Course Description

Purpose and Goals

CAS 105 satisfies the College’s writing requirement. The purpose of this course is to develop the skills needed to write good argumentative essays. By the end of the course the students should have the ability to

(1) Extract arguments from texts
(2) Evaluate those arguments
(3) Construct clear, concise and well-reasoned essays that present those extractions and evaluations

Students will explore, analyze, and discuss texts we read through writing. They will also learn to explore, analyze, and discuss their own writing, through a process of self-assessment and peer-review. By the end of the course the students should have the ability to write effective essays about any topic they might be expected to write about in their college career.

Course Content

We will develop these skills by considering the philosophical problem of Hell. Some religious traditions hold that God punishes people by sending them to Hell forever, but they also hold that God is all-loving and morally perfect. Others have argued that this is logically inconsistent and that no morally perfect, loving being would ever send people to Hell. The latter argue that the former must abandon either their concept of Hell or their concept of God. This has come to be known as the Problem of Hell.
In this course we will explore various potential solutions to this problem. We will also examine some more recent problems that have been raised for the idea that there is a Hell.
The primary text for this course will be Jonathan Kvanvig’s The Problem of Hell. Other readings include some supplementary journal articles, as well as some works of fiction including The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis.

Class Format

In-Class Work

This class will be discussion oriented, and I expect the students to be very much involved. There will be several in-class writing assignments, as well as in-class peer review sessions. Success in this course requires that you come to class every day.

Absences

Given the structure of this course, it is imperative that students attend class. Absences can have a negative impact on your grade. See the Grading (Participation) section for more details.

Special Needs

Special needs will be accommodated whenever possible. Students with special needs should consult me as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Classroom Behavior

This class will involve a lot of discussion and argument analysis, and we will not always agree with each other. However, disagreements should not hinder discussions. Failure to respect your peers by adopting a belligerent, condescending tone will result in a warning and, if persistent, a grade reduction. We can all disagree with one another. However, we can disagree with one another respectfully and in doing so we can rationally explore all sides of the issues covered.

Plagiarism

I expect all writing that you turn in to me to be your own. Plagiarism is a serious offense, and it is the student’s responsibility to know what counts as plagiarism. A good rule of thumb is: When in doubt, cite.

All suspected instances of plagiarism will be investigated. If it is determined that a student has plagiarized, then the incident will be reported to the board of academic honesty. The appropriate penalty will be determined in consultation with the board. Note that the penalties for plagiarism are severe ranging from failing the assignment, to failing the paper, to expulsion. (See Academic Honest and Plagiarism: Student Resourcesfor more info)

Peer Review Sessions

Peer review sessions are important. Having peers read your writing is an excellent way to improve your writing. Four classes are set aside for peer review sessions – one class for each of the required essays. Unexcused absences on these days will have a negative impact on your grade (a more negative impact than absences on non-peer review days). See Grading.

Late Work

Essays lose a third of a letter grade per calendar day (including weekend days) they are late. This includes rough drafts.

You can make up in class writing exercises, if you were not in class on the day we did them and your absence was excused. It is your responsibility to know if you missed an in class exercise. Make up exercises must be turned in by the next class period to count.

Course Website

Course Website: http://www.courses.rochester.edu/cullison/cas105

Most of the assigned readings that are not in the required texts will be available online. These readings will be (.pdf) files. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader. You probably have this on your computer already, and most school computers have it. If there is a problem accessing the .pdf files, or you are unfamiliar with how to use Acrobat, please consult me.

Required Texts

• Kvanvig, Jonathan. The Problem of Hell.
• Lewis, C.S. The Great Divorce.
• Strunk and White. The Elements of Style.
• Weston, Anthony. Rulebook for Arguments.

NOTE: You must come to class with a copy of the reading assignment to be discussed that day. See Course Schedule for the scheduled reading assignments.

NOTE: Students must get a “C” or better in CAS 105 in order to satisfy the College primary writing requirement.

Participation/Informal Writing: 10%

Attendance/Late Policy

Students can get a total of two participation points for each day of class. Students earn one point just for coming to class with all necessary materials. The other point is earned by actively participating in class discussion that day. These points will be averaged like a quiz grade and will count as one third of the participation grade.

 

Note:
Students have a maximum of two excused absences. You must alert me to your absence prior to the start of class for the absence to count as excused. An email that is timed prior to class time will suffice. Unexcused absences lose both points. Excused absences will get both points provided that they post a discussion note on WebCT. (This one can be about anything germane to the course. It need not be about class that day. Afterall, you weren’t there.)

Important Note:
Please come to class on time. Walking in late is disruptive to me and other students. Also, if we're doing an in-class writing exercise we will almost always do it in the first 10-15 minutes of class. You're sure to miss the instructions if you're late. You will be counted as absent one day for every three days you come to class late.

Even More Important Note:
There will be one peer review day for each of the four essays. These are absolutely mandatory. Unexcused absences on peer review days will result in
(1) losing both participation points for the day,
(2) having 8 points subtracted from your participation points, and
(3) losing a third of a letter grade for the essay under review that day.
The only two excuses for missing a peer review day are a very serious illness or a death. Consult academic support.

Informal Writing Exercises

Weeklies

Essays: 90%

Four essays comprise 90% of your overall grade. I will grade late papers, but they will be marked down a letter grade for each calendar day that the paper is late. (This includes rough drafts as well as final drafts).

I require that you write a complete rough draft for all four essays. Outlines or freewritings do not constitute a complete rough draft.

Note: If you are absent on the peer review day for an essay and your absence is unexcused – You will also lose a third of a letter grade on the final grade of that essay.