Assignments
Assessment for the class is divided into six components:
1. Reading Responses (10%)
You will submit a response to one of the readings for each Tuesday class, except for our first class and the class with the scheduled debate.
The response should be submitted to our Google Group (email: phil-106-01-sp24@wellesley.edu) by 4 p.m. the Monday before class.
Important: If someone has already posted a response for the upcoming class, please post your response as a reply to that person's, so that we can see all responses for a single class in a single thread.
Your response (approx. 2 paragraphs) should include answers to the following questions:
1. Which passage most leapt out at you in the reading for this class?
2. What does the passage say (briefly)?
3. Why is it interesting to you?
4. What question(s) or concerns do you have about it?
Responses displaying puzzlement, lack of comprehension, irritation etc. are encouraged.
You are welcome--indeed urged!--to respond to other students' responses in addition to posting your own, but you're not required to.
Note: I'll be asking you to submit all 11 of your responses to me compiled in a Word doc at the end of the quarter. It'll be easier for you to do this if you compile them as you go along.
2. Argument Analysis (15%)
You will be given a short text from class readings and asked to explain and critique the argument presented within it (in around 800 words).
The assignment will be distributed on February 13 and will be due, 2 weeks later, on February 27.
3. Debate Reflection (15%)
There will be one in-class debate, on March 12.
Before class you will meet up with your “debate prep partner” to go over the best arguments for and against the debate prompt, in preparation for the debate.
After the debate you will submit a reflection (around 1000 words) that: 1) presents what you consider to be the single strongest argument given on each side, and 2) concludes with your own stand on the issue, along with a justification for that stand. (Note: You don’t have to continue to support the side that you argued for in class).
The reflection will be due, 2 weeks after the debate, on March 26.
4. Paper 1 (20%).
A list of topics will be distributed on March 29, and the paper (around 1500 words) will be due, 2.5 weeks later, on April 16.
You are required to meet with one of the department's Home Base philosophy tutors to discuss your outline or draft before submitting this assignment.
An optional rewrite is available for this assignment: if you submit one, your grade for the paper will be the average of the grade for the first and second drafts.
5. Paper 2 (25%).
A list of topics will be distributed on April 19. The paper (around 2000 words) will be due, 2.5 weeks later, on May 7.
6. Participation in class (15%)
Participation grades will be assigned as follows, tracking your average level of in-class engagement across the course of the quarter:
Excellent (A-range): you consistently showed command of the assigned reading(s) and originality and enthusiasm in discussing them, and your arguments for your own point of view were clear and persuasive.
Good to very good (B-range): you spoke up fairly often and generally expressed a point of view that was competent, interesting, and well-articulated, even though you may not have fully digested the material.
Fair to good (C-range): you didn't speak up often and/or your comments were inaccurate, unclear or inconsistent.
Poor (D-range): it was clear you hadn't done the reading and/or your attendance was erratic (without justification).
Summary of Deadlines
Mondays @ 4pm: Reading Response
February 27: Argument Analysis due
March 26: Debate Reflection due
April 16: Paper 1 due
May 7: Paper 2 due
Writing Tutors
The Philosophy department has hired three in-house "Home Base" writing tutors to help you with your assignments for this course. You are required to meet with a tutor before submitting your Paper 1 (due on April 16). And you are encouraged to meet with a tutor at other times throughout the semester as well, at any stage of the writing process (brainstorming, drafting, revising, etc.) More details on the tutoring program will be offered in class.