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. You must commit yourself to this.
Attendance and Participation. A course on philosophy is by its nature aimed at self-examination and discussion; consequently, taking the class requires being there, and while being there is a necessary condition of success, it is not a sufficient condition. Uninformed talk is probably more unfortunate than silence itself, so please arrive having worked through and reflected on the readings for the day.
Daily Discussion Paragraphs. To encourage us to keep up on the readings and arrive prepared for class discussion, I would like everyone, before each class session, to write a one-paragraph discussion on some passage in the reading that you found especially interesting (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.
I’d like to think that these paragraphs won’t even feel like assignments – just something that you’d do anyway. Sometime during your reading, it should just spontaneously happen, flowing out of you, and my sincere hope is that it flows out some time before 9:00 AM, when it will be due on Canvas. Each daily paragraph will be graded using a simple 5 pt. rubric. See the Writing page for more guidance.
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% each); 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 put away, then please do not come to class. Thank you.
Laptops. I have yet to meet the student who took good notes on a laptop. Apart from that, various studies have shown that handwritten notes are much more conducive to learning, remembering, and synthesizing new information. Unless you have a documented disability that requires the use of a laptop or tablet, prepare to take notes the old fashioned way, with paper and pencil.
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 policy as printed in The Source.
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.
[The following material comes to you courtesy of the University Administration]
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!
Student Disability and Reasonable Accommodation Policy. Manchester University, in compliance with federal guidelines, is committed to assuring students with disabilities equal access to programs and activities however, it is the student’s responsibility to self-disclose the disability. Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Mia Miller, the Disability Support Coordinator, to establish eligibility and to coordinate reasonable accommodations. Students whose accommodation requests are approved will be provided with confidential letters to deliver to their professors. Each letter verifies the 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 academic implications as they relate to each specific course and to request appropriate accommodation. The Disability Support Services office is in the Success Center (second floor of the Jo Young Switzer Center) and can be reached by phone at 260-982-5888 or 260-982-5499 to schedule an appointment.
Medical Emergency/Evacuation Assistance Statement. Students should speak to the instructor immediately if (1) they may require medical attention during class, or (2) they have a disability, chronic condition, or a temporary injury that may limit or affect their ability to evacuate the classroom/building in an emergency. The student and the instructor should discuss the student’s specific needs and the types of precautions that should be made in advance of such an event. In the event of a fire or other situation requiring emergency evacuation, students with ambulatory disabilities are to go with or without assistance to the nearest stairwell area. Faculty and staff will assist with evacuation management efforts until such time as the Campus Safety and/or Police and Fire Departments arrive on the scene to assist in student evacuation from the building. Elevators are not to be used for evacuation by any persons.
Students who need special arrangements in the event of an evacuation should also register with Mia Miller in the Success Center as early as possible in the semester to help facilitate the provision of needed emergency assistance. [This paragraph courtesy of the University Administration]
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To speak confidentially with a Manchester employee/on-campus representative about an incident of sexual misconduct, please contact:
MU Counseling Services (260-982-5306)
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MU Campus Pastor (260-982-5243)
North Manchester Campus Victim Advocate (260-563-4407)
CARE Initiative (260-982-5027)
Off-campus resources include the following:
Hands of Hope (Service to North Manchester Campus-24/7 Hotline 260-563-4407)
Fort Wayne Sexual Violence Treatment Center (Service to both Fort Wayne & North Manchester Campuses-24/7 Hotline 260-423-2222)
YWCA of Northeast Indiana (Domestic Violence & Sexual Violence: 260-447-7233)
Individuals who wish to file a report of sexual misconduct should contact the Title IX Coordinator (260-470-5721) or/and Manchester University Campus Safety (260-982-5999).
For questions about institutional policies and procedures regarding sexual misconduct, please contact the Title IX Coordinator. To make a police report, contact the North Manchester Police Department (260-982-8555) or Fort Wayne Police Department (260-472-1222).
Learn more about Title IX and survivor support at the following websites:
https://www.manchester.edu/about-manchester/university-priorities/title-ix
https://www.manchester.edu/student-life/care-initiative/care-intitiative-home
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Manchester University // Registrar // Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies // Last updated: 25 Aug 2019