Calvin's Thesis

When a society oppresses individuals by disallowing social mobility, those individuals accept this oppression until the moment of rebellion, which they have a moral obligation to attempt, and in which they have the capacity to succeed.

Hally's thesis

This is way shorter than my thesis usually is. Do you think it's oversimplified, too general, too wordy, or okay(ish)?

• Freedom of individuality within a society instigates positive development and is necessary for the continued success of that society.

Next set of reading assignments

For Wednesday (1/9/13) -- Read Camus, The Rebel (in dropbox) For Monday (1/14/13) -- Read Descartes, The Meditations (in dropbox)

DATES (IMPORTANT)

Thesis Statement -- Friday, 1/11/13 (with comments to group) Case Study -- Friday, 1/18/13 (on paper, in folder, in class) Names of Panelists -- Wednesday, 1/23/13 Overnight at Hyco Lake -- Monday, 1/28/13 (mandatory) Final Paper due -- Monday, 2/4/13 Panels -- Thursday 2/7/13 through Thursday 2/14/13 (to be determined)

CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Case Study – Due January 18th, Friday Writing a Case Study – An analysis of a problem Writing a good case study is introducing a problem or a question to your reader and presenting an analysis that would lead your reader to come to a solution to the problem or question posed. Writing a good case study is an exercise in writing – you must present your problem in an interesting and informative fashion, much like you are writing a story about your problem rather than a formal paper. You must be able to support your analysis with documented research, whenever possible include facts, numbers, or statistics to support your ideas. These should all be well cited within the body of your case study. Your case study must focus on a singular aspect of American political life since the election of 2012. Some examples would be: the fiscal cliff, gun control, immigration law, upcoming nomination process, gay marriage, Republican House majority politics, notions of bi-partisanship or compromise, taxation, etc… You pick an issue. Do some reading and research and frame your issue as a question of the relationship between the individual and the state. Your case study should be divided clearly (and labeled) into the following sections: 1. Description of the problem – Can you summarize the problem you face in 4-5 sentences? Can you do so in a way that sets up interest in your problem and draws the attention of the reader? Think of the description like the beginning of a short story with a concise and focused point. 2. History of the problem – This might be broken into shorter sections: a. Background b. Past problems c. Past solutions 3. Analysis of the problem now – This will be broken into shorter sections: a. Research and information you have collected b. Connections to the issue of relationship – Where is your issue an illustration of the connections or divide between the individual and the state? 4. Philosophical analysis of the problem – How do the philosophers we have read help you to think about the problem and its many dimensions? How do they point to any potential solutions? What would different philosophies say about your analysis above? 5. Solution to the problem – You must connect back to your initial problem and present one possible solution that takes your analysis (and the history) into account. 6. Additional information, research, etc… is contained in an appendix, not in the document itself. Some tips: This should be fairly short but well written and well documented (no more than 3-4 pages of text, not including appendix). You should have more to say than you actually include. The research and information you have collected is crucial to the presentation of your solution. This should be single-spaced and each section should be titled. You do need to clearly outline a problem of relationships and a solution that is relevant to your situation.

THESIS STATEMENTS

By Friday, January 11 in class: Please post your working thesis statement for your final paper to the blog. You may include more than one sentence (some introduction) but you ought to find a way to concisely and accurately state your argument. You must also (by Friday 1/11 in class) have commented with substantial and thoughtful comments on the thesis statements for all of the members of your group.

Homework for the week of 12/10

Read Nietzsche, Essay #2 from the Genealogy of Morals. Focus on sections: 2, 10, 12, 16-18 For Monday, 12/17 -- Please read Hannah Arendt, "Civil Disobedience"