introduction and why study
Module Assignments
- Study the assigned curriculum — both Parts 1 and 2.
- Submit your essay (or your contracted alternative), which must include thoughts on both parts of each module.
- Your peer exchanges are due two days after your essay is due.
The essays are designed to be meaningful exercises of self-exploration (reflections) rather than busy work (summaries).
The practice of philosophy is a major goal of your essays and exchanges. This practice promotes and supports independent, creative and original thinking.
Essays Due by 11:00 PM on Mondays and Thursdays.
- Your essays need to be a thoughtful “journal-like†reflections.
- Essays must address both part 1 and part 2 of each module’s curriculum.
- A good reflection is one that I could not have read before. This is because it is the essay that only you could have written — due to your unique set of life experiences
Minimum Requirements
- Essays are not summaries. That is busy work.
- Summaries do not receive credit because they do not require serious thought — simply the ability to record information.
- Your essays must be more than 700 words to receive credit and be eligible for a C, more than 800 words to be eligible for a B, and more than 900 words to be eligible for an A.
- Your assignments are not eligible for A’s if they require proofreading.
- Assignments that are partial (not meeting minimum requirements) do not receive partial credit.
- Late assignments are not eligible for credit.
Essay Prompts
You are not required to use the following prompts, but they may help you think about what you are studying:
- What did you learn? What surprised you and/or caused enough doubt that you were inspired to do a little research and fact checking?
- Did you find any specific ideas confusing or difficult?
- Did you have an emotional response, negative or positive? Do you know why?
- Have you had any experiences you are willing to share with our class that help you relate to and understand any of the material in this module?
- Did this assignment contain any “awakening†ideas, those that inspire you rather than depress you?
- Did you find any of the ideas surprising? Why?
PART ONE IS ATTACHED IN box below, and part 2 are the links