In this class you and your classmates will be expected to engage in dialogue with me and, at times, with each other. Your education, as a philosopher, requires that you learn to understand, appreciate, and be able to think critically about philosophical positions. I will, during the course of the semester, do my very best to make sure that our discussions stay focused and are conducted in a manner that makes the classroom an environment suitable for philosophical reflection. There are, as a consequence, certain guidelines that need to be followed by everyone in this class.

· We can only engage in productive dialogue if all participants involved are prepared. This means that each and everyone of us should read the daily assignment carefully, taking notes, and jotting down questions about the text when necessary. I will be responsible, with a few exceptions, for leading the discussions. This is not a lecture class. While I will lecture, my lectures will be short, always allowing plenty of time for questions and discussions.

· We need to show respect for the beliefs and opinions of others. This does not mean that we cannot be critical of someone’s interpretation of a text or a particular event. It does mean, however, that we ought to listen carefully to what others have to say and be prepared to see what valuable points are being made. We should attempt to identify the major claims and supporting premises. This will enable us to understand the expressed positions more fully. While I do not expect us all to agree, I will demand that no one make fun of or ridicule another student for his or her beliefs. Keep in mind that disagreement does not have to be disrespectful. We must understand that at times our discussions on particular issues may become heated and maybe even tense; if we stay mindful of one another, respecting always other points of view, we should be able to come to a richer understanding of ourselves and the world.

· While I expect everyone to participate, I do not expect everyone to participate everyday. Some discussions will appear unbalanced with certain students being more vocal than others. This should not be seen as a problem. All of us will have days when we are quiet and those days when we are in the mood to be lyrical. Keep in mind, however, that I hope you do not feel like being lyrical when you are unprepared. Furthermore, do not feel like you have to speak too much. It is not how much you speak that matters, it is what you say that is important.

· Do not be afraid to ask questions. Some of the texts we will read during the course of the semester are extremely difficult. If you have a question, it is likely that someone else has a question on the same matter. I will try to answer all questions in class. If, however, I do not feel that I can give an adequate, off the cuff response, I will be sure to answer the question during the following class session. Remember, I am expecting to learn from you during the term. If we can come out of this term more knowledgeable about the world and ourselves, then our class should be viewed as a success.