There is a paper required for this course. It is not a research paper, but is instead a short paper (approximately 2 pages) summarizing, and briefly commenting on, an article that you will read on one of the approved topics (see EXTRA CREDIT page for topics). Here's what you need to do:
1. Choose an article from a journal in the JSTOR electronic database (or one of the others accessible through the Department of Philosophy web-site) from the topic list. You may use traditional sources from which to choose an article such as the hard-copy version of The Philosopher's Index, though the preferred procedure is to use an electronic database to find the article. The article itself may be available on-line, or you may have to read it in one of the journals in the UCF Library.
2. Read the article, summarize its main argument(s), and write a brief commentary on its contents. That is, comment on the quality of the argument, whether you believe the author is right or wrong, and why.
3. Type your paper. Hand-written papers are not acceptable. The format is the following:
* Margins must be 1" on all sides.Remember that the due date for the extra credit assignment is also 7/27/2000 and that the paper and the extra credit assignment may both be done on the same (one) topic.
* Use a standard size font - 10, 12 or 14 point.
* Write with care. Use a spell-checker AND proofread for yourself. If you have difficulty writing, you should seek assistance at the UCF Writing Center. See the Department of Philosophy web-site in "electronic research" and "writing references" for information on the UCF Writing Center or find information in the UCF Catalog.
* Make sure you indicate clearly on the title line of your paper the name of the author of the article, the name of the article, the journal in which it was found, the page numbers, and any other information required for appropriate citation as specified in the Chicago Manual of Style or the MLA Handbook.
* Make sure you put your name on the paper you write. It should appear at the top left margin of the first page of your paper, along with the course number and the date.
* The due date for the article summary and commentary is July 27, 2000 - the last day of Summer B.
If you have any questions concerning this requirement, please contact me during my office hours, before or after class, by phone, or by e-mail. Please don't wait 'til the very last minute to write your paper.
This page was updated on 6/19/2000