Phil 32: The Origins of Modern Philosophy

This course aims to provide a general understanding of what is novel about modern philosophy, how it breaks with many of the assumptions of ancient and medieval philosophy, and how it constitutes a way of thinking that is both attractive to and attacked by many today, thus forming the context for what we currently think. More specifically, we will be engaged in a careful study of groundbreaking works by several of the most important philosophers of the 17th century: Rene Descartes, Nicolas Malebranche, Benedict Spinoza, G.W. Leibniz, and John Locke.

I. Reading Assignments (subject to adjustment)

II. Requirements:

Two Papers

Students must write two papers, one short (3-4 pages) and one medium (5-6 pages). The paper topic will be posted on the course web-page (above) one week before it is due. The first paper is worth 15% of the final grade, the second 25% of the final grade. A hard copy of each paper must be turned in at the beginning of the class when it is due. Every student must also submit a copy to http://www.turnitin.com.

Midterm Exam

The midterm exam is worth 25% of the final grade.

Final Exam

The final exam is worth 35% of the final grade. It will be cumulative, but will emphasize content from the second half of the course and how it relates to what was discussed earlier.

Participation

Though the enrollment for this course is not small, I expect students to have read the material in advance and to be prepared to discuss it in class. I reserve the right to give pop quizzes. If I give quizzes, they will be worth up to 10% of the final grade (and each paper will be worth up to 5% less of the final grade than is stated above.)

Late Paper/Make-up Exam Policy

Papers turned in late will be penalized one +/- grade per day, unless evidence is presented of a valid excuse in a timely manner (e.g., a note from the doctor, the dean or atheletic department, etc.). Similarly, a make-up examination will be arranged only if evidence of a valid excuse is presented in a timely manner. If a student misses an examination without a valid excuse, the student will receive a grade of F for that exam.

III. Required Text:

Ariew, Roger and Watkins, Eric, Modern Philosophy: An Anthology of Primary Texts (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1998).

The text is available in the UCSD bookstore. All readings listed on the syllabus will be from this anthology.

IV. TA Information

TA: Kristen Irwin
Office Hours: Monday 2:00-4:00 (& by appt.)
Office Location: H&SS 8085
E-mail: kirwin@ucsd.edu

There are two discussion sections each week for this course, the one on Monday 1:00-1:50, the other on Friday 2:00-2:50, both in Warren Lecture Hall 2207. Attendance at one of these is highly recommended. I encourage you to discuss any questions you may have about the material with the TA during these sections. You may also contact the TA (e.g., about grades) during office hours or via e-mail. If, after discussing a grade with the TA, you feel that it is still not fair, you may request that I grade it, independently of the grade it was originally given. The grade I give (whether higher or lower than the original grade) is then final.

V. Other Information

1. Honor Code. The Academic Honor Code must be observed in this course.

Additionally, students agree that by taking this course all required papers will be subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject to the terms of use agreement posted on the Turnitin.com site.

2. If accommodations are needed for a disability or religious reasons, please notify me during the first class period or as soon as possible.