Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 1 PHIL 201 DEB Introduction to Philosophy March 2015 Session (14-54) Monday, March 23, 2015 Saturday, May 16, 2015 Course Description Textbooks An introduction to the matter and method of philosophy. Topics include the purpose of human existence, the nature of the good life, the existence of God, the purpose of government, the conditions and extent of knowledge, and the relationship between human existence and reality. Prerequisite: None Proctored Exams: Final Exam Cornford, F. M. (1932). Before and After Socrates. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 978-0-521-09113-8 Cottingham, John. (Ed.). (2008). Western Philosophy: An Anthology (2 nd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-4051-2478-2 Textbooks for the course may be ordered from MBS Direct. You can order online at http://direct.mbsbooks.com/columbia.htm (be sure to select Online Education rather than your home campus before selecting your class) by phone at 800-325-3252 For additional information about the bookstore, visit http://www.mbsbooks.com. Course Overview Introduction to Western Philosophy begins with an examination of pre-socratic thought, moves on to the three fathers of Western thought, and consequently examines key philosophers whose contributions are credited with making philosophy what it is today. The course concludes with reference to post-modern developments in philosophy. Technology Requirements Participation in this course will require the basic technology for all online classes at Columbia College: A computer with reliable Internet access, a web browser, Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Office or another word processor such as Open Office.
Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 2 You can find more details about standard technical requirements for our courses on our site. Course Objectives To be familiar with the matter and method of philosophy. To understand fundamental questions in philosophy, some classic answers, and reasons for believing these answers. Measurable Learning Outcomes Read classic philosophical prose for critical understanding. Describe the classic issues and problems in philosophy. Formalize sophisticated philosophical arguments. Analyze and provide criticisms of sophisticated philosophical arguments. Describe the method of philosophy. Grading Grading Scale GRADE POINTS PERCENT A 630-700 90-100 B 560-629 80-89 C 490-559 70-79 D 420-489 60-69 F 0-419 0-59 Grade Weights ASSIGNMENT POINTS PERCENT Discussion Questions 280 40% Quizzes 210 30% Final Exam 210 30% TOTAL 700 100%
Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 3 Schedule of Due Dates Week Assignment Points Due Date 1 Introduction - 2 Quiz 1 35 Proctor Information - 3 Quiz 2 35 4 Quiz 3 35 5 Quiz 4 35 6 Quiz 5 35 7 Quiz 6 35 Course Evaluation -- Thursday 8 Final Exam 210 Saturday Total 700
Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 4 Assignment Overview Text Readings: Weekly readings should be completed prior to working on assignments each week. Discussion Questions: From Week 1 to Week 7, each student will choose two questions based on the readings for that week. These questions are designed to expose you to philosophy, and to help you develop good philosophical reading skills. This, in layman terms, means the ability to read a text closely and squeeze out the good stuff. Discussion question answers are expected to be about 150 words apiece (or enough to answer the question fully), with citations and references (no more than 20%) to support your answer. You are also expected make reply posts in weekly discussion threads. This means substantively responding to at least three other students postings, on two separate days a week. See also the Rubric for Discussions at the end of this Syllabus. Quizzes: There will be 6 quizzes throughout the session, in Weeks 2 through 7. Each quiz is worth 35 points and will be based on assigned readings. These can be accessed through the Quizzes area of the course. Final Exam: There will be a Final Exam in Week 8. The exam will be computerized and proctored. You will be responsible for arranging an acceptable proctor and submitting that information in Week 2, and for scheduling your exam with your proctor. Please see Proctor Policy below. The final is comprehensive and consists of multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer questions as well as two long essays. You may not use books, notes, other websites, or any other sources. Course Schedule Week 1 The Start of Philosophy and Pre-Socratics Readings: Cornford Chapter 1 Introductions: Please post your introduction in the Discussions area of the course. Discussion Questions: For this and all discussion assignments, please choose two questions from the list below. 1. Read What is Philosophy? in the Content area. Pick one branch of philosophy and do a little research to learn more about what it involves, and the questions it examines. Note: You will need at least two outside sources to support your answer for this question. 2. On p. 6 of Before and After Socrates, Cornford refers to the start of Ionian science. Who is the father of philosophy, according to Cornford, and why? Based on the example provided of land measurement, why is this person credited with the rise of philosophy? That is, what contribution about land measurements gave rise to the start of philosophy? (p. 5-7). 3. Cornford notes a significant achievement in Western thought on p. 7, in the discovery of nature. He follows this up with three specific points which he calls features of the prescientific age. Identify these three points and either briefly explain the first and third points, or explain the second point in detail. 4. In the Content area, in the section Course Resources, choose The School of Athens image, and locate Anaximander. Click on Anaximander s picture and following the information you find there, describe his account of the creation of the world. 5. Define Atomism and identify, using The School of Athens image (in the Content area in the Course Resources module), three Atomists. Briefly describe their thought, based on Cornford, p. 21-28. Also of help in the Content area are two videos on Atomism, in the Week 1 Introduction and Readings. 6. Atomism is often described as a form of materialism, that is, the theory that all things that are real must be physical or material. Being a materialist doctrine, how does Atomism account for things like soul? Considering that souls are not material, by definition, can
Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 5 Atomism, as such, provide a full account of them? Note this isn't about providing an opinion so much as analyzing the definition of Atomism. (p. 24-28). Final Exam Preparation: Prepare for the final by answering all of the questions above. Week 2 Socrates Readings: Cornford Chapter 2 Discussion Questions: Choose two from the list below. 1. On what two grounds did Socrates reject scientific accounts of his time? Define his first objection and explain what he meant (starts on p. 30). Why was he unhappy with scientific explanations being offered? 2. Explain his second objection. On what grounds did Socrates believe scientific accounts of nature were useless? (Starts on p. 31) 3. Explain why scientific accounts of the time were different than they are now (starts on p. 32). What form did scientific accounts of the time tend to take and why was Socrates unhappy with Anaxagoras' account? 4. Unhappy with scientific accounts of the time, what does Socrates turn to instead and similarly, what discovery, according to Cornford, ranks Socrates among the greatest philosophers? 5. What, according to Socrates, is the perfection of the soul and how does it relate to happiness? (starts on p. 37) How does the perfection of the soul guide our choices and moral values? 6. Sophists were a big deal during Socrates' time (and not in a good way). Socrates was actually accused of being a Sophist at one point in the Apologia. Who were the sophists? (p. 38) How did Socrates feel about them and why was he accused of being one? 7. Most ancient accounts of Socrates indicate his main concern was ethics. Socrates is indeed credited with having founded, as Cornford describes it on p. 49, a new principle of morality. What is this morality and what about proposing a new principle of morality caused discomfort among his fellow citizens? 8. Socrates is credited with being the first of the three fathers of Western thought (Socrates, Plato and Aristotle). Consider his discovery (question 4), how it still influences us today, and why he is credited with being a father of Western thought as a result (this question builds off of questions 4 and 7 and, as such, much reference some of the information required for the answers to both). Quiz 1: This is an open book quiz based on the readings for the week. If you do it as you do the reading, it will help you focus on the terms and concepts. Proctor Information: Be sure to submit your proctor information to the Dropbox by the end of the week. Please use the Student Proctor Information Form to do this (found in Proctoring Information module in the Content area. Remember to Save the form, before placing it in the Dropbox). Final Exam Preparation: Prepare for the final by answering all of the Discussion questions above. Week 3 Plato Readings: Western Philosophy: An Anthology, Part I: Knowledge vs. Opinion: Plato, Republic and Part II: Being and Reality Introduction and The Allegory of the Cave: Plato, Republic Discussion Questions: Choose two from the list below. 1. On page 14, Socrates uses the phrase the lovers of sounds and sights. What knowledge are these lovers of sound and sight lacking and why does Socrates equate this to opinion? 2. Who are the lovers of knowledge and what knowledge do they possess? How does this, for
Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 6 Plato through the mouthpiece of Socrates, equate to knowledge? (starts on p. 14 as well and the differences between the two is re-emphasized on p. 18) 3. Read the introduction to the Allegory of the Cave: Plato, Republic by Cottingham and take particular note of the information about Plato s forms. Identify the form Plato references, through Socrates, in the Knowledge versus Opinion: Plato, Republic reading. 4. Review the diagram on page 72. Explain the division identified there of the forms. Be sure to include in your explanation why mathematical objects represent these forms. 5. Review the diagram on page 72. Explain the division identified as ordinary objects. Be sure to include in your explanation how images represent examples of ordinary objects. Are these images, according to Socrates, real? 6. Building on question 5, according to Plato through Socrates, are the things we perceive (i.e. the things we see, touch, taste and feel) real? Do they represent forms or images? 7. Starting on page 73, Plato through Socrates begins his famous analogy of the cave. Explain this analogy. Feel free to review the video of this account available in the Content area of the course to help you. 8. Plato, among other things, is considered the father of a theory of knowledge called rationalism. The analogy of the cave demonstrates this theory. Using the Stanford Encyclopedia link through the links section, define rationalism (by entering the search terms: Plato s rationalism) and how Plato s analogy of the cave demonstrates or represents rationalism. Quiz 2: This is an open book quiz based on the readings for the week. If you do it as you do the reading, it will help you focus on the terms and concepts. Final Exam Preparation: Prepare for the final by answering all of the Discussion questions above. Week 4 Aristotle Readings: Western Philosophy: An Anthology, Part I: Demonstrative Knowledge and its Starting- Points: Aristotle, Posterior Analytics and Part II: Individual Substance: Aristotle, Categories Discussion Questions: Choose two from the list below. 1. Aristotle refers to scientific knowledge in Demonstrative Knowledge and its Starting-points: Aristotle, Posterior Analytics. What, according to Aristotle, is scientific knowledge? 2. One of the big things Aristotle is known for is establishing a system of formal logic, the basis of which is still used today in philosophy to review theories being proposed. You could argue that formal logic is one of THE biggest deals Aristotle contributed. Aristotle s system is sometimes referred to as syllogistic logic. What is, according to Aristotle (starts on p. 19), a syllogism? Can a syllogism produce scientific knowledge? Why or why not? 3. On page 20 in Demonstrative Knowledge and its Starting-points: Aristotle, Posterior Analytics, Aristotle describes how we come to remember things through sense perception. What is sense perception and what is its role in memory, according to Aristotle? 4. Aristotle notes on page 20 that it is evident that if the premises of a syllogism are universal then that conclusion of such a demonstration... must also be an eternal truth. Relate this to validity, a concept described by Cottingham in the preface. What is Aristotle talking about? 5. The Categories is the reason why Aristotle is considered the father of biology, which was another of his big contributions. How does Aristotle define substance in terms of his divisions of living things? 6. Aristotle is considered the father of empiricism. Plato is the father of rationalism. Visit the School of Athens image (Course Resources module in Content area) of the painting by Raphael. What is empiricism (think of the term empirical data and what it means, as well
Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 7 as his reference to sense perception in the last piece and his correlation with the actual physical thing of substance in this piece)? Explain in detail what empiricism involves, using the readings from Aristotle we covered this week. Why is Aristotle dressed in the colors of earth and holding his hand out in the painting? How does this demonstrate his theory of empiricism? 7. Why is Plato adorned in colors of the sun and pointing towards the sky in the same picture? How does this relate to Plato s theory of rationalism? Explain in detail what rationalism involves, using the readings for Plato we covered last week. 8. They say we are born one of two things: Platonic or Aristotelian. Which one are you? Do you identify more with transcendence of the senses, believing sensory information is unreliable (which we will get more into with Descartes)? Do you, instead, believe in empirical data? Identify the flaws of each theory of knowledge. If you are a supporter of Aristotle, use his passages to support your explanation of the flaws identified. If you are Platonic, use the passages from Plato we covered last week to support your answer. Quiz 3: This is an open book quiz based on the readings for the week. If you do it as you do the reading, it will help you focus on the terms and concepts. Final Exam Preparation: Prepare for the final by answering all of the Discussion questions above. Week 5 René Descartes and John Locke Readings: Western Philosophy: An Anthology, Part I: New Foundations for Knowledge: Rene Descartes, Meditations and The Senses as the Basis of Knowledge: John Locke, Essay Concerning Human Understanding Discussion Questions: Choose two from the list below. 1. Visit the online Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (the link which is available through the links section of the course). Search the term skepticism and click on the Skepticism link. Review the section on philosophical vs. ordinary skepticism. What is philosophical skepticism? Define philosophical skepticism in detail (be sure to reference the section on academic skepticism) and how it relates to what Descartes is doing at the start of his Meditations. 2. On page 22, Descartes notes: whatever I have up till now accepted as most true, I have acquired either from the senses or through the senses. Explain what Descartes is doing here (see the first sentence of the second paragraph on the same page and the answer to this question builds on question 1). Is he embracing sensory information as a reliable means of knowledge about the world? 3. The dream argument is one of Descartes most famous positions in his Meditations. Explain the dream argument in detail. What does his argument call into question and why? (starts on p. 23) 4. Descartes evil deceiver is the second of his more famous arguments. Explain the evil deceiver argument in detail. What does this position call into question and why? (also on p. 23) 5. What is Descartes solution to his own doubts? (starts on p. 24 and ends on p. 25). Explain his solution. Based on this solution and our considerations regarding Plato as a rationalist and Aristotle as an empiricist, would you say Descartes is an empiricist or a rationalist? 6. On page 26, Locke notes it is an established opinion amongst men, that there are in the understanding certain innate principles.... What is Locke referring to here? What, according to him, does innate mean and what epistemic theory do innate ideas suggest? 7. Identify the first argument Locke offers to dispute the notion of universal consent and
Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 8 things like innate principles. (starts on p. 27) Explain his position in detail. 8. On page 29, Locke refers to a yet empty cabinet. What empty cabinet is he referring to? Consider the term tabula rasa or blank sheet. How does this analogy relate to that phrase and what is Locke trying to prove? 9. As Cottingham notes on page 30, Locke begins his own view on the origin of ideas at the start of book II. Identify and explain, in detail, the two points he uses to explain where our ideas come from. Quiz 4: This is an open book quiz based on the readings for the week. If you do it as you do the reading, it will help you focus on the terms and concepts. Final Exam Preparation: Prepare for the final by answering all of the Discussion questions above. Week 6 David Hume Readings: Western Philosophy: An Anthology, Part VII: The Problem of Induction: David Hume, Enquiry concerning Human Understanding and The Relation between Cause and Effect: David Hume, Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding Discussion Questions: Choose two from the list below. 1. It is said Hume took Locke s ideas and ran with them! Some even suggest Hume ran them into the ground. Upon what foundation, according to Hume, are all reasonings concerning matter of fact based? And what, in turn, are reasonings concerning that relation based upon? Explain what Hume means (starts on p. 433) and how this foundation relates to Locke s overall position we examined last week. 2. On page 434 and continued on page 435, Hume states, I have found that such an object has been attended with such an effect and I foresee that other objects are, in appearance, similar, will be attended with similar effects. First, explain what Hume is saying in this statement (in detail because this is the part of the problem of induction). After you have explained what Hume is talking about, provide an example (like that of the bread he describes on p. 434) to demonstrate your explanation. 3. Do we have any justification for believing the future will be like the past (this isn t an opinion, but more about following what Hume is describing in the first passage here)? 4. On page 435, Hume refers to going in a circle. Explain what he is talking about here specifically and why this circle means no inductive solution for the problem of induction will work. 5. On page 442, Hume describes one billiard ball hitting another and describes causal relations more as connections or a tendency to assume one event will follow another. What does he refer to this tendency as (he mentions it by name once in the second passage)? Take into consideration the bread example noted in the first passage and explain what secret powers are involved in both examples. 6. What are the necessary connections Hume is referring to on page 439? Are we justified, according to his account, in believing in necessary connections (i.e. is there anything, really, such as a causal connection or is it more our tendency to assume)? 7. What is the problem of induction? Describe causal relations and how they build into the problem of induction. 8. Consider skepticism as we discussed with Descartes. Beyond being, even, an empiricist, Hume is ultimately considered an inductive skeptic. Explain how the problem of induction leads Hume to his ultimate skeptic repose. Can you know anything, according to him, about the world through observation? Quiz 5: This is an open book quiz based on the readings for the week. If you do it as you do the
Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 9 reading, it will help you focus on the terms and concepts. Final Exam Preparation: Prepare for the final by answering all of the Discussion questions above. Course Evaluation: Please evaluate the course. You will be able to submit your course evaluation between of Week 5 and Thursday of Week 7. A link will be sent to your CougarMail that will allow you to access the evaluation. Week 7 Kant, Hegel and Moore Readings: Western Philosophy: An Anthology, Part I: Experience and Understanding: Immanuel Kant, Critique of Pure Reason, From Sense-certainty to Self-consciousness: Georg Hegel, Phenomenology of Spirit and Against Skepticism: G.E. Moore, A Defence of Common Sense Discussion Questions: Choose two from the list below. 1. On page 41, Kant refers to a distinction between two types of knowledge. Identify each and explain the differences between both, in detail. Which term represents rationalist knowledge and which represents empirical knowledge? Is Kant a rationalist? How can you tell? 2. Kant mentions induction on page 41 and continues to address this point on page 42. How does he address Hume s problem of induction? Explain his account and how he uses causal relations as part of his solution (keep in mind Kant was roused from his dogmatic slumbers by Hume s works; he is pretty much responding to Hume s position here). 3. On page 42, Kant refers to the material of sensible knowledge. What is this sensible knowledge? Define the term a posteriori, according to Kant and how experience builds into our understanding. 4. On page 46, Hegel states, The objective which I apprehend presents itself as purely one and single. But in addition, I am aware of the property in it, a property which is universal, thereby transcending the particularity of the object.... Explain what this means, how it addresses the dichotomy between empiricism and rationalism, and, according to Hegel, how it builds into the experience consciousness forms. Is he merely looking for the same old sense-certainty to perception seen in prior passages by other philosophers? 5. Hegel refers to a dialectic process on page 47. Explain what this term means and what it is describing in the process of understanding Hegel is proposing. 6. What is the force Hegel refers to? What final stage does it belong to? 7. On page 50, Moore lists a number of truisms. Identify a few of these truisms and how he claims to know them. 8. What is the ordinary meaning Moore is referring to at the top of page 51? How does Moore know common sense yields reliable knowledge? Reference the case about knowing the earth has existed in the past when answering this question. 9. On page 54, Moore writes, if they are features of the common sense view of the world it follows they are true. What is this view of common sense and why is Moore specifically proposing this take on common sense (i.e. what is his piece railing against or disputing or why does he believe a common sense approach need be taken)? Quiz 6: This is an open book quiz based on the readings for the week. If you do it as you do the reading, it will help you focus on the terms and concepts. Final Exam Preparation: Prepare for the final by answering all of the Discussion questions above. Course Evaluation: If you haven t already done so, please complete an evaluation. See your CougarMail for a link by which to access it. The evaluations close at end of day Thursday this week.
Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 10 Week 8 Finals Week Readings (supplemental video): Watch the video on post-modernism, in the Week 8 Content area. Final Exam: The final exam is comprehensive, and to be taken between Tuesday and Saturday, by arrangement with your proctor. Course Policies Student Conduct Plagiarism All Columbia College students, whether enrolled in a land-based or online course, are responsible for behaving in a manner consistent with Columbia College and Acceptable Use Policy. Students violating these policies will be referred to the office of Student Affairs and/or the office of Academic Affairs for possible disciplinary action. The Student Code of Conduct and the Computer Use Policy for students can be found in the Columbia College Student Handbook. The Handbook is available online; you can also obtain a copy by calling the Student Affairs office (Campus Life) at 573-875-7400. The teacher maintains the right to manage a positive learning environment, and all students must adhere to the conventions of online etiquette. Your grade will be based in large part on the originality of your ideas and your written presentation of these ideas. Presenting the words, ideas, or expression of another in any form as your own is plagiarism. Students who fail to properly give credit for information contained in their written work (papers, journals, exams, etc.) are violating the intellectual property rights of the original author. For proper citation of the original authors, you should reference the appropriate publication manual for your degree program or course (APA, MLA, etc.). Violations are taken seriously in higher education and may result in a failing grade on the assignment, a grade of "F" for the course, or dismissal from the College. Collaboration conducted between students without prior permission from the instructor is considered plagiarism and will be treated as such. Spouses and roommates taking the same course should be particularly careful. All required papers may be submitted for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers may be included in the Turnitin.com reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism. This service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the Turnitin.com site. Work done in a previous course or for another course, in whole or in part, will not be accepted. Non-Discrimination There will be no discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, ideology, political affiliation, veteran status, age, physical handicap, or marital status. Disability Services Students with documented disabilities who may need academic services for this course are required to register with the Coordinator for Disability Services at (573) 875-7626. Until the student has been cleared through the disability services office, accommodations do not have to be granted. If you are a student who has a documented disability, it is important for you to read the entire syllabus before enrolling in the course. The structure or the content of the course may make an accommodation not feasible. Online Participation You are expected to read the assigned texts and participate in the discussions and other course
Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 11 activities each week. Assignments should be posted by the due dates stated on the grading schedule in your syllabus. If an emergency arises that prevents you from participating in class, please let your instructor know as soon as possible. Attendance Policy Attendance for a week will be counted as having submitted a course assignment for which points have been earned during that week of the session or if the proctoring information has been submitted or the plagiarism quiz taken if there is no other assignment due that week. A class week is defined as the period of time between Monday and (except for Week 8, when the week and the course will end on Saturday at midnight). The course and system deadlines are all based on the Central Time Zone. Cougar E-mail All students are provided a CougarMail account when they enroll in classes at Columbia College. You are responsible for monitoring e-mail from that account for important messages from the College and from your instructor. You may forward your Cougar e-mail account to another account; however, the College cannot be held responsible for breaches in security or service interruptions with other e-mail providers. Students should use e-mail for private messages to the instructor and other students. The class discussions are for public messages so the class members can each see what others have to say about any given topic and respond. Late Assignment Policy An online class requires regular participation and a commitment to your instructor and your classmates to regularly engage in the reading, discussion and writing assignments. Although most of the online communication for this course is asynchronous, you must be able to commit to the schedule of work for the class for the next eight weeks. You must keep up with the schedule of reading and writing to successfully complete the class. Late assignments will be accepted without penalty, if there is good reason, at the discretion of your instructor. If you have a problem, please let me know as soon as possible. I know life gets complicated and stuff happens. Please do not take advantage of my patience and desire to help, so use this option only when ABSOLUTELY necessary. Course Evaluation You will have an opportunity to evaluate the course near the end of the session. Course evaluations will open on of Week 5 and will remain open until Thursday of Week 7. A link will be sent to your CougarMail that will allow you to access the evaluation. Be assured that the evaluations are anonymous and that your instructor will not be able to see them until after final grades are submitted. Proctor Policy Students taking courses that require proctored exams must submit their completed proctor request forms to their instructors by the end of the second week of the session. Proctors located at Columbia College campuses are automatically approved. The use of Proctor U services is also automatically approved. The instructor of each course will consider any other choice of proctor for approval or denial. Additional proctor choices the instructor will consider include: public librarians, high school or college instructors, high school or college counseling services, commanding officers, education service officers, and other proctoring services. Personal friends, family members, athletic coaches and direct supervisors are not acceptable.
Columbia College Online Campus P a g e 12 Additional Resources Orientation for New Students This course is offered online, using course management software provided by Desire2Learn and Columbia College. The Student Manual provides details about taking an online course at Columbia College. You may also want to visit the course demonstration to view a sample course before this one opens. Technical Support If you have problems accessing the course or posting your assignments, contact your instructor, the Columbia College Helpdesk, or the D2L Helpdesk for assistance. Contact information is also available within the online course environment. CCHelpDesk@ccis.edu 800-231-2391 ex. 4357 helpdesk@desire2learn.com 877-325-7778 Online Tutoring Smarthinking is a free online tutoring service available to all Columbia College students. Smarthinking provides real-time online tutoring and homework help for Math, English, and Writing. The Writing Center can be used for writing assistance in any course. Smarthinking also provides access to live tutorials in writing and math, as well as a full range of study resources, including writing manuals, sample problems, and study skills manuals. You can access the service from wherever you have a connection to the Internet. I encourage you to take advantage of this free service provided by the college. Access Smarthinking through CougarTrack under Students->Academics->Academic Resources. Grading Criteria Rubric for Discussions Criteria Description Points Content The initial post (in which you answer two Discussion questions) shows good understanding of the reading in your own words. The post accurately characterizes the philosopher s ideas, is concise and stays on topic. If examples are used to illustrate ideas, they are on point, and not rambling. Each question is answered carefully and fully, in about 150 words for each Discussion question (about 300 words for your total post). No more than 20% of the post consists of outside information, quotes and paraphrased sources. 20 Citations and References References and citations are included and correctly formatted. Each answer must include citations and a reference, even when citing our texts. You can use any academic documentation style (APA, MLA, etc.). Each sentence containing outside information must include citations (e.g. (Cornford 22)). Completely failing to acknowledge the use of sources by giving citations and references is plagiarism, and will result in a score of zero for the post. 4 Reply Posts Three substantive reply posts are required per week (worth 4 points each) on at least two separate days (4 points). These posts should add something new to the Discussion that others could in turn comment on. It s fine to make I agree or I like what you said responses, but points are only given for posts that add ideas to the discussion. 16 Total 40