Course Description

This course is an introductory survey of Western philosophy “from the medievals to the rationalists.”  The course is organized thematically rather than chronologically.  We will begin by looking at epistemological questions such as, can we know anything for certain?  and is all knowledge acquired through the senses?  Then we will turn to metaphysical matters concerning the existence ofGod and the nature of the human person. We will conclude by investigating some ethical issues, including what is the ‘highest good’for human beings, and how is it acquired?  where does morality come from? and are intentions all that matter?  To get a sense of the diversity and richness of the period, we will cover contrasting views where feasible, and we will look at a variety of key figures from both the Islamic and Christian worlds.

Course Objectives

1.   familiarity with some of the most important figures, positions, arguments, and debates in medieval philosophy and early modern rationalism

2.   experience in reading a variety of original texts in translation from those periods

3.   ability to identify and critically analyse arguments for a position in those texts

4.   ability to communicate one’s understanding and analysis of such arguments effectively in writing.

General Information

•   There are no prerequisites for this course.

•   This course is listed under the Writing Requirement and the European Traditions Requirement in the General Education Program.

Course Materials

•   i>clicker Student app.  Please bring to every class for reading quizzes.

•   There are no textbooks assigned for this course. All readings will be made available online on a weekly basis through the course Canvas site, which can be accessed by logging in at https://ucsb.instructure.edu.

Course Requirements

1. Participation in section, worth 5% of your final grade

Sections are used to discuss ideas and arguments from the readings and lectures in a smaller group setting, and as such they are an essential component of the course.  TAs will take attendance in sections; students are permitted only one absence without any effect on their participation grade.  You can be marked as absent if you show up late, come unprepared, or are not engaged.

2. Reading quizzes, worth 5% of your final grade

On most classes, a short reading quiz will be given using i>clicker.  Together these quizzes are worth 5% of the student’s final grade.  Each student’s lowest two scores will not be counted towards their final grade.  This allowance covers any missed quizzes and is meant to provide a ‘buffer’ for any absences due to illness, family emergency, etc.  If you have to miss more than two classes for such reasons, please get in touch with the instructor right away.

3 and 4. Paragraphs and Peer Reviewing, worth 19.5% of your final grade

Students will be responsible for submitting three short, low-stakes ‘paragraphs’ on course material and providing feedback on their peers’ work through the quarter.  All submissions and reviewing will take place on Eli Review, a web program which is linked to the course Canvas site.  Each paragraph is worth 3.5% and each Peer Review round is worth 3% of your final grade.  Full credit is awarded to all work that meets the formal requirements and is submitted on time.  (See course policy #3 below.)  The three Paragraphs are due on Jan. 15, Feb. 5, and Feb. 19, while the three rounds of Peer Review are due on Jan. 22, Feb. 12, and Feb. 26, respectively. Complete guidelines for each Paragraph and Peer Review will be provided on Eli Review.

5. Paper, worth 16.5% of your final grade

Near the end of the quarter, students will be given the opportunity to revise one of their paragraphs into a longer paper (600-800 words).  The paper will be graded on a letter scale by your TA.  This assignment is worth 16.5% of your final grade and is due on Mar. 4.  (See course policy #3 below.)  Further guidelines for each paper assignment will be distributed closer to the due date. Papers that do not follow the guidelines will not be accepted for credit.

4. Exams, worth 3 x 18% of your final grade

There are three exams in this course.  Each exam is non-cumulative and is worth 18% of your final grade.  The first two exams will take place during class on Jan. 28 and Feb. 23, while the third will be held at 9:30am on Mar. 18.  Each exam will consist of a combination of 15 short- answer questions worth 1 point each and 2 long answer (essay-style) questions worth 6 points each.  Once the exam is distributed, students will be given an hour to turn in their work.  No use of notes, electronic devices, or any other aids will be permitted during an exam.  A study guide,  including a list of questions from which the two long answer questions will be taken, will be distributed one week prior to each exam.

Summary of Course Requirements

Grading Scheme

The lowest percentage needed to receive each letter grade is as follows.

(A+  awarded)             B+    87                        C+    77                        D+    67

A       93                         B       83                          C       73                         D       63

A-     90                         B-      80                         C-      70                         D-     60

F       0

In addition, the following requirements must be met:

•    In order to receive an A in the course, a student must have an exam average of at least 93%. A student who has earned 93% or higher in the course overall but does not meet this

requirement but will receive a final grade of A-.

•    In order to receive a C or higher in the course, a student have an exam average of at least 73%. A student who has earned 73% or higher in the course overall but does not meet this requirement will receive a final grade of C-.

•   In order to receive a D- or higher in the course, a student have an exam average of at least 60%. A student who does not meet this requirement will receive a final grade of F.