Readings will come from two sources:

1. Descartes: Selected Philosophical Writings , translated by John Cottingham, Robert Stoothoff, and Dugald Murdoch (1988: Cambridge University Press)
2. Bulk packet

The textbook is available at Huntley Bookstore. You may purchase the bulk pack from Vicki Hirales in the Philosophy Department office (Pearsons 208).

The study of philosophy offers an excellent opportunity to focus on two features that are especially important in good writing, clarity and precision . You will develop your ability to:

• Formulate positions and distinctions.
• Explain arguments for or against a position.
• Critically evaluate distinctions, positions, and arguments.

In casual conversation, and in class discussions, you sometimes have a point or question - you know what you want to say - but you can't quite put it into words. While this is fine for conversation, in your formal writing you are expected to present your considered thoughts on an issue. Throughout your professional life (and, more immediately, in college), you will frequently be evaluated not on what you think, but rather on what you can articulate . Clear, well-structured writing is excellent evidence of clear, well-structured thinking.

Weekly writing assignments (some ungraded) are designed to help you develop your analytic and critical writing skills. You must complete all writing assignments to pass the course. Here is a rough idea of what the graded assignments will be:

1. Two short précis
2. Two short essays
   1. Essay revisions
   2. Peer review of second essay
   3. Response to peer
3. Paper
   1. Précis
   2. Draft
   3. Peer review
   4. Final

Class participation encouraged and expected, and will be factored into your grade:

4. Presentation (approx. 10%)
5. Participation (approx. 10%)

Two other policies deserve note.

• Lateness is bad, very bad. No late work will be accepted. If an emergency prevents you from turning in your work at the beginning of class on the due date, please have your adviser provide a letter from your adviser requesting an extension.

• The orange handout is a statement on academic honesty; please read it carefully. We will discuss the application academic honesty to specific assignments as they approach. In brief: any work that is submitted as your own but written in whole or in part by someone else is plagiarism. Just for the record: plagiarism results in an F for the course and is subject to further disciplinary action. (Here is a brief statement of what constitutes plagiarism from another institution, New York University.)