UWG Philosophy Program
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PHIL 4300-01W SENIOR SEMINAR (3 hours)Fall 2010 MW 2-3:15pm Classroom: TLC 1204 Prerequisite: Senior standing http://www.westga.edu/~rlane/senior Email: rlane@westga.edu* |
Instructor: Dr. Robert Lane, TLC 2247 Office Hours: M: 9-9:45am; 11am-1:45pm W: 9-9:45am; 11am-12pm; 1-1:45pm F: 9-9:45am; 11am-3pm and by appointment My office telephone:
(678) 839-4745
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*All email communication must be conducted from your official UWG email account. Students are obligated to check their UWG email accounts on a regular basis and to ensure that their mailboxes do not become full. |
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This is a Discipline Specific Writing (DSW) course, fulfilling one of two DSW requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences. All DSW courses require that students write a minimum of 4,000 words across multiple assignments, not including revisions. There will be multiple written assignments that will be evaluated for subject matter, grammar, punctuation, spelling, thoroughness, and organization, among other things.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course serves as a “capstone” to the study of philosophy at UWG. It is required for all philosophy majors. This year, our topic is the work of Charles S. Peirce, the American philosopher and logician who founded pragmatism. We will consider Peirce’s contributions to a number of different areas of philosophy, including metaphysics, epistemology and logic, as well as his contributions to semiotics, the theory of signs. Students will produce a major writing assignment: the seminar paper, a high-quality essay that is suitable for submission to undergraduate philosophy conferences and that will become part of the student’s senior portfolio. Each student will present a near-final draft of his or her seminar paper to the class and respond to questions from the professor and his or her peers.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students in this course will: read and discuss some of Peirce’s work in epistemology, metaphysics, logic and semiotics; develop, research, and execute a rigorous philosophical argument relating to some aspect(s) of that work; and develop the skills of leading class discussion and presenting an academic paper. By the end of the semester students will be able to:
· clearly frame a philosophical question or issue for investigation;
· conduct research into primary and secondary sources relevant to Peirce;
· outline and analyze philosophical arguments; and
· present a philosophical argument in both written and oral form.
These course-specific learning outcomes contribute to the departmental learning outcomes of the Philosophy Program by enabling students better to
· discuss the general historical development of the discipline of philosophy;
· discuss three major historical figures of philosophy;
· ask philosophical questions and differentiate their types;
· incorporate a philosophical position in oral and written communications;
· critically outline and analyze philosophical issues;
· exhibit critical thinking skills.
REQUIRED READING: The books listed below should be available in the book store.
1. Houser and Kloesel, eds. The Essential Peirce volume 1, Indiana University Press, 1992.
2. The Peirce Edition Project, ed. The Essential Peirce volume 2, Indiana University Press, 1998.
GRADING SCALE:
100 – 90.1% A 90.0 – 80.1% B 80.0 – 70.1% C 70.0 – 60.1% D 60.0 - 0% F
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS:
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70% |
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15% |
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Class discussion & participation (including peer editing) |
15% |
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Intellectual Autobiography and Resume |
not graded, but required for passing grade in this course |
Seminar Paper. Your seminar paper must be an original philosophical investigation of the philosophy of Charles Peirce. It should reflect research into primary sources (i.e., works written by Peirce) and secondary sources (i.e., works written about Peirce’s thought by other philosophers). It should represent active engagement with theoretical and critical issues currently important in Peirce scholarship and philosophy in general. The final draft of your paper should be a high-quality essay suitable for inclusion in your senior portfolio and for submission to undergraduate philosophy conferences. More details.
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Abstract |
5% |
September 27 |
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Prospectus & Annotated Bibliography |
10% |
October 11 |
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First draft |
10% |
October 20 |
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Second draft |
10% |
November 1 |
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Oral presentation |
10% |
various dates |
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Final draft |
25% |
December 1 |
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SEMINAR PAPER TOTAL |
70% |
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Synopsis and Leading Class Discussion. Each student will be required to lead discussion a reading assignment once during the course of the semester. The student who is leading a given day’s class will begin by presenting a synopsis of that text to the class. The presentation should last about 15 to 20 minutes; the synopsis should be between 1500-2000 words. More details.
HONORS POLICY
· Any student wishing to receive honors credit for this course must get the approval of the professor and complete all the necessary paperwork within the first two weeks of class. No honors forms will be signed after this point.
· I will take attendance at the beginning of each class.
· You may miss four of class meetings with no effect on your grade (accept for days on which Seminar Paper Presentations are schedule; see next bullet point). Beginning with your fifth absence, you will lose 3% from your final average for every class meeting you miss. I will make exceptions for absences necessitated by UWG-sponsored events or by other circumstances that were absolutely outside your control. I will make these exceptions only if ALL of your absences can be accounted for in one of these ways (e.g., if you miss four classes and you have a documented, acceptable reason for missing only three of those four, your fourth absence will still count against you, even if it would otherwise be excused). Documentation will be required in all cases in which I make an exception to this absence policy.
· Each absence on the day of a Seminar Paper Presentation will result in the loss of 5% from your final course average, whether or not you have missed any previous classes. I will waive this rule only if you have received my explicit advanced permission to be absent, and I will give that permission only in extraordinary circumstances. See course schedule (below) for specific dates.
· Students who miss 8 or more class meetings (four weeks, or one month, worth of classes) will receive a grade of “F.” In this case the reason for your absences is irrelevant, even if many of your absences are necessitated by participation in UWG-sponsored events. If participating in UWG-sponsored events will require that you miss one month’s worth of class meetings, you should drop this class immediately, before the end of the drop-add session. If you are unable to attend class for a month due to medical reasons, a family emergency, or any other reason, you should withdraw from class; if the withdrawal date has passed, you should apply for a hardship withdrawal from all of your classes.
· An early departure or late arrival may be counted as an absence, depending on the circumstances. I will decide in each case whether an early departure or a late arrival counts as an absence.
· Leaving the classroom while class is in session is both disrespectful and distracting. Do not leave the room during class unless it is absolutely essential that you do so.
· Do not study material from other classes while this class is in session. While you are in this class, I expect your attention to be focused on it rather than on your other courses.
· Do not eat while class is in session (drinks are OK).
· You must keep all cell phones, iPods, and other electronic devices off during class; this implies that you may not send text messages during class.
· You may use a laptop computer to take notes during class, but I reserve the right to change this policy during the semester if your laptop use becomes distracting to me or to other students, or if you abuse this privilege by looking at material during class that has nothing to do with class.
MISSED DUE DATES / MISSED CLASS / WORK FROM OTHER COURSES / EXTRA CREDIT:
· Papers (including drafts) and other materials will not be accepted late. Due dates are non-negotiable.
· Missed class presentations cannot be made up. If you are absent on the day that you are scheduled to present your synopsis or your seminar paper, you will receive a grade of 0% for those presentations.
· Work completed for other courses, including my PHIL 3120 (American Philosophy) course, will not be accepted in this course.
· Extra-credit work will not be given under any circumstances.
RELEVANT INFORMATION FROM THE UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG:
· "each student is responsible for everything which happens in class and is responsible for making specific arrangements with the instructor for the work missed, including that missed during illness or university-sponsored activities"
· "any student who is unable to continue attendance in class should either drop the course, withdraw from the University, or make appropriate arrangements with the instructors"
· "any student who must be absent for more than three successive days is required to notify the Student Development Center, Parker Hall, telephone 770-836-6428."
· "Students who do not intend to remain in a course must drop the course before the end of the official drop/add period. Failure to drop a course during the drop/add period may result in grades of F in courses not attended."
· Academic Honor. "At West Georgia, the student is expected to achieve and maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and excellence. Not only does academic honesty preserve the integrity of both the student and the institution, but it is also essential in gaining a true education. The West Georgia student, therefore, pledges not to lie, cheat or steal in the pursuit of his or her studies and is encouraged to report those who do." Students who commit plagiarism (using someone else’s words or ideas without attribution of credit) will receive an “F” for the entire course and may be reported to the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs for additional action.
COURSE SCHEDULE: SENIOR SEMINAR (PHIL 4300)
THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE IS TENTATIVE AND MAY CHANGE AS THE SEMESTER PROGRESSES. If the class finds a specific text or topic especially interesting or difficult, then we may spend more than the allotted time on that topic. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to keep up with test dates, due dates, and reading assignments. You are required to read the indicated material before coming to class on the corresponding day.
“EP1” = Essential Peirce v.1; “EP2” = Essential Peirce v.2
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Aug. |
Topic |
reading due |
assignments due |
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16 M |
Introduction to Peirce & to research methods |
EP 1, Introduction (pp.x-xli) |
begin thinking about seminar paper topic |
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18 W |
Against Cartesianism |
Review your lecture notes on Descartes’ Meditations, then read EP 1:28-29 |
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23 M |
Theory of Cognition: Introspection & Intuition student-led discussion |
EP 1:29-38 |
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25 W |
Theory of Cognition: Thought-Signs student-led discussion |
EP 1:38-51 |
-- |
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30 M |
Theory of Cognition: Cognitionism and Reality |
EP 1:51-55 |
intellectual biography due |
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Sep. |
Topic |
reading due |
papers due/tests |
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1 W |
Inquiry: Belief and Doubt student-led discussion |
EP 1:109-115 |
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6 M |
LABOR DAY – no classes |
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8 W |
Inquiry: Four Methods of Fixing Belief student-led discussion |
EP 1:115-20 |
resume due |
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13 M |
Inquiry: Realism and the Method of Science student-led discussion |
EP 1:120-23 |
-- |
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15 W |
Pragmatism: The Pragmatic Maxim student-led discussion |
EP 1:124-32 |
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20 M |
Class does not meet; Dr. Lane out of town. To make up for class not meeting, each student will need to meet with me between Monday Sept. 27 and Friday October 29 for a Senior Outcomes Assessment Interview lasting approximately one hour. A sign-up sheet will be placed on my office door (TLC 2247). |
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22 W |
Pragmatism: Truth and Reality student-led discussion |
EP 1:132-39 |
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27 M |
Pragmatism: Truth and Reality |
EP 1:139-41 |
abstract due [peer editing] |
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29 W |
Scientific Metaphysics student-led discussion |
EP 2:331-339; EP 2:42-50 |
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Oct. |
Topic |
reading due |
papers due/tests |
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4 M |
Scholastic Realism student-led discussion |
EP 1:87-92 |
-- |
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6 W |
Extreme Scholastic Realism: Generals student-led discussion |
EP 2:179-83 |
-- |
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11 M |
Extreme Scholastic Realism: Possibility |
EP 2:183-86 |
prospectus & annotated bibliography due [peer editing] |
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13 W |
From Pragmatism to Pragmaticism |
EP 2:331-38 |
-- |
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18 M |
Pragmaticism and Generals student-led discussion |
EP 2:338-45 |
-- |
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20 W |
Critical Common-sensism |
EP 2:346-50 |
first draft due [peer editing] |
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25 M |
Vagueness |
EP 2:350-54 |
-- |
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27 W |
Vagueness |
EP 2:354-59 |
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Nov. |
Topic |
reading due |
papers due |
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1 M |
Neglected Argument for the Reality of God |
EP 2:434-50 |
second draft due |
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3 W |
“Peirce on Semiotic and Metaphysical Indeterminacy” (presentation by Dr. Lane) |
paper by Dr. Lane, which will be emailed to you |
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8 M |
Seminar Paper Presentations* |
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10 W |
Seminar Paper Presentations* |
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15 M |
Seminar Paper Presentations* |
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17 W |
Seminar Paper Presentations* |
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22 M |
Seminar Paper Presentations* |
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24 W |
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY: NO CLASSES |
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29 M |
Seminar Paper Presentations* |
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* Each absence on the day of a Seminar Paper Presentation will result in the loss of 5% from your final course average, whether or not you have missed any previous classes. I will waive this rule only if you have received my explicit advanced permission to be absent, and I will give that permission only in extraordinary circumstances.
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Dec. |
Topic |
reading due |
papers due |
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1 W |
Final draft of seminar paper due (hard copy AND electronic). Selection of anthology title. Completion of the Philosophy Program’s Exit Survey. |
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IMPORTANT DATES: August 12-18 Drop/Add and late registration
October 1 Graduation application deadline for spring 2011
October 6 Last Day to withdraw with grade of "W"
December 1 Last Day of MW classes