CLS 101: University Seminar (Section 4)

Fall Semester 2005
Section 4 (CRN 24064), MWF 9:00-9:50AM, Wilson 2-274

Topics and Notes Summary (10/2/2005; NO LONGER UPDATED!!!):

DATE	COMMENT

September 30 F	Horton, The Long Haul. Essay # 4 due. Assignment: class progress survey (return during class on Monday 10/3/05).
September 28 W	Begin discussion of Horton, The Long Haul.
September 26 M	Wilson, The Future of Life. Assignment: Essay #4: Wilson states that genetic engineering will be necessary to create crops able to support the earth's burgeoning population. Do you agree with Wilson's assessment? Write an essay either supporting or refuting this claim and include evidence to support your position. This essay is due Friday, 9/30/05.
September 23 F	Wilson, The Future of Life.
September 21 W	Begin consideration of Wilson, The Future of Life.
September 19 M	Discuss Thoreau. Assignments: Essay #3: This week's essay (due Friday, 9/23/05) can be on either of two possible topics as listed below. You can pick the topic you want. Essay format should follow the three paragraph model, aiming for one page double spaced text. Please work on both the writing mechanics (grammar, spelling, etc.) AND the content (claim, evidence, concise choice of words, solid supporting facts, etc.). Choose one: Alternative A: Based on your reading of Thoreau and the class discussion, are there circumstances under which it is moral and honorable to break the law? Make a claim and support it. Alternative B: Thoreau supports the premise that "the government governs best that governs least or not at all." Based on the "Civil Disobedience" essay, choose one of Thoreau's claims that deals with this assertion and either refute or support the concept of how a government can exist yet "govern not at all." Also, read the assigned sections of Wilson, The Future of Life.
September 16 F	Discuss Thoreau. Assignments: re-write your Socrates essay based on comments and suggestions. Revised essays are due Monday, September 19. Read the rest of Civil Disobedience.
September 14 W	Socrates oral presentations (last name begins with M-Z). Assignment: read Thoreau, Civil Disobedience, pp. 1-9.
September 12 M	Socrates oral presentations (last name begins with A-L).
September 9 F	More on claim and support.
September 7 W	Discuss the Crito dialog. Begin discussing the concepts of claim and support. Assignment: argument guidelines and Essay #2 assignment (plus oral presentation assignment). Essay #2 is due on Monday, September 12.
September 5 M	No class this day: Labor Day holiday (MSU offices closed)
September 2 F	Finish the first round of introductions. Discuss the concluding sections of Socrates' Apology, and consider the implications of the vote and the death sentence. Assignments: Write a short essay (due at the start of class on Wednesday, September 7) considering your reaction to the statement from p. 34, full paragraph 2: "My friend, if you think that a man of any worth at all ought to reckon the chances of life and death when he acts, or that he ought to think of anything but whether he is acting justly or unjustly, and as a good or a bad man would act, you are mistaken." Read the Crito (pp. 51-65).
August 31 W	Continue introductions. Discuss the scene in Athens at the trial of Socrates (399 B.C.). What do you think of Socrates' approach to his defense? Is he the "wisest man," as told by the oracle? What does he mean by wisdom? Is wisdom the same as knowledge? Why do you think that we are still reading Plato 2404 years later? Pronunciation hints: Socrates: SOCK rut tees Anytus: An EYE tuss Meletus: Mel LEE tuss Crito: CRY toe Critias: CRY tee us Assignment: read the rest of the Apology (pp. 36-49).
August 29 M	First class meeting: Course overview; discussion of expectations; introductions. Assignments: Read the course syllabus and "how to succeed" document. Acquire all of the assigned course books. Read the first section of Plato's account of Socrates' Apology (pp. 21-36) and be ready to discuss on Wednesday.