Students will hone their critical thinking and reading comprehension skills, practice actively participating in group discussions, and gain a better cultural and analytical understanding of their world.
Students will come away having read portions of several philosophical texts that give them a better understanding of themselves and others.
Students will develop a greater understanding of history, thought, and politics.
Students will gain the opportunity to read dense texts in small, age-appropriate chunks, which enables them to develop their reading comprehension and analytical skills in a meaningful way.

I have a BA in Philosophy with minors in Political Science and Greek and Roman Studies, as well as an MA in Philosophy with a concentration in Ethics and Political Philosophy. I’m the head coach of a competitive high school debate team and teach the liberal arts at a classical school. I’m also a professional creative writer and journalist.

I love helping students of all ages understand and interpret difficult subjects and learn how to crystallize their thoughts in writing and oral communication. I believe studying philosophy is a wonderful way to facilitate this kind of growth and learning.

2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Assignments
Frequency: included
Feedback: included
Details: Reading assignments will be required prior to each class meeting. 

Weekly optional writing assignments of around 250 words will also be offered. I will provide grading and feedback on these assignments if it is desired. In order to receive a grade for the course, students must complete at least two of these assignments. They can complete another assignment to replace a grade if they wish, for up to four completed assignments. A student who only completes one assignment may receive a certificate of completion for the course if they choose.

Written assignments are entirely optional. The only requirement for the course is reading and participating in class discussions.
Letter Grade
Frequency: included
Details: Letter grades will be offered as an option for students who complete at least two written assignments.
Certificate of Completion
Frequency: included
Details: A certificate of completion will be offered as an option for students who complete at least one written assignment.

Cohen, GA. Self-Ownership, Freedom, and Equality. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995.

Locke, John. Two Treatises of Government. Edited by Peter Laslett. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013.

Nozick, Robert. Anarchy, State, and Utopia. New York: Basic Books, 2013.

Rawls, John. A Theory of Justice. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2005.