Time Schedule:
Leroy F Searle
CHID 205
Seattle Campus
Examines ideas of method and imagination in a variety of texts, in literature, philosophy, and science. Particularly concerned with intellectual backgrounds and methods of inquiry that have shaped modern Western literature. Offered: jointly with ENGL 205.
Class description
CHID 205 / English 205 Professor Leroy Searle Winter Quarter, 2012 EXED 110 12:30-1:20 M-F This course is part of the core curriculum of the Comparative History of Ideas program, offered in two concurrent sections: CHID 205 and ENGL 205. It makes absolutely no difference the section in which you are enrolled. The course pursues an intensive and demanding series of readings in Western intellectual and cultural history, with primary texts drawn from philosophy, literature, and the history and philosophy of science. The sequence of readings is precisely ordered, where problems that arise in one text are pursued and elaborated in the text or texts which follow. The title of the course reflects its organizing premise: that the primary focus of Western intellectual culture is sustained inquiry, in which method and imagination are constantly intertwined. In many ways, this course is offered as a fundamental introduction to authors and ideas that have shaped Western thought and culture. It is designed to open pathways to study in many other programs and departments, and its intent is to involve you directly with the examination of fundamental conceptions that are implicated in virtually everything else you think.
Two matters are of exceptional importance: your ability to read challenging material precisely, and to be able to express yourself in writing with accuracy and insight. The course carries “W" credit (writing intensive) following the guidelines of the College of Arts and Sciences. There is nothing in the course that is easy or light, but there is also nothing that is beyond the abilities of a reasonably intelligent undergraduate. I think I can offer well grounded assurance that you will find the material interesting and consequential, and that you will not be bored.
Your attendance in class is critical. Just reading the assigned texts is simply not sufficient. There is much that will be explained in the lectures that you will not find elsewhere. ROLL WILL BE TAKEN DAILY, AND IT WILL AFFECT YOUR GRADE.
Your participation in out-of-class discussion groups is required. By the end of the first week, the class will be divided into small groups that are to meet at least once a week, outside of class. There will be many ways to arrange this. You will need it and it will help.
There will be a take-home written midterm, a short midterm paper and a final paper, on topics that will be provided. The first paper can be revised and resubmitted, up to the 9th week of the quarter.
Your grade will be calculated as follows: Participation, 10%; Midterm, 25%; First paper, 30%; Final paper, 35%.
N.B. All written work is to be submitted electronically, as attachments to email. You will be given detailed and explicit instructions concerning how to assign titles to files and the format in which your essay must be presented. All written material must be submitted in either RTF format, or Microsoft WORD format. FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY IS A HIGH PRIORITY. There will be no latitude on this matter, since part of the design of the course is to take class participants to a level of professional compliance on matters of reading, paying attention to instructions, and writing for publication.
I will not tolerate plagiarism in any form. If you use material that you do not cite correctly, or anything that is not yours, there will be no second chances to fix it up. I will simply forward the evidence to the University committee on Academic Honesty, without grade or comment beyond notifying you of the action taken. The following URL points to a description of university policy on academic honesty; please read it early, and take note. It will suffice to say that you really do NOT want to go through an Academic Honesty review.
http://depts.washington.edu/grading/issue1/honesty.htm
There will be two weekend readings of texts, The Tempest, and Absalom, Absalom! This is optional but recommended, and you will be fed. The outline syllabus (on the other side of this page) indicates the order of readings, including supplementary or recommended texts. REQUIRED TEXTS: The following texts can be purchased at the University Bookstore.
Aristotle: A New Aristotle Reader, ed. by J. L. Akrill William Shakespeare: The Tempest, Pelican or Penguin edition Thomas Kuhn: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, 3rdE William Faulkner: Absalom, Absalom! (the corrected text, Vintage)
COURSE READER, available Professional Copy and Print, 4200 University Way. Contents below: Plato: Phaedo, sel. from Republic, Sophist, Phaedrus, Cratylus, Parmenides Giordano Bruno: Cause, Principle and the One Francis Bacon: The New Organon Rene Descartes: Discourse on Method David Hume: Selections from Enquiry concerning Human Understanding Immanuel Kant: Intro & Trans. Aesthetic from Critique of Pure Reason Samuel Taylor Coleridge: Essays on Method Samuel Taylor Coleridge: Selections from Lay Sermons, Biographia LIteraria, On the Constitution of Church and State Ralph Waldo Emerson: Circles Charles Sanders Peirce: On a New LIst of Categories, selections from Collected Papers, 'On a neglected argument for the reality of God' James Clerk Maxwell: Are there Real Analogies in Nature Thomas Kuhn: Objectivity, Value Judgment and Theory Choice Easy Access to the WEB is required. All communications will be posted to the course website, including all assignments, exams, paper topics, and supplementary materials.
Student learning goals
See description above. This is NOT a typical 200 level course.
General method of instruction
Lecture and discussion.
Recommended preparation
The reading is challenging (and plentiful) but no specific background preparation is presupposed. The most important thing is an interest in intellectual issues and discussion.
Class assignments and grading
Several short papers, a take home mid-term and a final paper. The course is offered as a "W" course, with opportunities for revision.
Comprehension of major ideas and facility at engaging them. Writing well counts.
