Trad 104 Mind, Matter, God

1. Trad 104Mind, Matter, God J. Christopher Maloney maloney@u.arizona.edu Department of Philosophy Social Sciences 213 621 3120 Office Hours T/TH 10:00am - 12:00pm

2. Associates • Matt Bedke • Helen Habermann • See Web for Contact Info

3. Add/Drop • Through Aug 30, all students who want to add the course should use RSVP or WebRegas seats become available on-line. • No adds after Aug 30

4. Syllabus \\Dingo\maloney\public_html\default.htm Or http://www.dingo.sbs.arizona.edu/~maloney/default.htm • Please print, read & save all semester • Consult schedule of assignments weekly • Note readings, exams, paper & grades

5. PENCIL • Please always have a number 2 pencil for pop quizzes!

6. What You Can Expect • Critical examination of the great philosophical ideas in western history on • the fundamental nature of the self • the ultimate structure of reality • the nature of human knowledge • existence and nature of God

7. You Can Expect Me To: • Present, evaluate, and explore the fundamentally important issues in our readings • Where appropriate, show how these crucially important and ideas bear upon our time and experience • Urge you critically to develop and assess your own relevant ideas

8. What I ask of you • Your best efforts • critical reflection on readings • rigorous, logical writing • participation in discussion • attendance • decorum

9. Course Requirements • Readings from Phil Reflections on MMG • Three Exams (300 points total) • Up to 10 pop quizzes (100 points) • Extra Credit Paper (30 points) • Attendance Policy • Extra Credit (10 points for taking all quizzes) • No late arrival/early departure (point deductions)

10. Grades • Three required 100 point multiple choice/true false exams • Drawn from study questions on web • Quizzes for a total of 100 points • One extra credit 5 page paper • See web for topic, dates, procedures • Required Draft = 15 points • Final Version = 15 points • Perfect Attendance bonus = 10 points

11. Course Grade

12. Attendance • Absence • No formal deduction, but potential adverse consequence on exams • Late/Early Departure • Please, don’t! • points charged to final course grade

13. Attendance

14. Attendance • Notice that Credits/Deductions for Lates/Earlies will likely make the difference between letter grades for the course • Six lates/earlies = a whole letter grade • Disabled students requiring accommodations on the attendance policy should inform me by Sept 9

15. Exams • How to prepare • Each Week Prepare Answers to Study Questions • Collaboration Encouraged • Optional Review Sessions • Mondays & Tuesdays; 5:00pm-6:00pm • Soc. Sci. 100 • Regular TA office hours each week • My office hours

16. Extra Credit Paper • See web site for details • Paper is optional but topic is assigned • Subscribe to topic by email by Sept. 16 • Required 5 page, typed draft due Oct 9 • Final version due Nov 25

17. Travel and Make-up Exams • Travel, unless authorized by the Dean of Students for official University activities, is not an excuse for a missed assignment, including exams • Documented serious problems, including illness, will serve as excuses for missed assignments and allow for make-up exams if I’m notified in a timely manner

18. Class Discussion • Class discussion is warmly welcomed and encouraged! • Ask Questions! • “Help ! I don’t understand this at all ! ” • “Is Plato being consistent when he says X?” • Challenge the author; Challenge me! • Compare scientific and philosophical frontiers and uncertainty

19. How to Read Philosophy How to Read Philosophy • Give yourself lots of uninterrupted time • Mark the text & take notes as you read to indicate • Important Ideas • Arguments • Distinguish Premises (Reasons) from Conclusions • Assess the arguments