<p>So I was really excited for my philosophy 101 class this semester. Last semester I took an intro to logic class and loved it. The intro to philosophy class this semester is kinda lame. I think it's because there are like 300 kids in the class and the tests are T or F and multiple choice.</p>
<p>Anyways, I am bummed about philosophy because I was debating if I should major in it. Can someone with experience tell me what upper level classes are like? I am just wondering if these intro classes are giving me a distorted impression of majoring in philosophy.</p>
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Can someone with experience tell me what upper level classes are like
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<p>Upper level classes tend to be significantly smaller, with the majority of class-time being spent on discussion over assigned readings; most of such classes will usually have 2-4 short papers and one final paper. Upper level classes almost never adminster midterms or finals. </p>
<p>Seminar courses are a structured differently; though the course is focused on discussion, the discussion is led by a student. For my text seminar, we are required to do a summary of the readings for every Monday, actively participate in discussion, and write and present a paper that is 10-12 pages long. </p>
<p>I will be taking five upper level philosophy courses next semester, all of which will have no midterms or finals. Do not let that fool you, however; such courses can be very rigorous, since students can be inundated with tasks such as reading an immense load of abstruse material and writing philosophy papers - which is difficult.</p>
<p>The only courses here at Georgetown that adminster a midterm and final are the introductory courses and the logic courses; for both modal and symbolic logic, students are given take-home exams. </p>
<p>I am not sure what else to say; I am enrolling in graduate courses next semester, so the expectations are higher. In particular graduate courses, professors might use the students' discussions and papers for a book he is about to write; the students enrolling in such classes are aware beforehand that they will be contributing to the professor's research. Indeed, I am taking a course on indexicals, and the professor is restricting the course to those students who can render a significant contribution.</p>
<p>My suggestion would be to take a couple of intermediate-level courses if you think you might have an affinity for philosophy. These courses will likely have a smaller enrollment, but should also be broad enough to give you a flavor about how philosophy courses are usually administered. </p>
<p>I can sympathize with your disillusionment. My university requires students in the Management and Communications schools to take a philosophy course, so most of them ruefully take the unthreatening Intro. to Philosophy. Though the course was challenging and masterfully taught (the professor is the Department Chair), the apathy of the students (numbering nearly 200) who were effectively forced to take the class was noticeably contagious. I can easily imagine finding such a course insipid without a sufficiently inspiring instructor. I can almost definitely assure you that if you do decide to take more philosophy classes, you will be in a smaller classroom, with a much more enthused and open atmosphere. Philosophy seminars can be really, really fun if you have a disposition for it. Given your intuition that philosophy might be a good major for you, I would highly recommend taking a mid-level seminar that is not highly particular. Explain your reservations to a faculty member, and I am sure he or she will point you to a fitting course or two.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the respones, they really helped clear things up. I will definately look into some other courses and not let my current class get me down. I have a test tomorrow and I have been studying like crazy, wondering what curveball of a true/false question it will throw at me!</p>
<p>i am taking Political philosphy right now (Poli Sci department), that will be the last philosophy course I EVER TAKE...i had to write a 7 pager, omg,,,,what a task....hobbes.locke.rouseau, tough to write about</p>
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True and False or multiple choice on a philosophy test? What school do you go to?
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<p>You should not be one to talk! I just glanced through an exam adminstered in Michael Smith's intro class at Princeton, and it is not much better.</p>
<p>For the size of the class I suppose a T/F test, with a very small written portion, is the only way they can manage. It is not, however, reliable in ensuring that students learn what philosophy is all about. I know more teminology and nothing else.</p>
<p>Yeah my school sucks too, I guess. I've only ever taken the Plato and His Predecessors class in the Philosophy department. The concept of true/false on philosophy exams in general boggles my mind, though...</p>
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Yeah my school sucks too, I guess. I've only ever taken the Plato and His Predecessors class in the Philosophy department. The concept of true/false on philosophy exams in general boggles my mind, though...
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<p>You should take the intro course taught by Michael Smith; though the class comprises over 200 students, the two students I know who took it thought it was well taught and managed, and both are now thinking of majoring in philosophy!</p>
<p>Ohh, yay! A philosophy discussion. I have an unrelated question... Which still relates to philosophy and to law school. </p>
<p>If I do philosophy in France (Sorbonne) until I get a degree equivalent to a Bachelors, would I still have a chance at a top law school? Or should I go to NYU and major in philosophy there? Which would be better? Can international students get into top law schools? The thing is that I'm NOT international. I'm American, but I've been in the French system all my life. Would it look okay if I went to France, but wanted to come back for law so that I could practice here?</p>
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If I do philosophy in France (Sorbonne) until I get a degree equivalent to a Bachelors, would I still have a chance at a top law school? Or should I go to NYU and major in philosophy there? Which would be better? Can international students get into top law schools? The thing is that I'm NOT international. I'm American, but I've been in the French system all my life. Would it look okay if I went to France, but wanted to come back for law so that I could practice here?
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<p>I would choose NYU merely because it has one of the best philosophy departments; however, if another school with a better undergraduate environment offered you admissions (ie. Rice, UChicago, Princeton, and so forth), you should go with them.</p>
<p>Are law schools actually aware of the quality of different philosophy departments? I'm afraid to be just another NYU student applying to top schools -- how can I stand out? And, perhaps you will know this, as nobody else I've talked to seems to know: is NYU philosophy still of great quality for undergraduate studies? I'm actually planning on studying it because I love it, and I would like to enjoy it -- it's not just to fill up four years until I can get into law school. Also, I've heard that NYU's philosophy department is overly analytical... And I've only done continental philosophy as of yet. How different is it?</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your previous response nspeds.</p>