Course Requirements: Philosophy and Feminism




1) Regular attendance and active participation in class discussions: 15% of final grade

a) Regular attendance is required. Students who miss no more than 2 classes during the semester for whatever reason will receive a third higher letter grade at the end of the course, for example, going from a B- to a B or a B+ to an A-. This will not include the first week of class. (The reasons for absences have no effect on this bonus). Chronic absences will reduce the class participation grade. Also, you need to come to class on time.

b) Active participation in class discussions is required. It is very important for students to come to class having done the assigned readings in order to understand the lectures and make our discussions fruitful. Bring all the required readings for the day to class! You need to print the texts you can find on-line and bring them to class. To ensure that everybody has a chance to participate in classroom discussions you need to raise your hand if you would like to make a contribution. The instructor will also call on students to


2) Several pop-up quizzes: 10% of final grade

The points of all of your pop-up quizzes will be averaged by the number of pop-up quizzes you have accumulated during the semester. 


3) Three essays: 45% of final grade (each essay counts as 15% of final grade)

800-1000 words each (not more or less words, typed, and double-spaced).

You need to first, provide a clear statement of their question and thesis; second, outline a thorough reconstruction of the thinker’s arguments; third, engage in a critical evaluation of the discussed thinker; and fourth, provide a clear conclusion. You also need to properly cite and use textual evidence to support your arguments.


4) Two in-class oral presentations: 15 % of final grade                  

a) Each student is responsible for presenting (maximum 10 minutes) the main ideas/arguments and a critical evaluation of the arguments found in the primary readings of a thinker. The student poses three questions for classroom discussion and distributes an outline of her/his presentation to all members of the class at the time of presentation: (10% of final grade) 


b) Each student will also present (maximum 10 minutes) her/his third paper: (5% of final grade)


Missed presentations: A make-up presentation will be granted only if you have made arrangements with me at least 24 hours in advance of the due date and only in exceptional circumstances.


5. Final exam: 15% of final grade; the final exam takes place on Wed. May 1st from 10:10-12:10 in the classroom where the class meets for instruction.



General Course Policies:

1) The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the syllabus if necessary.

2) Professionalism: Students need to come to class on time and prepared, contribute to class discussions, take notes in class, listen to others while they speak, not sleep in class, complete their assignments on time, not interrupt the class by talking to peers, and not leave the room during class sessions, except in the event of an emergency.

3) No electronic devices may be used in class and during tests (iPods/Pads, MP3 players, laptop computers, etc). Mobile phones must be switched off during class. Absolutely no texting or checking your messages during class sessions!

4) Late Writing Assignments: Late assignments will be penalized 1/3 of a letter grade for each day that they are late (e.g., a B+ becomes a B if one day late). Extensions will be granted only if you have made arrangements with me at least 24 hours in advance of the due date and only in exceptional circumstances.

5) You must complete all assignments to receive a grade for this course.

6) Any student who plagiarizes any portion of an assignment will receive zero points on that assignment and the case will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. The standards of Conduct for Students can be found at http://conduct.wsu.edu.  Information regarding Academic Integrity policies can be found here: http://academicintegrity.wsu.edu/Default.asp     

7) All applicable university rules and regulations for student conduct will be applied in this course.

8) The grading scale will closely follow the standard university scale.

9) Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability, If you have a disability and need accommodations to fully participate in this class, please either visit or call the Access Center (Washington Building 217; 509-335-3417) to schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor. All accommodations must be approved through the Access Center.




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