Phil 496: Senior Seminar
Spring 2013 

COURSE / CURRICULUM REVIEW Assignment

As mentioned earlier this semester, each of you should combine the brief course synopses you prepared for class into a brief essay of about five pages (1.5-space, TNR 12-pitch, 1-inch margins). The essay should describe the contents of each course you took as a philosophy major, by way of indicating the main or most important ideas that you “learned” therein. That is, don’t merely provide a summary of each course syllabus, but indicate which elements of the course spoke to you in the sense of furthering your philosophical alertness, insight, and appreciation. After you write up these synopses, the paper should address your philosophical education as a whole, noting what you now consider essential or important aspect thereof, as well as deficiencies which you wish did not exist. That is, what was missing in yourt philosophical education at WKU? what would you have like to have spent more time on? where do you still feel inadequate (perhaps even after a course in a particular area)? Answer these questions not so much with a view to further study like graduate school, but in a more personal way as a curious being responding to the power and delight of thinking.

Be sure to reread your essay, revise as necessary, and write your introduction and conclusion last. Think of it -- if this is helpful -- as appearing in the departmental newsletter and being available to anyone who reads it. (There is no talk of actually doing this, of course, and you would be asked for permission if it ever came to that.) 

As for a deadline, I suggest somewhere around mid-month (April 19 or so), mainly so that you can move beyond this short assignment to your other work.