Course Syllabus – Fall 2013

Enlightenment

The College at Southwestern
HIS 3103-A    Wednesday/Friday  8:30-9:45 a.m. Room 2-25
HIS 3103-B   Tuesday/Thursday   1:00-2:15 p.m.  Room S119

Instructor: Kevin Stilley
Office Hours:  By Appointment
Website:  http://kevinstilley.com
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/kevinstilley
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/kevin.stilley

Catalog Description

A study of the history and philosophy of western civilization from the Seventeenth Century through the Eighteenth Century.

Course Objectives

• To gain knowledge of the main events, ideas and persons that shaped western civilization during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

• To develop the skill of applying history to contemporary ideas and issues

• Appreciation of God’s providence in the overall pattern of history.

Required Texts

• The Roots of American Order, by Russell Kirk

• The Portable Enlightenment Reader, edited by Isaac Kramnick

• Rise of Modern Philosophy, Volume 3, by Anthony Kenny

• Building a Bridge to the 18^th Century, by Neil Postman

(Please bring a Bible to class with you.)

Blackboard

Blackboard and SWBTS student email will be used for class communications.  Students should check both Blackboard and student email daily for possible communications from the instructor.

Assignments

Grades will be determined based upon completion of two exams, a book review, a student presentation and class participation.

• Examination #1  (25%) – This exam will be conducted via Blackboard so please be sure to have a good internet connection available on the day of the exam. Mac users, I encourage you to NOT use the Safari web browser when taking this test or navigating the Blackboard interface.

• Final Exam: (25%) – The date and time for the final exam may not coincide with normal class days and times. You must make yourself available to take the final exam at the scheduled time during finals week.   No alternative times or venues for the exam will be offered.

• Academic Book Review (25%):  A scholarly book review is to be written on Neil Postman’s Building a Bridge to the 18^th Century. Guidelines for writing the review have been posted to Blackboard. An electronic copy of the review must be submitted by Blackboard prior to 11:59 p.m. November 11, and a paper copy shall be turned in to the instructor during the November 12 class period.  Late submissions will be penalized ½ letter grade for each day late.

• Student Presentation (15%):  Each student will make a ten-minute presentation to the class about an influential person or event from the time period being covered.  Creativity is greatly appreciated.

• Participation (10%): All students are expected to attend class, be punctual, and participate appropriately in classroom discussion.  To engage in classroom discussion of the assigned reading it is imperative that all reading assignments be conducted in a timely fashion.

• Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of all class sessions. Absences or tardiness will adversely affect your grade.  Absences in excess of six will result in an automatic failure of the class.
• Students are free to record the class.
• Guests are welcome, but please notify the instructor in advance.
• Laptops, iPhones, and similar devices may NOT be used during class as their usefulness is far outweighed by their ability to create a distraction and contribute to the cultural habit of inattentiveness.
• If you become drowsy you may stand at the back or the side of the room until you can resume your seat without falling asleep.

Grades

Grades will be determined by the following scale: 100-98 (A+); 97-93 = A; 92-90 (A-); 89-88(B+); 87-83 (B); 82-80 (B-); 79-78 (C+); 77-73 (C); 72-70 (C-); 69-68 (D+); 67-63 (D); 62-60 (D-); Below 60 = F.