19th Century Philosophy (PHIL 320)
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.
Oh, and did I mention that you must always bring the text? Showing up to class without the text is like appearing at your own funeral without a casket. It’s like brushing your teeth without a brush, or diving head-first into a pool without water, or singing opera in outer space. And so on. The litany of human folly is long; let’s not add to it here.
Attendance and Participation. A course on philosophy is by its nature aimed at self-examination and discussion; consequently, doing well in this class requires being there. Part of the course grade will be based on your attending class having worked through the readings for the day, and ready to profitably discuss the readings with others. A participation grade will be entered for each week, following a 4 pt. rubric.
Weekly Essays. A one to two page (400-500 words) essay on the day’s reading will be due one day of each week (these should be handed in no later than 8:00 a.m. of that day, using the corresponding ANGEL drop box). You will need to complete fifteen of these for full credit, but I will assign about twenty (on the schedule). This choice will allow you to better fit the requirements of this class to your particular interests and to your overall workload for the semester. Only the top fifteen scores will be included in the course grade.
These essays will be graded following a 5 pt. rubric. 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 soon as possible or else will be forfeited. It is your responsibility to see me about this.]
Grading. The set of three exams is worth 45% (15% per exam); the set of daily essays is worth 45%; and participation 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.
Students with Disabilities. Manchester College, 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, the director of services for students with disabilities, to establish your eligibility and to coordinate reasonable accommodations. It is your responsibility to seek this accommodation. 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 Union); please telephone 982-5076 to schedule an appointment.
Manchester College // Registrar // Department of Religion and Philosophy // Last updated: 29 Jul 2010