Philosophy of Religion (PHIL 330)
Manchester University, Spring 2017 Instructor: Steve Naragon
Course Requirements
Readings and Attendance. 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. A course on philosophy is by its nature aimed at self-examination and discussion; consequently, doing well in this class requires preparing for class, being there, and caring. 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.
Missing class does not directly affect your grade, although students with poor attendance typically do quite poorly.
Analytical Essays. You need to write six brief (800 words) Analytical essays over the articles assigned for class — two essays during each third of the semester. These essays are due on Canvas BEFORE THE CLASS PERIOD for which the reading is assigned.
Each essay should include these numbered parts: (1) summary outline (in your own words) of the overall structure of the author’s argument, (2) analysis of what you take to be the most important steps of that argument and where you think the argument is most vulnerable and in need of attention, (3) evaluation of the essay: thumbs up, thumbs down, and why. See the Writing page for more information.
Reading Quizzes. There will be a quiz at the beginning of about every other class over the readings for the day and material discussed the previous day. 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. You are allowed to use your notes when taking these quizzes, so this should also offer some motivation to take good notes while reading.
[Makeup: Missed quizzes due to an excused absence 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 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 60% (20% per exam); the set of analytical essays is worth 24%; and the set of reading quizzes is worth 16%.
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. 
I used to place a polite little notice about this, but it’s time for a big impolite notice, because I don't see this problem going away any time soon. Do not bring your cell phone to class!
But wait, that’s impossible! 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 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 shows 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).
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 policy, as reprinted on the Writing page.
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 Audrey Hampshire [phone: 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 the Student Disability and Reasonable Accommodation Statement and Title IX Reporting Requirements can be found here.
Manchester University // Registrar // Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies // Last updated: 7 Feb 2017