PHIL 232 Problems of Philosophy

Assignments and Selected Handouts

Is this course for you?

Students have asked whether with no previous experience of philosophy it is possible to do well in this course (or even earn an A). The answer is "yes," but only if you are prepared to apply yourself. The course is designed to be an introduction which presupposes no previous acquaintance with philosophy.

Course requirements

There will be two papers for the course. One (5 pages, double spaced) due in class on Tuesday October 7th, and one (6 pages, double spaced) due in class on Thursday December 4th.

There will also be a 45 minute in-section writing exercise to be held in the final meeting of your section.
There is no final exam during the exam period .
(On the writing assignment students will see six questions approximately ten days in advance and be required to answer three, which three being kept a closely-guarded secret. So to be safe students will need to prepare all six questions.)

In addition, section leaders may, at their discretion, hold occasional quizzes, performance in which will count toward the participation requirement for the course.

Breakdown of grade

Participation in section 20%. Based on attendance, (quantity and quality of) contributions to discussion and, possibly, performance in quizzes.

First paper: 20%

Second paper: 30%

In-class Writing exercise: 30%.

Uniform Policy on Late Papers (applies to all sections)

Papers received late without prior arrangement or an excellent excuse (for example, serious illness, accompanied with a doctor's note) will be subject to a grade reduction. The schedule for grade reduction will be as follows.

<24 hrs late: reduced a third of a grade (e.g. B to B-)
>24 but <48 hrs late: reduced two thirds of a grade (e.g. B to C+)
>48 but < 72 hrs late: reducted a grade (e.g. B to C)
>72 hrs late: no credit given for the paper.

Policy on Plagiarism

Students found to have plagiarized will be referred to the Dean for Undergraduate Education, who, after a meeting with the student, will advise me on appropriate sanctions. Note that, depending on the circumstances, those sanctions may include receiving a failing grade for the course or even suspension from the university.

What constitutes plagiarism?

Students who have copied whole sentences from other students' papers (past or present), or from electronic sources will count as having plagiarized if no attribution is given. In my view, making a point that the Professor or section leader made in class without attribution does *not* count as plagiarism.
Sadly, plagiarism does occur from time to time. If you are thinking of risking it, ponder the fact that we have access to the materials you can access on the web, and that it is not so hard to catch plagiarists with the range of sophisticated anti-plagiarism software now available to Professors.