What is the American dream? Is it material prosperity--perhaps a split-level house in the suburbs? A strong, healthy family? Or a good job at a "Big 8" accounting firm? Is it something more intangible, like freedom or equality? Is it happiness, religion, success? Or is it a purely romantic notion, like wide-open spaces and cascading sunsets across purple mountains' majesty?

The purpose of this seminar is to explore the notion of the American dream from a philosophical perspective. In America we value a strong government spread across national, state and local levels, and we value the responsible citizen who dedicates a portion of his or her life to the country's ideals. But we also, it seems, value the rugged individualist, the industrious capitalist, the private citizen, the free spirit, the outlaw, the artistăin effect, the person who lives his or her life as free and as far as possible from the dictates of the state. But this poses a problem for a democracy like our own: How far can the state rightfully go in exercising control over you; and conversely, how far can you rightfully go before the state can interfere with your individual freedom? In this course, we shall attempt to get a better picture of how this problem affects the way we view the American dream, and ultimately what that dream might be.

You will be required to write eleven short reaction papers, roughly two paragraphs each. Topics will be announced in class. The papers must be double-spaced, typed (if not, the total points possible for the paper is ten points). Late reaction papers will receive half the points they would have otherwise, unless accompanied by an official excuse.

You will be required to write three term papers throughout the semester. Topics will be announced ahead of time. The papers are to be original work, involving philosophical criticism of a particular person's opinion or argument. These papers must be double-spaced, typed, and no less than 3 pages in length. You will not be required to use any outside sources; these papers should reflect your ability to summarize and discuss a particular position concisely and critically. Be sure to check grammar and spelling! Any paper not meeting these requirements will receive a grade no higher than the equivalent of a 'C'. I accept rough drafts (please, no later than two days before the due date!). Papers are due no later than the beginning of class on the assigned day. Late papers will not be accepted. In the case of an emergency, you will need to supply written documentation.

Plagiarism and Cheating: I strictly uphold the TCU Academic Honor Code published in the TCU Student Handbook.

About mid-way through the semester, when we are ready, I shall divide the class into small groups or two or three. Each group will be assigned an essay or article and will be required to prepare a summary and criticism of that piece and lead the class in discussion on the specified day. The articles will concern some political or moral issue like liberty, equality, oppression, abortion, capital punishment, etc. The group as a whole will be required to construct a handout for the class. The handout can take any form but should at least provide instructional information such as main ideas and outlines of central arguments. Creativity never hurts! Each member of each group will also be required to write a 4-5 page paper in which s/he offers his or her own summary and discussion of the topic and any pertinent criticisms. Details on what counts as a good summary and good philosophical criticism will be provided in class during the semester. Each group must see me ahead of time to discuss what their presentation strategy will be; you will need to show me an outline of your presentation and you'll need to have a set of questions about the reading to ask me

Class participation is a must! I encourage everyone to participate regularly in any class discussion. For some of you this will be a painful experience; for others, not so. But everyone stands to benefit from learning how to express themselves clearly and confidently. One of the skills which I would like for you to develop is the ability to express your opinions with well-reasoned argument. I shall be explaining what counts as well-reasoned argument as the semester progresses, but part of the key to success involves becoming comfortable with class participation. I will be keeping a daily journal of the class proceedings, and I will be recording my perceptions of participation.

Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations should contact and provide appropriate documentation to the Coordinator for Students with Disabilities (Center for Academic Services) as soon as possible.

It is important that you attend class, and therefore you MUST come to class. Again, since the class size is small I shall remember those who do and do not attend class regularly. If you do not attend class regularly, I guarantee you will NOT do well in this class

Note that the following schedule is tentative and intended only as a general guide for the content of the course over time. We shall work at our own pace, which means that we may speed up or slow down depending on how the class is managing the material