Course Work

Weekly Written Responses

One page* written response to assigned questions. A good response will include a concise description of the topic covered, and your reaction to it. Your reaction should be critical (though not necessarily negative) and may be emotional (do you find the idea compelling? stupid?), but must be well argued. To help focus your response, a particular question related to the reading/topic will be posed.

Group Discussions

Considerable class time will be devoted to discussion. You may use your Written Response as the launching point for your contribution to the discussion.** We will also pose specific questions to debate, and discuss some issues in small groups prior to wider class discussion.

Midterm paper† 5 pages, on a specified topic.

Final paper† 10 pages, on a topic of your choice.***

Oral Presentations

In addition to daily participation, you will be give a formal presentation of your final research paper. These will be scheduled towards the end of the term.

Grading and due dates

20% Written Responses

weekly, as assigned. Typically due on Tuesday.

20% Participation in Class Discussions **

daily

20% Midterm paper (5 pages)

Due Feb. 26.

30% Final paper*** (10 pages)

Due April 16. Select a topic by March 28; an annotated bibliography is due on April 9.

10% Oral Presentations

April 18, 23, 25. Ten minute**** presentations based on your Final paper.

*One page is defined to be 350 words.

**Examples of class participation include, but are not limited to, engaging in class discussion with substantive ideas, questions, and insights, and contributions to group projects and discussions.
For the terribly shy: don't worry, this is not onerous. With 17 people in the class, the challenge is to get a word in edge-wise. For the loquacious: good - please express yourself. But also be respectful of your fellow students and don't overly monopolize the conversation.

***The topic of the final paper is your choice, in consultation with Prof. McGaugh. Dig into something that interests you. Each chapter of Hetherington's book could be the launching point for you a paper. Here are a some further ideas for paper topics. You are not limited to these - the possibilities are endless. You could choose to explore the cosmology of a particular Ancient Philosopher, investigate the conflict between Galileo and the Catholic Church, or learn about modern ideas about multiverses. You must discuss your interests directly with Professor McGaugh and obtain approval for your chosen topic.

There is no limitation on sources. You should use as many as you need. The textbook has many good references and is a good place to start. By the same token, in no case will the book suffice as the sole source. Indeed, you must not rely exclusively on a single source: at a minimum, your bibliography must include five sources.

****Ten pages may seem like a long paper, but ten minutes is a very short time in which to discuss your topic. Keep focussed! A schedule will be posted when topics are chosen: we will have our own mini-conference, organized by subject (to the extent possible).

†Papers

The two larger papers can be included in your SAGES portfolio, which "documents your progress as a writer over your first three SAGES seminars and provides the University with programmatic feedback that will be used to enhance future seminars" (SAGES Writing Portfolio Assignment, www.case.edu/sages/portfolio.html).

Unless otherwise specified, all papers must be formatted to Times New Roman 12 pt. font, double-spaced with 1" margins all-around. Additionally, each paper should employ MLA reference and in-text citation practices. This applies to all pieces of writing, including WRs and oral presentations.

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