Course Syllabus

** Note: This course is still under construction...*

Welcome to Philosophy 204: Mexican Philosophy!!!

Professor Patrick Frierson

In this course, you’ll get a basic introduction to some key philosophers and philosophical themes in the history of philosophy in the area currently called Mexico, during a time period that ranges from pre-Columbian philosophy through the twentieth century (and maybe even dipping into the twenty-first century).  In addition to developing some knowledge about philosophy and philosophers of this time and place, this course will help you develop skills of close reading and analysis, written and oral expression, and the ability to trace philosophical ideas and themes through a series of texts that make up a philosophical tradition.

Philosophy is not easy, and engaging with texts and ideas from different times and places is also not easy. If you find the readings or assignments in this course very challenging, that’s normal.  Come ask me for help.  Talk to your classmates.  Bang your head against a wall and struggle your way through it.  Don’t think you should understand everything on the first read.  Likewise, writing philosophically is difficult.  The point of this class is to learn.

Please come talk to me! My office hours this semester are Tuesdays and Thursday from 8:30-9:45am in my office in Olin East (193) and Wednesdays from 8:30-9:45 PM by zoom (at https://whitman.zoom.us/j/92189368747 Links to an external site.). (If you are going to come to my zoom office hours, please let me know ahead of time if possible.)  I'm also available by appointment, so if those times don't work for you, please reach out.  You don’t have to have pressing business in order to meet with me, especially during regular office hours.  You can come to talk about anything class or Whitman related.  (I’m an academic advisor and was pre-law advisor for many years, so I also like just talking about future plans and students’ lives.)  On weeks that you are preparing for a debate, you should plan to meet with me (as a group) on Wednesday, ideally at 9am but otherwise by appointment.

Technology in and out of the classroom.  One of the goals for this course is for you to learn to read, write, and orally discuss philosophy.  Technology can be a valuable aid, but it can also get in the way of doing your own philosophical reading and writing, and can get in the way of learning to think through things for yourself.  In the classroom, I encourage you to avoid the use of computers (or other electronics). There is good evidence that taking notes by hand enhances learning, and that screens distract both their users and others in the classroom.  If you must use a computer, you are free to do so, unless or until you use that computer for activities not directly related to class (checking email, etc.).  Outside of the classroom…it will often be tempting to use the internet or AI to shortcut your reading of difficult texts or even your own writing.  I very strongly encourage you to avoid that temptation.  Even if you end up with a view that is “wrong,” I prefer you to come to class with your own view about the text or issue we are discussing, rather than to look up what other people have said.  For any work that you submit, if you consult any resources other than our textbooks, you must disclose those resources.  You will not be penalized for having ChatGPT write a paper for you, if you tell me that you had ChatGPT write the paper.  If you don’t tell me, you’ll fail the paper (and maybe the class, and maybe get suspended from the College.)

Required texts.  There are two required texts for this course, and two recommended texts.  You can get these at the Whitman Bookstore or (for less) at Amazon or other online retailers.  (I’ve provided Amazon links.)  Please bring physical copies of the books to class with you.  If you do not purchase the recommended texts, please bring physical print-outs of the pdfs that are links on the Canvas site.

            Required: Sanchez and Sanchez, Mexican Philosophy in the 20^th Century

            Required: Gloria Anzaldua, Borderlands

           Recommended: José Antonio Aguilar Rivera, Liberty in Mexico

Requirements and Attendance:  This course involves lots of reading and active in-class discussion, so you are expected to come to class every day having read and reread the reading, tried to make the most sense of it that you can (for yourself!), and thought about the philosophical issues raised.  Almost every day of the semester, there will be a short quiz at the start of class.[1]  In addition, we will have a mid-term exam and a final exam, and you will write three philosophical papers.  Note on attendance: I will modify this final grade based on attendance and participation, and regardless of your score on Canvas, if you miss more than 20% of classes over the course of the semester (except for legally-protected absences), you will not pass the class.  Note on late work: Daily quizzes cannot be completed late.  For all other assignments, I expect your work to be turned in on time.  If you turn in work late, you may get comments on it very late (since I grade after I receive work at the designated due date), and you will suffer a penalty of one full grade point.  You may take one 48-hour extension on one of your papers, without any penalty.  Use this with care.  Any work received after our scheduled final will not receive any credit. 

Grade Breakdown. Your overall grade will be based on how many points you accrue over the course of the semester.  You will get points based on both completion and the quality of your work.  (An A- quality paper worth 20 points will be awarded 18 points.)  You can accrue the up to the following for the required work of the semester.  (Click on the assignment for more information about it.)

• Quizzes and short Canvas Assignments 3 points each, 20 assignments total = 60 points.
• Position paper on De las Casas vs. Sepulveda = 10 points
• Short paper on Sor Juana = 10 points
• Class presentation on a Mexican philosopher – 20 points
• Mid-Term Exam (take-home, closed book) = 20 points
• Final paper (involving at least some focus on Anzaldua) = 30 points
• Final Exam (in class, closed book with one page of notes) = 50 points

Total = 200 points, and your grade will be based on a percentage, so 186 points or above is an A, 180-185 points is an A-, etc. 

[1] You cannot make up these classes if you are late or absent, unless you are absent for an athletic event, religious holiday, or specific incident of a legally protected disability and you inform me at least 48 hours in advance of your absence.