Philosophy 401: Philosophy Without Gaps

Professor: You!

Facilitator: Patrick Frierson (frierspr@whitman.edu; office in Olin (East) 194

Philosophy is a rich and diverse field exploring the full range of issues confronting human beings trying to make their way in the world. Every philosophy course focuses on a narrow range of philosophers with a narrow range of philosophical concerns. Within the history of philosophy, ancient Greece and Rome and early modern Western Europe (roughly 1600-1800) have dominated the philosophical “canon,” and within each of these periods, certain philosophers have been privileged. In 2010, Peter Adamson (University College London) started a series of podcasts on The History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps, focusing on the long European and Arabic middle ages, which was ignored in most departments of philosophy. Since then, he has been joined by Jonardon Ganeri, who’s focusing on Indian philosophy, and Chike Jeffers, who does podcasts in African and Africana philosophy. They are beginning to fill in some of the many gaps in the history of philosophy.

This course is an on-demand, communal, “independent” study. The course will be run by students, for students. The course will proceed as follows. Before the semester starts, students enrolled on the course will vote for our starting episode of The History of Philosophy Without Gaps, from the list of episodes available here. We will also, before the semester starts, settle on a day and time for the class to meet (probably over lunch on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, or early Friday afternoon). Prior to our first meeting, we will listen to an introductory episode (either Thales, Intro to Indian Philosophy, or Intro to African(a) philosophy) and we will listen to our “starting episode.” For that first, class, each 2-credit student should come with 2-3 episodes, from the 20 episodes that follow the starting episode, for which you would like to lead the class. Starting the following week, we will meet every week for at least 50 minutes. Prior to each class meeting, every participant must listen to the podcast for the read and do the assigned reading (no more than 30 pages). The class leader will give a short presentation (no more than 10 minutes) at the start of class and then lead us in a discussion of the podcast and reading.

Students may take the course for either 2 credits (graded) or 1 credit (credit-no credit). The course will only run if at least 6 students sign up to do option (a) of the 2-credit version, or at least 10 sign up for option (b) or (c) of that version. Which 2-credit option is available will depend upon the enrollment of 2-credit students for the course. The cap for 2-credit students in the course is 24. There is no limit to how many students can take the course for 1 credit.

For all 1-credit students, you are expected to

1) Come to every class having completed the reading and listened to the podcast. You may miss at most one class, even if you have an “excused” absence. If there is evidence that students are not doing the assigned readings, I will have class leaders prepare short reading/podcast quizzes, and you will have to pass the quiz of the day to count as having attended class for that day.

2) Write a final paper of at least 500 words that shows why one or more of the philosophers we read this semester is important for addressing significant philosophical issues today. This paper must use textual evidence from the primary sources of at least one of the philosophers we read over the course of the semester.

2-Credit Options. In addition to the requirements for students taking this course for 1-credit, courses taking it for 2 credits have a class leadership responsibility.

a) If there are at least 6-9 students enrolled in the course, each student will be expected to lead class twice. Depending upon the total number of students, one or both of these class leadership opportunities may be with a partner.

b) If there are 10-18 students in the course, each student will be expected to lead class once. Depending upon the total number of students, some students may be able to elect for a class leadership opportunity with a partner.

c) If there are more than 18 students in the course, each student will be expected to lead one class with a partner.

Class Leadership Responsibilities.

If you are responsible for leading a particular class, you are required to do the following:

1. Listen to your podcast at least twice, and listen to the podcast before and after it.

2. Write a 500-1000 word analysis of the philosopher or text or theme that the podcast discusses. This analysis should go beyond the podcast, and it should make use of at least two primary sources and three secondary sources (other than the podcast). You should provide a detailed bibliography of material related to the podcast for the day.

3. Select and make available to the class, at least 5 days before class, a short primary source reading (if possible) or secondary source (only if no primary sources are available). This should be no more than 30 pages, and can be much shorter. It should provide us with something that allows us to critically engage with the podcast through our own reading and reflection on the philosopher under discussion.

4. Prepare a short (no more than 10 minute) presentation.

5. Lead class discussion.

6. Send your draft presentation and discussion questions to the class facilitator (me) at least 48 hours before class. If possible, you should also briefly meet with me at least once in the course of preparing for class.

7. If necessary, you may be called upon to write a short quiz for your peers to ensure that they are keeping up with the reading.

For 2-credit students, your final grade will be based on your class participation during the semester, the quality of your class leadership, and your final paper.