Syllabus
Meeting:
Time: Monday, 7pm-9.50pm
Location: Harper 63
Instructor:
Masahiro Yamada (page at CGU)
email: masahiro.yamada@cgu.edu
phone: 909.607.0471
Office Hours: Tuesdays 10-12 (walk-in) or by appointment (Office 3, Blaisdell House, 143 East 10th Street)
Course Description:
We will exploring issues surrounding the status of values, particularly moral values. What makes our value judgments correct? Can they be correct in any meaningful sense? Are there moral truths that have validity transcending particular cultures or societies? If so, how can that be? While it is unlikely that we will be able to answer satisfactorily any of these questions, we should be able to come out with a better understanding of the difficulties and complications that surround these important questions.
Use of Sakai:
We will use some features of Sakai. If you are not familiar with it, the portal is at http://sakai.claremont.edu. There is extensive documentation available through the portal including who to contact if you need more help.
Reading material:
All material will be made available for download. See the readings page.Weekly Requirements:
Participation is expected and encouraged. You are expected to have read the material in advance and be ready to talk about them.
You are also required to participate in on-line discussion through the Sakai page of this course. You can post comments, questions, observations and/or responses to others' comments, questions, etc.
Presentation and Papers:
- You must present at least once in the semester on the reading material for the week. You should present and analyse the main arguments in the readings (e.g. weaknesses, strengths, how an argument might or might not relate to other issues discussed during the course). I am not expecting you to present your own solution to an ancient problem or anything of that sort. Rather, think of this as an opportunity for you to set the agenda for the class discussion. You must give me a plan of your presentation at least two days in advance. You can either volunteer for a week of your choice (if there is more than one volunteer for a week, it will be first-come-first-serve) or leave it to me to volunteer you for a week of my choice.
- You must write a final paper on a topic related to the material discussed during the semeser. A draft is due TBA and you will present your ideas during the last two weeks of the semester. The final paper which is expected to reflect the input from your peers and me is due TBA.
- All written material should be submitted using your dropbox on the Sakai course page.
Grading Policy:
The main determinant of your grade is your final paper. However, your class participation and your presentation(s) are important factors as well.
