For Next Week (All)

*Note: For PGCC students (2215, M, 6 - 9pm), the following materials are matters for you all to address after our class this coming Monday. In other words, you all do not have to do any new readings for this coming Monday, other than what has already been assigned.

To date, we have covered Western Philosophy, focused on the Ancients, the Medieval world, the Early Moderns, and the Modern period. Moving forward, we will be assessing philosophy in the social world (social and political philosophy), focused on the emergence (or genealogy) of Africana Philosophy. Towards this end, the first thing that we are going to do is learn more about Africa-- before we negotiate the Africana world (Africa and the African diaspora) within the context of philosophy.

For the following week, the syllabus has been slightly amended:

Week 9

• Exploring Africa: Human Origins, Civilization/s and Slavery

(a) For Monday: Familiarize yourselves with the Map of Africa (click this link to the left and all corresponding links below). Read Ch. 3 “Africa and the Genesis of Humankind” (Azevedo). Note, for those students that have not purchased the Azevedo text (Africana Studies) read "Early History" (and the corresponding Index on the right-hand column of the web-page) at BBC's "The Story of Africa."

(b) For Wednesday: Read the information at the following links (on the left-hand column of the web-page) “Nile Valley,” “West African Kingdoms,” and “Central African Kingdoms” at "The Story of Africa."

(c) For Friday: Read the information at the link and index for “Slavery” at “The Story of Africa.” Turn in Critique/s, assessing the week’s readings.

Reading the Symbols on Your Papers (All)

With respect to reading the symbols that you all will find on the essays that I will be handing back (tomorrow), I want you all to take note of the following (additional) symbolic notations. In other words, if/when you see the following symbols in quotation next to a passage in your text (as in, "S," "T," "R," etc.) note that they correspond to the word next to it (as in, “S” = Structure, “T” = Transition, “R” = Relevance...):

“S” = Structure; “T” = Transition; “R” = Relevance; “D” = Details; “D/E” = Definition and Explanation; “CA” = Critical Apparatus (citations and endnotes); “Φ” = Why Is Your Analysis Philosophical (MEAL-SAC)?; “C/A” = Criticism and Argumentation; “?” = Clarity Problem. Other symbols will be used to address the mechanics of your writing: “G” = Grammar; “Sp” = Spelling; “Pct.” = punctuation; “SL” = Sexist Language; “A” = Above (point already made above, why repeated?).

During Spring Break (All)

Concerning the upcoming (and needed!) spring break, I want you all to take into account the following matters:

1. Surely, get some rest and recuperate. For many of us, the term has been rewarding but taxing. Be sure to get a little sunlight so that your batteries can be recharged when class picks back up.

2. After you have taken the time out to rest, be sure that you read the next three chapters in Maggee ("The Great Rationalists," "The Great Empiricists," and the "Revolutionary French Thinkers") over the break and write a critique on the same topics to turn in on the first day of class (3.24.08). Again, be sure to read the text structurally and actively. Further, be able to "tell the story" of each chapter, identify key thinkers and philosophies (use the table of contents as a guide to the philosophical traditions and philosophies that you should be responsible for), and be able to write about each chapter within the context of MEAL-SAC.

3. Consider finishing the book and doing extra credit critiques over the break. Concerning the extra credit critiques, I would argue that it is in your interest to go through the Magee text and think about writing critiques on particular philosophies and/or philosophers that you can identify with. Taking advantage of the latter opportunity can prove beneficial insofar as you will be (a) learning and getting extra credit points (to make up for missed LA's, critiques, or just simply earning more functional points) and you will be (b) effectively completing section four (4) of your Final Research Project, on Your Philosophy.

4. If you have not done this already, make sure that you (take a brief) look at the links under "Philosophy Resources" and "Philosophical Webcasts" on this blog. Assessing the former links will help you (a) do well on your three minute Learning Assessments (LA's) and most importantly (b) it will help you know exactly where to go to develop (Section Four of) your Final Research Projects.

Be safe and have fun!