phil303_2014s
Nineteenth Century Philosophy
(PHIL 303)
Course Description | Course Schedule
Spring 2014
12:40-1:40 MWF
John R. Howard Hall 203
Email: fritzman@lclark.edu
Class email: 14sp-phil-303-01@lclark.edu
Phone: 503-768-7477 (voice mail)
Office: Howard 233
Hours: MWF 10:30-12:00, MW 3:30-4:30, and by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Goethe: "The highest would be: to understand that everything real is theory in itself. The azure color of the sky reveals to us the basic law of chromatics. Do not try to go behind the phenomena; they themselves are the doctrine."
Hegel: "A mended sock [is] better than a torn one; not so self-consciousness."
Novalis: "The proper philosophical system must bring freedom and infinity, or, to put it more paradoxically, systemlessness into a system."
Schelling: "The beginning is the negation of that which begins with it."
Wilde: "It seems to me that with the development of the critical spirit we shall be able to realise, not merely our own lives, but the collective life of the race, and so to make ourselves absolutely modern, in the true meaning of the word modernity. For he to whom the present is the only thing that is present, knows nothing of the age in which he lives. To realise the nineteenth century, one must realise every century that has preceded it and that has contributed to its making. To know anything about oneself one must know all about others. There must be no mood with which one cannot sympathise, no dead mode of life that one cannot make alive."
In this course, we will study nineteenth century German idealism. There are two required texts:
Introducing The German Idealists: Mock Interviews with Kant, Hegel, and Others
by Robert Solomon
Hackett Publishing Company, 1981
Paperback
ISBN-10: 0-915145-03-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-915145-03-4
Retail: $6.50
New: Starting at $4.77
Used: Starting at $2.81
Introducing The German Idealists is available through the College Bookstore, Amazon.com, or Barnes & Noble.
German Idealism: An Anthology and Guide
edited by Brian O'Connor and George Mohr
The University of Chicago Press, 2007
Paperback
ISBN: 9780226616735
Retail: $37.50
New: Starting at $28.10
Used: Starting at $24.84
German Idealism is available through the College Bookstore, Amazon.com, or Barnes & Noble.
In preparation for each class meeting, you should have read the assigned material. You should arrive in class with prepared questions or comments about something in the assigned reading.
Each student will write a precis on almost every reading assignment, complete various research exercises that teach research skills, and write and present in class one assessment on a specific reading assignment. In addition, you will write two argumentative research papers (which will include prospectuses, drafts, and mandatory rewrites). At the last class session, during finals week, you will give a class presentation about your paper.
The précis and research exercises will together will count for 10% of your final grade. The assessment will count for 20% of your final grade. The first argumentative research paper will count for 22% of your final grade, and the second argumentative research paper will count for 44% of your final grade. The class presentation of the second argumentative research paper will count for 4% of your final grade. Participation and attendance are mandatory. The grading scale is as follows:
A = 93%-100%
A- = 90%-92%
B+ = 86%-89%
B = 83%-85%
B- = 80%-82%
C+ = 76%-79%
C = 73%-75%
C- = 70%-72%
D+ = 66%-69%
D = 60%-65%
F = 0%-59%.
A précis will be due almost every class session. Each précis will be one typed page -- never longer -- double-spaced, with 1 inch margins on the right & left sides and the top & bottom. It must be at least 3/4 of a page in length. Use a 12-point Times or Times Roman font. There will be no spelling or grammatical errors in your précis. Your name will be typed in the upper right-hand corner. In each précis, you will summarize -- in your own words, without using any quotes -- the assigned reading's main claims, as well as the reasons which are given to support those claims. You will not include any opinion, evaluation, or commentary. At the bottom of each précis, or on the back, you will write one question that you have about the reading; this question must be typed, not handwritten. You will receive 1 point for each précis which meets all of the above requirements, and 3 points if the précis is excellent. I never will accept a late précis, but I will allow you to drop one.
An assessment should be approximately 1500 words, typed, double-spaced. Except for the length, the assessment should follow the same format requirement as the précis. You will sign up for a dates on which you will present your assessments. Except for the length, the assessment should follow the same format requirement as the précis (see the additional helps at the end of this syllabus). On the day you present, you will distribute copies to all of the persons in this class. This will require, of course, that you have enough copies made so that each member of the class has one. You first will read your assessment, and then you and I will serve as the main resource persons for fielding questions concerning the material. Since the class discussion will be centered around the assessment, it is crucial that you distribute the assessment the class session when you present it, and that you actually be in class to read your assessment. The primary purpose of the assessment is to summarize, consolidate, and explicate the central issues, main points, and key motifs of the assigned secondary literature in order to facilitate class discussion of the material. It is important that the assessment contextualize the reading by describing briefly both how the reading is a continuation and development of material which has come before, and how it contributes to the overall trajectory of the thinker's thought. It is crucial that you critically engage the reading. You might argue that a claim that the author makes is incorrect, for example, or that a criticism in the secondary literature is incorrect. Alternatively, you might argue that an interpretation advanced in the secondary literature is incorrect. The assessment should reflect an acquaintance with the requisite secondary literature. This means that you must incorporate at least four secondary sources you consulted while writing your assessment. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, the Philosopher's Index, the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, and Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy will be useful. A student presenting an assessment will not be required to submit a précis of that material too.
The Chicago Manual of Style's Citation Quick Guide is online.
The argumentative research papers will be on the assigned reading material and the lectures. The final paper will focus on the reading material on which you did the assessment. Each paper should be approximately 1500 words, typed, double-spaced. Except for the length, the papers should follow the same format requirement as the precis. They must employ argumentation. You will choose your theses, but they must be based on the readings for this course. These papers may emphasize either a historical or theoretical interpretation. In either case, you should carefully state the problem you intend to treat, explain its significance, assess its possible solutions, propose an hypothesis, argue convincingly for that hypothesis, and eliminate the major (published or imagined) competing hypotheses. You should use a half-dozen or more high-quality commentaries or articles. The Philosopher's Index is online.
Before the draft is due, you will submit a prospectus of this paper in which you: (1) indicate the topic and thesis of your paper, (2) fully describe the problem or issue to be treated, (3) outline your anticipated procedure and probable conclusion, and (4) include an annotated bibliography of works to be consulted (a minimum of three books or articles, with at least a paragraph discussing the relevance of each work to your project).
A word to the wise: it would be a marvelous idea to begin thinking today about what your thesis will be. I want you to succeed, and so I am requiring you to make appointments to speak with me outside of class prior to submitting your prospectus, your draft, and your rewrite. I will suggest useful resources, and - if necessary - point out potential problems. When submitting your rewrite, you must hand in both the rewrite and the copy of your draft on which I have written comments.
You're welcome to consult the Writing Center, located on the main floor of Watzek Library. The Writing Center is available to help students with all aspects of the writing process, including brainstorming ideas, developing a coherent paper structure, crafting elegant sentences, evaluating support for an argument, and dealing with writer’s block. The Center’s director, John Holzwarth, is available for individual appointments all semester long, and peer tutors are available without an appointment most afternoons and evenings. Visit the Writing Center website for additional information and resources, or contact John at writing@lclark.edu.
Also useful is the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University.
If you would find it useful to create concept maps, to help write your assessment or argumentative research papers, you can download the software to create them from IHMC Cmap Tools.
All work must be submitted when it is due. Late work -- precis, assessments, argumentative research papers -- will not be accepted and will receive no credit.
This class will be successful only if there is a high degree of participation and attendance, and so I want you in class participating. The final grade for the course will be lowered by a full-letter grade if you miss three class sessions, the final grade will be lowered by two full-letter grades if you miss four class sessions, and you will be withdrawn from the course if you miss five or more class sessions. Further, I will not accept late work unless you can document the reason for your absence. Documenting the reason for your absence means providing a note from, for example, your doctor explaining why you were absent. Serious illnesses and emergencies will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
No doubt you have realized -- precis, argumentative research papers include prospectuses, drafts, & rewrites -- that this course will require a lot of writing. Why? Because writing can create knowledge, and reasons often are found by writing. We write about what we already know, but we also produce knowledge as we write. Not only do we write down our thoughts, we also discover what we think as we write. Flannery O'Connor observes, "I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I have to say." The more you write, the more you will know, and the more you will discover what you think. As Rebecca West notes, "I really write to find out what I know about something and what is to be known about something...." Throughout the course you are expected to read carefully the assigned material. It is impossible to do well in this course without reading and studying the books. You should spend a minimum of three hours preparing for each class session. I suggest that you read the assigned material at least twice and that you take notes on what you read. You are expected to attend all class sessions, come to class having read thoroughly the assigned material, and to contribute to the discussions.
Gorgias of Leontini maintained that "those who neglect philosophy and spend their time on ordinary studies are like the suitors who desired Penelope but slept with her maids." In philosophy, unlike ordinary studies, there are few right and wrong answers. There are better and worse arguments and ideas, however, usually in direct proportion to thoughtfulness and care. What is important is that you think for yourself, and that you develop and defend your own ideas. It would be an excellent idea to write drafts or outlines of your precis, argumentative research papers (prospectus - draft - rewrite), and to have a comrade read them to check on spelling, grammar, development of arguments, and so forth.
You are strongly encouraged to discuss the class material, your ideas, your puzzles and difficulties with each other. A word to the wise: Find a study partner to discuss things with outside of class. (To see why this is so effective for creativity and learning, see Malcolm Gladwell, Group Think: What Does Saturday Night Live Have in Common with German Philosophy?, The New Yorker, 2 December 2002).
There's a Bollwood tune for every occasion. Click here.
When it comes to finally writing your precis and essays, though, do your own writing. That is the only way you will get the full benefit of your own efforts. I will be happy to discuss ideas with you, read outlines and rough drafts, and so forth. That is partly why I keep office hours.
A final word to the wise. It is not difficult to do well in this class, but it also is easy to do badly. Let me talk about the bad stuff first. You will receive a major grade reduction -- or fail this course -- if you do not read the material, seldom participate in class discussions, do not write your precis, do not write the argumentative research papers, plagiarize, cheat, and so forth.
About plagiarizing and cheating. All students are expected to follow Lewis & Clark College's Academic Integrity Policy. Except for highly unusual circumstances, plagiarizers and cheaters will be given an "F" for the entire course (they will not be allowed to drop or withdraw from the course). I also will turn their cases over to the Honor Board; usually, I will recommend that disciplinary penalties be assessed in addition to failing grades. It is never in your interest to plagiarize or cheat!
Now for the good stuff. With a concerted effort you can do well in this class. To do well, you must participate in class discussions, read and study the assigned material, write the precis, assessment, & papers, do your own work, be in class (almost) all of the time, etc. I do not grade on a curve, and so there is no good reason why you should not get an "A" for the course!
Course policy on disability accommodation. If you have a disability that may impact your academic performance, you may request accommodations by submitting documentation to Student Support Services, located in Albany 206 (access@lclark.edu, 503-768-7156). They will notify me of the accommodations for which you are eligible.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Friedrich Schlegel: "There are writers who drink the absolute like water; and books in which even the dogs refer to the infinite."
Week 1
Discussion of research.
Wednesday, 1/22:
Introduction to the course.
Read:
Jim Pryor's Guidelines on Reading Philosophy,
Malcolm Gladwell's Group Think, and
The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy's article on German Idealism.
Friday, 1/24:
Introducing The German Idealists,
pages 1-41; precis.
Week 2
Discussion of (annotated) bibliography, footnotes, reasons for citations, proper quoting (block or in-line).
Monday, 1/27:
Introducing The German Idealists,
pages 43-85; precis.
Sign-up for Assessment.
Wednesday, 1/29:
O'Connor and Mohr, "Introduction", pages 1-26; precis.
Self and Knowledge
Friday, 1/31:
Kant, Critique of Pure Reason: Transcendental Deduction B
pages 29-39; precis.
Research Exercise for Monday: Find one book and one article that will be relevant to your Assessment. Provide one block quote from the book and one in-line quote from the article. List the book and the article in proper formats for footnote and bibliography.
Week 3
Discussion of search procedures for articles and books.
Monday, 2/3:
Fichte, Science of Knowledge: First Introduction
pages 40-60; precis.
Wednesday, 2/5:
Schelling, "Of the I as the Principle of Philosophy"
pages 61-73; precis.
Friday, 2/7:
Schelling, "Of the I as the Principle of Philosophy"
pages 73-80; precis.
Research Exercise for Monday: in proper bibliographical format, list three articles and two books that are relevant to your Assessment.
Saturday, 2/8:
Vasant Panchami dinner, 7:00 PM.
Vasant Panchami celebrates the birth of Saraswati,
the goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts. She
is also the consort of Brahma.
Week 4
Discussion on using the Arts & Humanities Citation Index and the Philosopher's Index.
Monday, 2/10:
Hegel, Phenomenology of the Spirit: Introduction
pages 81-91; precis.
Freedom and Morality
Wednesday, 2/12:
Kant, Critique of Pure Reason: Of the Principles of Pure Practical Reason pages 95-113; precis.
Assessment: Sammy Alibrando.
Friday, 2/14:
Fichte, System of the Science of Ethics: Deduction of the Principle of Ethics
pages 114-127; precis.
Research Exercise for Monday: In proper bibliographical format, list three new articles that you found through the Arts & Humanities Citation Index or the Philosopher's Index that are relevant to your Assessment.
Week 5
Discussion of annotated bibliography and reliability of sources.
Monday, 2/17:
Hegel, Phenomenology of the Spirit: Lordship and Bondage
pages 128-137; precis.
PROSPECTUS FOR FIRST ARGUMENTATIVE RESEARCH PAPER DUE.
Wednesday, 2/19:
Schelling: Philosophical Investigations into the Essence of Human Freedom: The Concept of Freedom
pages 138-148; precis.
Assessment: Elizabeth Growdon.
Law and State
Friday, 2/21: Midsouth Philosophy Conference.
Week 6
Discussion of note taking and perusing for content.
Monday, 2/24:
Kant, Metaphysics of Morals: Introduction to the Doctrine of Right; The Right of a State
pages 151-161; precis.
DRAFT FOR FIRST ARGUMENTATIVE RESEARCH PAPER DUE.
Wednesday, 2/26:
Fichte, Foundations of Natural Right: Civil Society; The State
pages 162-173; precis.
Assessment: Jake Bartman.
Friday, 2/28:
Fichte, Foundations of Natural Right: Civil Society; The State
pages 174-189; precis.
Assessment: Erin Bercovici.
Week 7
Discussion of formulating a thesis: prospectus, outlines, drafts, revisions.
Monday, 3/3:
Hegel, Elements of the Philosophy of Right: Civil Society; The State
pages 190-208; precis.
Assessment: Andrew Warren.
Wednesday, 3/5:
Kant, Critique of Judgment: Analytic of the Beautiful
pages 211-229; precis.
Assessment: Cody Reding.
Beauty and Art
Friday, 3/7:
Schiller, On the Aesthetic Education of Man: Letters 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 14, 15
pages 230-247; precis.
Assessment: Nick Grasso.
Week 8
Discussion of articulating a thesis: arguments, objections, replies.
Monday, 3/10:
FIRST ARGUMENTATIVE RESEARCH PAPER DUE.
Submit four items: (1) the final rewrite, (2) the draft on which I wrote comments, (3) the draft on which your peer evaluator wrote comments, and (4) the peer evaluation form.
Wednesday, 3/12:
Schelling: System of Transcendental Idealism: Part VI (Essentials of the Philosophy of Art)
pages 248-261; precis.
Assessment: Sophie Trauberman.
Friday, 3/14:
Hegel: Lectures on Aesthetics: Introduction
pages 262-279; precis.
Assessment: Justin Goodlow.
History and Reason
Week 9
Monday, 3/17:
Kant, "Idea for a Universal History from a Cosmopolitan Point of View"
pages 283-295; precis.
PROSPECTUS OF FINAL ARGUMENTATIVE RESEARCH PAPER DUE.
Wednesday, 3/19:
Schelling, System of Transcendental Idealism: Deduction of the Concept of History
pages 296-308; precis.
Assessment: Kara Wells.
Friday, 3/21: Sheldon Pollock Lecture at the University of Washington.
Week 10
Monday, 3/24: Spring Break.
Wednesday, 3/26: Spring Break.
Friday, 3/28: Spring Break.
Week 11
Monday, 3/31:
Fichte, The Characteristics of the Present Age: Lecture 1 and 2
pages 309-320; precis.
Assessment: Caitlin Parry.
Wednesday, 4/2:
Hegel, Lectures on the Philosophy of World History: Introduction
pages 321-331; precis.
Assessment: Joey Carmichael.
Nature and Science
Friday, 4/4:
Hegel, Lectures on the Philosophy of World History: Introduction
pages 331-342; precis.
Assessment: Jeff Shaw.
Week 12
Monday, 4/7:
Kant, Critique of Judgment: Critique of Teleological Judgment
pages 345-356; precis.
DRAFT OF FINAL ARGUMENTATIVE RESEARCH PAPER DUE.
Wednesday, 4/9:
Kant, Critique of Judgment: Critique of Teleological Judgment
pages 356-364; precis.
Assessment: Lisa Osepyan.
Friday, 4/11:
Schelling, Introduction to the Outline of a System of the Philosophy of Nature
pages 365-379; precis.
Assessment: Julia Lanning.
Week 13
Monday, 4/14:
Hegel, Existence: Philosophy of Nature: Introduction
pages 380-394; precis.
Assessment: Nick Pimentel.
Wednesday, 4/16: American Philosophical Association Pacific Division.
Friday, 4/18: American Philosophical Association Pacific Division.
Week 14
Monday, 4/21:
Hegel, Existence: Philosophy of Nature: Introduction
pages 394-406; precis.
Assessment: Daniel Burt.
God and Religion
Wednesday, 4/23:
Kant: Critique of Practical Reason: The Existence of God as a Postulate of Pure Practical Reason
pages 409-417; precis.
Assessment: Devon Streich.
Friday, 4/25:
Fichte, "On the Foundation of Our Belief in a Divine Government of the World"
pages 418-426; precis.
Assessment: Brandon Stilson.
Week 15
Monday, 4/28:
Schelling, The Ages of the World: The Eternal Life of the Godhead
pages 427-448; precis.
Assessment: Nick Nedeau.
Wednesday, 4/30:
Hegel, Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion: The Relation of the Philosophy of Religion to the Current Principles of the Religious Consciousness; The Concept of Religion
pages 449-466; precis.
Assessment: Lee Palmer.
Wednesday, 5/7:
Rewrite of argumentative paper due at 8:30 AM.
Submit four items: (1) the final rewrite, (2) the draft on which I wrote comments, (3) the draft on which your peer evaluator wrote comments, and (4) the peer evaluation form.
Presentation of paper.
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J. M. Fritzman
Department of Philosophy
Lewis & Clark College
0615 SW Palatine Hill Road
Portland, OR 97219-7899
USA
503-768-7477
503-768-7359 (fax)
Updated on 19 February 2014