For your final, formal essay assignment, here is your task:
- Spend some time thoughtfully reflecting on the philosophical arguments that we have examined this semester. I would recommend you begin by reviewing each week of the semester in Elearn to remind yourself of all the ground we’ve covered.
- Then, write a clear and compelling essay that explains how your experience studying philosophy has affected your own thinking about each of the following topics:
- Knowledge and certainty.
- Human freedom and responsibility.
- The nature and existence (or non-existence) of God.
- Your essay should address ALL THREE of these topics in depth. It should also directly reference the texts and philosophers we have studied, explaining how their arguments have affected your own thinking about each of these topics. To do this effectively, you will need to clearly and accurately represent the philosophical arguments that you wish to discuss in your essay.
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- Clearly state your position by using a thesis statement in your first paragraph. An effective thesis statement will provide a direct, one sentence answer to the essay question; the rest of your essay should explain and support that answer.
- Your essay should be at least 1000 words in length (typed, double-spaced, standard 12-point font, MS Word format).
- Use MLA formatting.
- Your argument should be made in your own words. When your essay incorporates material from the readings, it should either be effectively paraphrased or properly quoted. Quote from the readings, as needed (no more than two quotes per page, and no quotes longer than one complete sentence), and provide appropriate, MLA-style citations.
- Successful essays will demonstrate your knowledge of the course material by including clear references to the terms, concepts, and philosophers that we have studied. Before you start drafting your essays, I strongly recommend that you spend some time reviewing the relevant material, making notes, and prewriting/planning your essay.
- Carefully proofread and edit your essays to eliminate any grammar, punctuation, and spelling issues.