Due Dates
First short essay
Second short essay Final essay draft Peer review Final essay |
Tuesday, October 10 by 11:59 PM on Canvas
Thursday, November 16 by 11:59 PM on Canvas Thursday, November 30 at the beginning of class Thursday, November 30 at the end of class Tuesday, December 12 by 12:30 PM on Canvas |
Grade breakdown
Presentation
Reading reports Short essays Final essay draft and peer review Final essay |
5 percent
20 percent 40 percent 5 percent 30 percent |
Students are permitted two unexcused absences. For every additional unexcused absence, your final grade will be reduced by one percentage point.
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Presentation: Each student agrees to prepare an in-class presentation which discusses the material of the previous class. Your presentation consists of a careful summary, in essay-style (no bullet points), of the arguments made during the previous class. It should be approximately 500 words in length (a reading time no longer than five minutes). In-class presentations will help us to refresh our memories and provide continuity between classes. Please make copies of your presentation and distribute it to each participant at the beginning of class. You do not need to submit your presentation on Canvas.
Reading Reports: Students should respond to at least four questions listed under the assignments tab, at least two of which are due on or before October 12. Reading reports should: (1) be approximately 250-500 words in length, (2) directly engage with the readings, and (3) include properly-formatted references. Reading reports should be submitted on Canvas by 12:45 PM (i.e., before class begins) on their due date. Reading reports will not be accepted late without a legitimate excuse (i.e., documented medical or personal emergency). I will count the best four to eight reading reports, depending on class attendance.
Short Essays: Each student agrees to complete two short essays. The first short essay is due on October 5, and the second short essay is due on November 16. Essay prompts can be found under the assignments tab. Each essay should: (1) Be approximately 1000 words in length, (2) Directly engage with the readings, and (3) Include properly formatted references. Essays should be submitted on Canvas by 11:59 PM on their due date. Essays will not be accepted more than seven days late without a legitimate excuse (i.e., a documented medical or personal emergency); there are no grade penalties for essays submitted within seven days of their due date.
Final Essay Draft and Peer Review: Each student agrees to submit a complete draft of their final essay, including properly formatted references. Outlines and partial drafts will not receive credit. Drafts should be submitted at the beginning of class on November 30. Each student also agrees to read and provide constructive feedback on a classmate's final essay draft. Peer reviews will be completed in class on Thursday, November 30.
Final Essay: Each student agrees to submit a final essay which develops and extends the thesis defended in one of their short essays. Your final essay should: (1) be approximately 1750 words in length, (2) directly engage with the readings, and (3) include properly formatted references. You are permitted but not required to rely on outside sources. Final essays should be submitted on Canvas by December 12 at 12:30 PM, and will not be accepted late without a legitimate excuse (i.e., a documented medical or personal emergency).
What your grades mean
A+ (97-100), A (93-96), A- (90-92): Exceptional. Outstanding grasp of subject matter, and an exceptional capacity to analyze and synthesize course material. Demonstrates a superior ability to evaluate and construct philosophical arguments.
B+ (86-89), B (83-85), B- (80-82): Proficient. Good grasp of subject matter, and a satisfactory ability to analyze and synthesize course material. Demonstrates satisfactory ability to evaluate and construct philosophical arguments.
C+ (76-79), C (73-75), C- (70-72): Developing. Exhibits some understanding of the subject matter. Ability to analyze and synthesize course material needs improvement. Ability to evaluate and construct philosophical arguments is limited.
D+, (66-69), D (63-65), D- (60-62): Below expectations. Evidence of minimally acceptable familiarity with subject matter. Ability to analyze and synthesize course material is inadequate. Ability to evaluate and construct philosophical arguments is poor.
F (>60): Inadequate. Unsatisfactory understanding of the subject matter. Unable to analyze and synthesize course material, or to evaluate and construct philosophical arguments.
B+ (86-89), B (83-85), B- (80-82): Proficient. Good grasp of subject matter, and a satisfactory ability to analyze and synthesize course material. Demonstrates satisfactory ability to evaluate and construct philosophical arguments.
C+ (76-79), C (73-75), C- (70-72): Developing. Exhibits some understanding of the subject matter. Ability to analyze and synthesize course material needs improvement. Ability to evaluate and construct philosophical arguments is limited.
D+, (66-69), D (63-65), D- (60-62): Below expectations. Evidence of minimally acceptable familiarity with subject matter. Ability to analyze and synthesize course material is inadequate. Ability to evaluate and construct philosophical arguments is poor.
F (>60): Inadequate. Unsatisfactory understanding of the subject matter. Unable to analyze and synthesize course material, or to evaluate and construct philosophical arguments.