Minds, Robots, and the End of Humanity (FYS-IFS-G)
Course Requirements
Readings. Read the assignments closely prior to class (see the Schedule), and always print out and bring the text. Class discussions and your success in this class depend upon this.
Attendance and Participation. Roughly half of any successful project is simply showing up. That alone is not enough, but it’s a necessary first step. Also, because uninformed talk is often worse than silence, you need not only to show up for class, but to arrive having worked through and reflected on the readings for the day.
There are also a collection of FYS activities that need to be completed during the semester [see], including two "activity options" (drawn from activities highlighting faith, diversity, service, community, and integrity). For each of the two activities in which you participate, please complete this survey.
If you still need to interview a professor in your anticipated major, here is the form.
Occasional Writing. Roughly every other day, at the beginning of class, a one to two page essay on the day’s reading, or some similar assignment, will be due, or else there will be a brief in-class writing on the day’s reading (see the page on Writing).
Three essays. Three formal essays are part of each First Year Seminar section; these essays are discussed on the Writing page.
Final exam. A final exam covering all the material discussed in the course will be given during the final exam week. This will consist of essay and short answer questions.
Grading. The set of three essays is worth 60% (10% + 20% + 30%); the set of occasional writing is worth 20%; the final exam is worth 10%; participation in and completion of the various FYS activies is worth 10%.
I use the following letter grade conversion scale: A (94-100), A- (90-93), B+ (87-89), B (83-86), B- (80-82), C+ (77-79), C (73-76), C- (70-72), D+ (67-69), D (63-66), D-(60-62), F (0-59).
As an intuitive understanding of the course grade you will receive (this is borrowed from a colleague, but it works for my classes as well):
In general terms, you will receive a C in this class if your work is consistently adequate and meets all minimum requirements for assignments. Just showing up and getting the work done should get you to this level.
A B reflects an above average commitment to coursework, efforts toward improvement, and positive contribution to the classroom environment.
The grade of A stands for excellence in every area of coursework. This means producing polished, thought-provoking, and inventive writings, as well as showing a genuine interest in the subject matter and a consistent willingness to ask and answer difficult questions inside and outside of class. An A-student is an independent, critical thinker who reads and analyzes texts beyond the surface level and incorporates lessons learned from previous assignments to improve upon future ones.
Receiving a grade of D means that your work has not been consistently adequate or does not meet minimum requirements for assignments. An F indicates that the work for the course is incomplete or inadequate; in addition, an F may be given for academic dishonesty (plagiarism or cheating).
Late Work is not normally accepted. Assignments must be handed in at the beginning of class on the day that they are due – if you are late, that means your work is also late. If you anticipate any kind of difficulty meeting a deadline, see me as soon as possible to discuss an extension or to make special arrangements. If you know ahead of time that you cannot be present when something is due, you must contact me before class to discuss alternatives (this usually means handing in an assignment sooner rather than later).
Laptops and iPads. Some students take notes best with a keyboard and computer, but many students are unable to use their computers without compulsively checking Facebook, email, and otherwise surfing the web. This is bad for the student, of course, but it is especially unfair to those sitting nearby, who can be distracted by the unrelated material glowing from your screen. So here is the rule: You can have a laptop or tablet on and open, but only for work on that class, and you must email me your class notes at the end of the hour (before leaving the room).
And you should know this: Research indicates that taking notes on a laptop (i.e., typing your notes) generally results in notes inferior to those written by hand, and you are also less likely to retain the information. If you don't believe me, read this item from the Scientific American (June 3, 2014) or this from the Association for Psychological Science (April 24, 2014).
Cell Phones. 
Please do not bring these to class. If you do bring a cell phone, it needs to be turned off and put away, preferably at the bottom of a very deep pocket or book bag. If you are unable to part company with your cell phone, or are unable to keep it turned off and stowed, then please do not come to class. Thank you.
Cheating and Plagiarism. 
Plagiarism consists of submitting the statements, ideas, opinions, or findings of another as if they were your own. It is not plagiarism to copy from or paraphrase a source as long as this is acknowledged and the source is cited. Cheating and deliberate plagiarism will result in automatically failing the class. For more information, see the university Catalog.
Academic Support. Manchester University has a commitment to the success of its students; therefore, the Success Center services will serve you well! Whether you are in the honors program, need a little help getting started with an essay, or need some extensive tutoring for a math class, familiarize yourself with the Success Center on the second floor of the Switzer Center!
Students with Disabilities. Manchester University, in compliance with federal guidelines, is committed to providing students with disabilities an access to programs and activities that is equal to the access provided to students without disabilities.
If you believe that you need an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Bonnie O’Connell [e-mail — or call: 982-5076], the director of services for students with disabilities, to establish your eligibility and to coordinate reasonable accommodations. You should do this during the first week of classes. It is your responsibility to seek this accommodation and to bring the necessary paperwork to your professors.
Students whose accommodation requests are approved will be given confidential letters to deliver to their professors that verifies the nature of the student’s disability and documents the need for auxiliary aids and services and/or academic adjustments/accommodations. Students are encouraged to meet with each professor early in the semester to discuss the academic implications of the disability as they relate to the specific course and to request appropriate accommodation. The Disabilities Office is located in the Success Center (second floor of the Switzer Center).
The university-prepared syllabus addendum regarding Title IX can be found here.
When life happens… If circumstances in your life occur that affect your performance in class (e.g., childcare issues, unreliable transportation, a sick grandparent, expected recurring absences for any reason), you should talk to me and to your other professors immediately. We can figure something out.
Manchester University // Registrar // Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies // Last updated: 9 Aug 2015