PHIL 465: Senior Seminar

Home Syllabus Resources Contact Feedback


	Mark Greene © 2005-2011

aims timetable assessment policies

Assessment will be based on three main components; written abstracts, informal in-class presentations, and a final paper to be developed in three drafts. Details and important deadlines are tabulated below.

You are encouraged to work collaboratively in all aspects of this class, including assessed work. You may help each other with abstracts (though each person must submit their own final answers), joint presentations and final papers are also welcomed.

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

Requirements and Deadlines
Deadline	Weight	Details
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 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 / or contribute to topics set up by others.
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 - submit via Sakai@UD You know you can make them but can you spot them? Identify a very bad and very short written argument on the internet. (Newspaper editorials, news items, and political blogs are excellent sources). Give the URL to the original source. 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. Limit of 500 words for the whole assignment (including pasted text, your set out of the essence, and your critique). Here's an example 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 and not all mistakes are stupid mistakes - I'm looking for mindblowingly idiotic, the worse the better.
Various (see timetable)	20% ( 5% per abstract)	Write your own or submit a group abstract as directed in the timetable. Word limits are strictly enforced (just as in real life) - even a word over will affect your grade. A good abstract will state the main point of the paper and the core strategy the author uses in defending that point. An abstract is pure exegesis: there should be no commentary, critique, or evaluative language - just the facts ma'am. Pretend you are the author and that you have been asked for a very short overview of your piece for people browsing journal contents. Write in the first person (again, as though you were the author) and do not waste space repeating the title etc. - abstracts always come with title and author information attached. Hint - browse some philosophy journals on the web or in the library - it should not take you long to find some with abstracts. Unlike writing papers, there's no need to cite sources or page numbers in an abstract. But, if you do use language from the text, make sure you put it in quotes. Even if the assignment calls for individual submissions, you are encouraged to collaborate in thinking this through and drafting. Submit via Sakai@UD'Assignments'.
Nov 10 11:55pm	10%	Back story You have been invited to give a presentation as part of the undergraduate section of a professional conference. The papers we've read in class have been presented and you have first dibs to pick the one you want to respond to. Your audience will be mainly smart undergrads, like you, but they cannot be assumed to be specialists in the field and may well have missed the presentation of the paper to which you are responding. Also, you only have ten minutes or thereabouts. So, you only have a short time to bring your audience up to speed on the conversation in the target paper and to make one focused point of your own. General Considerations As this is the first step in developing your final paper, it will help to consider the overall aims of the project here. Careful thought at this stage will save you a lot of suffering later on. 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 argument 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 argument that does not challenge you at all (either because you agree completely, or because you find it idiotic, or because you don't really understand it) Be prepared to adjust your aims as your research progresses. If you want to respond to a paper we have not discussed in class, you must clear a specific, written proposal with me well 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. Do remember The point of your response is not to have the last word to to cover everything in the target paper, but to help get a productive conversation going. You should be able to state, in one sentence, the problem or question you seek to address. You should be able to state, in one sentence, the point you will try to persuade your audience to take seriously. What you need to submit... Focused exegesis What to do Do the exegesis of the specific argument you have chosen as your target. 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 its 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) Preliminary abstract of your planned paper This will not be your final word, but it will set out your current plan for your final paper. Submit via Sakai@UD 'Assignments'. If you are working alone Submit both the exegesis and the abstract in a single document. If you are working in a group on both the exegesis and plan to continue to collaborate on the final paper Submit both the exegesis and the abstract in a single document. 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) If you are working in a group on the exegesis but plan independent final papers Submit the exegesis and the abstract in separate documents. All authors must be listed in the exegesis submission All authors must submit an identical copy of the final exegesis (to avoid the inevitable "someone else was supposed to submit it" excuses) Submit your own abstract as a separate 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. PowerPoint etc Try to manage without PowerPoint - it slows down the changeover between presentations and seldom helps all that much. If you think that PowerPoint will really help Have it ready to roll on your booted-up computer at the time of your presentation. Don't forget fresh batteries / power cord. Don't forget your VGA dongle if it is not built in to your computer. Assessment criteria Basics, such as audiability Ability to clearly and concisely 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, we're not sure about this bit of the argument - what do you think?, etc...) Keep discussion focused / relevant to your ideas (i.e. saying "That's an interesting question but it's not the issue we're focusing on." when appropriate. Thoughtful responses to comments and questions.
Nov 25 11:55pm	20%	Abstract 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 trying to get your audience to take seriously Argument: your basic strategy for defending your thesis Paper Format 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, usually preferable 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 Always remember your audience - what does a reader need to know and when does she need to know it? Don't just think about what to say - think about the how you want to affect your reader STOP! Before you submit, check all word limits and 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 10 11:55pm	35%	Abstract Paper: final version 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 check all word limits and 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)