INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY (PHIL 201)

Course Requirements

How to Succeed in this Class

First, be sure to show up for class. Second, show up prepared to talk and ask questions. The best way to be prepared is to set aside about two hours of your time in order to do the following:

(a) Read through the list of “WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DO” listed with each day (on this page).

(b) Work through the assigned readings, making notes in the margins as you go.

(c) Re-read that list of “WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DO” and consider whether you know how to do those things yet; if you don't, then return to the assigned “Readings” and study them some more until you do. Repeat steps (a) through (c) as needed.

(d) When you have a little extra time, take a look at some of the “Other Resources” (I’m still developing these resources for this class...). They are usually pretty interesting, and they will often give you a different angle on the topic being considered. If you want, write up an Extra Credit Journal on one of these items.

If you follow this procedure consistently during the term — and if you put your best effort into the writing assignments — then you should do well on the daily quizzes, you should be ready for the exams, you will do well in the course, and you will learn quite a lot of bioethics.

Attendance. If you do not plan to attend class and participate constructively, then you should withdraw from this class. A course on philosophy is by its nature aimed at self-examination and discussion; consequently, doing well in this class requires being there. Missing class does not directly affect your grade, although students with poor attendance typically do quite poorly in the class. On the average, students missing more than two classes during a semester receive grades below the class average.

Cell Phones. No Cell Phones! I used to place a polite little notice about this at the bottom of the page, but it’s time for a big impolite notice, right up at the top of the page so you can’t miss it. Do not bring your cell phone to class!

Wait, that’s impossible, since you have to have your cell phone on your person at all times! OK, I get that, so go ahead, bring your phone; but while in class, it needs to be turned off and stowed away.

Why a “No Damn Cell Phone” policy? Primarily out of respect for others, but also because you — and I suspect this really does include nearly everyone reading these words — need help! This class involves listening closely to, and thinking carefully about, what others say; a focused discussion is supposed to take place in this classroom — and none of that is possible if you are staring at your cell phone screen.

Most people are now quite literally addicted to their phones. If the phone is within reach it will be reached, and checked, and used, every five minutes or so on average (and that’s just averaging over a 17 hour waking day; peak usage can involve checking the phone every few seconds).

And don’t think you’re able to pay attention to the classroom discussion AND your emails and Facebook and Reddit and Instagram and Snapchat and Twitter posts when you’ve got those phones out. You’re actually just wasting your time, as ample research shows. This so-called “multi-tasking” doesn’t work.

I understand that sometimes you are looking up important information with your phone; that’s admirable, but probably not necessary. Just write down the question or topic, and look it up later. That’s what we all used to do “in the old days,” and it worked pretty well.

If you are going to attend class, then attend class. And that means: Turn off the damn phone.

Laptops. For all the same reasons given for cell phones, you may NOT use a laptop in class except for taking notes. If you use your laptop, you MUST email me a copy of your notes immediately at the end of each class hour (email: ssnaragon@manchester.edu).

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).

Groups. The students in the class will be divided into groups of six or seven, viz., the Plato Group, Aristotle Group, Descartes Group, Kant Group, Wittgenstein Group. These will function primarily for in-class small group discussions.

Quizzes. There will be a quiz at the beginning of nearly every class over the readings for the day and material discussed the previous day. They will normally involve five multiple-choice questions, of which you need to answer only four correctly for a perfect score (thus, a well-prepared student can easily receive extra credit points in this manner).

These quizzes help keep each of us informed of your grasp of the material, and should provide additional motivation to stay current with the readings, and to work through the day’s material each evening.

Preparing for these quizzes: (1) Go to the schedule for that day and read through the list of “WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DO”; (2) Work through the “READINGS”, taking notes, or at least marking in the margin those passages that seem relevant to the things you need to know how to do; (3) Go back to that list and make sure you can do what you need to do. Repeat as needed.

[Makeup: Missed quizzes can be made up in my office, but this has to occur before the next class meeting. It is entirely your responsibility to make this arrangement.]

Exams. There will be three in-class exams, with the third exam taking place during Finals Week. These are all non-cumulative, covering just the material since the previous exam. They will be a combination of short answer and multiple choice. You will be allowed to use one 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of handwritten notes (you may use both sides) while writing the exam.

Preparing for these exams: Don't think that you can cram for a philosophy exam. To do well in philosophy, you need to understand the material, and understanding takes time — it's not going to come to you at 3 AM on the morning of the exam. So, to do well, you just need to keep up with the class readings and discussions. For each class, answer as best you can each item on the “WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DO” list, fit that all onto your page of notes, review it the night before the exam, and you should do fine.

[Makeup: Exams missed due to an excused absence are to be taken as soon as possible or else will be forfeited. It is your responsibility to see me about this.]

Discussion Forums. There will be six discussion forums, and you will need to post one entry per forum (500 word minimum per post) as well as comment on two posts per forum (100 word minimum per comment) for full credit here. These posts and comments will be evaluated using these rubrics. Please consult these rubrics closely before writing your posts and comments. See the Writing page for more information.

Extra Credit. You may write, for extra credit, journal entries on various additional materials — essays, films, videos, audio recordings — that are listed on the Schedule and marked with an [EC]. See the Writing page for more information.

Grading. The set of three exams is worth 51% (17% per exam); the set of discussion forum postings and comments is worth 40%; and the set of quizzes is worth 9%.

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).

Cheating and Plagiarism. No Stealing! 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 college 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: 22 Jan 2016