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. No 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.

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).

Discussion Forum. There are five 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 Canvas for further instruction). These will be completed on Canvas.

Tuesday Essays. These brief essays (300-400 words) are due before nearly class every Tuesday, to be submitted on Canvas. The prompt can be found on Canvas as well as on the Schedule for that day, and the essay should be written only after you have studied and reflected upon the readings. The grading on Canvas is set up so that the lowest grade from this group will be dropped (resulting in ten grades in total). [Makeup: Because these essays are to be written and submitted ahead of class, no late essays will be accepted without an appropriate and prior request for an extension.]

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. Because you are allowed to use your reading notes when taking these quizzes, this should also offer some motivation to take good notes while reading.

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 due to an excused absence can be made up in my office before the next class meeting; arrangements for this is your responsibility.]

Mini Research Project. In coordination with an Earth Day/Peace Week event on campus, each student will research some environmentally beneficial practice, service, or product, resulting in a two page (about 800 words + bibliography) essay and a poster that presents your findings. You may do this by yourself, but I would strongly encourage working in pairs; if you do this, each student would be responsible for their own essay but the poster would be a joint effort, and the two essays would be on related aspects of the chosen topic. More details are available on the Writing page.

All materials may be submitted on Canvas in the appropriate “discussion forum post” — that way you can see each other’s work and comment on it. See Canvas 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 45% (15% per exam), the Tuesday essays (15%), quizzes (15%), discussion forums (20%), and the mini research project (essay and poster: 5%).

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. 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 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!

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: 31 Jan 2018