The aim of the Colloquia series is to introduce you to the practice of professional philosophy. A central part of that practice is listening to philosophers from other parts of the country speaking about their most recent work and engaging them in dialogue by posing your questions to them at the lecture.
Here's the way PL 201-202 will proceed and what you will be expected to do.
- Each faculty member of the Philosophy Department will be the "host" for one speaker.
- About 10 days before the colloquium, you'll get an email from the host faculty member containing an electronic copy of the colloquium paper.
- About a week (or less) before the colloquium there will be a pre-lecture discussion of the paper with everyone enrolled in PL 201-202. The host faculty will let you know by email the time(s) of the pre-colloquium discussion of the paper.
- To prepare for the discussion session, read the paper and write down the question that you would like to pose to the colloquium presenter. Email your question to the host faculty 1 day before the meeting. In addition to your question, include a brief explanation of your question - What part of the paper sparked this question? Why is it important to the author's philosophical project that s/he be able to answer that question? Check for grammar and spelling, because these questions are going to be emailed to the colloquium speaker!
- Attend the lecture AND discussion after the lecture. (You will not receive credit for attending the lecture if you leave early. So plan on a one and one-half hour time slot for the colloquium).
- While it isn't required, it is very, very good philosophical experience to raise your hand and pose your question. Don't be shy! And don't assume your question isn't good enough. You'd be surprised at how much others will appreciate your asking it.
What can you miss and still receive credit? You can only miss EITHER one discussion session OR one lecture AND
- You must "make up" any missed session within one week of the colloquium date by submitting to the faculty host a well-organized, carefully crafted 2-3 page critical response essay.
- If you know now that you have more than one scheduling conflict this semester, you should wait and sign up for PL 201/202 in a later semester.
