|
Philosophy 403-02 |
Office Hours in RH-436 (445-4489) |
|
Heroism and the Human Spirit |
MWF 10:30 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. |
|
Philosophy Seminar, Fall, 2003 |
and by appointment. |
|
Prof. Michael Kagan |
Email: kagan@mail.lemoyne.edu |
Goal: The main purpose of this course is to provide students with
an opportunity to develop their own answers to the question, "What makes a
person great?" It is hoped that giving students a chance to address this
problem while seeing its inter-connections with fundamental philosophical
issues will help them integrate their heroic visions into their own
philosophies of human existence and/or philosophic religious faith.
Requirements and grading
ABOUT THE SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: You are to select and complete
five of the eight short writing assignments. A reading question is given
along with each assignment. Unless otherwise indicated, please answer the
reading question in less than one TYPED page (all assignments, except
in-class writings, are to be typed).Make sure you are working with the
current version of this syllabus.
STUDENT PRESENTATIONS: For every presentation, you will be required to
turn in an outline or abstract of your presentation, complete with a list
of all works used. Also, if you use any web pages, not only should these be
listed on the outline with the rest of your bibliography, but you are also
required to turn in a printout of all web pages used in preparing the
presentation. If your group divides the work into separate parts, each member
of the group will need to provide his or her own outline/abstract and
printouts. Outlines/abstracts, and printouts are to be given to me BEFORE
the presentation. Failure to do so BEFORE the presentation
will result in a 30% deduction from the relevant presenter's presentation
grade. If the outline and printouts are not turned in by the next class, there
will be an additional 30% deduction. You may use up to but not more than
5 minutes of videotaped material for your presentation. If the class is
meeting in a room with a built-in VCR, make sure you know how to use it. If you
need to bring in a VCR for the presentation, you may order one from AV by
calling 445-4380 or on the web at http://www.lemoyne.edu/information_systems/audio_visual/class.html
In the event of a technical glitch or delivery problem make sure you can
present without the videotaped material.
STUDENT PRESENTATIONS ON READINGS: All students are expected to do all
readings and to share their understanding with one another in class discussions
by leading their own and participating in other students' presentations on the
various readings. Student presentations on readings begin the second week of
class, and will be scheduled during the first week. The subtopics will be
divided up into student groups whose size will be determined by the class size.
Remember: You have less than an hour to
present. Focus on the aspects your group finds most interesting and important.
Do not try to cover everything. Your presentation will be improved if you make
it easier for others to participate. (Please try to help others' presentations
by participating!) Please feel free to meet with me to discuss your
presentations. If you don't find me on campus, you are welcome to call me at
home before 8:00 PM. YOU CAN ALWAYS LEAVE A VOICE MAIL MESSAGE AT 445-4489.
THE PROJECT might involve further investigating the issue of human
greatness and heroism, a philosophical essay concerning some related issue of
philosophical interest in a work of literature, a creative literary work of the
student's own [e.g., a short story, 1st chapter of a novel, & c.], or a
philosophical analysis of some related issue present in one of the works we
studied, detailing the position[s] set forth in the work, and developing and
defending one's own philosophical response.
GRADING
Grades are based on a 10 point
scale as follows:
90-100 - 'A' range (97-100 = A+; 94-96=A; 90-93=A-); 80-89 - 'B' range (87-89
= B+; 84-86=B; 80-83=B-);
70-79 - 'C' range (77-79 = C+; 74-76=C; 70-73=C-); 60-69 - 'D'
range (67-69 = D+; 64-66=D; 60-63=D-).
Below 60 - 'F'.
Failure to complete any of (1)-(4) can result in a failing grade. Plagiarism
will result in a failing grade.
Required Reading List: (in approximate reading order)
Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye.
Wiesel, Elie. Night. New York:
King, Stephen. Different Seasons (also published as Shawshank
Redemption).
Rand, Ayn. Anthem.
Butler, Octavia E. Bloodchild and Other Stories.
Brown, Claude. Manchild in the Promised Land.
Plato, Symposium.
SPECIAL NEEDS
In coordination with the Academic Support Center (ASC),
reasonable accommodations are provided for qualified students with
disabilities. Please register with the ASC Office for disability verification
and determination of reasonable accommodations. After receiving your
accommodation form from the ASC, you will need to make an appointment with me
to review the form and discuss your needs. Please make every attempt to meet
with me within the first week of class so your accommodations can be provided
in a timely manner. You can either stop by the ASC, Library, 1st floor, or call
(445-4118-voice or 445-4104-TDD) to make an appointment.
IMPORTANT DATES:
No classes on the following dates: Mon., Sept. 1 Labor Day; Mon.,
Oct. 6, Yom Kippur; Oct. 13-14 (Mon.-Tue.), Fall Break; Nov. 26-29,
Thanksgiving Break. Last day of class: Dec. 8 (Mon.).
PROJECT PROPOSALS DUE WED., OCT. 15. WRITTEN PROJECTS DUE: WED., NOV.
19.
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE AND SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS ['*' MARKS WEEKS IN WHICH
STUDENTS PRESENT ON READINGS.]
#1 (Mon., Aug. 25) Introduce course, choose groups and schedule presentations
on readings.
#2 (Wed., Aug. 27) -- In-class writing on childhood heroes.
#3 (Fri., Aug. 29) Discussion of heroic scripting.
No Class Sep. 1 (Labor Day)
#4 (Wed., Sep.3) Instructor presents on "The Porcelain
Salamander." Group work on "The Porcelain Salamander."
*#5 (Fri., Sep. 5) Students present on Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye.
SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT: Who are the misanthopes in the The Bluest
Eye, and who likes people? Why?
#6 & #7 (Mon. Sep. 8 and Wed., Sep. 10)
Self-deception and bad faith. Instructor presents on Le Guin's
"Those who walk away from Omelas, " and Card's "The Best
Day." The temptation to deny the best and the worst.
*#8 (Fri ., Sep. 12) Students present on Night. SHORT WRITING
ASSIGNMENT DUE: Who, by the end of Night seems to
know themselves the best? Why?
*#9 (Mon., Sep.15). SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT DUE: What are these
children told to expect from their lives? How do they respond? Students present
on Stephen King's "The Body" (in Different Seasons).
#10 (Wed., Sep. 17) Instructor present's on Rand's philosophy.
* #11 (Fri., Sep. 19) Students present on Anthem. SHORT WRITING
ASSIGNMENT DUE: In the world Rand describes, one's career is chosen by
others at an early age - How does the book's hero resist this choice? Does our
society also put some in a position that will keep them from hurting the status
quo? If so, how so? If not, why not?
#12 (Mon., Sep. 22) Lecture on problem of personal identity.
* #13 (Wed., Sep. 24) Short writing assignment due: Students
present on Octavia Butler's "The Evening and the Morning, and the
Night" (in the Bloodchild anthology) . SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT:
Who in your experience, is like the people in this story? Have they
chosen to do what they do best? Why or why not? Please
explain, using examples from the story.
#14 (Fri., Sep. 26) Lecture on "Becker, Childhood, and Scary
Stories"
#15 ( Mon., Sep. 29) Instructor presents one way of reading King (and others).
* #16 ( Wed., Oct. 1) Students present on Stephen King's "The Breathing
Method" (in Different Seasons).
SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT DUE: What problem(s) do you think this story
addresses? Why?
#17 (Fri., Oct. 3) Instructor presents on Heroic Myths (Campbell and Raffa) and
the twice born.
No class Monday, October 6 (Yom Kippur).
* #18 (Wed., Oct. 8) SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT DUE: In the world Claude
Brown describes, people's future seems decided by the circumstances of their
youth. How do the book's heroes resist this choice? What can we learn
from this? Students present on Manchild in the Promised Land.
#19 ( Fri., Oct. 10) Group work on Manchild in the Promised Land.
Lecture on racism and deception.
Oct. 13 - Oct. 14 No Classes (Fall Break)
*#20 (Wed., Oct. 15) PROJECT PROPOSALS DUE WED., OCT. 15.
TWO PART SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT DUE: Write a brief description of a
friend or a brief story in which the sex of at least one major character is
neither stated nor implied. THEN explain which of the people described in
the Symposium has a theory or story about love you think is
important, interesting, or true. Explain why. Note: You are welcome to do
this within one page if you can, but, for this assignment, the page limit is 3
TYPED pages. Students present on Symposium.
#22 (Fri., Oct. 17) Lecture on "Sex and Gender."
#23 -(Mon, Oct. 20) In-class writing exercise on future autobiography.
#24 (Wed., Oct. 22) -Lecture on "Possibilities and Practice: The Heroic
Task and Self Education."
#25 (Fri. Oct. 25) - SCHEDULE PROJECT PRESENTATIONS. Buber's
hasidut and Rebbe Nachman's "The Turkey Prince." (includes
group work on Rebbe Nachman's story).
# 26 (Mon, Oct. 27) Instructor presentation on "Middle Woman"
or "Gert Fram."
#27 (Wed. Oct. 29) Bring Bloodchild to class.
Presentation on "Positive Obsession."
#28 (Fri. Oct. 31) Bring Bloodchild to class.
Presentation on "Furor Scribendi."
NOTE: WRITTEN PROJECTS DUE: WED., NOV. 19.
**#28 (Mon., November 3, through Friday, December 5) Student
presentations on projects (these are to be between 20 and 50 minutes in
length, depending on the size of the class, and the number of students
presenting). These will continue until the end of semester. Students who are
unable to do their individual presentations at the scheduled time will need to
schedule a make-up presentation.No classes Nov. 26-29 (Thanksgiving Break).
Fri., December 5. Final Evaluations;
Mon., December 8, Make-up presentations. LAST DAY OF CLASS.
SOME SUGGESTED WORKS
FOR FINAL PROJECTS
Ajami, Fouad. The Dream
Palace of the Arabs. (Pantheon Books, 1998).
Albom, Mitch. Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and the Last
Great Lesson.
Amdur, Ellis. Dueling with O-Sensei: Grappling with the Myth of the Warrior
Sage. Available from www.ellisamdur.com.
Alexie, Sherman. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. (The
movie "Smoke Signals" is based on this.)
Becker, Ernest. The Birth and Death of Meaning, The Denial of Death,
and other works.
Belenky, et al. Women's Ways of Knowing.
Berne, Eric. What Do You Say After You Say Hello? - The Psychology of Human
Destiny, and other works.
Brown, Claude. Manchild in the Promised Land.
Brown, Christy. My Left Foot.
Bujold, Lois McMaster. Cordelia's Honor, and other works.
Butler, Octavia E. Parable of the Sower, and other works.
Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Second ed.
Card, Orson Maps in a Mirror: The Short Fiction of Orson Scott Card, Ender's
Game, and other works.
Chandler, Raymond. The Simple Art of Murder, and other works.
Cross, Amanda. Death in a Tenured Position, and other works.
Davies, Robertson. The Deptford Trilogy : Fifth Business/the Manticore/World
of Wonders, and other works.
DeWitt, Helen. The Last Samurai.
Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Brothers Karamazov, The Idiot, Notes from
the Underground, "The Crocodile, " and other works.
Elgin, Suzette Haden. Native Tongue, The Judas Rose, The
Gentle Art of Verbal Self Defense and other works.
Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man.
Frankl, Viktor. Man's Search for Meaning. Pocket Books Washington Square
Press printing, 1985.
Friedman, C.S. This Alien Shore, and other works..
Gardner, John. The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers.
Gilligan, Carol. In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women's
Development.
Gilman, Dorothy The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax, Tightrope Walker, Incident
at Badamya, and other works.
Goldman, William. The Princess Bride.
Goldstein, Lisa. Travellers in Magic (Tor Books, 1994).
Haley, Alex, and Malcolm X. The Autobiography of Malcolm X.
Hammett, Dashiel. The
Maltese Falcon (the book and the movie). You should look at his
other novels as well.
Hargrove, Anne C. Getting Better: Conversations with myself and other
friends while healing from breast cancer.
Heinlein, R. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Citizen of the Galaxy,
Double Star and other works.
Hesse, Hermann. Siddhartha, The Journey to the East, The Glass
Bead Game, Steppenwolf, and other works.
Hoeg, Peter. Smilla's Sense of Snow, Borderliners.
Howatch, Susan. Glamorous Powers, and other works.
Irving, John. A Prayer for Owen Meany, The World According to Garp.
Jarmusch, Jim. Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai.
Kafka, Franz. "Penal Colony, " "Hunger Artist, " The
Trial, The Castle, and other works.
Kagan, Michael . Educating Heroes (Durango, Colorado: Hollowbrook,
1994).
Kamenetz, Rodger. The Jew in the Lotus : A Poet's Rediscovery of Jewish
Identity in Buddhist India, and Stalking Elijah: Adventures with
Today's Jewish Mystical Masters.
Kaye, Ronnie. Spinning Straw into Gold.
King, Stephen. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Hearts in Atlantis,
Bag of Bones, and other works.
Kress, Nancy. Beggars in Spain, Maximum Light.
Leonard, George. Mastery (New York: Penguin/Plume, 1992).
Lowry, Dave. Autumn Lightning.
Le Guin, Ursula K. The Telling, Left Hand of Darkness, The
Lathe of Heaven, The Dispossessed, and other works.
Levine, Gail Carson. Ella Enchanted.
Morrison, Toni. Song of Solomon, and other works.
Morrow, James. Towing Jehovah, Blameless in Abaddon, and other
works.
Noddings, Nel. Caring.
McBride, James. The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White
Mother.
Oates, J. C. On Boxing.
Parker, Robert B. Mortal Stakes, and other works.
Plato. The Republic, and other works.
Polster, Miriam F. Eve's Daughters : The Forbidden Heroism of Women.
Pullman, Philip. The Golden Compass (New York: Alfred A. Knopf,
1996).
Raffa, Jean Benedict. The Bridge to Wholeness: A Feminine Alternative to the
Hero Myth.
Rand, Ayn. The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, The Virtue of
Selfishness.
Rollin, B. First, You Cry.
Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
Russell, Mary Doria. The Sparrow, and Children of God.
Salmonson, Jessica Amanda. A Silver Thread of Madness, and other works.
Sapphire. Push: A Novel.
Silverberg, Robert. Lord Valentine's Castle.
Steiner, Claude M. Scripts People Live: Transactional Analysis of Life
Scripts.
Suzuki, D.T. Zen and Japanese Culture.
Sturgeon, Theodore. More than Human, and other works.
Scriptures, religious tales and teachings of interest to the student, from a
variety of traditions (including, but not limited to, African, Buddhist,
Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Native American, Taoist, Vedic.)
Stout, Martha. The Myth of Sanity: Divided Consciousness and the Promise of
Awareness.
Tan, Amy. The Joy Luck Club, The Hundred Secret Senses.
Tolstoy, Leo. The Death of Ivan Ilyich, and other works.
Vonnegut, Jr., Kurt. Mother Night, Slaughterhouse Five, and other works.
Walker, Alice. The Color Purple.
Wachowski, Andy and Larry. The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, The Animatrix.
Wiesel, Elie. Dawn, The Accident, and other works.
Willis, Connie. Passages, Doomsday Book, Bellwether, and other
works..
Yoshikawa. Musashi.
Zettel, Sarah. Fool's War.
Some of
this page's links: