Interdisciplinary Studies

Humanities (IH) 2710

Winter, 2008

Philosophy and Literature: Paths to Truth

Instructor: Ronald Aronson (o: [313] 577-0828; h: [248] 548-7370)

Course texts.

Books: Plato, The Republic (Cornford translation); Shermer, Why People Believe Weird Things; Achebe, Things Fall Apart. Books available at WSU Bookstore

Available on Blackboard under Course Documents: John E. Jones III, Decision in Katzmiller et al vs. Dover Area School District (December, 2005). Also available at: <http://www.pamd.uscourts.gov/kitzmiller/kitzmiller_342.pdf>

Films to be shown in class include:Twelve Angry Men

The class meets Monday, 6:00-9:40pm, 0020 Manoogian, Thursday, 6:00-9:40, WACC

Office Hours: I will be available before class in my office on Monday at the History Department in FAB (3^rd floor), on Thursday in the classroom at WACC. Please make an appointment to see me during one of those times.

General Education Requirement:

GUH 2710 fulfills the University General Education requirement in Philosophy and Letters. PL courses enhance understanding and enjoyment, while developing the fundamental skills of analysis, interpretation, and evaluation, and applying them to primary philosophical and literary materials.

Course Plan:

This lower-division class will begin by closely studying one of key texts of Western culture, Plato's Republic. Students are expected to learn it thoroughly and in detail. We will consider at length its statement of justice and its discussion of truth. Then we will study readings and films which pose the question of truth and the ways in which it is pursued.

Student responsibilities and Requirements

The Contract. As students you have a right to expect that your instructor will come to class prepared, treat you with respect, and conduct class in a scholarly manner. Being learners and not consumers, students growth and development entail a corresponding commitment: COMING TO CLASS PREPARED, treating the instructor and fellow students with respect, and taking all aspects of class participation seriously. Students are required to be punctual and to attend every class session in full. Participation entails active involvement in class discussion and all activities, scholarly demeanor, and respect for the classroom process and the opinions of others.

The purpose of this course is to help students develop their capacity to think. As a course focusing on ideas, its lifeblood is class discussion. This is a collective process, requiring tolerance, openness, and careful listening. Each participant has a right to expect this of the others.

Student Responsibilities and Grading Procedures:

Attendance policy: no student will be allowed into the class after the third week. Attendance at every scheduled class is required, not optional, and weekly participation is vital to the course. All reasons for absence are of equal weight (illness, emergency, etc.). coming in significantly late or leaving significantly early counts as missing half a class. Any student who misses 3 classes or appointments will have the final grade lowered by a half grade. Any student who misses 4 classes or appointments will have the final grade lowered by one full point. Any student who misses 5 classes will be dropped automatically from the course. In the event of an emergency, contact me as soon as possible by phone (313-577-0828) or e-mail <ac7159@wayne.edu>.

Makeup policy when absent: all missed homework assignments must be made up, including seeing any missed videos. In the event of absence, contact me as soon as possible for the make-up assignment. Avoid coming to the next class without having contacted me and made up the current assignment. Each missed class without a makeup assignment lowers your grade by 1/3 grade.

Writing. IS is a writing-intensive program, and students’ written work is graded both for form and content. The grade on written assignments will be 75% of the final grade, and close attention will be paid to writing mechanics. Assigned papers include:

(1) First-week paper as assigned and

(2) Quizes and short papers (15%)

(3) 4-page paper on The Republic (15%)

(4) 4-page paper on Why People Believe Weird Things (10%)

(5) 4-page paper on the difference between science and religion (10%)

(5) 6-page final paper on the theme of truth (15%)

(6) Final in-class paper (10%)

Note: Late papers will be accepted up to two weeks late but will be downgraded one full mark.

Grades on papers.

A = Excellent (A is equivalent to 4.00 HPA; A- equivalent to 3.67). Well-written and well-argued with a clear thesis statement, sustained focus on the thesis, plenty of well-developed examples, and use of relevant readings from the text. May contain original ideas or insights.

B = Good (B+ 3.33 HPA; B 3.00; B- 2.67). A strong presentation but may not adequately develop one or more of the above areas.

C = Average (C+ 2.33 HPA; C 2.00; C- l.67). Shows understanding of the issues and readings, but a thin presentation, weak in key areas or does not touch upon key points. May also have writing problems.

D = Poor but still passing (D+ 1.33 HPA; D 1.00; D- 0.67). A cursory presentation lacking in examples and support from the text, and or serious writing problems. May show inadequate reading or reflection.

E = not acceptable (E or F = 0.00 HPA). Inadequate effort.

R = Returned for revision. Automatic for D and E papers until the final week.

Final Grades. ALL course requirements must be fulfilled to receive a final grade in the A to C minus range. Students who do not complete all course requirements will receive a grade in the D to E range, or, where insufficient work has been done to assign a grade and at the instructor’s discretion, a student may be given an X.

A student who is unable to complete the final assignment but has completed most of the course work AND has notified the instructor of his or her intention to complete the remaining work by a given date may, at the instructor’s discretion, be granted an I until the work is made up and a final letter grade assigned. At the end of one year, the University regards the I as an X and the course must be retaken. Extensions are difficult to obtain.

Plagiarism. Plagiarism is not tolerated at Wayne State University; students who pass off the work of others as their own will receive a failing grade. Whether you are quoting, summarizing, paraphrasing, or alluding, you must provide proper documentation of sources following the current editions of Trimmer's Guide to MLA Documentation or the MLA handbook. I encourage rough drafts and ongoing discussion of papers by e-mail.

SCHEDULE

I. Philosophy and Truth

1/7-10 Introduction and first assignment: Philosophy and Truth Today

In-class writing assignment: To be announced

Tips for studying

1/14-17 Plato’s Republic

Reading assignment: Plato, Republic, 1-41
In-class quiz.

Discussion questions: What is wrong with the conceptions of justice presented by Cephalus, Polemarchus, and Thrasymachus? Why begin with wrong ideas?

1/24-28 An Ideal Society

Reading assignment: 41-102

In-class quiz and writing assignment: (1) Why does Plato create an ideal society?

(2) Do you agree with his use of censorship in the educational system?

2/1-4 The Three Parts of the Soul

Reading assignment: 102-174

In-class quiz.

Discussion question: Explain the three parts of the soul and the proper relationship between them.