PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON (PAIRED COURSE)

PAPER ASSIGNMENT

FALL 2006

PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON & INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
PAPER ASSIGNMENT
FALL 2006
PAIRED COURSES PAPER
PHILOSOPHY & SOCIOLOGY

1. Consider this question: Based on your understanding of the subject matter in the Paired Courses, which discipline, Philosophy or Sociology, provides a more complete or compelling account of the human person?
2. Begin the paper by considering how each discipline investigates the human person.
3. Formulate your own answer to the question.
4. Present/Lay out your argument in support of your answer. (And then participate in our classroom debate.)
5. Critically evaluate your argument.
6. Conclude by saying why your answer is correct.
7. The point of this paper is for you to think critically about the different ways by which Philosophy and Sociology approach and understand the human person, and then answer the question in #1.

PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON & INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING PAPERS

1. INTRODUCTION
*Begin by stating your objective/purpose
*(i.e., The purpose of this paper is ...)
*Say why you THINK this is an important topic/ question
*Explain what you are going to do/show in the paper

2. DISTINGUISH THE APPROACHES OF PHILOSOPHY & SOCIOLOGY
*Begin by considering how each discipline investigates the human person

3. MAKE YOUR CASE
*Present your evidence/set up/lay out your argument(s)
*i.e., Plato thinks that Socrates is NOT a Sophist BECAUSE:
P1--If a Sophist, Then Lots of $$$
P2--~(Lots of $$$)
C--S0 ~ a Sophist
*REMEMBER--you are trying to justify what you believe

4. CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE ARGUMENT(S)
*State what kind of argument it is
*(i.e., Modus Ponens, Modus Tollens, Induction, Disjunction)
*Check its validity/strength
*Explain why its PREMISES are TRUE or FALSE
*Any counter-examples? Say how you would respond to someone taking the other view
*Say what you THINK about the argument(s)

5. CONCLUSION
*Say what you have done/shown
*(i.e., This paper has shown that ...)