grade is docked 1/10th of a grade per absence. Coming on time is a courtesy to your fellow students, and accordingly lateness (any lateness) counts as an absence.
    Classroom etiquette: no cell phones, laptops or food (you'll be asked to leave the class). Beverages are okay.