From now until the end of the semester, we will be focusing on creating the conditions for you all to write your Final Research Projects (FRP).
What follows are the five (5) sections that are to be fully developed in your seven to ten (7 to 10) page FRP. (All will work out!) To the degree that you all keep up with the readings and the corresponding weekly critiques, your FRP will come together, one week at a time.
Section 1: Introduction to Philosophy
In this section, you will be critically introducing the reader to philosophy and the discipline's four primary academic streams (MEAL). At this point in the project, you will be revising and integrating your first three critiques into this section.
Section 2: "The" History of Philosophy
In this section, you will be critically reviewing "the" history of philosophy. At this point in the project, you will be revising and integrating your midterm critique on Law and Obenga. Further, the three critiques that you will be writing on Magee (the text you are reading now) will be used to re/construct this narrative.
Section 3: The Emergence of Africana Philosophy
In this section, you will be critically reviewing the emergence of Africana Philosophy. At this point in the project, you will be revising and integrating the critiques that you all will be writing on the Azevedo (Africana Studies), Eze (African Philosophy), and related online texts.
Section 4: Exploring Your Philosophy
In this section, you will be self-consciously reviewing your philosophy, essentially, locating it on the map of philosophical history. As we discussed in class, you all will be asking yourselves and answering the following fundamental questions in philosophy: (1) What is there in the universe or outside of it (your metaphysics)? (2) What is knowledge, how may we reach "the truth" (your epistemology)? (3) How should we decide what is valuable (your axiology)? (4) How should we live our lives (praxis)? While negotiating the former questions, you all are expected to do some specific research on a particular philosopher or philosophy that coheres with your values. (Use the "Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy," "The Internet Classic Archive" and "The Value of Knowledge" links for further reference.) In other words, while writing about your metaphysics, epistemology, axiology and praxis, be sure to ground your reflections on that which came before you (and may be "to come," if you are contributing something truly original to the discourse!).
Section 5: Special Research Topic
In this section, you will be writing your own, self-critical, special research topic. At this point in the project, you will have plenty of autonomy. You can do research on a topic in philosophy, on a particular philosopher or philosophy, on a matter related to your academic discipline or career, on your religious values (or lack thereof), on a contemporary social and/or political issue (War, Peace, Terrorism/Counter-terrorism, Israel-Palestine, Social Justice and Security, Human Rights, Torture, Wealth, Poverty, the Presidential Elections, the Right to Vote, Racism, Sexism, Homophobia...) etc. As we get closer to the end of the semester, we will be working together to secure the horizon of this section. Further, as we discussed in class, you all will have the autonomy to express this in a medium that works for you. So, if you are an artist, let's see some art-work and your written interpretation. If you are a rapper and/or musician, let's hear what you have to share and your written interpretation. If you like to create "fiction," let's read about the 21st century "Allegory of the Cave." If you are a poet, let's read your poem and your written interpretation. Again, you all have options.
Note: Moving forward, keep two things in mind: (1) Do the weekly readings and critiques. (All else will come into place, if you do not let yourself get behind!) (2) Pay special attention to the philosophers and philosophies that intersect with your philosophical values (recall that in section four of the FRP, your task is to tell your story and locate it on the map of philosophical history). As such, you will need to do this by doing your own research-- which can be done by utilizing the resources on this blog.
What follows are the five (5) sections that are to be fully developed in your seven to ten (7 to 10) page FRP. (All will work out!) To the degree that you all keep up with the readings and the corresponding weekly critiques, your FRP will come together, one week at a time.
Section 1: Introduction to Philosophy
In this section, you will be critically introducing the reader to philosophy and the discipline's four primary academic streams (MEAL). At this point in the project, you will be revising and integrating your first three critiques into this section.
Section 2: "The" History of Philosophy
In this section, you will be critically reviewing "the" history of philosophy. At this point in the project, you will be revising and integrating your midterm critique on Law and Obenga. Further, the three critiques that you will be writing on Magee (the text you are reading now) will be used to re/construct this narrative.
Section 3: The Emergence of Africana Philosophy
In this section, you will be critically reviewing the emergence of Africana Philosophy. At this point in the project, you will be revising and integrating the critiques that you all will be writing on the Azevedo (Africana Studies), Eze (African Philosophy), and related online texts.
Section 4: Exploring Your Philosophy
In this section, you will be self-consciously reviewing your philosophy, essentially, locating it on the map of philosophical history. As we discussed in class, you all will be asking yourselves and answering the following fundamental questions in philosophy: (1) What is there in the universe or outside of it (your metaphysics)? (2) What is knowledge, how may we reach "the truth" (your epistemology)? (3) How should we decide what is valuable (your axiology)? (4) How should we live our lives (praxis)? While negotiating the former questions, you all are expected to do some specific research on a particular philosopher or philosophy that coheres with your values. (Use the "Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy," "The Internet Classic Archive" and "The Value of Knowledge" links for further reference.) In other words, while writing about your metaphysics, epistemology, axiology and praxis, be sure to ground your reflections on that which came before you (and may be "to come," if you are contributing something truly original to the discourse!).
Section 5: Special Research Topic
In this section, you will be writing your own, self-critical, special research topic. At this point in the project, you will have plenty of autonomy. You can do research on a topic in philosophy, on a particular philosopher or philosophy, on a matter related to your academic discipline or career, on your religious values (or lack thereof), on a contemporary social and/or political issue (War, Peace, Terrorism/Counter-terrorism, Israel-Palestine, Social Justice and Security, Human Rights, Torture, Wealth, Poverty, the Presidential Elections, the Right to Vote, Racism, Sexism, Homophobia...) etc. As we get closer to the end of the semester, we will be working together to secure the horizon of this section. Further, as we discussed in class, you all will have the autonomy to express this in a medium that works for you. So, if you are an artist, let's see some art-work and your written interpretation. If you are a rapper and/or musician, let's hear what you have to share and your written interpretation. If you like to create "fiction," let's read about the 21st century "Allegory of the Cave." If you are a poet, let's read your poem and your written interpretation. Again, you all have options.
Note: Moving forward, keep two things in mind: (1) Do the weekly readings and critiques. (All else will come into place, if you do not let yourself get behind!) (2) Pay special attention to the philosophers and philosophies that intersect with your philosophical values (recall that in section four of the FRP, your task is to tell your story and locate it on the map of philosophical history). As such, you will need to do this by doing your own research-- which can be done by utilizing the resources on this blog.
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