PHL 295, PHILOSOPHY AND POPULAR CULTURE: 
PHILOSOPHY AND MEANING IN HARRY POTTER  - Fall, 2011
Sandra Emmachild, Hogwarts at SCCC Professor of Philosophy     
					                      (#95133)

Phone:  451-4093, 451-4860                                                                  Office Hours (Southampton 120):      
Email: emmachs@sunysuffolk.edu                                                         Monday       10:00-11:00                                      Owl Post Office Hour: Tuesday, 8-9 p.m.                                               Tuesday        9:30-10:30                 
(Muggles may use email.)					         Wednesday   3:15-4:15                                                                                                                                                                 Thursday      9:30-10:30                                                                                                                                                                Other Hours by Appointment        

TEXTS: 1)Any two of the following: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s (Philosopher’s)Stone, Harry Potter and the                                 Chamber of  Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry                          Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly                           Hallows, J.K.Rowling
                2)Additional Required Readings On Line/Handouts

COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course intends to explore the writings of J.K. Rowling, specifically her seven Harry Potter novels, through the lens of traditional philosophical issues, including philosophy of myth.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1.	Recognize the traditional Metaphysical approaches to the topics of Reality and Meaning, such as Realism, Idealism and Essentialism, as demonstrated in the seven novels.

2.	Distinguish between specific approaches to Epistemology, such as Rationalism, Empiricism, Deduction and    
       Induction within the novels.
3.	 Recognize the various ethical theories, particularly those surrounding the debate over Rowling’s own approach to Ethics, as demonstrated in the novels.
4.	 Demonstrate basic skills of critical analysis in the analyses of the seven novels.
5.	 Employ information-gather techniques, such as library and online research.
6.	Utilize texts, film and literature as tools for learning.

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE
1) Examinations: There will be two in-class exams in the course (an O.W.L.  and N.E.W.T. exam), consisting of both short-answer and essay questions; and one take-home exam, given out as four separate Homework Assignments.  The exams will be based on both the readings and the class discussions, and in all cases, students will have some  choice  in answering questions.  Exams are not comprehensive; that is, each exam will contain only the topics assigned for that exam and will not refer back to material covered on prior exams.  Absolutely no makeups are permitted.   (See “Extra Credit.”)
2) Class Work: All students are expected to keep up with the readings on a daily basis and to contribute to the class           discussion. Students should expect to be called upon and graded regarding both the assigned readings and the class             discussions.  Students who contribute to the class discussion in a substantial, scholarly and original manner will earn points for their Houses.  For every 5 points earned by a House, all members of that House will receive one point added to their final grade.  (Specific requirements for earning such points will be discussed in class; determination of such points is at the sole discretion of the Professor.)  Students who are unprepared for class will have their final grade lowered; and severe unpreparedness may  result in failure or dismissal from the course.  Preparedness means: 1)the student brings the book(s) to class daily; 2)the student volunteers to answer questions about the content of the reading material; 3)the student can answer questions without referring to the text or to notes.  Further, films, videos or guest speakers may take place during class time; and students are responsible for attending such events.  Finally, students are responsible for
obtaining information given in class, even if absent.
3) Attendance: Students are permitted two excused absences.  Those who exceed this limit may be subject to a  decrease   in their grade for the course, and in the case of excessive absences, students may be removed from the course.  Leaving      class early or arriving late, without prior permission, may be regarded as an absence.  Students who fail to sign in on          attendance forms are presumed absent and may not sign in at a later time.
4) Extra Credit: At least four optional extra credit assignments will be given during the semester.  Each will be worth a   maximum of 25 points and may be used either as extra credit or to substitute for a missed exam.  A student who misses      an exam and has not done extra credit will not be given any additional extra credit.  Since extra credit is used in many        ways, it is each student’s responsibility to discuss with me how her/his extra credit will be used.  In no case is extra           credit simply “added on” to a grade.  It is used primarily to substitute for a missed exam or to “boost” a grade at the          end of the semester.  In general, students will receive between 1/4 and 3/4 of the points received on an extra             credit–rarely will a student receive the full points.  Note that regardless of how many extra credit assignments are        given, no student may do more than four assignments during  the semester.  Finally any outside work, including      extra credit, which is not handed in during the class  in which it is due, must be dated and signed by either a            secretary or faculty member to show that it was handed in on the due date, otherwise the work will be late and        therefore unacceptable.
							
GRADING POLICY
The O.W.L. will count as 20% of the final grade; the N.E.W.T. will count as 25%; each Homework will count as 10%; class participation and preparation will count as 10% of the final grade, although a grade may be jeopardized more severely in some cases (see “Class Work”).  In addition, extra credit, absences, lateness and class behavior may affect the final grade, particularly in the case of  “borderline”grades.  The grading system on all work will be as follows: O (Outstanding), E (Exceeds Expectations), A (Acceptable), P (Poor), D (Dreadful),T (Troll).  (Note: The grades will be converted to the Muggle system when necessary.)  While being in class regularly and on time will not enhance a grade (these are minimum requirements for remaining in good standing in the course), failure to do so will result in a lower grade.  Food and drinks may not be consumed during class time; nor may work for other classes or work due for this class be done during class time.  In addition, students may not copy notes from a missed class during class time.  And, all cell phones, i-pods, laptops and other muggle electronics must be turned off during class unless approved by the Professor.   The use of these and any other disruptive or inconsiderate behaviors may affect the grade and/or result in dismissal from the course.  Als o, no student may receive a “W” after Monday, November 14.  NOTE: THE COLLEGE MIDTERM DATE IS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27.  Finally, students are strongly encouraged to use a dictionary and to visit the Writing Center before handing in any out-of-class assignments.  
Grade substitutions: 2 Extra Credits = 1 Homework; 3 Extra Credits = Missed OWL; 4 Extra Credits =  Missed NEWT.
All Extra Credits Due no later than Wednesday, December 7.

DUE DATES:  (Students are responsible for keeping up with any changes announced in class.  Students should make a                                  contact in the class to inquire about missed information.)
NO SCHOOL:        Monday, Sept. 5; Tuesday, Sept. 20; Thursday, Sept. 29; Wed-Thurs., Nov. 23-24.
O.W.L.:                   Wednesday, October 12
N.E.W.T. :               Monday, November 21
HOMEWORK :       HW1, Wed., September 21; HW2, Mon.,Oct.10; HW3, Wed.,Nov.9; HW4, Wed.,Dec.14 
END OF TERM FEAST: TBA

READING ASSIGNMENTS
Weeks 1 - 2        Sorting Ceremony and Course Introduction
                           Terms and definitions given in class.
Weeks 3 - 7       Topic I - Magical v. Muggle Epistemology 
                            Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave,”  ONLINE 
		  James, “Pragmatism,” Palmer, ONLINE
                            Nietzsche, “Friedrich Nietzsche,” Palmer, ONLINE
                            Descartes, “Rene` Descartes,” Palmer, ONLINE		  
Weeks 8 - 10     Topic II - Metaphysics: The Self and Free Will
                            Hospers, “What Means This Freedom?” ONLINE
                            Sartre, “The Case for Freedom of Choice” ONLINE
                            Plato, “The Phaedo” ONLINE
                            References to Plato, James, Nietzsche, Descartes
Weeks 11 - 14     Topic III: Morality
    	                    Criticisms of Rowlings’ Portrayal of Morality,   ONLINE
                            References to Plato, James, Nietzsche, Descartes
                            Class Handouts To Be Announced
Weeks 14 - 16     Topic IV: Philosophy of Myth
                             “The Hero,”  as portrayed in the Series, “Characteristics of the Hero” ONLINE
                             Symbols of Good and Evil in the Series, “Traditional Mythological Opposites” ONLINE
                             Class Handouts To Be Announced