PHIL 11001: Introduction to Philosophy - 'Philosophy: Self-Critique, Social-Critique, Way of Life' - Kent State University
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PHIL 11001: Introduction to Philosophy
‘Philosophy: Self-Critique, Social-Critique, Way of Life’
Spring 2021, Section 008
Dr. Andreea Smaranda Aldea
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Philosophy Department
College of Arts and Sciences
Kent State University
Office Phone: 330-672-3965
Email: aaldea1@kent.edu
Delivery format: This is a hybrid, web-based remote course (both synchronous and asynchronous)
Dates: 01/19/2021–05/04/2021
Synchronous Meeting Times: Tuesdays, 2:15PM-3:30PM
Weekly Asynchronous Mandatory Lectures & Assignments
Office Hours: Fridays 10:30-11:30AM & by appointment
I. COURSE INFORMATION
Course Description, Goals, Outcomes, Structure
What distinguishes philosophical thought from other forms of theoretical inquiry? How does
philosophy relate to everyday life, including our social, cultural, and political engagements? Can
philosophy help tackle and address timely issues of social injustice? Wherein lies the critical value of
philosophy and does this value expand beyond the confines of the academy? What tools and
resources does philosophy grant us in order to live more rewarding, self-reflective, and responsible
lives? In order to explore potential answers to these questions, we will closely examine works by
Plato (429?-347 BCE), Seneca (4-65CE), Virginia Woolf (1882-1941), and Audre Lorde (1934-1992).
These thinkers’ work, esp. concerning the social, cultural, ethical, and political dimensions of human
life, remains deeply relevant today.
Our approach will be a threefold one, involving reading, discussion, and writing strategies. More
specifically, we will engage in a careful and in-depth engagement with our texts, including by placing
them in dialogue with each other. This semester-long, sustained reading exercise will shed light on
the value of patient, careful work with difficult materials whose value is not only intellectual, but also
applied and practical. One of our main goals will be to examine the manner in which the
philosophical works we study could speak to issues you care about today. We will ask: How does
this theoretical value translate into practice, thus leading to a more self-reflective, meaningful
personal life as well as commitment to social justice and the common good?PHIL 11001: 008_Syllabus_Spring 2021_Prof. Aldea 2 We will employ analytic as well as interpretational reading approaches and consider what it means to be a generous yet critical reader. Our discussions will encourage fertile and respectful dialogue through differences of opinion. The course writing assignments will involve not only the same ‘critical yet generous’ attitude, but, most importantly, will challenge students to view the writing process itself as an invaluable and deeply empowering learning journey. As a result, the class will equip students with important skills such as: identifying, analyzing, and understanding arguments, evaluating the validity of these arguments, critically examining the evidence brought forth, and generating complex arguments of their own as well as defending their position with concrete and theoretical evidence. Beyond this, the course will also seek to empower students to lead a self-reflective life – one able to examine the views it encounters as well as their import and consequences. Course Time and Location: This is a fully remote, 15-week course. There will be no face-to-face meetings. Office hours will likewise be held remotely. Every week, Tuesday sessions will occur synchronously, during the scheduled class time, on Blackboard Collaborate Ultra (access here the ‘Keep on Learning’ information on how to access Collaborate Ultra via our course Blackboard site). The session/virtual room will open 15 minutes before class time. Tune in a few minutes before 2:15PM EST, so we can all begin promptly. Thursday course work will happen asynchronously, unless otherwise noted (see initial sessions and post-spring break sessions for a shift to an all-synchronous modality). Asynchronous lectures will be made available by noon on Fridays; you are expected to watch these lectures and follow the preparatory instructions therein, before noon on the Monday preceding our next synchronous (Tuesday) discussion session. Every week, you are also expected to post well- crafted questions & follow-up comments/questions on the respective Module Discussion Board Forum (see Weekly Forum instructions), after reading the module text AND again (follow-up) after watching the module asynchronous lecture (on the same text). The posts are due as follows: on Thursdays (11:59PM) for initial post and on Mondays (noon) for the follow-up post. For those of you who are not familiar with Blackboard and for any questions regarding remote learning, please visit Kent State's Keep on Learning online resource for students (esp. the 'How do I' section). Also, feel free to e-mail me at aaldea1@kent.edu. This course may be used to satisfy a Kent Core requirement. This course may be used to satisfy a Kent Core requirement. The Kent Core as a whole is intended to broaden intellectual perspectives, foster ethical and humanitarian values, and prepare students for responsible citizenship and productive careers. This course may be used to satisfy the University Diversity requirement. Diversity courses provide opportunities for students to learn about such matters as the history, culture, values and notable achievements of people other than those of their own national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, physical and mental ability, and social class. Diversity courses also provide opportunities to examine problems and issues that may arise from differences, and opportunities to learn how to deal constructively with them. Course Prerequisites: None
PHIL 11001: 008_Syllabus_Spring 2021_Prof. Aldea 3 II. OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY POLICIES Students are required to be aware of and follow all general and academic policies established by Kent State University. A list of University academic policies is listed under the “University Policies” tab on the Getting Started in your Online Course page. Specific policies for this course can be found here in the Syllabus. Students with Disabilities: Kent State University is committed to inclusive and accessible education experiences for all students. University Policy 3342-3-01.3 requires that students with disabilities be provided reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to course content. Students with disabilities are encouraged to connect with Student Accessibility Services as early as possible to establish accommodations. If you anticipate or experience academic barriers based on a disability (including mental health, chronic medical conditions, or injuries), please let me know immediately. Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Contact Information: sas@kent.edu, www.kent.edu/sas; phone 330-672-3391; VP 330-968-0490. Academic Complaints: The Philosophy Department Grievance Procedure for handling student grievances is in conformity with the Student Academic Complaint Policy and Procedures set down as University Policy 3342-16 in the University Policy Register. For information concerning the details of the grievance procedure, please see the departmental chairperson. Academic Dishonesty: University policy 3-01.8 deals with the problem of academic dishonesty, cheating, and plagiarism. None of these will be tolerated in this class. The sanctions provided in this policy will be used to deal with any violations. If you have any questions, please read the policy at: http://www.kent.edu/policyreg/administrative-policy-regarding-student-cheating-and-plagiarism Course Enrollment and Withdrawal: The official registration deadline for this course is January 25, 2021. University policy requires all students to be officially registered in each class they are attending. Students who are not officially registered for a course by published deadlines should not be attending classes and will not receive credit or a grade for the course. Each student must confirm enrollment by checking his/her class schedule (using Student Tools in FlashLine) prior to the deadline indicated. Registration errors must be corrected prior to the deadline. The course withdrawal deadline is end of Week 10. Subject to Change Statement/Covid-19 Potential Impact: The syllabus and course schedule may be subject to change, esp. given current pandemic circumstances. Changes will be clearly communicated via email and in the Bb Learn Announcement tool. It is the responsibility of students to check email messages and course announcements to stay current in their online courses. We live in challenging and uncertain times. If you find yourself unable to fulfill any of the requirements for the course due to Covid-19 issues, please inform the professor as soon as possible, so together you may devise an appropriate plan.
PHIL 11001: 008_Syllabus_Spring 2021_Prof. Aldea 4
III. MANDATORY TEXTS (in order of reading)
1. Sister Outsider, Crossing Press, Audre Lorde, ISBN: 9781580911863
2. Letters on Ethics (trans. Graver & Long), University of Chicago Press, Seneca,
ISBN: 9780226265209
3. A Room of One's Own, Mariner Books, Virginia Woolf, ISBN: 9780156030410
N.B.1. Additional texts will be made available in PDF format on Blackboard under the ‘Learning
Materials’ folder.
N.B.2. The University bookstore has available the texts above in paperback. If you choose to
purchase electronic versions of these texts, make sure you secure the right edition (follow the
ISBN) and the format with the right pagination (PDF versions directly from presses themselves or
from certified electronic book sellers, such as eBooks, are best; avoid Kindle and Nook editions,
since they likely will not have the correct pagination).
IV. TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS AND SKILLS
For any Kent State student taking an online course, there is online-specific information and
resources available on the Getting Started in your Online Course web page.
This page can be accessed through this link: http://www.kent.edu/startonline
Computer Hardware and Software
A personal computer with consistent, reliable Internet access is required, and must meet the following requirements:
1. A DSL or cable connection to the Internet; dial-up is not sufficient.
2. Laptop or desktop computer with a minimum of a 2 GHz processor and 2 GB of RAM
You should have one of the following computer operating systems and additional software applications installed on your
computer:
1. An actively supported operating system such as Windows 10 for PC computers OR Mac OS
X 10.11 or newer for Apple Mac computers.
2. Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) discounts available at The Microsoft
Store, link available in the Start Here folder.
3. A free version of Microsoft Office is available for students. Instructions and information
can be found on support.kent.edu.
4. Antivirus for Windows OS, Microsoft Security Essentials OR Antivirus for Mac OS, Sophos
5. A Blackboard Learn compatible browser, such as the latest version of Mozilla Firefox.
Blackboard also supports Chrome and Safari. Internet Explorer is NOT a supported
browser and should not be used.
Additional information for Technology Requirements can be found on the Getting Started in
your Online Course web page.PHIL 11001: 008_Syllabus_Spring 2021_Prof. Aldea 5
Basic Technology Skills List: navigating a computer operating system, launching and quitting
applications, connecting to the Internet, using a web browser to search the World Wide Web,
downloading, saving, and uploading files, and sending and replying to email, basic skills in MS Word,
MS PowerPoint, and Google docs.
Basic information about the expected computer/technology skills for online learners can be found
on the Getting Started in your Online Course page under the “Being successful online” tab.
Blackboard (Bb) Learn
This class will use Blackboard (Bb) Learn, the official learning management system (LMS) used by
Kent State University to deliver course materials to university students. ALL course materials and
activities will take place in Bb Learn. In order to login to the online Bb Learn LMS, students will
need a Kent State FlashLine User Name ID and password.
• Students can login to Bb Learn either through a student FlashLine account or via a direct
link to the login page: https://learn.kent.edu
Bb Learn works best using the latest version of Firefox (recommended), Chrome, and Safari. Do
not use Internet Explorer.
For help using the Blackboard (Bb) Learn system use the “Bb Learn Tutorials for Students” link in
the left-hand navigation of the course.
Technology Help Guidelines
Kent State University offers 24/7 technology support to all students. For technical issues with your
computer, any KSU-supported software, Blackboard Learn, FlashLine, and University email, please
contact Information Services via phone, email, or Live Chat. More information, including contact
information, is available on the Information Services web page. Students can access tech help day or
night by calling 330-672-HELP.
30-Minute Rule: When you encounter struggles with technology, give yourself 30 minutes to ‘figure
it out.’ If you cannot, then post a message to the discussion board; your peers may have suggestions
to assist you. You are also directed to contact the KSU Helpdesk 24/7. As a last resort, contact me.
However, do not expect an immediate reply, and I cannot guarantee that I will be able to help with
any and all technology issues.
When posting or sending email requesting help with technology issues, whether to the Helpdesk or
me, use the following guidelines:
1. Include a descriptive title for the subject field that includes 1) the name of course 2) the
issue. Do NOT just simply type “Help” into the subject field or leave it blank.
2. List the steps or describe the circumstance that preceded the technical issue or error.
Include the exact wording of the error message.
3. When possible, always include a screenshot(s) demonstrating the technical issue or error
message.
4. Also include what you have already tried to do to remedy the issue (rebooting, trying a
different browser, etc.).PHIL 11001: 008_Syllabus_Spring 2021_Prof. Aldea 6
V. COURSE POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS
Online Attendance Policy
Online courses are conducted on the premise that regular attendance requires students to log into
the Bb Learn learning management system (LMS). Attendance is measured both by virtual presence
in the online course and student interaction with course learning materials and assignments. Students
are expected to check their Kent State e-mail and to log into their course several times during the
week.
All actions by students in the Bb Learn LMS can be tracked. At any time during the course, the
professor may generate a report that indicates when and how long individual students have been
logged into the LMS or engaged with course materials or course tools.
Students who anticipate an absence from the course due to medical or other reasons should consult with the professor
individually. Depending on the specific circumstances, the professor may require verification from a medical professional.
Office Hours
I will be holding office hours every week Fridays 10:30AM-11:30AM. I will be holding office
hours via Bb Collaborate Ultra (BbCU): there will be recurring open ‘Office Hours’ sessions for
these times. We can use these sessions to discuss any course-related questions as a group. I will also
be available for 1-1 meetings by appointment via MS Teams. Email me ahead of time and we
will respond within 24-48hrs. with a Teams meeting link/invitation.
Communication with your Professor
1. Email course questions and personal concerns, including grading questions, to me privately
using your @kent.edu email. Do NOT submit posts of a personal nature to the discussion
board. Email is the preferred method of contact and will yield the fastest response. Student
Forum/Q&A discussion boards will be checked at least once per day. For a faster response,
please send me a direct email.
2. Email will be checked at least once per day Monday through Friday, and at least once during
the weekend. I will respond to all emails within 24 hours during the week, and within 48
hours during the weekend. If there are special circumstances that will delay my response, I
will make an announcement to the class.
3. I will hold Virtual Office Hours via Bb Collaborate Ultra (BbCU) during the times
announced above (on page 1 of this Syllabus) as well as special office hours for dedicated
topics, such as a large, upcoming assignments (also via BbCU). Special topic hours will be
announced in advance through the Announcement tool. I am also happy to schedule one-
on-one office hours via MS Teams or Skype.
4. One major way that I will communicate with you is via the Announcements tool in Bb
Learn. Announcements will also be sent out to your Kent State email. It is your
responsibility to read all announcements, and to contact me should you have any questions
or concerns regarding an announcement. I may also send you an individual, direct email
about your work or progress in the course.
5. Assignment feedback via the Bb Grade Center is another way that we will communicate with
each other. It is expected that you will read all feedback and use the information to improve
your work on future assignments. If you have questions or need clarification on any
feedback you receive, please contact me via email.PHIL 11001: 008_Syllabus_Spring 2021_Prof. Aldea 7
Online Student Conduct and Etiquette
Communicating appropriately in the online classroom can be challenging. In order to minimize this
challenge, it is important to remember several points of ‘internet etiquette’ that will smooth
communication for both students and instructors:
1. Read first, Write later. Read the entire set of posts/comments on a discussion board before
posting your reply, in order to prevent repeating commentary or asking questions that have
already been answered.
2. Avoid language that may come across as strong or offensive. Language can be easily
misinterpreted in written electronic communication. Therefore, please review email and
discussion board posts before submitting to assess the tone. For example, humor and
sarcasm may be easily misinterpreted, so they may be best to avoid. Also, do not write using
all capital letters because it can be interpreted as yelling. Lastly, you may want to consider
using emoticons when appropriate, which can be helpful in conveying nonverbal feelings. ☺
3. Consider the privacy of others. Ask permission prior to giving out a classmate's email
address or other information. You are not to share anything from this class with others who
are not in this class, including peer work, class discussions, or course materials. Similarly, do
not communicate anything within this class that is confidential or private.
4. Keep attachments small. If it is necessary to send pictures, change the size to an
acceptable size of 250kb or less (there are several programs you can use to do this such as:
Photoshop, Paint, GIMP, and picresize.com).
5. No inappropriate material. Do not forward virus warnings, chain letters, jokes, etc. to
classmates or instructors. The sharing of pornographic material is strictly forbidden.
NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to remove posts that are not collegial in nature and/or do not meet the
Online Student Conduct and Etiquette guidelines listed above.
NOTICE OF MY COPYRIGHT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Any intellectual property displayed or distributed to students during this course (including but not limited to
PowerPoint presentations, notes, quizzes, examinations) by the professor remains the intellectual property of the
professor. This means that the student may not distribute, publish, or provide such intellectual property to any other
person or entity for any reason, commercial or otherwise, without the express written permission of the
professor. Additionally, students may not distribute or publish recordings and/or links to live classroom presentations,
lectures, and/or class discussions.
University Use of Electronic Email
A university-assigned student e-mail account is the official university means of communication with
all students at Kent State University. Students are responsible for all information sent to them via
their university-assigned e-mail account. If a student chooses to forward information in their
university e-mail account, he or she is responsible for all information, including attachments, sent to
any other e-mail account. To stay current with university information, students are expected to
check their official university e-mail account and other electronic communications on a frequent and
consistent basis. Recognizing that some communications may be time-critical, the university
recommends that electronic communications be checked minimally twice a week.PHIL 11001: 008_Syllabus_Spring 2021_Prof. Aldea 8
Diversity Statement
At Kent State University, administrators, faculty, and staff are committed to the creation and
maintenance of equitable and inclusive learning spaces. This course is a learning environment where
all will be treated with respect and dignity and where all individuals will be provided equitable
opportunity to participate, contribute, and succeed. The diversity of identity, experience and
thought that students bring to this course is viewed as a strength and a benefit. Dimensions of
diversity include but are not limited to race, age, national origin, ethnicity, gender identity and
expression, intellectual and physical ability, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, faith and non-
faith perspectives, political ideology, primary language, family status, and Veteran status. The
individual intersection of these experiences and characteristics is valued in our course and at Kent
State University.
VI. HOW TO PREPARE FOR CLASS
1) Read all of the materials listed for the day carefully per the module instructions
below
2) Annotate and take notes as you read. Follow the annotation instructions we discuss at the
beginning of the term.
3) Make a list of questions, including terms you want clarification on. You will all have
the opportunity to raise questions both via Bb Discussion Board Forum AND during our
weekly synchronous discussion sessions.
4) Read the material again after watching the asynchronous lecture and in preparation
for next synchronous class session; this will offer you a better understanding of the text as
well as the opportunity for new insights in light of our class discussions. If the material does
not make sense after class discussions and an additional reading, you should reach out to
me or Joe Klein via email and schedule a 1-1 office hours appointment with either one
of us.
5) Reach out as early as possible, do not wait for weeks to discuss questions and
concerns!
6) Carefully read my weekly emails/updates with preparation instructions for the next
module.
VII. ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING
1) Presence & Participation: Required (see Online Attendance above) – students are
expected to be present for all synchronous sessions and to participate in our synchronous as
well as asynchronous course activities (e.g., readings, group work, discussion board input,
comments) in order to successfully negotiate the requirements for this course. If you cannot
attend due to Covid-19 related issues, emergencies, or other important matters, inform me ASAP so we can
work out a plan.
2) 14 Weekly Discussion Board Question posts & follow-ups: 2pts/module: 28/100 pts
3) 4 Asynchronous Short Essay Assignments: 4 pts each: 16/100 pts
4) Asynchronous Mid-Term Project – video, PowerPoint, audio recording or written
essay (your choice): 16/100 pts
5) Asynchronous Comprehensive Final Exam (4 essays via guiding questions):
40/100ptsPHIL 11001: 008_Syllabus_Spring 2021_Prof. Aldea 9
Weekly Discussion Board Forum Question Posts are designed to help you engage both the
material you read and the asynchronous lectures you watch. The questions must be text/lecture
specific – not mere repeats of your colleagues’ work. If your question focuses on the same issue
other peers are focusing on, make sure you stress why you deem the issue puzzling/important and
how you find it confusing/telling. Give page references. Closely follow the instructions in each
Forum prompt.
Short Essays are designed to help you process and sediment the gist of our class discussions. I will
make available guiding questions ahead of time. When writing these assignments, you will draw, by
preparing ahead of time, on your text annotations during class preparation time, your class notes,
and the notes you take during group discussions. Each assignment will raise several questions. These
assignments will track your reading and preparation for upcoming sessions and your understanding
of previously taught material throughout the term; they will constitute the basis for the
comprehensive final exam.
a. These essays will be approx. 500-750 words long and must address the essay prompt posted
in advance
b. These essays must be submitted via Bb in Word format by the listed deadline
c. The must be double-spaced, in 12pt. font, and have 1-inch margins
Important: You will receive instructor feedback on these essays, via the Bb Learn Grade Center
feature. You are expected to read this feedback for future reference, even respond to it using
the chat box in the Grading Center where my feedback appears. These essays will not only guide
your learning experience, but help you prepare for both the mid-term and the final.
Asynchronous Mid-Term Project: This project will ask you to reflect on a course-related
theme, given the materials we study. You will have the option to complete & deliver this project
in written essay form (max. 1,000 words), PowerPoint + voiceover, audio recording, or video form
(max. 10-15 mins).
Asynchronous Final Comprehensive Exam: The exam will consist of 4 short essays (750-1,000
words per essay) in response to specific prompts (similar to your weekly reflection essays). The exam
is comprehensive, thus covering all of the material we study this term. I will post the exam prompt a
week before the deadline; you will submit it via Bb Learn in Word format, as usual. There are no
extensions for the final. See due date on the course schedule.
N.B.1. For essay, mid-term, and final exam assignments, you will receive instructor feedback via the
Bb Learn Grade Center. I use SafeAssign, which checks the submission for plagiarism across peer
submissions and on all online resources. Grades and feedback will be available on Bb within a week
from submission.
The final course grade will be on a 100-point scale. Grade distribution is as follows:
100-94 (A), 93-90 (A-), 89-87 (B+), 86-84 (B), 83-80 (B-), 79-77 (C+), 76-74 (C), 73-70 (C-), 69-
67 (D+), 66-60 (D),PHIL 11001: 008_Syllabus_Spring 2021_Prof. Aldea 10
Discussion Boards
• The Student Forum/Q&A discussion board will be closely monitored. You are welcome to
raise any course-related questions here.
• The online etiquette policies above hold here as well as in your synchronous class
comments.
• Follow the instructions in the Forum prompts and submit your posts on time.
Late and Make-up Work Policy
Weekly Discussion Board Forum Question Posts: given the nature of these posts (they must
tackle the materials as we engage them, closely following the course schedule), I will not accept late
posts/work. If you fail to post your question by the deadline (Thursdays (11:59PM) for initial post
and Mondays (noon) for the follow-up post), you will be assigned the grade ‘0’ for the week’s Forum
assignment.
Short Essays & Mid-term Project: 10% of the grade for the assignment will be deducted for each
late day. If the assignment is 10 days late, the grade listed in the Grade Center will be ‘0.’
Final Exam: as per university policy, unless an Incomplete is negotiated for the term, I cannot
accept late work. Students who do not submit a final exam will receive the grade ‘0’ for the
assignment.
If due to either Covid-19 related issues, family emergencies, and other qualifying circumstances, you require a deadline
extension, I will accept late work without penalty on a case-by-case basis. Appropriate documentation will be required.
Please contact me ahead of the deadline to discuss this.
VIII. COURSE SCHEDULE (tentative)
This module/weekly schedule is tentative, including the synchronous (S) vs. asynchronous (AS)
modalities for each session. I will continuously update the course schedule on Bb; also keep track of
my emails. Check your KSU email regularly to keep with class announcements.
Weekly Flow of modules & homework:
• Thursdays (asynchronous/AS): you prepare the new reading for the week, following
the discussed annotation practices and post an initial question/set of questions on
the respective week’s Blackboard Discussion Forum
• Fridays (by noon): the asynchronous lecture on the material you just read and posted
on becomes available on Blackboard (under Course Materials, in the Week’s Module
folder) – watch this AS lecture before Monday (noon)
• Mondays (by noon): you post a follow-up comment/question on the week’s
Discussion Forum and prepare for the following S discussion session per the AS
lecture’s instructions
• Tuesdays (usual class time): we meet synchronously (S) in Bb Collaborate Ultra for
an engaged discussion of the material you read, posted on, and watched the AS
lecture on; come prepared for this S session following the instructions in the week’s
AS lecturePHIL 11001: 008_Syllabus_Spring 2021_Prof. Aldea 11 NOTE: you must do the reading and post the initial Bb Discussion Forum question(s) BEFORE watching the lecture on the same material (the flow is designed to guide you in your learning process in this way); once you watch the asynchronous lecture (AS), you should revisit the material you initially read on your own. Do not rely on AS lecture alone to negotiate the readings; you must work through the material on your own, then watch the lecture, then revisit/read the text again. The AS lectures (Thursdays) and the in-depth S (Tuesdays) discussions together are designed to help you engage the material in a rigorous manner. Important: pay attention to the module schedule (including any updates) – the S/AS sessions flow will change after Spring break and is slightly different at the beginning of the term, also. Other Deadlines: for short essay (4 total), mid-term take-home assignment, and final take- home exam deadlines see the module schedule below and extensions/late work policy above. COURSE MODULES: Module 1: Philosophy as a Way of Life – S (synchronous) sessions S – Tues. (01/19): Course Introduction & Annotation Handout (Bb PDF) S – Thrs. (01/21): read Plato, Apology (Bb PDF) – this first, synchronous lecture #1 will be recorded on Bb Ultra (includes instructions for the 01/26 S session); post Blackboard (Bb) Discussion Board Forum Question #1 per Forum instructions (2 pts.) by Thursday (01/21), end of day (11:59PM) Module 2: Speaking Truth to Power – S/AS (synchronous/asynchronous) sessions S – Tues. (01/26): revisit Plato, Apology (Bb PDF) – prepare for class discussion per 01/21 session/lecture #1 instructions AS – Thurs. (01/28): read Foucault, Discourse and Truth (Bb PDF) and post Bb Discussion Board Forum Question #2 per Forum instructions (2 pts.) by Thursday (01/28), end of day (11:59PM); watch asynchronous lecture #2 by noon, Monday (02/01) (see Bb Course Module 2) and prepare for the following Tuesday (S) session per AS lecture #2 instructions; post follow-up questions/comments on the Bb Discussion Forum (see above, Forum #2) by noon, Monday (02/01), given your reading and the lecture on the material.
PHIL 11001: 008_Syllabus_Spring 2021_Prof. Aldea 12 Module 3: Philosophy, Self-Reflection, Critique – S/AS sessions **Short Essay #1 Due via Bb Monday (02/01) by 11:59PM (4 pts.) S – Tues. (02/02): revisit Plato, Apology & Foucault, Discourse and Truth (Bb PDFs) – prepare for class discussion per AS lecture #2 instructions AS – Thurs. (02/04): read Nietzsche, Human All Too Human, pp. 5-11, 179-205 (Bb PDF) and post Bb Discussion Board Forum Question #3 per Forum instructions (2 pts.) by Thursday (02/04), end of day (11:59PM); watch asynchronous lecture #3 by noon, Monday (02/07) (see Bb Course Module 3) and prepare for the following Tuesday (S) session per AS lecture #3 instructions; post follow-up questions/comments on the Bb Discussion Forum (see above, Forum #3) by noon, Monday (02/08), given your reading and the lecture on the material. Module 4: – Ways of Writing, Ways of Thinking – S/AS sessions S – Tues. (02/09): revisit Nietzsche, Human All Too Human (Bb PDF) – prepare for class discussion per AS lecture #3 instructions AS – Thrs. (02/11): read Audre Lorde, Sister Outsider, pp. 13-52 (mandatory text) and post Bb Discussion Board Forum Question #4 per Forum instructions (2pts.) by Thursday (02/11), end of day (11:59PM); watch asynchronous lecture #4 by noon, Monday (02/15) (see Bb Course Module 4) and prepare for the following Tuesday (S) session per AS lecture #4 instructions; post follow-up questions/comments on the Bb Discussion Forum (see above, Forum #4) by noon, Monday (02/15), given your reading and the lecture on the material. Module 5: – Bearing Witness. Lessons in Discomfort – S/AS sessions *Short Essay #2 Due via Bb Monday (02/15) by 11:59PM S – Tues. (02/16): revisit Lorde, Sister Outsider, pp. 13-52 – prepare for class discussion per AS lecture #4 instructions AS – Thrs. (02/18): read Lorde, Sister Outsider, pp. 53-109 and post Bb Discussion Board Forum Question #5 per Forum instructions (2 pts.) by Thursday (02/18), end of day (11:59PM) watch asynchronous lecture #5 by noon, Monday (02/22) (see Bb Course Module 5) and prepare for the following Tuesday (S) session per AS lecture #5 instructions; post follow-up questions/comments on the Bb Discussion Forum (see above, Forum #5) by noon, Monday (02/22), given your reading and the lecture on the material.
PHIL 11001: 008_Syllabus_Spring 2021_Prof. Aldea 13 Module 6: – Action & Thought: Philosophy as World-Transformation – S/AS sessions ** Mid-Term Project Due via Bb Friday (02/26) by 11:59PM S – Tues. (02/23): revisit Lorde, Sister Outsider, pp. 53-109 – prepare for class discussion per AS lecture #5 instructions AS – Thrs. (02/25): read Lorde, Sister Outsider, pp. 110-189 (mandatory text) and post Bb Discussion Board Forum Question #6 per Forum instructions (2 pts.) by Thursday (02/25), end of day (11:59PM); watch asynchronous lecture #6 by noon, Monday (03/01) (see Bb Course Module 6) and prepare for following, Tuesday (S) session per AS lecture #6 instructions; post follow-up questions/comments on the Bb Discussion Forum (see above, Forum #6) by noon, Monday (03/01), given your reading and the lecture on the material. Module 7: – Teaching & Learning. Speaking Truth to Power Revisited – S/AS sessions S – Tues. (03/02): revisit Lorde, Sister Outsider, pp. 110-189 – prepare for class discussion per AS lecture #6 instructions AS – Thrs. (03/04): read Seneca, Letters on Ethics, Letters 1-21, pp. 25-78 (mandatory text) and post Bb Discussion Board Forum Question #7 per Forum instructions (2 pts.) by Thursday (03/04), end of day (11:59PM); watch asynchronous lecture #7 by noon, Monday (03/08) (see Bb Course Module 7) and prepare for following, Tuesday (S) session per AS lecture #7 instructions; post follow-up questions/comments on the Bb Discussion Forum (see above, Forum #7) by noon, Monday (03/08), given your reading and the lecture on the material. Module 8: – The Good Life & The Human Condition – S/AS sessions S – Tues. (03/09): revisit Seneca, Letters on Ethics, Letters 1-21, pp. 25-78 – prepare for class discussion per AS lecture #7 instructions AS – Thrs. (03/11): read Seneca, Letters on Ethics, Letters 22-41, pp. 79-125 (mandatory text) and post Bb Discussion Board Forum Question #8 per Forum instructions (2 pts.) by Thursday (03/11), end of day (11:59PM); watch asynchronous lecture #8 by noon, Monday (03/15) (see Bb Course Module 8) and prepare for following, Tuesday (S) session per AS lecture #8 instructions; post follow-up questions/comments on the Bb Discussion Forum (see above, Forum #8) by noon, Monday (03/15), given your reading and the lecture on the material.
PHIL 11001: 008_Syllabus_Spring 2021_Prof. Aldea 14 Module 9: – Exercises in Self-Reflection – Lessons in Discomfort – S/AS sessions **Short Essay #3 Due via Bb Monday (03/15) by 11:59PM S – Tues. (03/16): revisit Seneca, Letters on Ethics, Letters 22-41, pp. 79-125 – prepare for class discussion per AS lecture #8 instructions AS – Thrs. (03/18): read Seneca, Letters on Ethics, Letters 42-59, pp. 126-176 and post Bb Discussion Board Forum Question #9 per Forum instructions (2 pts.) by Thursday (03/18), end of day (11:59PM); watch asynchronous lecture #9 by noon, Monday (03/22) (see Bb Course Module 9) and prepare for following, Tuesday (S) session per AS lecture #9 instructions; post follow-up questions/comments on the Bb Discussion Forum (see above, Forum #9) by noon, Monday (03/22), given your reading and the lecture on the material. Module 10: – Dialogue & Critique Revisited – S/AS sessions S – Tues. (03/23): revisit Seneca, Letters on Ethics, Letters 42-59, pp. 126-176 – prepare for class discussion per AS lecture #9 instructions AS – Thrs. (03/25): read Seneca, Letters on Ethics, Letters 60-74, pp. 177-235 and post Bb Discussion Board Forum Question #10 per Forum instructions (2 pts.) by Thursday (03/25), end of day (11:59PM); watch asynchronous lecture #10 by noon, Monday (03/29) (see Bb Course Module 10) and prepare for following, Tuesday (S) session per AS lecture #10 instructions; post follow-up questions/comments on the Bb Discussion Forum (see above, Forum #10) by noon, Monday (03/29), given your reading and the lecture on the material. Module 11: – Philosophy & The Political Realm – S/AS sessions S – Tues. (03/30): revisit Seneca, Letters on Ethics, Letters 60-74, pp. 177-235 – prepare for class discussion per AS lecture #10 instructions AS – Thrs. (04/01): read Seneca, Letters on Ethics, Letters 75-86, pp. 236-299) and post Bb Discussion Board Forum Question #11 per Forum instructions (2 pts.) by Thursday (04/01), end of day (11:59PM); watch asynchronous lecture #11 by noon, Monday (04/05) (see Bb Course Module 11) and prepare for following, Tuesday (S) session per AS lecture #11 instructions; post follow-up questions/comments on the Bb Discussion Forum (see above, Forum #11) by noon, Monday (04/05), given your reading and the lecture on the material.
PHIL 11001: 008_Syllabus_Spring 2021_Prof. Aldea 15 Module 12: – Philosophy as a Way of Life Revisited – S sessions **Short Essay #4 Due via Bb Monday (04/05) by 11:59PM S – Tues. (04/06): revisit Seneca, Letters on Ethics, Letters 75-86, pp. 236-299 – prepare for class discussion per AS lecture #11 instructions S – Thrs. (04/08): read Seneca, Letters on Ethics, Letters 89-95, pp. 319-381 – prepare for class discussion per (04/06) S lecture instructions; post Bb Discussion Board Forum Question #12 per Forum instructions (2 pts.) by Wednesday (04/07), end of day (11:59PM) ________________________________________________________________________ 04/12-18: SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES Module 13: Moments of Being – S sessions S – Tues. (04/20): read Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own (mandatory purchase), pp. 3-56 – prepare for class discussion per S lecture #12 (04/08) instructions; post Bb Discussion Board Forum Question #13 per Forum instructions (2 pts.) by noon, Monday (04/19) S – Thrs. (04/22): revisit Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own, pp. 3-56; prepare for class discussion per S lecture #13a (04/20) instructions Module 14: – Self and World-Transformation Anew – Unexpected Voices – S sessions S – Tues. (04/27): read Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own, pp. 57-112 – prepare for class discussion per S lecture #13b (04/22) instructions; post Bb Discussion Board Forum Question #14 per Forum instructions (2 pts.) by noon, Monday (04/25) S – Thrs. (04/29): revisit Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own, pp. 57-112); prepare for class discussion per S lecture #14a (04/27) instructions Module 15: – Concluding Thoughts – S session S – Tues. (05/04): revisit ALL studied texts for the term – prepare for class discussion per S lecture #14b (04/29) instructions; this is a review session in preparation for the Final Comprehensive Exam; at this time, the Exam prompt will be made available *Final Comprehensive Exam (AS): Due via Bb (no extensions!) Tuesday, May 11, 2021 by 11:59PM.
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