17th and 18th Century Philosophy (PHIL 318)

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. There are nine in all, and 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. No 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. 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!

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.

Title IX Student Conduct Reporting Requirement. Manchester University is committed to fostering a safe community where the infinite worth of all individuals is respected. Title IX and institutional policy prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex and gender identity. Consequently, sexual misconduct— including harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking — is also prohibited at Manchester. Faculty, staff and administrators encourage anyone experiencing sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, or stalking to talk to someone about what happened, so they can get the support they need and Manchester University can respond appropriately.

If you wish to speak confidentially with a Manchester employee/on-campus representative about an incident of sexual misconduct, please contact:

MU Counseling Services (260-982-5306)

MU Health Services (260-982-5306)

MU Campus Pastor (260-982-5243)

North Manchester Campus Victim Advocate (260-563-4407)

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)

If you wish to file a report of sexual misconduct, please contact: Dean of Student Experience/Title IX Coordinator Allen Michaelson at 260-982-5052 or/and Manchester University Campus Safety (260-982-5999)

If you have questions about institutional policies and procedures regarding sexual misconduct, please contact the Title IX Coordinator. If you would like to make a police report contact the North Manchester Police Department (260-983-8555) or Fort Wayne Police Department (260-472-1222).

You can learn more about Title IX and survivor support here and here.

**Manchester University strives to uphold privacy and confidentiality as much as possible and only shares information received with those who have a need to know in order to respond. Individuals who desire anonymity in discussing and seeking assistance about sexual misconduct should contact and/or be referred to a confidential employee.**

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: 17 Dec 2017