assessment

Assessment for this course is divided into six components:

1. Reading Responses (10%)

• You will submit a response to one of the readings for each Friday class. (This excludes the Fridays dedicated to the in-class writing assignment and the two class debates, which have no readings). That's 10 responses in total.

• The response should be submitted to our Google Group (email: phil-213-01-sp26@wellesley.edu) by 3pm the Thursday 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 short 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 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. In-class Writing Assignment (15%)

• A writing assignment based on unit A will be distributed in class on February 13. You will submit it at the end of the class period.

3. Debate Reflection (15%)

• There will be an in-class debate on March 27. 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 and 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 April 10.

4. Paper (20%)

• A list of topics drawn from units B and C will be distributed in class on March 10, and the paper (approx. 1500 words) will be due, 3 weeks later, on March 31.

• 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 drawn from units D and E 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: 

  1. 1. 1. 1. • 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.