How to Get the Most Out of Philosophy

by Soccio, Douglas J.

• ISBN13: 9780534566586
• ISBN10: 0534566588
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-09-21
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

Sure, you know how to read the words on the page, but do you really know how to succeed in philosophy class? HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF PHILOSOPHY takes you step-by-step through the process, from taking notes to writing philosophy papers to using the Internet to do research. And because it's packed with tips that help you succeed in the rest of your college courses, HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF PHILOSOPHY is the resource you'll need in the future as well.

Table of Contents

Preface to Instructors (and Curious Students)
New to the Fourth Edition
Soccio on the World Wide Web
Introduction What To Expect	1	(4)
PART ONE PHILOSOPHY COURSES	5	(32)
How To Survive A Philosophy Class	7	(22)
Acquiring Informed Opinions	10	(2)
Special Features of Philosophy Courses	12	(1)
Getting The Most Out of a Philosophy (or Any) Class	13	(3)
Deciding What Is Note-Worthy	16	(3)
Why Attendance Matters	19	(1)
Why Self-Respect Matters	20	(5)
Campus Ethics	25	(4)
Reading Philosophy	29	(8)
Healthy Confusion	30	(1)
Quick Tips for More Effective Reading	30	(4)
Beyond the Textbook	34	(3)
PART TWO CRITICAL THINKING, READING, AND WRITING	37	(58)
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)
Critical Reading	53	(6)
Use Your Textbooks' Organizational Features	54	(1)
The Virtues of Owning and Annotating Your Own Text	55	(2)
Our Basic Reading Strategy Summarized	57	(1)
What to Do If Nothing's Working So Far	58	(1)
Critical Writing	59	(36)
Basic Features of Good Critical Writing	59	(2)
Four 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	(1)
Characteristics of Good and Bad Essays	74	(4)
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 Brief Note About The Internet	91	(1)
The Dog Ate My Computer	92	(3)
PART THREE STUDENT WISDOM	95	(56)
Motivation and Strategy for Getting the Most Out of College	97	(28)
My Reasons for Going to College	98	(2)
Reality Check	100	(2)
How To Set and Achieve Realistic Goals	102	(2)
Time Management	104	(1)
Establish a Time Budget	105	(1)
Accepting What You Cannot Change	106	(1)
Changing What You Can	106	(1)
Avoiding False Comparisons	107	(2)
``Reach What You Cannot''	109	(2)
A Note About ``Distance Education''	111	(1)
What It Really Costs to Go to College	112	(1)
Cheerfully Paying the Price: Epictetus's Obulus	113	(1)
A College Education Is Worth the Effort	114	(2)
A Note Of Encouragement for Part-Time Students	116	(2)
Self-Help Review	118	(3)
The Biggest Avoidable Mistakes College Students Make	121	(2)
Be Cool About Being Cool About School	123	(2)
Relating To Your Professor	125	(10)
Conferences with Your Professor	128	(2)
Letters of Recommendation (and Beyond)	130	(5)
Test Taking	135	(16)
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 Mixed-Question Tests	147	(4)
Conclusion	149	(2)
Beginning Philosopher's Bibliography	151	(4)
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	155