(1) You can write a 1500-3000
word paper, in which you defend a position on a topic
listed below or a similar topic of your choice.
(2) You can make a PowerPoint and record a 5-10 minute
spoken presentation, in which
you defend a position on a topic listed below
or a similar topic of your choice.
Regardless of which format
you choose, I expect the project to show evidence of mastery of material; you
should
·
define
any technical term that you use in your own words
·
thoroughly
explain in your own words all ideas and texts that you consider
·
give
multiple detailed reasons justifying any conclusions that you come to, whether
they are the conclusions you are summarizing from a source or your own
conclusions.
I also expect the paper or
presentation to be concise—that is, there should be no “filler” sentences or
unnecessary repetition, and it should be clear how every sentence contributes
to your overall thesis.
You will need at least TWO
(2) non-in-class sources for this paper. These cannot be sources that we read
for class; they can support your position, oppose your position, or provide background
information. At least one of these sources needs to provide relevant background
information. In addition, you need to
draw on and cite. at least ONE (1) text that we read for class, in some way.
Sources can come from only
the following sources: an article found through databases on the UST library
website (e.g. CLICSearch, Philosopher’s Index, JSTOR, Project Muse, etc.), a scholarly
book, or an article on the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
(plato.stanford.edu) or the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
(www.iep.utm.edu). I especially recommend using the Stanford Encyclopedia. NO
OTHER SOURCE IS ACCEPTABLE. Feel free to check with me to see if a given source
is acceptable.
The following tasks need to
be done in the project, whether you write a paper or give a presentation. They
do not necessarily need to be done in this order:
1.
An
introduction and first section or slide, which should state your question or
topic, thesis, and explain what you will do in each section of the paper.
2.
Explain
the importance of the question i.e. what implications or consequences does this
question have practically e.g. how it’s important morally, politically,
socially, personally.
3.
Present
relevant background information. By ‘relevant background information’, I mean
any scientific, legal, or religious information that needs to be understood to
understand your topic.
4.
Explain
what two sources (not sources that we
read for class) say on this question. You do not need to discuss everything
from these sources, but only that information from them that is relevant to
your argument. Make sure to explain relevant background information from at
least one those sources. The source that presents background should be
discussed in the first section of the paper.
5.
You must
reconstruct from one of these sources a
formal, numbered, valid argument, in one of the valid argument forms we
learned in class. You should explain
what the source means by each premise and why the source thinks each premise is
true.
6.
Make
reference to at least one source that we read for class.
7.
Explain
your own chosen view on the topic, making sure to motivate that view. You must
construct your own formal, numbered, valid argument, in one of the valid
argument forms we learned in class; the conclusion of this argument must be
your thesis. Explain what the premises mean and explain why we should think
that they are true.
8.
Raise at
least one objection to your argument
i.e. give reasons why someone might deny one of the premises of your own
argument.
9.
Explain why the objection is wrong.
10. End with a conclusion summing up how you showed
your thesis.