PHIL 3321: Philosophical Traditions I – American Philosophy
- Office Location and Hours:
- JO 4.120, Mon & Tues 1:30-3:00pm
Course Description
This course will provide an introduction to the tradition of American Philosophy, focusing especially on American Pragmatism. We will focus on this tradition, not as a subject for mere historical investigation, but rather as a living philosophical tradition. American Philosophy provides an important, relevant alternative the more well-known Analytic and Continental traditions, one that focuses, among other things, on resistant to absolutism and closed-mindedness, the relations between theory and practice, the relation of belief and knowledge to action, the nature of community and democracy, pluralism, growth and change, and the meaning of knowledge and principles in lived experience.
This course fulfills a major requirement for Philosophy majors. Philosophical Traditions I will typically be taken by the first semester of your Junior year, and is a key course for upper-level coursework in the major. It provides a grounding in a major contemporary philosophical tradition, focused on an understanding of major figures and ideas as well as how that tradition approaches philosophical inquiry. It is also a valuable course for Philosophy minors and non-majors interested in courses beyond the introductory level.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Interpretation: Students will articulate and employ basic methodologies of philosophical enquiry and textual engagement.
- Argumentation: Students will demonstrate an ability to make and defend, as well as recognize and critique, philosophical claims and arguments.
- Ideas and Concepts: Students will engage with central philosophical concepts and ideas, and make effective use of them in addressing contemporary problems.
- Traditions and Movements: Students will display a broad knowledge of the American philosophical traditions and the historical movements in philosophy that inform it, and the reasons for their significance.
Required Text
American Philosophy: From Wounded Knee to the Present by Erin McKenna and Scott Pratt [AP]
The book is on order at Off Campus Books at 561 W Campbell Rd #201 (behind Fuzzy’s).
Other readings available in PDF from this website.
Schedule of Readings & Assignments
- 8/21
- Welcome and Introductions
Read [AP] Prologue, ch 1-2 - 8/28
- Native American Philosophies
Read [AP]: 3; Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa), The Soul of the Indian (selections); Zitkala-Sa (Gertrude Bonnin), “Why I Am a Pagan” - 9/4
- Transcendentalism
Read [AP]: 5; Emerson, “Self-reliance” and “The Oversoul” - 9/11
- Feminism, Labor Movements, & the Social Gospel
Read [AP]: 4, 6; Jane Addams, Democracy and Social Ethics (selections)
Deadline: Term paper proposal - 9/18
- Pragmatism and Truth
Read [AP]: 7; William James, “Philosophical Conceptions and Practical Results” - 9/25
- Making Ideas Clear
Read [AP]: 8; C.S. Peirce, Selections from “Some Consequences…”, “The Fixation of Belief”, “How to Make Our Ideas Clear” - 10/2
- Beloved Community
Read [AP]: 9; Josiah Royce, The Problem of Christianity (selections)
Deadline: Term paper abstract - 10/9
- War, Anarchism, and Sex
Read [AP]: 10; Emma Goldman, Anarchism and Other Essays (selections) - 10/16
- Democracy and Inquiry
Read [AP]: 11-12; John Dewey, “The Need for a Recovery of Philosophy”
Deadline: Annotated bibliography - 10/23
- Philosophy and Race
Read [AP]: 13-14; W.E.B. Du Bois, “The Souls of White Folk” - 10/30
- Cultural Pluralism
Read [AP]: 15-16; Alain Locke, “Values and Imperatives” and “Cultural Relativism and Ideological Peace” - 11/6
- Pragmatism and Analysis
Read [AP]: 18-19 (suggested: 17 & 20); C.I. Lewis, “A Pragmatic Conception of the A Priori - 11/13
- Philosophy and the Environment
Read [AP]: 21; Aldo Leopold, selections from A Sand County Almanac
Deadline: Term paper draft - 11/20
- Fall Break, No Class
Suggested Reading [AP]: 22-23, 26-29. - 11/27
- Civil Rights and Black Power
Read [AP]: 24-25; Martin Luther King, Jr, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and James Baldwin, “The American Dream and the American Negro” - 12/4
- Neopragmatism and the Future of American Philosophy
Read [AP]: 30-32; Read Richard Rorty, “Pragmatism as Anti-Authoritarianism” - 12/11
- Deadline: Final Paper
Grades and Assignments
Assignments
- Term Paper (multiple stages): proposal, abstract, annotated bibliography, draft, final paper
- In-class presentation of Major Figure.
- Contribution to class discussion
Grading Policy
Grades will be determined as follows:
- D:
- Satisfactory proposal and abstract
- Turned in annotated bibliography, and draft meeting formal requirements
- Makes at least minor contributions to several class discussions
- No more than 4 absences
- C:
- Everything required for a D, plus:
- Satisfactory annotated bibliography
- Turned in draft meeting formal requirements
- Satisfactory Major Figure Presentation
- Answers questions about and responds to peer comments on readings most weeks
- No more than 3 absences
- B:
- Everything required for a C, plus:
- Satisfactory term paper draft
- Comes prepared almost every week to contribute to discussion, including having key questions marked and questions, arguments, or applications prepared.
- No more than 2 absences
- A:
- Everything required for a B, plus:
- Satisfactory final paper
- Makes a significant contribution to the direction of class discussion most weeks, without becoming overbearing.
- No more than 1 absence
- F:
- Failure to satisfy the criteria for grades A-D.
- Term paper components will be returned within 2 weeks, marked “Satisfactory” or “Revise & Resubmit.”
- You may submit any part of the term paper early, which gives you greater opportunities for revision if necessary. You may not submit two assignment parts in the same week. Usually you should wait until receiving a “Satisfactory” on one part before moving on to the next.
- Specifications for a “Satisfactory” will be provided.
Tokens
Some flexibility is added to the course via the “token” system. You each begin the semester with 2 tokens. Tokens can be spent in the following ways:
- Extra absence
- Turn in two assignments in the same week
Tokens can be earned in the following ways:
- Exemplary quality on your final paper. (1 token)
- Exemplary participation throughout the semester. (1 token)
Tokens also determine whether you have a plus or minus added to your grade:
- 0 tokens
- minus (-)
- 1-2 tokens
- none
- 3+ tokens
- plus (+)
Course and Instructor Policies
Classroom expectations
You are expected to have read the assignments before class, and it would be to your benefit to also read them again after class. You are expected to bring a hard copy of assigned readings for each day’s class, and have them available to refer to. You are expected to listen respectfully to the professor and your fellow students, and participate in class discussions and activities.
Clear failure to abide by these expectations will result in you being asked to leave the classroom and being counted absent for the day.
Late Work, Make-Up, and Completion
No late work or make-up exams will be allowed without consent of the professor prior to the due/exam date, except in situations where University policy requires it, or in case of truly dire circumstances, where evidence can be provided.
Cheating and Plagiarism
Don’t do it! If you incorporate any work that is not your own into any project that you do, and you do not cite the source properly, this counts as plagiarism. This includes someone doing the work for you, taking work done by another student, verbatim copying of published sources, paraphrasing published work without citation, and paraphrasing in a inappropriate way even with citation. Re-using work created for another course also counts as plagiarism in most contexts. Unless group work is explicitly permitted or required, it is expected that all of the work that you turn in is original and your own, and that any sources that you make use of are correctly cited.
If you are caught cheating or plagiarizing, it is absolutely mandatory for me to turn you in to the Dean of Students Office of Community Standards and Conduct.
Class Attendance
Attending class is mandatory. Missed classes may count against your final grade, and egregious absenteeism will be grounds for an F in the course. Homework assignments due in class can only be turned in personally the day of that class (or before). In-class assignments and activities likewise cannot be made up. Tardy arrival or early departure will also count against you, typically at the rate of a half-absence.
Electronic Devices
Electronic devices will not be needed in this class except for accessibility purposes. It is strongly recommended that you have a paper copy of the textbook and readings that you bring to class with you. You’ll be better off (and research supports this) if you take notes on paper and transcribe it onto your computer than if you type your notes directly. Furthermore, many of the logical notations used in this class are difficult to transcribe electronically.
Please don’t distract others by checking email or social media on your phone, tablet, or laptop, using a music player or headphones, or doing work for another class during our discussions. For the most part, you should put away your computer, silence your phone, turn off your music, and engage with your classmates and I. Students making distracting use of electronic devices will be asked to leave and counted absent for the day, without being warned. Students who require devices for accessibility purposes are encouraged to notify the professor, who is happy to work with you to make any accommodations.
What to Call Me, Other Faculty, and TAs
I prefer to be called “Matt,” “Matthew,” “Professor Brown,” or “Dr. Brown.” My preferred pronouns are he/him/his. Professors regardless of gender should be referred to by title or degree, “Professor X” or “Dr. X.” Teaching Assistants who have not obtained a doctoral degree should be referred to as “Mr. Y” or “Ms. Z,” never using “Miss” or “Mrs.” unless the teaching assistant instructs you otherwise.
Concealed Handguns on Campus
As of August 1, 2016, concealed handgun license holders are permitted to carry their weapons onto the campus and into the general buildings of the University. Unlicensed individuals may not do so, and unconcealed weapons are not allowed. You are not required to disclose whether your status as licensed carrier, nor whether or not you are carrying a handgun at any particular time, to me or anyone other than an official peace officer. Nevertheless, I ask that you voluntarily refrain from bringing weapons into the classroom. Furthermore, I will designate my office as an exclusion zone, prohibiting the concealed carry of a handgun in that space. You will be provided with oral notification to that effect upon visiting my office.
University Policies
The information contained in the following link constitutes the University’s policies and procedures segment of the course syllabus: <http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies>
A syllabus is a living document. This descriptions, timelines, and policies contained in this syllabus are subject to change in the interest of improving the quality of the course, at the discretion of the professor. Adequate notice will be provided for any changes, and in many cases they will be discussed with the class.