Phil 220: 17th & 18th Century Philosophy

17th & 18th Century Philosophy
Phil 220, Spring 2004

Home Page & Syllabus

Instructor: Jeremy Anderson

E-mail: jeremy at jeremyanderson dot net (substitute '@' for 'at' and '.' for 'dot' and remove any spaces)
Web page: http://bulldog2.redlands.edu/fac/jeremy_anderson
Office: Hall of Letters 302; ext. 4266
Office hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:30-2:00, and by appointment (don't be shy)

When & where

Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:30–3:50, Hall of Letters 209

Texts

We will use Readings in Modern Philosophy, volumes I and II. Our focus will be on Descartes, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, and Hume, with related texts in Readings in Modern Philosophy and possibly elsewhere--like here on the Online Readings page.

Course description & goals

We will read and discuss philosophical texts from 17th and 18th Century Europe. Our main focus will be on metaphysics and epistemology, i.e., what the universe is like, and whether and how we can know anything.
The point will be to acquaint you with several smart dead guys in the history of Western philosophy and the meaning of some big words philosophers throw around like Dualism, Monism, Rationalism, Empiricism, Skepticism, Determinism, and the Mind/Body Problem. You will learn to see the universe in some very different ways. Assignments will be aimed at developing skill in clearly stating and evaluating complex arguments.

Grading & evaluations

Various terms, ideas, arguments, etc. will come up in readings, lectures, and discussion. Your grade will depend mostly on how well you show that you understand and have thought about that material. Your grade will be derived as follows:

15%     Exam #1
20%     Midterm Exam
20%     Essay
30%     Final Exam
15%     Class participation (not merely attendance) and occasional short assignments

Exams will be based on study questions which will be posted on the class web page. The midterm and final exams will be comprehensive but will emphasize recent material. Grades will follow the rubric on p. 25 of the UofR Catalog, and have the following numerical values: 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, ≤59 = F. There will be no grading curve. I will suggest essay topics, or you may choose your own with my approval. I am willing to negotiate contracts and give written evaluations for this course.
      Make-up exams will not be allowed nor late assignments accepted for full credit except in cases where there is a documented serious medical or similarly compelling excuse. Contact me in advance if at all possible.
      Students with disabilities which may affect their course performance should contact Judy Bowman in Student Services and see me privately as soon as possible to arrange appropriate accommodations.

How to succeed in this course

Do the assigned reading. Take lots of notes; don’t just copy down what’s on the board. Bring your book and notes with you to class. When new study questions are posted, promptly take your books and notes and write out the clearest, most complete answers you can, and study your answers from time to time. Do not try to cram for tests.
Voice your opinions (particularly on issues raised in the readings) in class. Criticism is encouraged, but keep in mind that you should criticize ideas, not people, and you should expect to be challenged to provide reasons for your opinions.
When you become confused or lost, say so in class or contact me--come by or call during my office hours, e-mail me, or see me before or after class.