Term Paper Instructions
Overview
Please answer ALL OF the following 3 questions, devoting 300-500 words to each question, for a total of 900-1500 words in 1 document. Papers of less than 800 words will not be accepted, and better papers will typically be over 1200 words. Do not shortchange any of the 3 questions (which are numbered, below). You do not need a separate intro or concluding paragraph; if you use them, don’t count them as part of your word count. Organize your thoughts into paragraphs; you may want to use more than one paragraph per question. You must demonstrate good use of the text. Use quotations from the text, but do so sparingly; I want to see how well you can explain things in your own words. Your paper should consist of no more than 10% quotations. You can use personal examples, but don’t let them take over; this is particularly a temptation in the last section. Make sure that throughout the paper, you are demonstrating your clear understanding of the text, and your critical thinking skills. Although you’ll be sharing some aspects of your opinion regarding the material, keep it firmly rooted in analysis of the concepts and arguments in the text. Sometimes students only spend a couple sentences explaining what the text says, and then spend the rest of the section just sharing their own views on religion or whatever the subject is; that’s not really the focus of the essay.
Sources and Academic Honesty
Outside sources are not permitted. This is not a research paper; instead, it is your demonstration of what you’re getting out of the text, as well as your opinions. I don’t want to see how well you can paraphrase Wikipedia, etc. Assignments using outside sources (other than the text) will be returned with a grade of zero. Reusing assignments from previous courses is not allowed and is considered self-plagiarism. If you have taken this course with me previously, you can email me for permission to re-use or edit the paper you previously submitted to me, so long as plagiarism was not involved.
The 3 sections of your paper
Your paper should answer these 3 questions in separate paragraphs. You may use more than 1 section per paragraph if you like. You do not need intro or concluding paragraphs.
What is one philosophical theory or philosopher’s views that you have found particularly interesting so far during the course? Explain the view and why you find it interesting. Be specific and demonstrate good use of the text. You can find something interesting without actually agreeing with it. For example, you could talk about Aristotle’s virtue ethics, or Descartes’ dualism, or Sartre’s existentialism. Choose someone who’s clearly a philosopher (since the text does occasionally mention other people). You want to choose a theory or philosopher that the text discusses in sufficient detail. Remember, the text should be your only source.
What is another philosophical theory or philosopher’s views that you have found interesting so far during the course?
What does philosophy have to do with the real world? Be specific and demonstrate good use of the text. Give examples; you may want to give examples from you own personal life. However, don’t let your examples take over; remember that you’re still trying to demonstrate your understanding of some of the relevant concepts from the text.
