Students will hone their critical thinking and analytical skills, practice actively participating in group discussions, and gain a better intellectual and cultural understanding of their world.
Students will develop a greater understanding of philosophical concepts through the lens of popular culture.
Students will come away having read portions of a variety of seminal texts that are the bedrock of modern civilization, connecting them to stories they already find familiar.
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 difficult texts is a wonderful way to facilitate this kind of growth and learning.

2 - 4 horas semanales fuera de clase
Tareas
Frecuencia: incluido
Comentario: incluido
Detalles: Reading and viewing 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 four of these assignments. They can complete another assignment to replace a grade if they wish, for up to eight completed assignments. A student who only completes two assignments 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.
Letra de calificación
Frecuencia: incluido
Detalles: Letter grades will be offered as an option for students who complete at least four written assignments.
Certificado de finalización
Frecuencia: incluido
Detalles: A certificate of completion will be offered as an option for students who complete at least two written assignments.

Aristotle. Politics. Translated by Ernest Barker. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.

Bentham, Jeremy. Selected Writings. Edited by Stephen G. Engelmann. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2011.

Heidegger, Martin. Being and Time. Translated by John Macquarrie and Edward Robinson. New York: HarperCollins, 2008.

Hood, Gavin, dir. Ender’s Game. 2013; Santa Monica, CA: Summit Entertainment.

Kant, Immanuel. Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. Edited and translated by Allen W. Wood. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2018.

Lucas, George, dir. Star Wars: Episode III – The Revenge of the Sith. 2005; San Rafael, CA: Lucasfilm Ltd.

Mind and Language. Edited by Samuel Guttenplan. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1978.

Nolan, Christopher, dir. The Dark Knight. 2008; Burbank, CA: Warners Brothers Pictures.

Nolan, Christopher, dir. Inception. 2010; Burbank, CA: Warner Brothers Pictures.

Plato. Complete Works. Edited by John M. Cooper and DS Hutchinson. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1997.

Russo, Anthony and Joe Russo, dirs. Avengers: Infinity War. 2018; Burbank, CA: Marvel Studios.

Scott, Ridley, dir. Blade Runner. 1982; Hollywood, CA: The Ladd Company.

Searle, John. Minds, Brains, and Science. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1984.

Villeneuve, Denis, dir. Arrival. 2016; New York: FilmNation Entertainment.

Walzer, Michael. Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations. New York: Basic Books, 2015.

Yates, Davis, dir. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. 2007; Burbank, CA: Warners Brothers Pictures.