Professor Talbott                                                                                                                                                         Spring 2008                            

Office:  Condon 632                                                                                                                                                   Philosophy 410A:   

Phone:  543-5095                                                                                                                                                        Social Philosophy

Email:  wtalbott@                                                                                                                                                        MWF: 2-3:20 pm

Office Hours:  Monday 3:30-4:20 and by appointment                                                                                               Condon 223A

URL:  http://faculty.washington.edu/wtalbott/

 

SYLLABUS

PHILOSOPHY 410A.  Social Philosophy:  The Priority of Liberty (5 Credits/“W” Course)

 

            Disability Resources For Students.  If you would like to request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact Disability Resources for Students (DRS), 448 Schmitz, (206) 543-8924 (V/TTY).  If you have a letter from DRS indicating you have a disability that requires academic accommodations, please present the letter to me so we can discuss the accommodations you might need for the class. 

 

            I. Course Goals:  In spite of the best efforts of many governments to prevent it, liberty, especially negative liberty, is expanding all over the world.  In this course, we do two things:  (1) Investigate the most significant philosophical explanations and defenses of schemes of negative liberty; (2) Apply the philosophical theories to difficult issues concerning liberty, especially issues concerning freedom of speech and paternalism.  This course is intended to help you to develop the ability to read and comprehend difficult philosophical texts and to improve your expository and critical writing. 

 

II. Course Readings.  There are two required texts, two course readers, and three readings available on Electronic Reserve.  Texts.  The following texts and readers are available for purchase at the University Book Store:  Judith Jarvis Thomson, The Realm of Rights (RR) [because this book is temporarily out of print, we have received permission to reproduce it as a course reader. It is Vol. 2]; John Stuart Mill, On Liberty (OL); John Rawls, Political Liberalism (PL).  There is also an additional Course Reader Vol. 1. 

Electronic Reserve.  These readings will be available on the Web (URL: http://www.lib.washington.edu/services/course/).

 

            III. Course Requirements:

 

            1. CLASS PREPARATION AND ATTENDANCE.  The class meets MWF from 2:00 to 3:20 pm, EXCEPT ON MONDAY, MAY 26 (MEMORIAL DAY).  Everyone is expected to do the assigned readings in advance and to attend and to participate in the discussion.  See the separate handout of Course Readings and the separate weekly handouts of Discussion Topics and Paper Topics.  Class participation can improve your grade but cannot lower it. 

 

            2.  EMAIL.  I will send out important class and individual messages to your U.W. email account.  You should check that account regularly.  I also encourage you to use email to contact me.  My email address appears above.  I usually answer email messages within 24 hours during the week and within 48 hours on weekends and holidays.

 

3. END-OF-CLASS QUESTIONS.  (1-5 Points Each).  At the end of each class, except the day of the midterm exam and the original position assignment, you will be asked to give a written answer to a question based on the readings or the discussion in lecture.  These assignments will provide practice for writing answers to exam questions.  Answers to end of class questions may not be turned in late, unless the absence is excused.  All answers to end of class questions for excused absences must be submitted before the Final Exam.  If you are present or have an excused absence and receive less than 1/2 credit for your answer to an end-of-class question, you may resubmit for up to 1/2 credit.  All resubmits must be received before the term paper deadline.

 

            4. MIDTERM EXAM.  There will be a Midterm Exam (worth 100 points) in class on Monday, May 5.  A list of potential exam questions will be distributed in class on Friday, Apr. 25.  The actual exam questions will be selected from the list.  Please bring a pen and blank green/blue books to the exams. 

 

            5.  PAPERS.  (a) Paper #1, a 5-7 page paper on Thomson (120 points).  See the discussion questions for Weeks 1-2 for the topic, peer review instructions, and deadlines. 

            (b) Term Paper (260 Points).  The term paper replaces the final exam.  See the discussion questions for Weeks 8-10 for Parts I-III of the assignment, peer review instructions, and deadlines.  

            There is a separate handout of Paper Guidelines.  Please make sure you review the Paper Guidelines before turning in your papers.  PAPERS THAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE GUIDELINES WILL BE PENALIZED.  Undergraduates—especially those who have not taken an upper level philosophy course before—are encouraged to have a draft of your paper read by one of the tutors in the Philosophy Writing Center, in the Philosophy Commons (Condon 529). 

 

            IV. Extensions Of Time.  Extensions of time should be requested in advance of the deadline.  Unexcused, late work will be penalized.  However, late work still earns partial credit.  All late work must be submitted before the final exam.   I DO NOT INTEND TO GRANT ANY INCOMPLETES, EXCEPT IN CASES OF GENUINE EMERGENCIES. 

 

            V. Course Web Site.  All handouts, transparencies, discussion questions, paper topics, and end-of-class questions will be available on the course Web site (see URL above).  So if you are ever absent, you can check the course Web site to find out what you missed.

 

            VI. Academic Integrity. Whenever you turn in any assignment in this course, the understanding is that what you are turning in is your own original work, except to the extent that you explicitly credit others for their contributions. You have an obligation to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, by always attributing any argument or idea that you have borrowed, even if you have modified it, to its source.  The source may be written or oral.  For example, if an argument was suggested by a fellow student, include that information in a footnote.  If it is determined that there has been cheating that involves one student copying another's work on an assignment or exam, if both students were aware of the copying, both will receive zero credit for the assignment or exam, in addition to any other sanctions that might be imposed.

 

            VII. Grades.  Grades will be based on total points (out of a total possible of approximately 580 points) as follows:  In-class assignments (approx. 100 points); paper #1 (120 points); Midterm Exam (100 points); and term paper (260 points).  Grades are based on total points earned, as follows:  96% = 4.0; 95% = 3.9; 90% = 3.5; 80% = 3.0; 65% = 2.0; 50% = 1.0.  Your contribution to discussion in class can improve your grade, but cannot lower it.

 

            VIII. Course Evaluation.  Friday, June 6, in class.  The course evaluation is your opportunity to evaluate my performance and to provide suggestions for improving the course.

 

            IX. Return of Final Exams.  Unless other arrangements are made, Final Exams will be available for pick-up in the Philosophy Department Office, Savery 345, during the first week of Summer Quarter.  If you would like your Final Exam to be mailed to you, please provide me with a stamped, self-addressed envelope for mailing.