Instructor:  Brian Cooney   < brian.cooney@centre.edu >

Time and Place: T, Th, 2:20-3:50 in Olin 108.

Office and Hours : Crounse 470; T, Th, 1:00-2:00, MWF 3-4, or after class

Course Description: We will examine various accounts of what is often referred to as "the meaning of life." Many of the readings will concentrate more on the meaning of this question than on a specific answer to it. This topic strongly overlaps with philosophical notions of happiness.

Assignments and Grades:

1. For each class session you will do a 250-300 word submission on the topic of the day. You will present these orally as well as submit them in writing. They should help to focus our discussion of the assigned reading. They will count for 40% of the course grade. The two lowest grades on these submissions will be dropped.

2. Class participation will count for 20% of the course grade.

3. An 8-10 page (2400-3000 words) paper on the topic of the course should be complete and ready for oral presentation April 21. It will count for 30% of the course grade. By April 14, you need to have a paragraph statement about the topic of your paper. We will begin presentations on the 20th, with two per session.

4. The higher of your grades for (1) and (3) above will count for an extra 10%.

Absences: This is a seminar. No cuts are allowed. Each unexcused absence will result in a 2-point deduction from the course grade.