Throughout the semester I will announce some opportunities for extra credit. These will generally involve completing an out of class exercise (e.g., attending an on campus event) and submitting a written report. A complete and well composed report will earn you up to 3 points on your philosophical journal point-total for the semester. The maximum amount of extra credit points you can earn over the semester is 10 (though I encourage you to attend as many of these events as you can!).
How to Complete a Written Report
- If there is a “proof of attendance” form at the event, be sure to get one and submit it with your written report.
- Bring pen and paper with you to the event so that you can take some brief notes. When taking notes, of course, please remember to be respectful of other participants so that your writing is not distracting to those around you (please do not use laptops or handheld devices for note-taking).
- The report is due no later than one week after the event took place.
In your written report, include:
- clear identification of the event and the date it occurred
- the name of the organization(s) or person(s) responsible for the event (usually found in flyers advertising the program; announced at the beginning of the program)
- a one-page summary of what took place [especially what the speaker(s) had to say]
- a one-page discussion of at least one of the following:
- how the program contained content, ideas, or themes that are similar to or examples of things we have studied,
- an explanation of how ideas and concepts we already have studied help you to understand this event better; or how this event helps you to understand better some of the things we have studied, or
- a critical assessment of at least one of the themes of the event (for example, presenting one of the positions voiced at the event and providing a reasoned criticism of it, or presenting your own position about an issue raised at the event and providing a reasoned defense of it, etc.).