PHIL 486-01, Senior Seminar, Spring 2007

Abstract

following general criteria: a. You are required to write an approximately 30 page paper that you present to the class and revise in light of class discussion and written feedback. b. The paper should be written in dialogue with the philosophic tradition, especially contemporary voices such as those we will study in the 1st part of the semester. The paper should represent a culminating experience of your work in philosophy (and it should be informed by what you’ve learned in other disciplines). c. Although you will not be expected to generate an absolutely novel perspective, your paper should articulate your own genuine informed and thoughtful position. Our work throughout the semester requires us to be: • honest, with ourselves and with the class, about what we truly believe. This encompasses matters of methodology and content. • courageous and resourceful in inviting and responding to critical commentary on our views. • self-directed, developing and articulating an agenda that helps you generate a substantial philosophical discussion on a significant topic. • hardworking, keeping up with the readings and completing papers on time. Since this course represents the capstone experience for your major and so a consummating moment in your philosophical (and hopefully educational) life, senioritis is, though understandably tempting, something to actively set aside. • creative in community. This means realizing each of the above without retreating to the uninformative conversation-stopper: “well, that’s just my view.”