Environmental Philosophy (INTD 425)

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 for you to withdraw from the course.

Attendance and Participation. A course on philosophy is by its nature aimed at self-examination and discussion; consequently, taking the class requires being there. Thus the following policy: Five absences (excused or otherwise) are allowed. After that, each additional absence (of any kind) results in a 1% drop in course grade.

Cell Phones. I used to place a polite little notice about this at the bottom of the page, but it’s time for a big impolite notice, right up at the top of the page so you can’t miss it. Do not bring your cell phone to class!

Wait, that’s impossible, since 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. No Cell Phones!

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 indicates 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).

Groups. The students in the class will be divided into groups of seven or eight, viz., the John Muir Group, Aldo Leopold Group, Rachel Carson Group, Wendell Berry Group, and Vandana Shiva Group. These groups will function primarily for the purpose of in-class and online discussion.

Discussion Forum. There are six discussion forums, each of which will require one post and two comments from you. The posts should be from 500-600 words, and the comments from 100-150 words (see D2L for further instruction). These will be completed on D2L.

Quizzes. About every other class will begin with a brief quiz on the reading or topic for the day. These brief exercises help keep me informed of your comprehension of the material, and should help you keep up with the reading during the semester. The quizzes are worth a significant portion of the course grade, because every student coming to class prepared to discuss the material is a significant part of the course. [Makeup: Missed quizzes can be made up in my office before the next class meeting; arrangements for this is your responsibility.]

Short Research Essay. You will need to write one six to seven page essay (1800-2100 words), involving at least two drafts, an annotated bibliography (minimum: 10 sources, 5 non-internet), and a summary sheet. Your subject should be a solution to an environemental problem (so, as a minimum, you will need to describe the problem and the solution, and then evaluate the solution). This could be a solution that is being implemented now, or one that has been proposed. Please discuss your topic with me before you begin work. The last week of the semester will be devoted to everyone presenting their research to the class, which is one reason for the general topic: After a semester of looking at some rather gloomy and distressing matters, it will be good for all of us to share more hopeful work with each other.

All materials will be submitted on D2L in the appropriate “discussion forum post” — that way you can see each other’s work and comment on it. See D2L for specifics on how this will be evaluated. Plan your work schedule, and work ahead when you can. These due dates are quite firm. [Due dates: see the Schedule.]

Exams. There will be three non-cumulative in-class essay exams over the class discussions, readings, and material presented in class. [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); quizzes (10%); discussion forums (15%); research essay and presentation (15%) — this last consists of the thesis/intro, bibliography, first draft, summary sheet, and presentation [@1%], and final draft [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).

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.

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, 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 University // Registrar // Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies // Last updated: 29 Jan 2016