| Semester: Fall, 2011 When: Wed. 11:00; Fri. 2:00 Office Hours: T & F: 11-12, or by appointment |
Instructor: Dr. Christopher Perricone
Office: Spellman Hall Phone: 914-637 2765 E-mail: cperricone@iona.edu |
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EVALUATION:
20% of the grade will be based on attendance oral participation, which
includes critical responses to the lectures, class discussions, and class
presentations.
40% of the grade will be based on three 4 page papers. Generally, these
papers will not require outside research; rather they will be critical
pieces in which a student will be asked to explicate selected ideas and
then either support or refute those ideas with good reason. It should be
emphasized that these papers are not to be thought of as book reports in
the worst sense of those terms.
15% of the grade will be based on a final paper (app. 10 pages) that
will discuss an issue or theme covered in the course readings. The paper
will be submitted during the final examination week.
25% of the grade will be based on an oral presentation to the
class, the length of which should be at least 20 minutes. This presentation
will require outside research. On the day of the presentation, the student
will submit an outline of the presentation and a list of the sources consulted.
The presentation should be thoughtful and thought provoking, not merely
a report or cut and past job of quotations from primary and secondary sources,
The point, here, is that the student adopt a thesis and then with evidence
and argument examine it. The two hour period is reserved for oral presentations.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Both plagiarism and cheating in any form are unconditionally unacceptable.
Anyone who plagiarizes or cheats in any way will fail this course and will
be reported to the dean.
OTHER EXPECTATIONS:
You are expected to fulfill all assignments on time.You are expected
to attend all classes. If you cannot
attend class for some reason, you must let me know. If you exceed the number
of cuts allowed to you by the college, you will fail this course.
OFFICE HOURS:
Discussed in class
Suggested topics for final paper:
Any topic you choose should adhere to the following format: approximately one half of your essay should be the exposition of the subject matter; the other half should be either a defense or critique of a thesis.
1. In Politics, Aristotle defends the notion of slavery. Explain what Aristotle means by slavery, and then either support or refute what he says.
2. In the Republic, Plato argues that poets should be ostracized from a good society. Explain Plato's position, and then either support or refute what he says.
3. In the Apology, Plato presents Socrates on trial for his life as the model of the wise man. How does Plato characterize Socrates? Is Socrates a wise man? Why? Is Socrates a fool? Why?
4. a) Explain the moral theory implicit in the Ten Commandants. b) Explain
the moral theory implicit in either Plato's Republic
or Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, but not both.
Which moral theory best suits your sensibilities and why?