How to Get the Most Out of Philosophy

by Soccio, Douglas J.

• ISBN13: 9780534567897
• ISBN10: 0534567894
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-07-21
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

Preface. Introduction: What to Expect. Part I: PHILOSOPHY COURSES. 1. How to Survive A Philosophy Course. 2. Reading Philosophy. Part II: CRITICAL THINKING, READING, AND WRITING. 3. Developing a Critical Attitude. 4. Critical Reading. 5. Critical Writing. Part III: STUDENT WISDOM. 6. Motivation and Strategy for Getting the Most out of College. 7. Relating to Your Professor. 8. Test Taking. Conclusion. Beginning Philosopher's Bibliography.

Table of Contents

Preface to Instructors (and Curious students)	viii
What I Learned the Hard Way	ix
New to the Fifth Edition	xi
Soccio on the World Wide Web	xii
Introduction What To Expect	1	(4)
Chapter 1 How To Survive A Philosophy Class	5	(14)
Acquiring Informed Opinions	9	(2)
Special Features of Philosophy Courses	11	(1)
Getting The Most Out of a Philosophy (or Any) Class	12	(2)
Deciding What Is Note-Worthy	14	(3)
Why Attendance Matters	17	(2)
Chapter 2 Self-Respect & Academic Ethics	19	(12)
Campus Ethics	23	(4)
Plagiarism	27	(4)
Chapter 3 Reading Philosophy	31	(8)
Quick Tips for Reading Philosophy (& Anything Else)	32	(4)
Beyond the Textbook	36	(3)
Chapter 4 Developing A Critical Attitude	39	(14)
What Is Uncritical Thinking?	42	(2)
What Does Critical Thinking Require?	44	(1)
Critical Thinking Practices That Pay Off in the Classroom-and Beyond	45	(6)
Three Basic Standards of Evidence	51	(2)
Chapter 5 Critical Reading	53	(6)
Use Your Textbooks' Organizational Features	54	(1)
The Virtues of Owning and Annotating Your Own Text	55	(2)
A Basic Reading Strategy Summarized	57	(1)
What to Do If Nothing's Working So Far	58	(1)
Chapter 6 Critical Writing	59	(38)
Basic Features of Good Critical Writing	59	(2)
Five Great Writing Tips	61	(2)
How to Pick a Topic	63	(1)
A Quick Guide to Getting Better Grades on Writing Assignments	64	(5)
Four Writing Samples for You to Grade	69	(4)
A Last Look at the Four Sample Essays	73	(2)
Characteristics of Good and Bad Essays	75	(3)
A Simplified Style Guide for Excellent Papers	78	(3)
Citations	81	(2)
Constructing A List Of Works Cited	83	(5)
A Sample Works Cited	88	(2)
A Handy Checklist for Better Critical Writing	90	(1)
A Note About Technology and the Internet	91	(3)
A Note About "Distance Education"	94	(3)
Chapter 7 Student Wisdom: Getting the Most Out of Yourself	97	(28)
What Am I Doing Here?	98	(2)
Reality Check	100	(2)
The Need for Certification	102	(1)
How To Set and Achieve Realistic Goals	103	(1)
Time Management	104	(2)
Establish a Time Budget	106	(1)
Accepting What You Cannot Change	107	(1)
Changing What You Can	107	(1)
Avoiding False Comparisons	108	(2)
"Reach What You Cannot"	110	(2)
What It Really Costs to Go to College	112	(1)
Cheerfully Paying the Bargain Price: Epictetus's Obulus	113	(2)
A College Education Is Worth the Effort	115	(2)
A Special Note Of Encouragement for Part-Time Students	117	(1)
Self-Help Review	118	(4)
The Biggest Avoidable Mistakes College Students Make	122	(1)
Be Cool About Cool in school	123	(2)
Chapter 8 Relating To Your Professor	125	(10)
Conferences with Your Professor	128	(2)
Letters of Recommendation (and Beyond)	130	(5)
Chapter 9 Test Taking	135	(14)
Preparing for Tests	135	(2)
Relaxation Techniques for Better Test Scores	137	(2)
How to Do Your Best on Essay Tests	139	(3)
How to Do Your Best on Completion Tests	142	(1)
How to Do Your Best on Objective Tests	143	(4)
How to Do Your Best on Combination Tests	147	(2)
Conclusion	149	(2)
Beginning Philosopher's Bibliography	151
Philosophically Oriented Study Books	151	(1)
Philosophy Reference Books	152	(1)
General Study Skills	153	(1)
Specialized Subjects	154	(1)
Seven Guides to Better Writing	155	(1)
Philosophy Online	156	(1)
Online Study Skills & Resources	157