Ancient and Medieval Western Philosophy (PHIL 316)
Course Requirements
Readings. Read the assignments closely prior to class (see the Schedule), and always bring the text. Class discussions and your success in this class depend upon this. If you are not willing to commit yourself to this, then it would be best to withdraw from the course.
Attendance and Participation. A course on philosophy is by its nature aimed at self-examination and discussion, and therefore taking the class requires that you be there. Being there is the first step, but it’s not enough. Uninformed talk is often worse than silence, so you need to arrive at class having worked through and reflected on the readings for the day.
Daily Discussion Paragraphs. To encourage us to keep up on the readings and to come prepared for class discussion, I would like everyone, before each class session, to write up a one-paragraph discussion on some passage in the reading (it can be any passage, so long as it doesn’t overlap with the topic of the short essay for that day). This will also give me some sense of what points we should focus on during class. These daily paragraphs are due by 9:00 AM (sent through the course managementment software — type them up as a Word document, then upload into the appropriate "Discussion Forum" post on Canvas). Each daily paragraph will be graded following a 5 pt. rubric.
Discussion Forums. There will be four 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.
Short Essays. A one to two page (400-500 words) essay on the day’s reading will be due roughly once every two weeks — nine in all, in honor of Plotinus’s Enneads (these need to be loaded into the appropriate dropbox of Canvas before class that day). See the Writing page for more directions.
Exams. There will be three non-cumulative in-class essay exams over the readings. [Makeup: Exams missed due to an excused absence are to be taken as near as possible to the original exam date or else will be forfeited. It is your responsibility to see me about this.]
Grading. The set of three exams is worth 30% (10% per exam); the set of short essays is worth 30%; the set of discussion forums is worth 30%; and the set of daily paragraphs 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).
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 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: 11 Aug 2017