back toLiterature and Philosophy

Course goals: 

• We want to discuss and write about literature as philosophers, i.e. as people with questions about truth, knowledge, justice, right action, and beauty.
• We want to discover that literary texts can be read as reflections on the above philosophical problems. 
• We want to learn about individual philosophers and schools of philosophy, but we want to concentrate on the literature, the questions they pose, and how we answer them.

How the course is conducted:

• This course emphasizes reading, thinking, writing, questioning, and discussion.
• The course is divided into units, described below. The units focus on a philosophical issue or problem. We will read excerpts from philosophical texts that treat the problem, then read literary texts that are relevant to that problem. Discussion, questioning,  disputation, and writing will ensue.
• Occasionally, we will break into small groups for discussion and presentations.
• Independent work, especially preparation for MP projects.

Class routines

• The “Dangerous Question” is posed every day. The Dangerous Question compels students to think, commit, and defend. 
• “The Bubble”: Selected students bring their own questions, problems, and issues to the table each day. 
• Mr. Mullen’s problem passage, taken from the reading(s) for the day. 
• Daily writing: a chance to reflect and explore an idea that may be developed into an essay or project. 
• "Standing conversations" and "burning questions"

Grades 

• Dangerous Question: 5 points per day. If you are late, you missed it. 
• The Bubble:  Everyone will be "on the bubble" twice during the course for a total of 50 points 
• In class points: small group discussions and presentations,, etc 
• Daily writes submitted every three weeks: 70 points for submission, up to 20 for evidence of thought, up to 10 for moments of insight.. 
• 4-week and final project: an essay, presentation, display, or performance that communicates what you have learned. 100 points, rubric TBA.

Units 

• Truth:  Is there more than one? Where do you find it? What do you do with it? 
• Knowledge How do you know? Even if you know you know it, should you care? 
• Good and evil: Different views on why bad things happen
• Beauty and Art: What is the function of art in society?
• Ethics: Choosing, commitment, and the ramifications of action.

Central Concepts and Themes of the Course:

• The problems philosophers confront about reality, knowledge, purpose, commitment and beauty can shed light on an understanding of literary texts.
• A story can be defined as the narrative of characters' confrontations with philosophical questions.
• A poem can be defined as the use of metpahors and  figurative language to explore answers to philosophical problems.