Mark Greene
© 2005-2008
   

Important details and deadlines for assessed work are tabulated below.

You are encouraged to work collaboratively in all aspects of this class, including assessed work (see assignment details for whether you must submit individually). Joint presentations and final papers are encouraged.

What do those numbers mean? Want to know your letter grade? Here's the scheme.

Be a sure you have read and understood the policies on attendance, submissions etc.

Requirements and Deadlines
Deadline
Weight
 Details
Midnight before selected classes
Extra credit
  • Contribute to the forums on Sakai@UD
    • Post brief questions or comments on assigned readings, or respond to someone else's post.
      • Post your contribution in the appropriate topic or thread by midnight before the corresponding class.
      • Consistently thoughtful contributions will earn extra credit that may boost your final grade.
    • Set up you own course-related topic in the 'student topics' forum and contribute to topics set up by others.
      • Post by midnight before the last class.
Various
Extra credit
  • Various other opportunities for extra credit may arise as the class progresses. Some opportunities may be announced but most extra credit will remain secret; you may not even notice you got it until the class is over. I will, however, give you this clue: that my greatest inspiration for giving out extra credit is exemplary class citizenship. For example, consistent engagement in class discussion tends to be remembered come extra credit time (and, when it comes time for your presentations, you might like to know that I find that thoughtful and constructive feedback on your colleagues work is especially inspiring).
Sep 14
11:55pm
5%
  • The bad argumentation assignment on Sakai@UD (enter directly or attach a file)
    • You know you can make them but can you spot them?
      • Identify a bad (and short - max a couple of hundred words) argument on the internet (newspaper editorials, news items, and political blogs are excellent sources). Give the URL.
      • Cut and paste the relevant text.
      • Set out the essential form of the argument, stripped of any rhetoric and padding. You know... list assumptions (don't forget hidden assumptions), logical moves, conclusion(s).
      • Explain, very concisely, why it is a bad argument.
      • Here's an example pdf
    • Some points to consider
      • Make sure it's acutally an argument (don't be seduced by mere opinion)
      • Make sure it's really, utterly, indisputably bad. Even demonstrably mistaken arguments may be interesting - I'm looking for mindblowingly idiotic, the worse the better.
Various
(see timetable)
15%
( 5% per abstract)
  • Write your own abstract of the indicated reading (or specific part thereof) or your own explanation (as stated in the timetable)
    • Max 150 words.
    • A good abstract will state the main point and the core strategy for defending that point.
      • An abstract is pure exegesis: there should be no commentary, critique, or evaluative language - just the facts ma'am.
      • Hint - browse some philosophy journals on the web or in the library - it should not take you long to find some with abstracts.
    • A good explanation will be clear, precise, and to the point.
      • Even if not explicitly required, it is likely that a well-chosen example will help.
      • Researching your explanation may require you to draw on any or all of class discussion, class readings, your own research.
    • You are encouraged to collaborate in thinking this through and drafting, but every indiviudal must submit their own abstract / explanation.
    • Submit via Sakai@UD 'Assignments'.
Nov 9
11:55pm
10%
  • Background exegesis (500-1000 words):
    • What to do
      • Pick a paper we have discussed in class.
      • From the paper you have chosen, think about what specific argument you will respond to in your paper. (Hint - it is usually easier to respond to an argument with which you disagree.)
      • Do the exegesis of the specific argument you have chosen as your focus.
        This will require that you do your own additional research and reading beyond the class readings and the paper you have picked. You will need to explain:
        • What that target argument is intended to show (briefly)
        • What it's significance is in the wider debate (briefly)
        • The argument itself, presenting it as strongly as you can. (with care, and giving the benefit of the doubt when you can)
    • If you want to respond to a paper we have not discussed in class, you must clear a specific, written proposal with me in advance.Your proposal will specify the paper to which you will respond to and will give a 150 word abstract of that paper. It will also state the specific argument that you plan to address within that paper.
      • Email your proposal to me at least two weeks before this deadline.
      • Include an e-copy of the paper you have picked, or hand in a paper copy in advance.
    • This assignment will be the basis for your final paper. Careful thought at this stage will save you a lot of suffering later on.
  • Preliminary abstract of your planned paper (up to 200 words):
    • This will not be your final word, but it will set out your current plan for your final paper.
  • Submit via Sakai@UD 'Assignments'.
    • Submit both the exegesis and the abstract in a single document.
See
timetable
10%
  • Presentations
    • Topic selection
      • See details of first paper writing assignment
      • You are presenting your work in progress for your paper
    • Presentation format
      • Keep your presentation very concise to leave time for discussion
      • Briefly introduce relevant background reading to highlight the important theme. Give some critical comment and raise questions to get conversation started. Lead class discussion.
      • The extent of your critical comment will depend on where you are in paper writing. It may be setting out a canditade thesis idea or two and seeking comments on how to narrow it down, it may be a more detailed exposition of your argument. Do what is useful to you at the time of your presentation.
      • NB: If you want to use PowerPoint on Mark's computer, be sure to email him the file at least a day ahead of time; alternatively, you may bring the file on a USB drive or CD-ROM - turn up a bit early to load up your file before class.
    • Assessment criteria
      • Ability focus on and clearly explain the core of the reading that is important for your purposes
      • Clear statement of the feedback you are looking for (e.g. help picking a specific topic, feedback on which of two argument ideas sounds more promising,...)
      • Critical assessment / raising relevant questions
      • Keep discussion focused / relevant to your ideas
Nov 25
11:55pm
20%
  • Abstract (max 150 words)
    • The abstract conveys the essential point of your paper at a glance
    • Having read your abstract, your reader will know:
      • Thesis: the one focused point you are making
      • Argument: your basic strategy for defending your thesis
  • Paper: first version (max two thousand words)
    • Topic selection
      • Pick a paper we have covered in class and write a response to it
        • In general, it is easiest to respond strongly to an arument you find challenging, but that you disagree with
        • Another option is to give additional argument in support of a specific point
        • It is very difficult to respond strongly to an arugment that does not challenge you at all (either becausee you agree completely, or because you find it idiotic)
    • Format
      • Imagine you are addressing an intelligent non-specialist. Give a clear and concise outline of relevant background information, your view and the reasons for it
      • This is not a rough draft, but your first attempt at a finished, polished paper
      • The word limit is a maximum, not a target you must reach - shorter papers are fine
    • Assessment criteria:
      Based on the four philosophical skills
      • Accurate exegesis
      • A clear and focused thesis - the point you are making
      • Clear argument in defense of your thesis - why is your position reasonable?
      • Clear writing style
  • STOP! Before you submit make sure you review and comply with class policies, especially paper submission requirements.
    Even things that seem silly to you can greatly help me to get comments back to you quickly at busy grading times... And grade penalties apply for non-compliance.
  • Submit via Sakai@UD 'Assignments'
    • Submit both abstract and paper in a single document
    • If you are working in a group...
      • all authors must be listed in the submission
      • all authors must submit an identical copy of the final document (to avoid the inevitable "someone else was supposed to submit it" excuses)
Dec 2
11:55pm
5%
  • Grade a paper:
    • Arrange yourselves into groups of two or three and grade each other's papers.
      • Every individual must grade a paper (i.e. don't grade as a group even if you wrote a paper as a group).
      • Group of 2: A and B grade each other's papers.
      • Group of 3: A grades B's paper, B grades C's paper, and C grades A's paper.
    • What to do:
      • Assign a letter grade and explain your rationale.
      • Give constructive feedback indicating how the work might be improved.
    • Remember the four key philosophical skills:
      • Is there a clear, focused, and interesting THESIS?
      • Is the EXEGESIS clear and relevant? Does it do justice to the view being considered?
      • Is the thesis defended with clear and careful ARGUMENT?
      • Is the writing STYLE clear and concise, both at the sentence level and at the level of the overall structure?
    • What to do if you don't get a paper:
      • The deadline for submitting to your colleagues is the same as that for submitting to me, so you should have a paper to grade by that deadline.
      • If a paper does not arrive for you to grade, contact the person who should be submitting it ASAP, and copy me on the message.
      • Ask someone else to send a copy of their paper to grade - it can only help them to have more comments.
Dec 9
11:55pm
35%
  • Abstract (max 150 words).
  • Paper: final version (max three thousand words).
    • Your final paper will build on your first draft, responding to comments (a good faith effort ensures at least the grade you got on the first draft).
    • STOP! Before you submit make sure you review and comply with class policies, especially paper submission requirements.
      Even things that seem silly to you can greatly help me to get comments back to you quickly at busy grading times... And grade penalties apply for non-compliance.
  • Submit via Sakai@UD 'Assignments'.
    • Submit both abstract and paper in a single document
    • If you are working in a group...
      • all authors must be listed in the submission
      • all authors must submit an identical copy of the final document (to avoid the inevitable "someone else was supposed to submit it" excuses)