PHICYBER: The Electronic Agora Course Description

Two central features will define this course: subscription to PHICYBER, for electronic class discussion, which will be ongoing, and access to the course Virtual Library, which will provide a gateway for Internet discovery, collaboration, and library and class resources. Instructions for PHICYBER subscriptions will be made available when the course is scheduled, as will be the Virtual Library access website.
Each participant will be expected to engage in weekly discussions, in response to a problem or issue posed by me. Feel free to pose related topics in your discussion, and to engage in open and honest debate with other participants. The Electronic Agora will thrive only if all partake in lively dialogue. Please respect common considerations of polite, yet critical, dialogue. I will try to refrain from refereeing, so think before you write. After all, you are, in effect, what you write in cyberspace. More instructions will be given in the first discussion-assignment.

[The following is outdated, and is included as an example from the last course offering.]

Get familiar with the Valdosta Philosophy Website, and its offerings---especially the Resources section, which contains texts and handouts for the course. Check out the Virtual Library holdings. Also, for fun I've included Zeno's Coffeehouse, which is visited by global visitors, and is open for your responses to challenges posted. In fact, I plan to have a PHICYBER challenge online during the next term.
Let us all plan to have an enjoyable and stimulating time together in cyberspace!
Virtually,
Barnette

Learning goals and outcomes are:

1. To demonstrate an ability to think reflectively and to communicate with others in a congenial philosophical forum;

2. To demonstrate a familiarity with central problems in philosophy, and to apply philosophical arguments to selected questions and issues;

3. To demonstrate clear writing and development of well-reasoned, personal viewpoints and perspectives;

4. To demonstrate an understanding of, and an appreciation for, positions and views other than your own personal ones.

5. To demonstrate an ability to work and collaborate with others in an asynchronous learning environment.

Note for those taking PHICYBER for credit: Two criteria will be used for assessing a grade in the class. One, ongoing participation in the PHICYBER list discussion---respond to my topic, posed for discussion, and respond to at least two other responses to the question. Two, a written project, or website construction devoted to a concept of philosophical concern, will be due at the end of the term. We can work out individually the details of this research project. Please contact me personally at rbarnett@valdosta.edu. I will also be available occasionally in real time, as an audio and video chat feature will be available for class members. Good luck, and may you prosper individually and collaboratively in cyberspace....

The Class assignment page is here.

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