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.