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Department of Philosophy
MW
Classroom: Hall
Auditorium 203
Costica Bradatan
Office:
221 Hall Auditorium
Office
Hours: Tuesday
Office
Phone: (513) 529-4739
Email:
bradatc@muohio.edu
Webpage: http://www.users.muohio.edu/bradatc/
Course Description:
The objective of this
seminar is to explore George Berkeley’s thought from the standpoint of its
roots, rather than from the point of view of the various developments that this
thought has triggered in the sphere of modern philosophy; in other words, from
the perspective of its past, rather
than from that of its future. The
most interesting thing about such a shift of perspective is the fact that what
we see when we look at George Berkeley from the perspective of his past is strikingly different from what we see
when we consider him from the standpoint of his future. Methodologically, the
approach of this course is genealogical,
comparative and interdisciplinary.
The course will unfold
musically, so to speak, in a counterpoint
fashion: 1) on the one hand, a close reading of Berkeley’s Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous will
be performed throughout the semester; 2) on the other hand, there will always
be an ongoing discussion about such relatively under-researched aspects of George
Berkeley’s thought as Berkeley’s place in the tradition of theologia ludens, the significance of his immaterialism for the
ontology of the narrative, the use he makes of the ancient topic of the Book of
the World (liber mundi), the use of alchemic/esoteric notions
in Siris, and his connections to the
Platonic tradition. In the final section, we will be placing
Course Rationale:
The design of this
course has been born out of the necessity to place George Berkeley within a
broader context of philosophical, literary, theological and political ideas.
Also, the course has been triggered by the need of approaching the history of
early modern philosophy from a more interdisciplinary perspective. Last but not
least, there is a sense in which
Course Goals:
Required Texts:
·
*Arsić, Branka (2003), The Passive Eye. Gaze and Subjectivity in
·
** Berkeley, George. The Works of George Berkeley Bishop of
Cloyne, Vol. V (“Siris”) and VII (“A Proposal”). (
·
*
Berkeley, George (1988), Principles of Human
Knowledge/Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous (Pinguin Books)
·
** The
Bible [fragments]
·
** Borges, Jorge Luis (1962), Labyrinths. Selected Stories and Other Writings (
·
** Bradatan, Costica (2003), “Waiting for the Eschaton:
·
** Bradatan, Costica (2005),
“Introduction” to The Principles of Human
Knowledge (
·
* Gaarder, Jostein
(1994). Sophie’s World. A Novel about the
History of Philosophy. Translated by Paulette Møller (
·
* Hesse, Herman (2002), The Glass Bead Game: Magister Ludi (A Novel)
(Picador)
·
** Mills, W. J. (1982),
“Metaphorical Vision: Changes in Western Attitudes to the Environment,” Annals of the Association of American
Geographers 72 (1982), pp. 237-253
·
**
Rahner, Hugo (1972), Man at Play (
It is recommended that those books marked with an
asterisk (*) be purchased as they will be used more extensively. You should be
able to find them at the MU Bookstores. Items marked with ** are either on
electronic reserve (password: PHL440) or will be provided by the instructor.
Course Requirements:
1. Research paper:
The bulk of the final grade (see below “Grading policy”) will be determined
by the quality of the research paper. This piece is the culmination of
students’ work during the whole semester. It must be on a course-related topic,
designed by the student in consultation with the instructor. The research paper
must be conceived of, structured, developed and written in such a way as to
meet the standards of academic excellence in the humanities, and following the
guidelines for submission of written work listed below. The three stages for
the production of this research paper are: a) Submission of proposed topic,
brief description and basic bibliography (1/2 pages). b) Submission of the
first draft (4/5 pages), and c) Submission of the final draft (8/10 pages), at
the end of the semester, within a portfolio. (For deadlines, please see
“General Schedule of Events” below.)
2. Oral presentation:
Each student is expected to present the reading(s) for at least two
sessions and then briefly conduct the subsequent discussion. A list of topics
(readings) for which students can volunteer will be circulated at the beginning
of the semester. Each oral presentation will be graded and will count toward
the final grade. A good presentation means: a careful reading of the texts in
question, placing these texts within the context of the author’s work,
rendering the material into a coherent, well-structured, and agreeable form,
and presenting it in a clear manner to the other students attending the class.
For a good – to excellent – oral presentation grade, you are encouraged to read
as much as you can by, and about, the author whose texts you decide to present.
If you make a third presentation during the semester (in addition to the first
two), that will be graded separately, and its grade will count toward the final
grade, too. You are encouraged (although not required) to design your research
paper in such a way as to be able to use in it those texts you have read for
preparing your oral presentations.
3. Attendance and
participation in class:
It is imperative that you attend every class. Please do not be late! Any
unexcused absence will have an impact on your class participation/attendance
grade (5% for each absence). After five (5) unexcused absences the instructor
may, at his discretion, recommend the University Registrar to drop the student from the
course. An absence is excused when you provide serious
documented evidence about it (signed note from the physician, signed letter
from the Dean, death notice, etc.) Fore more about class attendance please
consult the 2005-2006 Student Handbook:
http://www.miami.muohio.edu/documents_and_policies/handbook/
(“Class Attendance”). Active participation
in classroom discussions includes (but is not limited to): posing relevant
questions; making informed comments and formulating original points of view,
establishing a fruitful dialogue with the other students during the class, etc.
When formulating your points of view, remarks or comments, please do so in a
respectful manner, in such a way as not to harm the feelings of the other
members of the class.
4. Individual
conferences:
Students are strongly encouraged to discuss with the instructor about any
aspects of their work for this class, and in particular about their research
paper. All students taking this course are encouraged to make appointments with
the instructor in order to discuss issues related to the course. The instructor
may ask you to come in at other times for discussing particular issues. Please
feel free to email the instructor whenever you need to discuss with him aspects
of your work.
As the semester progresses each of you must think of
a topic for your research paper. The topic for this final essay is designed by
you, but must be course-related, and discussed with the instructor (on the
occasion of a conferences or just make an appointment!).
Guidelines for
Submission of Written Work:
·
MLA Citation Style
·
Word-process all written work; handwritten papers
will not be accepted;
·
Use standard font, in 12 point; double-spaced.
·
Number your pages;
·
Staple your pages together;
·
At the top of the first page include your name,
date, and essay title;
·
Proofread and spell-check before bringing any papers
to class.
Please keep copies of the materials you write and
submit for this course as at the end of the term all these materials will be
formally submitted as a portfolio.
The portfolio includes: the notes for your oral presentation, the drafts
commented on, and returned to you, by the instructor, and the final version of
your research. The reason why you are asked to submit a portfolio is that it
helps the instructor evaluate your progress and your work for the course over
the whole semester.
Grading Policy:
·
10% Regular
attendance of seminar meetings.
·
10% Active
participation in classroom discussions
·
20% Oral
presentations
·
20% First
draft of the research paper
·
40% Final
draft of the research paper
The grades for class attendance and participation will
be determined only after all class meetings take place, at the end of semester.
The grade for the research paper will be determined after you submit it, along
with the portfolio.
University Policies and
Regulations:
The instructor of this course respects and upholds University policies
and regulations pertaining to the observation of religious holidays; assistance
available to the physically handicapped, visually and/or hearing impaired
student; plagiarism; sexual harassment; and racial or ethnic discrimination.
All students are advised to become familiar with the respective University
regulations and are encouraged to bring any questions or concerns to the
attention of the instructor.
Students with
Disabilities:
In compliance with the
Academic Integrity:
Plagiarism, or academic theft, is passing off someone else’s work as your
own. Please note: plagiarism simply means using
someone else’s ideas without acknowledging it (no matter if you use that person’s
actual words or not). Regardless of your background, you are responsible for
not plagiarizing. Plagiarism will be prosecuted; it can affect your permanent
record. Being a plagiarizer is incomparably worse than being unoriginal! For
more about plagiarism (and academic dishonesty in general), please consult 2005-2006 Student Handbook: http://www.miami.muohio.edu/documents_and_policies/handbook/
(“Academic misconduct”)
I. Introductory issues
Week 1:
·
Wednesday (8/24)
o
Topic: Introduction. Overview of the course.
Week 2:
·
Monday (8/29)
o
Topic: Who is
o
Discussion: Doing philosophy historically
o
·
Wednesday (8/31)
o
Close
II. Berkeley and
Theologia Ludens
Week 3:
·
Tuesday (9/06) (Monday classes meet this day;
Monday is Labor Day)
o
Topic: Playing God. Introducing the topic of man as the
“plaything of God.”
o
Movie watching: “Truman Show”
·
Wednesday (9/07)
o
Topic: The aesthetics of theologia ludens. God as an artist. The world as a divine
show.
o
Discussion: “Truman Show”
o
Week 4:
·
Monday (9/12)
o
Close
o
Discussion:
·
Wednesday (9/14)
o
Topic: The ethics of theologia
ludens. God as a cruel playmaker.
o
Week 5:
·
Monday (9/19)
o
Movie Watching: “Dogville”
·
Wednesday (9/21)
o
Topic: The world as God’s laboratory and humans as
“Guinea pigs.” Patterns of divine trial.
o
Discussion: “Dogville” & The Bible [fragments]
Week 6:
·
Monday (9/26)
o
Close
·
Wednesday (9/28)
o
Topic: Theologia
ludens in
o
Discussion: We live in
God
o
III. Berkeley and the
ontology of narrative
Week 7:
·
Monday (10/3)
o
Topic: We are literary characters in a story that God is
continually telling. Introduction of Gaarder’s novel.
o
Deadline!
Submission of topic, brief description and basic bibliography
for the research paper.
·
Wednesday (10/5)
o
Topic: Sophie’s
World as a narrative built on a Berkeleian insight
o
Discussion:
o
Week 8:
·
Monday (10/10)
o
Close
·
Wednesday (10/12)
o
Topic: The relevance of
o
Week 9:
·
Monday (10/17)
o
Topic: The narrative as an imitation of God (imitatio Dei).
o
Discussion: Berkeley and Borges
o
·
Wednesday (10/19)
o
Close
Week 10:
·
Monday (10/24)
o
Topic: The relevance of
o
Movie Watching: “Simone”
o
Deadline!
Submission of first draft of the research paper.
IV. Berkeley and the
World as a Book
·
Wednesday (10/26)
o
Topic: Introduction of the topic. A short history of the
topic from
o
Discussion: The world/the society/the body/the mind, etc. as a
text
o
Week 11:
·
Monday (10/31)
o
Close
·
Wednesday (11/2)
o
Topic: The book of the world in St Bonaventure’s Itinerarium mentis in Deum and Thomas a
Kempis’ Imitatio Christi
o
Week 12:
·
Monday (11/7)
o
Topic: Why should we read liber mundi?
o
Discussion:
o
V. Berkeley’s Educational
Utopia
·
Wednesday (11/9)
o
Topic:
o
o
Movie Watching: “The Renaissance Man”
Week 13:
·
Monday (11/14)
o
Topic:
o
Discussion: The
Renaissance Man
o
·
Wednesday (11/16)
o
Close
Week 14:
·
Monday (11/21)
o
Topic: Educational Utopias. The meaning of
o
Discussion: Is the modern American campus a Castalia?
o
Thanksgiving Break
Week 15:
·
Monday (11/28)
o
Topic: Vita contemplativa vs. vita activa
o
Discussion: The varieties of utopian experience (political,
social, religious, educational, etc).
o
·
Wednesday (11/30)
o
Topic: The mission of the university. Castalia and
o
Discussion: Hesse and Berkeley
o
Week 16:
·
Monday (12/5)
o
Close
·
Wednesday (12/7)
o
Topic: Course conclusion.
o
Course evaluation by students.
Deadline!
Submission of research paper (final version).
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