Required Texts:

Jacobus, Lee A. A World of Ideas; Essential Readings for College Writers, 8th edition, Bedford/St. Martins, 2010.
Hacker, Diana. A Writers Reference, 6th edition, Bedford/St. Martins 2007.

Outline of Weekly Reading and Writing Assignments; dates are from fall 2009--to be adjusted later

Weeks 1-3: Unit 1: Government

Week 1: Tuesday, September 1st : Introduction
Thursday, September 3rd : "Evaluating Ideas; An Introduction to
Critical Reading."
Lao- Tsu, "Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching."

Week 2: Tuesday, September 8th :
Niccolo Machiavelli, "The Qualities of the Prince."
Thursday, September 10th: Preliminary Assignment for The First Essay
(In Class)

Week 3: Tuesday, September 15th (Friday Classes):
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, "The Origin of Civil Society."
Thomas Jefferson, "The Declaration of Independence."
Thursday, September 17th: First Essay Assignment (In Class)

Weeks 4-5: Unit 2: Justice

Week 4: Tuesday, September 22nd:
Marcus Tullius Cicero, "The Defense of Injustice"
Thursday, September 24th :
Henry David Thoreau, "Civil Disobedience."

Week 5: Thursday, October 1st :
Martin Luther King Jr., "Letter from Birmingham Jail."
Tuesday, October 6th :
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, "Declaration of Sentiments
And Resolutions."
John Rawls, "A Theory of Justice."
Second Essay Assignment (At Home-Due Friday, October 12th).

Weeks 6-7: Unit 3: Wealth

Week 6: Thursday, October 8th :
Adam Smith, "Of the Natural Progress Of Opulence."
Tuesday, October 13th :
Karl Marx, "The Communist Manifesto."
Week 7: Thursday, October 15th :
Robert B. Reich, "Why the Rich are Getting Richer and the Poor, Poorer."
Tuesday, October 20th : Third Essay Assignment (In-class)

Weeks 8-10: Unit 4: Mind

Week 8: Thursday, October 22nd :
Plato, "The Allegory of the Cave."
Tuesday, October 27th:
Rene Descartes, "Fourth Meditation: Of Truth and Error."
Sigmund Freud, "The Oedipus Complex."
Week 9: Thursday, October 29th :
Carl Jung, "The Personal and Collective Unconscious."
Tuesday, November 3rd :
Howard Gardner, "A Rounded Version: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences."
Thursday, November 5th:
Fourth Essay Assignment (In Class)

Weeks 10 to 12: Unit 5: Nature

Week 10: Tuesday, November 10th:
Francis Bacon, "The Four Idols."

Week 11: Thursday, November 12th:
Charles Darwin, "Natural Selection."
Tuesday, November 17th:
Rachel Carson, "The Sunless Sea."
Stephen Jay Gould, "Non-moral Nature."
Week 12: Thursday, November 19th :
Fifth Essay Assignment (In Class)

Weeks 12 to 14: Unit 6: Gender and Culture
Tuesday, November 24th :
Wollstonecraft, "Unnatural Distinctions Established in Society."
Week 13: Tuesday, December 1st:
Virginia Woolf, "Shakespeare's Sister."
Thursday, December 3rd:
Tentative due date of Joint English-Philosophy Assignment
Margaret Mead, "Sex and Temperament."
Week 14: Tuesday, December 8th:
Sixth Essay Assignment (In Class)
Thursday, December 10th:
Francis Crick, "The Uniformity of Biochemistry
Tuesday, December 15th:
Final Exam: the Exit Exam (10:30-12:30, room to be announced) a two-hour in-class essay based on three texts.

Emphases and Requirements of the Course:
Each student will be required to do all assigned work over the semester. Focus will be on reading, discussion, and writing as tools for developing and enhancing the ability to respond to texts critically in academic English.

Attendance, Grades, and Classroo Decorum:
No more than four unexcused absences allowed. Students must be on time. Grades will be based on the six essays and the Joint English-Philosophy assignments. Each essay will be worth 10 points apiece; the exit-exam essay will also be worth 10 points; the joint English-Philosophy homework assignments will be worth 15 points; 15 points will be given for attendance and participation; apart from participating in class discussions, you will be required to participate in on-line Blackboard assignments; you must pass the Exit Exam to get a letter grade. You are encouraged to come to see me during office hours to discuss your work; you are also encouraged to make use of the Learning Center to get tutoring with your writing should you feel that you need it. Attendance at your RISE writing workshops is required.

Statement on the University's policy on Academic Integrity
The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn College procedure for implementing that policy can be found at this site: http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies. If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member MUST report the violation.

Statement in Reference to the Center for Student Disability Services
In order to receive disability-related academic accommodations students must first be registered with the Center for Student Disability Services. Students who have a documented disability or suspect they may have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with the Director of the Center for Student Disability Services, Ms. Valerie Stewart-Lovell at 718-951-5538. If you have already registered with the Center for Student Disability Services please provide your professor with the course accommodation form and discuss your specific accommodation with him/her.

The state law regarding non-attendance because of religious beliefs
You should check this on page 53 in the Bulletin

Information Regarding College Deadlines
1. Thursday, September 3 - Last day to add a course
2. Thursday, September 10 - Last day to file Pass/Fail application 3.
Thursday, September 17 - Last day to drop a course without a grade
4. Thursday, October 15 - Last day to file for Fall 2009 Graduation
5. Wednesday, November 11 - Last day to apply for withdrawal from a course with a W (non-penalty)grade
6. Thursday, November 12 - Last day to resolve Spring/Summer 2009 Incomplete grades
7. Thursday, November 12 - Last day to resolve Spring/Summer 2009 ABS grades

Other Important Information Regarding College Regulations
* Please note that for students whose programs required an adviser's approval prior to registration and for students who wish to withdraw from basic skills courses (e.g., English 1), prior approval of CAASS (Academic Advisement) is required.
* Please note that resolution of Spring/Summer 2009 Incomplete and Absent grades will only be accepted if the missing work was made up prior to the deadline. Exceptions to this policy will require the approval of the Committee on Course and Standing and must be supported by clear documentation of the reasons for the request.
* Please note that Late-Adds and Reinstatements will not be accepted after the Late-Add period under any circumstances (except for acknowledged College error).
* All students should read carefully and thoroughly the 2007-2010 Brooklyn College Bulletin, especially pp. 35-51, pp. 52-59, and pp. 74-83, for a complete listing of academic regulations of the College.