Students will develop a greater understanding of history, thought, ethics, and reasoning.
Students will come away having read portions of a variety of texts that give them a better understanding of the ideas and theories that contributed to modern civilization.
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.
Students will hone their critical thinking and analytical skills, practice actively participating in group discussions, and gain a better theoretical and historical understanding of their world.

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.

1 - 2 horas semanales fuera de clase
Tareas
Frecuencia: incluido
Comentario: incluido
Detalles: Short but dense 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 eight 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.
Letra de calificación
Frecuencia: incluido
Detalles: Letter grades will be offered as an option for students who complete at least two written assignments.
Certificado de finalización
Frecuencia: incluido
Detalles: A certificate of completion will be offered as an option for students who complete at least one written assignment.

Alexander, Larry. “The Doomsday Machine: Proportionality, Punishment, and Prevention.” The Monist 63, no. 2 (1980): 199-227.

Descartes, Rene. Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy. Translated by Donald A. Cress. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1998.

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

Parfit, Derek. Reasons and Persons. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987.

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

Plutarch. The Rise and Fall of Athens. Translated by John Marincola and Ian Scott-Kilvert. New York: Penguin Classics, 2024.

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

There’s Something About Mary: Essays on Phenomenal Consciousness and Frank Jackson’s Knowledge Argument. Edited by Peter Ludlow, Yujin Nagasawa, and Daniel Stoljar. Cambridge: The MIT Press, 2004.