ANIMATIONS! Yes, we made them.

If Jenni hasn't told you, we are in art foundations I. All students in this class made short animations that will be showing on Wednesday at 6:00pm Monroe Hall in room 157 (127?)

I'll update the actual room number very soon, unless someone fixes it for me.

Everyone should totally go, because it will be completely fantastical.

(and we would love your support.)

In War, The First Casualty Is Truth

So, I was browsing the web and found that articles regarding wikileaks have been more prevalent than ever.

Here's a video summarizing what wikileaks is http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=387_1287960666

Anyways, wikileaks serves as a source of information composed of thousands of documents from the current war in Iraq, and they soon plan to expand their documents in order to include the Afghanistan war as well.

Their releases have been deemed highly controversial, some call it free speech whereas others call it a threat to the United States. Their documents reveal countless known incidents of torture, murder, and other war crimes committed by many different countries.

www.wikileaks.org used to be up, but its been under attack by many different organizations. Whenever they find a server to host their website, the server hosts get a visit from the government and soon after the hosting is terminated. Even massive corporations like amazon censor wikileaks once confronted by the government (see http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/01/wikileaks-amazon-servers-_n_790652.html).

Many of the sources and founders have also found new problems in their lives. Scandals and rumors regarding the founder's private life soon surfaced after the creation of the documents and many of the sources face dangers and threats to their every day lives (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8180528/Wikileaks-new-diplomatic-cables-contain-UFO-details-says-Julian-Assange.html).

Since there are many individuals who remain divided on this subject, I wanted to ask you guys if you thought wikileaks has the right to expose these documents and why or why not? Is it freedom of speech or is it an endangerment to United States?

Points of Interest-

Excerpt from one of the controversial releases of an apache gunship killing a journalist and two children (1:41)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTXSexxGRsg

Full Video of the above excerpt (5:29 more interesting if you have time)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25EWUUBjPMo&feature=related

Type wikileaks into youtube or google and countless more results come up.


Anyways, let me know what you think.

-Lukas

X

Come watch Malcolm X tomorrow night in BO 332, 7 pm - 9:30.

Missing Papers

Okay guys I have graded all the papers. If you turned one in and I have not written back with your grade then through some error I have not recieved your paper. So please resend it.
Good work on the presentations thus far,
Dr. Layne

For Wednesday

Hey everyone in the 10:30 class!

I know, I stink for being the only person so far to give you homework, but my whole presentation revolves around this video, so please watch it (if you don't I'll just waste 15 minutes of your time on Wednesday...). It's definitely worth it.

Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN2fqe4oWsI

It's only 5:27 long, don't worry.

THANK YOU!

Emma

Presentation Schedule 10:30 Class

Presentation Schedule for Self and the Good Life

10:30 Class

1.       M      11/22 Presentations :  Raphael S.

2.       M      11/22 Presentations :  Antonia

3.       M      11/22 Presentations :  Kristie-Marie

4.       M      11/29 Presentations: Joseph K.

5.       M      11/29 Presentations: Beth Cook

6.       M      11/29 Presentations: Zach Grate

7.       W      12/1   Presentations: Emma Grimsley

8.       W      12/1   Presentations: Alex Schafer

9.       W      12/1   Presentations: Jen Austiff

Thursday 12/2 Film Screening of Malcom X

Dustin L.

10.     F       12/3   Presentations: John Culbreth

11.     F       12/3   Presentations: Kirby Voss

12      F       12/3   Presentations: Daniel Hoppes

13      M      12/6   Presentations: Ricki Bratcher

14      M      12/6   Presentations: Andrew P.

15      M      12/6   Presentations: Channel Huff

16      W      12/8   Presentations: Phillip Cork

17      W      12/8   Presentations: Micheal F.

18      W      12/8   Presentations: Matt H.

19      F       12/10 Presentations: Marlee C.

20      F       12/10 Presentations: Christine Johnson

21      F       12/10 Presentations: Madeline Crabtree

Presentation Schedule 9:30 Class

Presentation Schedule for Self and the Good Life

9:30 Class

1.       M      11/22 Presentations :  Morgan Whittler

2.       M      11/22 Presentations :  Jordan Everett

3.       M      11/22 Presentations :  Savannah Logan

4.       M      11/29 Presentations: Chad Aubert

5.       M      11/29 Presentations: Lukas Gilevicius

6.       M      11/29 Presentations: Jon Lam

7.       W      12/1   Presentations: Collin McCabe

8.       W      12/1   Presentations: Olufunmilola Adams

9.       W      12/1   Presentations: Charolette McCray

10.     F       12/3   Presentations: Kylee MacIntyre

11.     F       12/3   Presentations: Austin Broussard

12      F       12/3   Presentations:

13      M      12/6   Presentations: Kevin Mah

14      M      12/6   Presentations: John W.

15      M      12/6   Presentations: Jordon R.

16      W      12/8   Presentations: Amos Kenner

17      W      12/8   Presentations: Cameron McCormick

18      W      12/8   Presentations

19      F       12/10 Presentations: Katheleen Trotter

20      F       12/10 Presentations: Tory

21      F       12/10 Presentations

I only have 5 papers left but I only have internet access from my phone. As soon as I can i will find a working computer to finish things up. happy Thanksgiving!

Metal of Honor "feminized"

a really interesting article on how courage has transformed for the US army.

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/11/20/christian-right-activist-blasts-medal-of-honor-as-feminized-s/

Presentation Guidelines

Guidelines for Presentations

The purpose of presentations in this class is to (1) give practice in public speaking, (2) teach one how organize material for a public lecture, (3) share research with the whole class and (4) raise consciousness about the dynamics and difficulties of a good discussion.

Directions: On the day you are assigned to present you will be allotted 15 minutes (10 minutes speaking time and 5 minutes for questions and answers). You will be expected to combine your previous two papers and present your findings to your classmates. The presentation is a chance to seduce your classmates into accepting your definition(s) of courage, heroism, greatness, individuality, villainy and/or fanaticism via offering them a lecture on a concrete particular instantiation of that definition via your chosen representative. You can use any material, e.g. video clips, handouts, PowerPoint, that you like. Be sure that at the end of your presentation you stimulate class discussion by asking questions, making provocative claims or admitting your own confusion or interests. If you have prepared, then you should be able to “guess” before class what questions the class and myself may have with regard to the person and/or definition up for discussion.  Also, do not pretend to know more than you do. If you do not know the answer to a question be honest and say “I DON’T KNOW.” There is no shame in this as all you have done is discovered an area into which you need to research and inquire more thoroughly for your final paper. As for the presentation of your presentation, I know that not everyone has an orator’s speaking ability but to be sure, if you are patient, calm and have come prepared, you will do well. ALSO DO NOT SIMPLY READ A PAPER.

Fidelity

I’ve got a question, everybody. I didn’t want to take us off topic in class, so I figured I’d ask it here on the blog. After finding out that Dr. King cheated on his wife, I realized that there is an abundance of philandering historical figures. Einstein, FDR, MLK, JFK, Bill Clinton, Prince Charles, and, God himself, Morgan Freeman all cheated on their wives. Coupling this information with the stories I’m sure most of us have from our own lives, I began to wonder: is fidelity an unrealistic expectation? Is it unnecessary? Why do we hold it as a virtue of paramount importance in relationships when it’s been broken so many times?

What do y’all think?

-Emma

Civil Disobdience and MLK

So after having read Thoreau, what parallels do you see in King's text. Furthermore, how does MLK advance a coherent philosophical argument in response to the question of why he obeys some laws but not others. Also how does he argue against those who ask him to "Wait"?

Take courage to mars?

I was just reading this and thinking about how my definition of courage wouldn't include and one-way mars colonists.

http://journalofcosmology.com/Mars108.html

A Man Invested $60,000 in a Maid to try to Woo Her into a Date

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Thinking Differently, Women and Art

http://www.thenation.com/article/156379/no-images-man-nancy-spero

Mill's Individual

For Mill, what is the value of the individual and how is he/she different from the masses. Moreover, why is he/she rare?

Come to class guys with your favorite passages and I will do my best not to talk and just hear your thoughts on this inspiring text.

Cheers,
Dr. L

courage in the face of... well, an audience.

hello all,

this is a shameless plug.

three of your fellow honors students (who all happen to be musicians) are playing a show this thursday night at café prytania (3445 prytania street - within walking distance of loyola). the bands are as follows:

naughty professor (featuring john culbreth on trumpet!)

cute machines (featuring myself on bass and maddy crabtree on drums!)

nomad (featuring.... no honors students....)

the cover is only $5, and doors open at 9 00p.

don't rush your papers or anything.... but totally get 'em done early and come start the weekend early with your courageous comrades!

Hidden Message in "Republic"?

I was messing around on StumbleUpon and ran across this article. Since we reference Plato's "Republic" so much, I figured this might be appropriate to post.
Then again, I'm a music person. I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff.

http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/stories/hidden-musical-code-found-written-into-platos-texts

Scientific Method

http://doctoralicebell.blogspot.com/2010/08/myth-of-scientific-literacy.html

Just thought this was a good blog that touches on some of those issues we were talking about on Wednesday. Be sure to read some of the responses to it as well.

Misanthrope and the Care of Self

So I saw the Misanthrope last night for the first time and I kept thinking to myself how perfect this show is for you guys. The timing couldn't have been better. Go see it as the subjects of frank speech, courage, integrity and courage abound in this show. For those of you who have seen it or who do see it, I would love to chat about it with you.

As for the question of the day....What is the care of self and how does Foucault relate it to the practices of the Epicureans, Stoics and Cynics?

See you soon,
Dr. Layne

No Question for Tomorrow but here are the Paper Requirements

The Self and the Good Life

Short Paper #2

The Great Individual?

Directions: The topic of this paper must be a research essay which combines your previous essay defining courage with an examination of its appearance in a concrete individual. This individual can be a fictional character but it cannot be an abstract example. I prefer historical individuals like Alexander the Great or St. Theresa of Avila but I also think that literary figures like Prometheus also help us to understand the concept of courage. To repeat, no abstract examples.

In your first paragraph I need you to summarize your definition(s) and overall theory of courage. Then you must address the issue of how your individual instantiates this definition/theory. In the following two paragraphs you need to argue for this identification by doing research into their lives and actions. DO NOT give me a biography but rather only use the material relevant to proving the instantiation of your theory. Finally in your third body paragraph you need to acknowledge how your individual fails to live up to your definition i.e. how they may be a coward or a fanatic/villain. In your last paragraph must resolve this problem by asserting your opinion. For the sake of forcing you to make an opinion, I will not accept concluding paragraphs which simply argue that “all is relative.” Perhaps you believe this, but in the end, you need to learn how to argue for your opinions rather than doing the “safe” thing and not taking a stand.

In contrast you may also write about a fanatic or a villain. You will just need to argue how they may be a courageous individual/hero in your third paragraph.

The NUTS AND BOLTS:

Ø                  These papers must be 3 full pages and written in Times New Roman 12pt Font. (I know you guys will want to write more, but consider this test of how well you edit your papers. To help, when you are looking for thing to cute, delete extraneous or repetitive thoughts/sentences. Make sure you aren’t just saying the same thing over and over again but in various ways. Aim for depth or quality of insight versus breadth and length of your argument.) I WILL NOT READ ANYMORE THAN THREE PAGES. IF YOU WRITE A STUNNING CLOSING PARAGRAPH ON THE 4^TH PAGE THEN I WILL NOT READ IT!!!)

 

Ø                  You will be graded on spelling/grammar, ability to explain the argument, and proper citations (no more than 3 quotes per paper).

Ø                  The format of the paper is your choice (e.g. MLA, Chicago etc.); however, be consistent throughout the paper.

Ø                  You may utilize only one quote of no more than 2 sentences long from the assigned readings per page and one quote from outside or extra readings per page. Be sparring here as in total you are only allowed three quotes in the entire paper.

Ø                   Above all, the papers will be marked on the clarity and quality of insight  regarding your understanding of the material we have read and discussed in class.

Ø                  Be sure to utilize the WAC LAB, located on the first floor of Bobet HALL.

Rafael--Check it out...

http://www.knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/List_of_gay_philosophers/

A new gene

I just heard on the radio that scientists have discovered a liberal gene.
I guess you can take that as you like.

Foucault Link

http://foucault.info/documents/parrhesia/

Suicide

So the play ends with a ton of self inflicted "stage exits". How might this "way out" effect our view of courage, i.e., can someone commit suicide courageously? or is it always the coward's way out? Be sure to keep focus and examine the three cases of Portia, Cassius and Brutus.

Also for Foucault, what is free speech?

Have a great Halloween guys,
Dr. Layne

Stoicism

So I know this is a little late, but I found this article does a really good job of explaining stoicism....its not long, either. Enjoy.

http://www.boingboing.net/2010/10/27/twenty-first-century-2.html

Brutus

Read until Act III

Primarily the question is what/who does Brutus love and how does this lead him to act as he does?

To answer this reflect upon what kind of man Brutus is? What characteristics does he have that lead him to join the Senate's fold? Analyze his relationship with Rome, Caesar, his fellow countrymen as well as his wife Portia.

Did I loan a book to someone and they didn't return it? If so, could you please give it back. I wanted to look it over today and couldn't find it.

Thanks,
Dr. Layne

Its come to my attention that there may be problems with the reading on BB. If this is the case, Voltaire comes from the Philosophical Dictionary Book 5 section 1.

Fanaticism

So finally we are here crossing the line into fanaticism....
What then are the characteristics that transform the courageous individual into a fanatic?

Dr. Brice told me room 101 but just in case I have reserved the library lounge. So let's hedge our bets and meet at 101 but if something goes stinky cheese we will shift to the lounge....

See you soon,
Dr. Layne

Breaking the Waves Room Move

For reasons beyond my control, the movie will now be in Bobet 101 @7.

Cheers,
Dr. Layne

A Curse for Every Mile of Ocean Crossed

Hey everyone!

Singer-songwriter Vienna Teng wrote a song that describes her own interpretation of the character of Medea. It's interesting! You should listen! Here's a link to some Youtube audio.

And here are the lyrics:

Inside the labyrinth walls
There lies a tiny child who sleeps alone
And as the daylight falls
The wind becomes so wild across the stone

For I have made her prison be
Her every step away from me
And this child I would destroy
If you tried to set her free

So come to me my love
I'll tap into your strength and drain it dry
Can never have enough
For you I'd burn the length and breadth of sky

For it's my thoughts that bind me here
It's this love that I most fear
And this child I would destroy
For I hold her pain most dear

No haven for this heart
No shelter for this child in mazes lost
Heaven keep us apart
A curse for every mile of ocean crossed

For I must die for what I've done
A twist of fate a desert sun
For I see what I destroy
Sweet reflection knife into me
For I see what I destroy
I can see what I've begun

Breaking the Waves and Medea

So tomorrow night BREAKING THE WAVES in Bobet 332 @ 7pm.

I promise you will love this film!

Okay as for the blog, do tell me in writing now how we justify Abraham over Medea. Why does she come out the villain versus the father or knight of faith? or do you think Medea a hero? or do you think Abraham a villain? Moreover, what different roles do both the intent/motive and the consequences (justification/redemption for both Abraham and Medea) of the actions have to do with how we judge their characters.

See ya soon guys!
Dr. Layne

Sex Differences and Evolution

Read this and thought of a few of your comments on Friday
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=student-surveys-contradict-claims

MEDEA

Okay for all of you guys who aren't as pro-active as Emma, I would like for everyone to have read the Abraham story and the first half of Euripides' Medea (until Aegeus exits) for Wednesday. No question for the blog but I do want you to come to class thinking about the similiarities and differences between Abraham and Medea. I also want you to be reflecting upon Jason's behavior toward Medea.

Looking forward to discussing infanticide and its connection to courage.....
Dr. Layne

"Medea" video

Hey guys!

Hope everybody's having a good break!

We have a cool resource available to us through the library website that I'm not sure if everybody knows about. If you go to Monroe Library's website and search the databases by subject and then go to "Drama/Theater Arts" you'll find a database called "Theater in Video." If you want you can watch a full-length 1982 production of Euripides' Medea starring Zoe Caldwell as Medea. I went and checked it out, and it really helped the whole play come together for me.

Just putting it out there!

See everybody Wednesday :)

-Emma

Courage and Chastity

What kind of courage can women exhibit? Is it unique to the sexes? Or does it ask the same of each of us? How was this virtue denied to woman in the past?

Cheers,
Dr. Layne

Moral Action and Trolleys

Okay I read this article and thought of you guys....

http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/2010/10/ethics-trolley-problem/

Philosophy Lecture

I can't go to this but I would love to hear what is said.....so someone go!

This week we have one event which happens to be happening today!

"Lucifer and Jesus: Rival Sons of the Father"

A paper presentation by Patrick Madigan from Heythrop College

Monday, Oct. 11th

3:30-4:45pmMonroe 156

The abstract of the paper is listed below. Hope to see you tonight!

----------------

Abstract: Lucifer and Jesus may be used as historical 'archetypes' responding to a Father who makes excessive demands on his sons. The one rebels, the other obeys. I discuss the evolution of these archetypes through Plato's 'Forms', Plotinus' account of the mistaken and regrettable 'Fall' of soul into matter, Milton's Paradise Lost (he expands Lucifer's rebellion from not accepting Jesus as the highest creature to disavowing the Father and usurping his place), and finally Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamasov, where all the sons but Aliosha rebel against their overbearing father. Lucifer thus becomes an archetype to the modern imagination encapsulating one response to the inadequate father, or the father perceived as making excessive, and perhaps unacceptable, demands. Christ functions as a contrasting archetype, carrying forward an earlier, alternative response to a father filing an extraordinary request.

--
Maria E. Rossi
President, Philosophy Club and Phi Sigma Tau

Concentrate on your papers but.....

also think about the interest of Jesus' cry "Oh God why have you forsaken me?"

Come by if you need help with you papers tomorrow!!

Cheers,
Dr. Layne

Christ vs Superman

Since we are going to attempt to do both the Gospel of Luke Passion Narrative and the prologue to Thus Spoke Zarathustra I think it best to pick sides. Tell me of the two who you find more attractive i.e. who do you wish to follow; Jesus or the man who claimed that God was dead? Be sure to tell me why?

Hopefully we will be able to go over both texts tomorrow, but if not be sure to at least focus on developing an interpretation of the Gospel passage. For those who saw Jesus Christ Super Star be thinking about the role of Judas and whether or not we can truly classify him as a villian.

See ya soon,
Dr. Layne

JESUS CHRIST IS A GO

I am on my way to the TULANE library to pick up the DVD. YEAH!

In any case I am going to the "Shame" lecture tonight at 7:30 and will then shake my fanny over to your dorm. I suspect I will show up around 8:45. Unlike last time though we will start the movie ASAP so that I can go home and get some rest before seeing you guys in the morn.

Cheers and see ya soon,
Dr. D

WHO DAT?!!!! On the Saints

Okay so today we got a glimpse into the Christian transformation of the hero into the saint via discussing the life of Ignatius of Loyola. Over the next couple of days I want you to tell me what sainthood is. Feel free to think outside the Catholic box by applying it to the everyday conception of the saint e.g. "my mama is a saint." In this tell me why the saint may differ from the hero or how risk/courage may or may not be involved in this conception.

Cheers,
Dr. Layne

Until further notice, let's agree to watch Jesus Christ Super Star at 8:30 tomorrow....also has anyone found a copy or should I run to best buy? If no one finds it by noon tomorrow, I will run that errand ASAP (Simon loves the film so its no beef off my dinner plate).
Also there is a philosophy lecture tomorrow night, so please feel free to attend that as well.

How do you will one thing....

Okay we started this in the first class but didn't get to it in the second class....so tell me what makes you an individual or what do you will in the recesses of your conscious, in the purity of your heart, and how does that will manifest itself in your concrete life. Finally, tell me how you compromise that identity, how you pervert or stain that purity of heart. Give me concrete examples. Be specific, take a risk and say something intimate, or even confessional....

Cheers,
Dr. Layne

PS Due to my amazingly flighty nature over the last week, I somehow misplaced the sign up sheet for the WAC Lab. Consequently when you go to you appointment there may be some problems. If this happens please let me know and try to make another appointment.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That's really all I had to say.

Socrates and the Divine

We didn't get to talk much today about the Apology but, no worries, I will make sure that the entire class on Wednesday centers upon analyzing this extremely rich text. For Wednesday though be sure to pinpoint what parts of the text showcase Socrates' individual courage against the fear of death as well as political courage to stand against the masses. More importantly, describe how Socrates' courage turns upon his self-professed divine mission. In short, how does Socrates connect philosophical activity to carrying out a "divine work" and how does this relate to his understanding of human wisdom?

See ya Wednesday,
Dr. Layne

The Apology

Who is Socrates?

Indifferent Courage

Moving now to Epictetus we will discuss the Stoic conception of courage. For Friday, come with a few quotes that we can analyze. When you post them be sure to justify why you think they highlight Epicetus' philosophy of fortitude.

Cheers,
Dr. Layne

Reasonable Courage

In the last class we dove head first into a discussion of practical reasoning and argued that a virtuous action must be one that reflects the truth (the conformity of one's will and intellect) in an individual's process of deliberation. In other words, an action is good in itself when it mirrors the human ergon or proper work of being a rational animal. So now, let us look at courage again. How for Aristotle can reason have anything to do with the pressures of battle, where one hardly has any time to chose or deliberate about the best course of action. Wouldn't such deliberation paralyze action, leading to inaction and cowardliness? Is all virtous activity really aimed at the good insofar as it is oriented toward the value of reason or contemplation? To answer this, be sure to think about the nature of war itself and its relation to the city....

Cheers,
Dr. Layne

Schedule Revision

So I know you guys are going to love this!! I want to spend at least one more day on Aristotle. Due to this and a desire to go ahead and read the Apology, I have made some substantial revision to the agenda. Please be aware of the fact that this will move the deadline of the first short paper to a week later and that we will be screening movies at different days.

Next week I will go over in detail the requirements of the first short paper.

Thanks guys,
Dr. Layne

SCHEDULE REVISION For SELF AND THE GOOD LIFE

Week 4

M            9/20         BB: Aristotle Book III

W            9/22         BB: Aristotle Book III

F              9/24         BB: Epictetus, Discourses Book I Section 29, 30 and Book II.1

Week 5

M            9/27         BB: Plato, Apology

W            9/29         BB: Plato, Apology            

F              10/1         NO CLASS          

Week 6

M            10/4         BB: Kierkegaard, The Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing pp.182-197

W            10/6         BB: Kierkegaard, The Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing pp.182-197

                                Draft of FIRST SHORT PAPER DUE in WAC LAB

                                Thursday Film Screening of Jesus Christ Super Star

F              10/8         St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica pp.422-424 and pp.451-453

Question 123: What is Fortitude?

Question 124: What is a Martyr?

St. Ignatius, Spiritual Exercises  pp.81-87

Gospel of Luke Chapters 22-24

Week 7

M            10/11       BB: Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra Prologue pp.3-20

W            10/13       BB: Paul Tillich, “Being and Courage,” from a Courage to Be

                                FIRST SHORT PAPER DUE

F              10/15       BB: Women and Courage—William Ian Miller “Courage and Chastity” from The

Mystery of Courage

Week 8

M            10/18       NO CLASS                           

W            10/20       BB: Genesis, The Story of Abraham

Euripides, Medea

Thursday Film Screening of Breaking the Waves

F              10/22       Euripides, Medea

Week 9

M            10/25       BB: Voltaire, “Fanatic” from the Philosophical Dictionary

“Fanaticism in the Modern Era” by Barrie Paskins in Fanaticism and

Conflict in the Modern Age

W            10/27       BB: Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

F              10/29       BB: Shakespeare, Julius Caesar     

Week 10

M            11/1         BB: Foucault, Fearless Speech, “The Word Parrhesia [free speech].”  

W            11/3         BB: Foucault, Fearless Speech, “The Word Parrhesia [free speech].”

F              11/5         BB: Foucault, Fearless Speech, “The Word Parrhesia [free speech].”

                                DRAFT of SHORT PAPER due in WAC LAB

Week 11

M            11/8         Mill, “Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion” from On Liberty

W            11/10       Mill, “Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion” from On Liberty

F              11/12       Mill, “Of Individuality, As One of the Elements of Well-Being,” from On Liberty  

                                2^nd SHORT PAPER DUE

Aristotle and Courage

Tough stuff I know guys but maybe over the weekend after I tweak my notes for the text, I will post them to help you out.

In the end though, just try to summarize the rest of book III and unpack Aristotle's view of courage.

Cheers and have a great weekend,
Dr. Layne

Philosophy and Boxing

"Consider, for example, the demise of dodge ball in public schools. It was banned because of the terror that the flying red balls caused in some children and of the damage to self-esteem that might come with always being the first one knocked out of the game. But how are we supposed to learn to stand up to our fears if we never have any supervised practice in dealing with the jitters?"

As both a boxer and a philosopher, I have a personal connection to a lot of the ideas and sentiments expressed in this article. However, I would be interested to know what people (especially those detached from the sport of boxing) think about what this article contests relating to what we have discussed in class. Can boxing (or any form of potentially harmful physical competition) help one learn to be courageous in all aspects of their life?

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/boxing-lessons/?hp

Aristotle on The Self and the Good Life

Just to summarize it seems that we are all beginning to doubt the very aim of the class: discovering or even understanding the nature of courage. Many are even asking whether courage is a virtue or whether it is an illusion simply constructed by society at large. This arises from the fact that most of you guys are noticing that a Socratic definition that is "the same in all cases" seems impossible. There is always a refutation to be made for every definition on puts forward. This is due to the fact that many of you constantly appeal to the perspective of the Subject in order to determine whether they embody courage. In this argument  some also end up discounting the idea that there is a universal or objective definition of it. In short, who and what courage is is relative to the person, society and situation one finds oneself in. I still persist in wondering though, do we really believe this?

Turning now to Aristotle, read the first half of the text on blackboard and tell me what the section of the text is about. Specifically, concentrate on analyzing Aristotle's conditions for moral responsibility. For Aristotle what makes an action praiseworthy? Do you agree or disagree.

See you Friday.
Dr. Layne

Trial by Fire

After reading the rest of the dialogue, I want you to formulate in ONE SENTENCE your own definition of courage.

Good luck!

read to 190c

The Return to Courage

Okay now moving away from the explicit connection between freedom and identity, we will now return to the subject of courage in Plato's Laches. Read up until p.43 or when Socrates begins to ask "What virtue is".

Here, in the first half of the text I want you to tell me who you agree with in the debate between Nicias and Laches. Is courage something that can be learned or do activities like training in arms (or other physical sports) only give one false confidence?

Cheers,
Dr. Layne

NO Movie Tonight

Okay guys I think it's best to cancel the movie night tonight. There is just too much going on in the city with the Saints game and parades etc. Of course you are still free to watch it "sans me" but then you won't get to hear all the wildly interesting things I have to say about the Batman and the Joker (as an old comic book geek as well as a philosopher, I could ramble ad infinitum...oh how fun).

In any case, I will go to the library and see if there is a more comfortable venue for us to watch stuff. I have a ton of other movies I want to watch with you guys so if the Dark Knight is a "no go" at least next time we will have everything set up way in advance. Also if there are any other movies you think may be relevant to the subjects we are discussing in class, just let me know.

Have fun tonight guys and see you tomorrow,
Dr. Layne

And the Cow Enters the Room

Today I attempted to argue vehemently that Prometheus is not the freest character in the first half of the text. I referred constantly to his almost insufferable self-pity and submission to his own fore-knowledge. He, I believe, felt bound long before he was physically chained to the rock. In both classes though, I alluded to my belief that Prometheus changes in this text and ultimately becomes free. In this vein then, I will ask two questions. You are "free" to answer both or only one.

For those who agree with me that Prometheus laments and suffers fate and is therefore bonded or enslaved by fate, how do you think this changes in the second half of the text? Does he change in fact? If so how do you think this transformation comes about and how do you think Io is related to this change?
Or 
For those who believe that Prometheus always represents true freedom, what role does Io play in the text? Why do you think she was an important character for Aeschylus with regards to the plot and "moral" of the story. Here I want you to think about the similarities between Io and Prometheus. How are these two characters lives intertwined and why would such a relationship be important in a text were issues like free will, fate, destiny and the human relationship with the Gods, particularly the tyrannical Zeus, are constantly invoked?

See you soon guys,
Dr. Layne

As soon as I have more info on watching the Dark Knight, I will fill you in.  Presently the plan is to watch it tomorrow on the 12th floor of Budding Hall at 9pm.....if this changes I will post something.

Question 3 Prometheus Bound Part 1

Turning now from an "Iron Age" epic poem by Homer to a "Classical" Greek tragedy by Aeschylus, describe the character in the first half of the text who exhibits the most "freedom" while also analyzing the characteristics and circumstances that may make the other characters enslaved. Once again it may help if you define  freedom and slavery.

Have fun with this text guys as it is one of my all time favorites.

Cheers,

Dr. Layne

Food for the Weekend

Okay guys, I talked a lot today in class. You got to hear my opinion of the text. If you would like, please post your opinions. Do you agree with me that the Iliad doesn't glorify war or heroism but criticizes it? Don't the appeals to dipolmacy, peace, and the care of concrete others over abstract, remote ideas like honor prevail in the end? Furthermore, feel free to share your opinions on contemporary war and the bravery of combat soldiers. Does the Iliad have anything to teach both ourselves on the home front and, more importantly, our soldiers in Iraq? Or are these wars incomparable? Just think of the difference in the way we fight, the methods of war? Yet, don't we honor soldiers in a similar way? Do we not consider those who die for this cause brave, do we not commemorate them, immortalize them, for the commitment to their country regardless of their personal feeling toward the war?

Of course this isn't a required question....I would just like to see what you think.

Cheers,
Dr. Layne

PS I will post my question on Prometheus Bound Monday around 12.

Rage, Achilles and the Death of Hector

Another fun class today guys and thanks again for all the interesting and insightful comments on Book I.

We discussed a few important things ranging from the civil disobedience of Achilles to the submission to the status quo of Nestor. We resisted pigeon-holing any one character into the paradigms of heroic and cowardly by stressing the differences between physical and moral strength, authoritative and self-determinate power. We also, or at least in the first class, thought about the difference between the courage of aggression or offensive strength and the courage of defense or endurance. We didn't discuss any of these things fully but at least we are begining to note the ambiguities that are sometimes dormant in our basic understanding of courage and what constitutes the defining characteristics of heroic individuals.

Now for the next class, I want us to think about cowardliness and whether such behavior eliminates courage. Is courage a zero-sum game? Do you have it or not, if you don't at one moment, can you regain it in another? Or is courage a habit, a disposition, something that you can eventually acquire etc. Here we should also be thinking about the role of fear. Is the coward simply one who fears or can the courageous also fear, should they fear? Can one who isn't afraid truly be courageous?

In this vein, I am asking for the next class to tell me what you think of Hector's "flight." Did he behave cowardly? If so, does this take away from his courage? If not, how do you excuse his flight?
 
Cheers,
Dr. Layne

(PS I don't have much time to give you a synopsis of the events leading to Chapter 22 but if I have time this afternoon, I will try to quickly give you a blow by blow of the greatest war story ever told.)

Question for Wed 9/1

Describe the characteristics of the strongest/most powerful individual in Book I of the Iliad as well as the characteristics of the weakest individual. Be sure to define what strength/power is as well as weakness.
Good Luck and remember that there are no wrong answers!

A Rash Class

Okay Guys everything went really quick today. We discussed a number of topics and aimed for breadth over depth. No worries, this will be switched in the coming classes. In any case the main themes today were the questions "Who is a Great Individual? What characteristics lend themselves to "greatness"? How does the Good Life follow from this determination? Must one be typically happy or content to lead the Good Life? Can one be miserable, i.e., suffering and still be living the good life?"
We then moved onto to discuss the specific virtue of courage and how this concept applies to determining a person's "greatness." We started asking about how this virtue relates to other virtues like wisdom, prudence, piety/humility and whether this virtue can "stand alone." We also started to question how courage may be easily deformed or how the so-called "villain" or "fanatic" rather than simply the hero or saint may also be courageous. We even questioned whether one may be both a coward and a hero as well as trying to distinguish between moral versus physical courage.
This is a lot, I know and don't worry there will be more! Yet from now on we will have plenty of time and, since we have this blog, plenty of space to discuss everything.
Also I want to thank all of you who had the courage to write something honest about yourselves. Yet, keep in mind, unlike the specific virtue of wisdom where once one acquires it or seems to possess it, the virtue of courage seems more precarious, i.e., it can be lost easily. Possessing a courageous disposition seems to take practice and thus, endure and keep attempting to speak fearlessly in this class, regardless of the risk.
Cheers,
Dr. Layne

i kind of like bunnies as well

i am super excited about this class, agreed?

Seeing You Soon

Thanks Class for all the wonderful tidbits of curiosities. I can't wait to find out what will happen in class today.
Until soon,
Dr. Layne

THE COURAGE TO KNOW THYSELF

Okay over the next few days you will be introducing yourself in a ton of classes. Many will just be asking for your name, your major and, perhaps even, where you are from or what you would like to do with the rest of your life. By the end of it you might think you have a pretty good answer to the question "Who are you?" and to be honest, as you grow older, this "Cocktail Party" question will continue to haunt you. The only thing that will change is that they won't care about your major but will want to know what you do. Are you a doctor, a lawyer and so on. You will answer this question a million times in your life and it will seem easy to live up to the Greek adage KNOW THYSELF. You are simply "John Smith" from "USS Suburbia" who now practices child psychology and has 1 kid and a dog. Okay, this is a reasonable answer. You may know yourself but to my mind something seems amiss. I seem and suspect that I am whole lot more than this.

In any case, if you have gotten a google account and can post something to this comment. Please tell me something about yourself but not something typical. Tell me something that you think really reflects who you are, something personal or particular to only you. It could be embarrassing, strange, perhaps confessional but just don't pretend to do it and put something trivial. Really confess something. If you honestly do this then reflect on what it took for you to be so "crazy" as to post such a thing. What characteristic, what comportment to the post did you take?

Of course you are not required to do this but eh, I thought it would or could be a fun way to start this blog.

I will go first. I am Dr. Layne and when I was 14 I was arrested for stealing a ferret.

Cheers,
Danny

Opps!

The DEADLINE FOR THE FINAL PAPER IS DEC. 13! Not DEC. 19 as stated below! Once again, the deadline for the final paper is DEC.13!

Syllabus

HONS H295

Honors Foundational Seminars: The Self and the Good Life

WHAT IS COURAGE?

LACHES: For I fancy that I do know the nature of courage; but, somehow or other, she has slipped away from me, and I cannot get hold of her and tell her nature.

PLATO

Class Time: MWF 9:30-10:30, 10:30-11:30                 Instructor: Dr. Danielle A. Layne

Classroom:  Miller 208                                     Office Location: Bobet 448a

E-mail: dalayne1@loyno.edu                             Office Hours: T/TH 9a.m-3.pm.

Texts:

Aeschylus Prometheus Bound

Euripides, Medea

Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

John Stuart Mill, On Liberty

Blackboard Texts

Course Description:  On trial for his life Socrates declares to his fellow citizens that they are terribly mistaken in their value judgments. He asserts that individuals must not consider the prospects of death, wealth or prestige, but only whether they “act rightly or wrongly.” In other words, for the philosopher, the only thing that mattered was to will the Good and to act accordingly. For Socrates, one wills the Good by committing oneself to the virtue of the examined life regardless of the cost. Indeed, Socrates is not the only paradigm for individuals who, in their search for and commitment to the Good, willingly say and do what seems dangerous. There are many historical figures, such as the Titan Prometheus, Jesus, Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, who embody both Kierkegaard’s passion to “Will One Thing” and Foucault’s ideal to “speak fearlessly” despite all danger. Accordingly then, this seminar will explore texts from Greek drama and philosophy, as well as biblical passages and world literature, to examine the importance of the individual's struggle in the search for the Good Life. Here, we will question the concepts of “courage,” “free speech” and “civil disobedience” as well as attempting to discover the characteristics of the hero/martyr/saint. Alongside this we shall analyze the nature of truth, human freedom and commitment while discussing the precarious line between the “Great Individual” and the blind dogmatist or fanatic.

Course Goals and Learning Outcomes (provided by University Honors Advisory Board)

In HONS H295, Honors students will:

1.      be introduced to the study of the liberal arts through an integrative, values-centered curriculum;

2.      become familiar with Loyola’s mission and the principles of an Ignatian education that encourages the development of whole persons;

3.      conduct close readings of texts using methods and terms of academic criticism appropriate to several disciplines;

4.      explore the difference between primary and secondary texts;

5.      learn to construct analytical arguments through clear, persuasive prose;

6.      conduct basic library research;

7.      engage in in-class discussion and oral presentation appropriate to an academic seminar;

8.      cultivate reading, writing, and speaking skills that will prepare them for advanced disciplinary Honors Seminars and the Senior Independent  Project (a.k.a. the Honors Thesis).

COURSE GRADES

Course grades will be determined by participation, diary entries, written assignments and 1 presentation.

·        Participation (25%): Determined by class discussion and the class blog at http://theselfandthegoodlife.blogspot.com. Each day, throughout the semester, sections of the text will be assigned and I expect that all of you will read each text with great joy and enthusiasm. However, just in case you ever feel deterred from such splendid activity, the incentive becomes the threat of having to actively answer questions related to the text in class each day. If you have not done the reading assignment, then your ignorance of the text will become obvious to both me and your fellow classmates. How humiliating, I say! Thus to ensure that you read, participate and avoid horrible embarrassment, in each class students will be given 1 question to answer, helping navigate and focus the assigned reading. Your answer must be at least three sentences long and written well.

o       Example Question: Can we call Medea a hero? Why or why not?

                                     Example Answer: Since Medea’s actions arise from a simple desire to get revenge, one might recoil from deeming her a hero. In fact when she murders her own children, many immediately associate her with villainy. Yet, regardless of this, Medea was victimized by Jason and by refusing to be passive to his betrayal she expresses a strength of mind and courage to act that is worthy of admiration.

o      EVERYONE MUST POST THEIR ANSWERS TO THE BLOG BEFORE EACH CLASS. The most interesting answer will be read in class and with a little bit of luck this should stimulate class discussion. Further reactions or comments on the class discussion or lecture should then carry over to the CLASS BLOG. By the end of the semester the participation grade will be evaluated on the basis of class discussion and participation on the blog. Each student’s overall participation grade will also reflect your ability to form questions and ideas which explicitly deal with the text and issues at hand.

o      You may earn EXTRA PARTICPATION CREDIT by blogging on whatever you find relevant with regards to the material of the class. That is, you are more than welcome to post comments on the movies we screen, the material we read as well as other material you believe “fits” the theme of the class.

·        Writing Assignments (30%): There will be 2 short papers essays assigned in the semester.

o       The topic of the fist paper must be an argumentative essay describing your own theory of courage. Here I want you to analyze the readings we have done in order to develop your own idea of what this virtue entails. Looking to such authors as Euripides, Plato, Aristotle or Aquinas determine what you think the five main features of true courage is and support these features with arguments. In contrast you may also write about the concept of fanaticism or villainy. If so then you must describe what you think are the five main features of the villain or fanatic using the material from class. In either case, you may utilize one quote from the assigned readings per page and one quote from outside or extra readings per page. Furthermore, how papers are organized and developed will be taken into account as well as spelling and grammar. Above all the papers will be marked on the clarity and quality of insight and the understanding of the material we have read.

o       The topic of the second paper should be on an individual of your choosing. Returning to your first paper, you should argue how this individual either fits your conception of courage or villainy that you outlined in your first paper.

o       These papers must be 3 full pages and written in Times New Roman 12pt Font.  You will be graded on spelling/grammar, ability to explain the argument, and proper citations (no more than 3 quotes per paper). The format of the paper is your choice; however, be consistent throughout the paper.

o       ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ROUGH DRAFTS OF THEIR PAPERS A WEEK BEFORE THE DEADLINE TO THE WAC LAB, located on the first floor of Bobet HALL. I will be given an evalution of your work from the tutors there and will take their comments into consideration when I grade the final versions.

o       Final papers must be UPLOADED TO THE BLACKBOARD ASSIGNMENT AREA!!!

·        “Great Individual” Presentation (20%): Since this class is concerned with questioning the lives and philosophies of “Great Individuals” I am assigning a 15-minute presentation in which you choose a person whom you believe fits the paradigms of the saint, hero, martyr or even the fanatic. In this presentation you will need to discuss the life and work of the person in question while also defending in-depth both your criteria for being classified as a “Great Individual” and how this person fits your criteria via showing the relevance of this figure in this particular class. If you like, this presentation can be based on your two writing assignments.

·        Final Essay (25%):  A ten-page argumentative essay which should, if done well, include rewriting and researching the work you did for your two short papers and presentation. In other words, please consider your short papers and your presentation to be “drafts” preparing for this final paper. ROUGH DRAFTS OF THESE PAPERS MUST ALSO BE SUBMITTED TO A TUTOR AT THE WAC LAB at least one week before the due date.

Blackboard and BLOG: Many of the readings are only available on blackboard. Moreover, you are all required to post your daily assignments (your answers to the questions given in and discussed in class) on the class BLOG at http://theselfandthegoodlife.blogspot.com. In light of this, all of you must familiarize yourself with using online tools. To get started with BLACKBOARD go to http://www.loyno.edu/ and click on the Blackboard icon located in the upper right hand of the screen. Your Blackboard username is the same as your Loyola e-mail username. If your Loyola e-mail address is iggy@loyno.edu, your Blackboard username is just iggy (in lowercase letters). If you do not know your Loyola e-mail address, you can find it under the "Personal Info" section of your LORA account. Password: Your password will be 6 characters long, consisting of the first two letters of your first name, lowercase, followed by the last four digits of your SSN. e.g. Mary Smith SSN xxx-xx-3456 the PIN will be ma3456 (lower case) If you have questions about Blackboard, you may: Visit the Learning Commons desk at the Monroe Library or call the 24/7 Blackboard assistance numbers at 1-866-562-7278. To get started on the CLASS BLOG go to http://theselfandthegoodlife.blogspot.com and attempt to post a comment. If you do not have a google account, it will demand that you sign up for one. Sign up for a GOOGLE account using your loyno.edu address and be sure to make your username your real name so that I know who is posting when. If you already have a google account under a different name, please create a new one with your loyno.edu account so that I may be able to identify you.

WAC Lab: WAC administers a writing center and electronic classroom in Room 100 Bobet Hall where students can conduct Internet research, draft papers, consult with writing tutors, and revise their work. The writing center makes available a library of print and online resources for writers, including discipline-specific guides to college writing, dictionaries, handbooks, grammar guides, style and citation guides, and other resources. In this class you will be required to submit your papers to the WAC lab before the final deadline. You must sign up for a tutor session prior to the ROUGH DRAFT WAC deadline as spaces for tutoring are limited and if you wait until the last minute, they may not be able to see you. I will be given a report of your session and will take this into account when grading your final papers. For more information about WAC and WAC services, contact Robert Bell at rcbell@loyno.edu.

Disability Services: A student with a disability that qualifies for accommodations should contact Sarah Mead Smith, Director of Disability Services at 865-2990 (Academic Resource Center, Room 405, Monroe Hall). A student wishing to receive test accommodations (e.g. extended test time) should provide me with an official Accommodation Form from Disability Services in advance of the scheduled test date.

Academic Dishonesty:  Your written work must be your own. I have absolutely no tolerance for any kind of cheating and/or plagiarism and, to be sure, I am constantly fiddling on the internet and checking up on all my students’ work so if you cheat you will be caught. Also to be clear, the Loyola University Bulletin follows Alexander Lindley and defines plagiarism as “the false assumption of authorship: the wrongful act of taking the product of another person’s mind, and presenting it as one’s own” (Plagiarism and Originality). They also turn to the MLA Handbook and similarly define it as  “Plagiarism may take the form of repeating another’s sentences as your own, adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own, paraphrasing someone else’s argument as your own, or even presenting someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a thesis as though it were your own.” The Philosophy Department’s Policy requires that every case of plagiarism receive all three of the following sanctions: 1) A report of the incident to the Department Chair and the Associate Dean; 2)  A zero on the particular assignment; 3)  A failing grade in the course.

Late Assignments:  Late assignments will not be accepted unless you receive concrete permission from myself. If you are unable to hand in an assignment and you know in advance, then you must contact me at least 24 hours prior to the deadline.  I do not accept hardcopies of your papers as I want everyone to send electronic versions. I must receive this email or post on BLACKBOARD with your papers before the class in which the assignment is due.

Emergency Evacuation Procedures: It is Loyola University’s policy that classes continue during evacuations and other emergencies. In the event of a long evacuation (more than two days), students are required to check their Blackboard accounts within 48hours. Here I will post updates to the class and adapt assignments for online grading.

General Policies: 

1. Your attendance is expected in all classes as class participation is 1/5 of your grade. Every time you are absent you are hurting not only this grade but your overall average.
2. The lectures will be based on the assigned readings, therefore you are expected to have read the material. Come to class prepared to take notes and ready to answer and ask questions.
3. Laptops in class are to be used for note-taking purposes only.  If I catch you doing anything else with them (e.g. surfing the web, updating your Facebook profile), I will ask you to leave class.
4. Turn off your cell phones when in class. NO TEXTING!
5. Lastly and perhaps most silly of me, I expect that everyone come ON TIME, READY (NOT HALF ASLEEP), and dressed appropriately (NO PYJAMAS or BUNNY SLIPPERS). If you cannot do this, then do not come at all!

If you are falling behind in the course, or are earning a below average grade, I strongly encourage you to stop by my office to discuss your work in the class. I will be happy to address any questions concerning the material and I always love helping students. I am good at it. So even if you think it is impossible, just come and we can figure things out.

COURSE AGENDA

(THIS AGENDA IS TENTATIVE, I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR ADAPT THIS PROGRAM AT MY WILL!)

BB=Available on Blackboard

Week 1

M         8/30     Introduction to Course: Courage, the Individual and the Risks of our Lives

(Boldness and the Homeric Hero)

W        9/1       BB: Homer, Iliad Book 1

F          9/3       BB: Homer, Iliad Book 24

Week 2

M         9/6       NO CLASS

W        9/8       Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound  pp.215-265 (where Io enters)

Thursday Night Film Screening of Dark Knight                       

F          9/10     Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound  pp. 265-315

Week 3

(Questioning the Hero, Courage and the Object of Fear)

M         9/13     BB: Plato, Laches pp.7-43

W        9/15     BB: Plato, Laches pp.43-83

F          9/17     BB: Aristotle Book III

Week 4

M         9/20     BB: Aristotle Book III

W        9/22     BB: Epictetus, Discourses Book I Section 29, 30 and Book II.1

F          9/24     BB: St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica pp.422-424 and pp.451-453

Question 123: What is Fortitude?

Question 124: What is a Martyr?

St. Ignatius, Spiritual Exercises  pp.81-87

Week 5

M         9/27     BB: Kierkegaard, The Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing pp. 167-182

W        9/29     BB: Kierkegaard, The Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing pp.182-197

                        DRAFT of SHORT PAPER due in WAC LAB

Thrusday Film Screening of Jesus Christ Super Star

F          10/1     BB: Gospel of Luke, Chapters 22-24

                       

Week 6

M         10/4     BB: Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra Prologue pp.3-20

W        10/6     BB: Voltaire, “Fanatic” from The Philosophical Dictionary.”

                        BB: “Fanaticism in the Modern Era” by Barrie Paskins in Fanaticism and

Conflict in the Modern Age

                        FIRST SHORT PAPER DUE

F          10/8     Genesis, The Story of Abraham Chapters 17-23

                        Euripides, Medea

Week 7

M         10/11   Euripides, Medea

W        10/13   Women and Courage—William Ian Miller “Courage and Chastity” from The

Mystery of Courage

Thrusday Film Screening of Breaking the Waves

F          10/15   BB: Paul Tillich, “Being and Courage” from A Courage to Be pp.1-31

Week 8

M         10/18   NO CLASS                

W        10/20   Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

F          10/22   Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

Week 9

           

M         10/25   BB: Plato, Apology    

W        10/27   BB: Plato, Apology

F          10/29   BB: Plato, Apology

                        DRAFT of SHORT PAPER due in WAC LAB

Week 10

M         11/1     BB: Foucault, Fearless Speech, “The Word Parrhesia [free speech].”  

W        11/3     BB: Foucault, Fearless Speech, “The Word Parrhesia [free speech].”

F          11/5     BB: Foucault, Fearless Speech, “The Word Parrhesia [free speech].”

                        2^nd SHORT PAPER DUE

Week 11

M         11/8     Mill, “Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion” from On Liberty

W        11/10   Mill, “Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion” from On Liberty

F          11/12   Mill, “Of Individuality, As One of the Elements of Well-Being,” from On Liberty          

Week 12

M         11/15   BB: Thoreau, Civil Disobedience                   

W        11/17   BB: Thoreau, Civil Disobedience

Thursday Film Screening of Gandhi with Ben Kingsley    

F          11/19   BB: Gandhi, “Conscience, Heroism, and Humility,” and “Ahimsa-The Scope and

Power of Non-Violence” from The Essential Writings of Mahatma Gandhi

Week 13

M         11/22   Presentations

W        11/24   NO CLASS

F          11/26   NO CLASS

Week 14

M         11/29   BB: Dr. Martin Luther King, “Letter from Birmingham Prison” from the

Autobiography of Martin Luther King

W        12/1     BB: Dr. Martin Luther King, “Unfulfilled Dreams” and Raya Dunayeskaya “New

Passions and New Forces: The Black Dimension, The Anti-Vietnam War Youth, Rank and File Labor, Women’s Liberation.”

Thursday Film Screening: MALCOLM X

F          12/3     Presentations

Week 15

M         12/6     Presentations

W        12/8     Presentations

F          12/10   The Courage of Simply Being: The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus

DRAFT of LONG PAPER due in WAC LAB

FINAL DRAFT OF LONG PAPER DUE

DEC. 17, 2010