Philosophy 535 (Spring 2000)
TOPICS IN ETHICAL THEORY:
THE OBJECTIVITY OF SUBJECTIVE VALUE
Mondays, 2:30-5:30; Busch 220

INSTRUCTOR: Joel Anderson  Office:  Busch Hall 225E  Phone: 935-7147    E-mail: anderson@artsci.wustl.edu
          Office hours: Thursdays 12-4 and Friday, 8:30-9:30 a.m. -- if possible, please let me know when you will be there.

TEXTS FOR THE COURSE

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE
FINAL PAPER (65%) The final paper must argue for a controversial thesis dealing with an issue raised by the readings for the course. This is not an expository or interpretive assignment. A research paper of 10-20 standard pages, in the format of the journal for which you think it would be appropriate. Your paper must reflect familiarity with some of the key current literature relevant to your topic.

PRESENTATION (15%): A ten-minute, 1500-word presentation, which should identify a few key claims made in the reading, present alternatives to each (what the author is not defending or is actively rejecting), and, with regard to each claim, both the reasons there are for preferring one side of the debate and a way of framing the issue for further discussion. The written version of this presentation should be in everyone's mailbox (virtual or real) by 4 pm on the day before the seminar meeting. Two-thirds of your grade for the solo presentation will be based on your written presentation and one-third on your oral presentation and your moderation of the discussion (until the seminar break). You are responsible for the optional reading as well. Unless necessary, presentations will not be held on days when there is an "issue statement" due.

ISSUE STATEMENTS (20%, that is, 5% each for the best 4 you turn in) These are one- to two-page thought pieces on an issue that you find particularly interesting in the relevant reading. It should (1) frame the context of your discussion (the current state of a debate, standardly made assumptions, etc.), (2) identify a problem that needs to be addressed, and (3) offer a sketch of how to address the problem. One way to think about this is as the introduction to a final paper for the course. In preparing these, you are encouraged to have a look at published discussions of the reading(s) in question. Short assignments will be circulated in advance to other members of the seminar. They should be sent electronically by 6 p.m. on Sunday evening. In other words, the actual due date is Sunday evening. You are encouraged to turn in all five assignments, but only the best four will count toward your grade for the course.

SEMINAR PARTICIPATION: While no formal grade is given here, this can significantly influence your final grade. In order to pass the course, regular attendance and participation is necessary. What counts here is your regular attendance, the quality (rather than mere quantity) of your participation, and the degree to which your participation clearly indicates that you have done the reading. To facilitate continuation of the discussions outside of class, there will be a listserver for the course. Send email to "phil535@artsci.wustl.edu", and everyone in the class will receive classes.

Possibility to consider: "PROTOCOLS" (neither graded nor required): The idea here is to provide ourselves, at the end of the semester, with a summary of the discussions throughout the course. It may also serve to help keep us on track. My proposal is that everyone (including visitors) take turns writing up a rough one-page summary of the discussion from the previous session, to be reviewed briefly at the beginning of the next session, and then revised to a final format. Those who pull their weight will get a copy of all of the protocols.  This worked well in a seminar two years ago, and I still refer back to those notes occasionally.

SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS