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 and lass classes and the class with the scheduled debate.
The response should be submitted to our Google Group (email: phil-106-01-sp25@wellesley.edu) by 3 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. 1-2 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. 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. In class that day you will be given general instructions and practice on how to do an argument analysis. The assignment will be due, 2 weeks later, on February 27.
3. Debate Reflection (15%)
There will be one in-class debate, on March 10.
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 800-1000 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 24.
4. Paper (20%).
A list of topics will be distributed on March 31, and the paper (around 1500 words) will be due, 2.5 weeks later, on April 17.
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. Oral exam (25%).
You will be asked a sub-set of questions from a list that will be distributed on April 19. The exams will take place between May 5-8.
6. Contribution to Class Environment (15%)
This portion of the grade reflects your level of engagement while in class. Such engagement includes:
regular attendance;
evidence that you have completed the readings;
speaking up in class discussions (covering both quantity and quality of contributions);
active listening;
support of your fellow students.
This handout gives you some helpful advice on the various ways to participate in philosophical discussions.
Summary of Deadlines
Mondays @ 3pm: Reading Response
February 27: Argument Analysis due
March 24: Debate Reflection due
April 17: Paper due
May 5-8: Oral exam
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 (due on April 17). 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.