Grades in the course are weighted as follows:
| 20% | Reading responses (2 before break, and 2 after) |
| 25% | Medium paper, 5-7 pages Due: March 20th |
| 30% | Long paper, 8-10 pages Due: May 16th by 5:00 PM |
| 25% | Labs (4) |
| A = 90% |
| B = 80% |
| C = 70% |
| D = 60% |
| NC below 60% |
In this course you will write two formal papers, four reading responses, and do four lab assignments.
When turning in your papers and reading responses, bring two printed copies to class on the due date. Both of us are eager to read your work. Here is a list of printing locations on campus.
If you're interested in using a Writing Associate to help you with your papers, you can schedule a meeting at the Writing Center.
The midterm and final papers for this course are formal papers that will follow the traditional philosophical format: explaining a position or question, developing your own argument, and anticipating objections (we will discuss this format during class time so you know exactly what it looks like). We will give you a list of topics to choose from for both papers. These papers will not require outside sources. You are specifically forbidden from consulting Wikipedia, Sparksnotes, and online sources of a similar nature. If you have trouble with the material, come talk to us during office hours--that's what they are for! We are looking for your critical engagement with the material presented in class and in the text.
You will have the opportunity to revise the midterm paper. There are conditions that the revisions must meet:
You will write four reading responses during the semester. These are short papers (no more than two pages) in which you do two things:
You'll do two response papers before spring break and two response papers after spring break. These are due in class as hard copies and will be used to help open the discussion for the class meetings. You will not be assigned to particular readings; you will choose the readings or movies you want to respond to. However, your response papers are due the date the reading is covered in class. Once the readings are covered, response papers on those readings will not be accepted.
We will be exploring AI and machine learning through Google colab notebooks. You will not need to write any code from scratch, but instead will be trying experiments with code provided in each notebook. The graded portion of the lab assignments will be your summary and analysis of the results of these experiments.
The late policy for this course is evil and draconian. All work is due in class on the day designated on the syllabus -- not by mail slot, office box, or email. Any assignment handed in after the due date -- be it one hour or one day -- will not be accepted. Printer or computer problems are no excuse. This is college; plan ahead. If you are very sick, you can email the assignment ahead of time, but it must be BEFORE class begins. Early work is always welcome if you know you will be absent, but please make arrangements beforehand.
You are legally an adult. You signed up for this course voluntarily. You know when it meets and you know what time it begins. Routine lateness is unacceptable. Routine absence is unacceptable. You get our full attention for the entire class period; reciprocity dictates that we get yours. It's your responsibility to read the syllabus and familiarize yourself with the course expectations and policies.
Professors strive for different kinds of classroom environments, so it may be helpful to know what to expect. We look for a lot of verbal and visual feedback from students. If you look confused or unhappy, we may ask you why -- not to put you on the spot, just because we want to help. It's a cliche, but chances are good that one of your classmates has the same question that you do. We not only welcome but also encourage you to think aloud, even if it doesn't come out sounding polished or erudite (it doesn't matter how smart you sound; it matters how much you are thinking). Feel free to preface your comments with "I'm just formulating this thought" or something similar so that we know you're testing something out. We will likely ask students follow-up questions or ask you to expand on the point or question you have. This isn't meant to test or to put you on the spot; often we're looking for further clarification of the broader significance of what you're saying. It certainly doesn't mean what you said was bad, wrong, or inarticulate.
Philosophy isn't called "the great conversation" for nothing. We simply cannot do what we do without lots and lots of discussion. We understand that sometimes speaking in class makes people nervous, but we expect participation from every student. If you are uncomfortable about speaking in class, please come see one of us and we can discuss ways to mitigate that nervousness.
Please keep in mind that participation can look many different ways. Asking good questions, answering questions from the reading, and adding to class discussion are all ways to participate in class. Dominating class discussion is not good participation. Please refrain from interrupting us or any of your classmates. Never get the impression that disagreement is unhealthy. Just because a classmate disagrees with your comment it does not mean that she is attacking you personally. Our discussions will always be civil when they are lively and rife with disagreement.
All of the above forms of participation do require proper preparation. You are expected to not only complete all of the reading before attending class, but also to have critically engaged with the material.
We will be exploring large language models, such as ChatGPT, in this course. However, when completing your own assignments for this course, we expect you to do your own writing.
Academic honesty is required in all your work. Under no circumstances may you hand in work done with (or by) someone else under your own name.
Failure to abide by these rules constitutes academic dishonesty and will lead to a hearing of the College Judiciary Committee. According to the Faculty Handbook: "Because plagiarism is considered to be so serious a transgression, it is the opinion of the faculty that for the first offense, failure in the course and, as appropriate, suspension for a semester or deprivation of the degree in that year is suitable; for a second offense, the penalty should normally be expulsion."
If you believe you need accommodations for a disability or a chronic medical condition, please contact Student Disability Services via email at studentdisabilityservices@swarthmore.edu to arrange an appointment to discuss your needs. As appropriate, the office will issue students with documented disabilities or medical conditions a formal Accommodations Letter. Since accommodations require early planning and are not retroactive, please contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible. For details about the accommodations process, visit the Student Disability Services Student Disability Service Website. You are also welcome to contact us privately to discuss your academic needs. However, all disability-related accommodations must be arranged, in advance, through Student Disability Services.