Guidelines for “Expert of the Day”, Extra Credit Option

In general, while everyone should be familiar with the text for every class, the “expert of the day” (henceforth EOD) should be particularly well-prepared and able to comment on the highlights of the reading. Because there are 30 students, only one EOD opportunity will be afforded per student. I will announce opportunities for this as our schedule permits, 1-2 weeks ahead of each opportunity. If you wish to do this, please do not wait until the last minute, or you may not get a chance.

In particular, the EOD is required to do the following on his/her assigned day:

- Introduce and comment on the highlights of that day’s reading. (This should take approximately 5-7 minutes). (Dr. Mundale will confirm the scope of the reading the week before).

- Identify one specific argument, topic, assertion, or problem in which he/she has taken particular interest and briefly comment on it (explain what it is and what the philosophical interest is). This should take only 1-2 minutes. It is important that you be very specific in what you select.

- Find one scholarly external source (non-internet source, unless electronic version of in-print academic journal) that is either 1) interpretive of the problem of you have identified, or 2) critical of the particular Platonic or Aristotelian position you have identified, or that 3) constitutes an application, approach, or solution to a contemporary problem based on a Platonic or Aristotelian approach. Then, briefly present a summary of that scholarly piece and its relation to your selected argument or topic. This should take approximately 5-7 minutes.

- Your total time spent presenting your material as EOD should be no less than 10 minutes, and no more than 15 minutes.

- Before you leave the class on your day as the expert, turn in one complete, hard copy of your selected, scholarly article to Dr. Mundale. The bibliographic information should either be clear from the article itself or supplied by you if not.

If you are unclear about the suitability of a scholarly article or of your choice of issue, or if you have any other questions, please feel free to run things by me ahead of time (jmundale@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu).

Please remember that this EOD assignment is optional, for extra credit only. Depending on how well you do, it will add 0-2 percentage points your overall, final class percentage. Following the directions above is key to earning full credit. Full credit on this may raise your final grade by 1/3^rd letter grade. For example, if your final class percentage was 88, that would be a B+, but if you earned 2 percentage points extra credit as the expert of the day, you would then be raised to 90%, which is an A-. Of course, you are expected to be prepared and to participate on other class days as well. But: instead of focusing exclusively on your grade, please take this assignment as opportunity to help create a scholarly community and to share your inquiries and interests with others. Enjoy yourself!