Professor Matthew Leisinger

mleising@yorku.ca

This course is an introduction to topics in eighteenth-century European philosophy, focusing in particular on the tradition in eighteenth-century British philosophy that originates with John Locke’s An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. This course presupposes no prior knowledge of philosophy, although it does pick up and develop some of the topics and themes of AP/PHIL 2020 (“Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz”). We will begin with a detailed introduction to Locke’s Essay before going on to study how later figures built upon and responded to Locke’s views, both in moral philosophy (Cockburn, Hutcheson, Hume, Smith) and in metaphysics and epistemology (Berkeley, Hume, Shepherd, Reid). We will also pay special attention to the complex relationship between eighteenth-century British philosophy and the rise of modern racism.

Technical requirements for taking the course:

This course will be fully online (there will be no in-person meetings) and asynchronous (there will be no required live meetings). All course materials, including readings and recorded lectures, will be available via eClass.

The instructor will be available to students asynchronously via email and eClass discussion. The instructor will also be available synchronously for virtual office hours via Zoom. These office hours are optional and attendance at office hours will not be required in any way. Nonetheless, in order to participate in synchronous office hours, students will require Zoom video-conferencing software, a working microphone (webcam optional), and a stable, higher-speed Internet connection.

Times and locations:

Please note that this course will be fully online. There will be no in-person interactions or activities on campus.

Virtual office hours:

The instructor will be available synchronously for virtual office hours via Zoom, both by appointment and regularly at a time TBD.

There is one required textbook for this course:

• John Locke. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Abridged and edited by Kenneth P. Winkler. Indianapolis: Hackett. ISBN: 9780872202160

All other readings will be available online via eClass.

Weekly assignments (graded for completion): 10%

Three short papers (1000-1500 words): 40% + 30% + 20% = 90%

The paper with the highest grade will be worth 40%

The paper with the second highest grade will be worth 30%

The paper with the lowest grade will be worth 20%

This course will be fully online (there will be no in-person meetings) and asynchronous (there will be no live virtual meetings except for optional office hours). All course materials, including readings and recorded lectures, will be available via eClass. The course will be structured around weekly recorded lectures, readings, and assignments.

• To introduce students to some of the major ideas and arguments of eighteenth-century European philosophy
• To introduce students to techniques of philosophical analysis
• To develop students’ written philosophical skills

Course policies

Grading:  The grading scheme for the course conforms to the 9-point grading system used in undergraduate programs at York (e.g., A+ = 9, A = 8, B+ - 7, C+ = 5, etc.).  Each assignment will bear either a letter grade designation or a corresponding number grade (e.g.  A+ = 90 to 100, A = 80 to 90, B+ = 75 to 79, etc.)

(For a full description of York grading system see the York University Undergraduate Calendar - http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/2010-2011/academic/index.htm

Assignment Submission: Proper academic performance depends on students doing their work not only well, but on time.  Accordingly, assignments for this course must be received on the due date specified for the assignment.  All assignments are to be handed in via eClass.

Lateness Penalty: Late submissions will not be accepted for participation in online discussion. Late submissions will be accepted for exams and essays but will be penalized one-half letter grade per day. Exceptions to the lateness penalty for valid reasons such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., may be entertained by the Instructor but will require supporting documentation (e.g., a doctor’s letter).

Missed Assignments:  Students with a documented reason for missing a course assignment, such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., which is confirmed by supporting documentation (e.g., doctor’s letter) may request accommodation from the Course Instructor.