Course Description

01 (M. Bolton) All readings for the course will be available either on the course Canvas site or from the University electronic reserve service. There is a paper back collection of writings of Leibniz that we will use that you might want to buy: G. W. Leibniz, Philosophical Essays, trans and eds, Roger Ariew and Daniel Garber.. The University bookstore should have it.

Course requirements Students are expected to attend all class meetings and complete all reading assignments on the date for which they are assigned. There may be weekly written discussion questions. There will be two paper assignments. A short paper (roughly 1500 words) due at mid-term and long paper (roughly 3500 words) due at the end of the semester. Students will have the opportunity to discuss their plans and consult as they go along. Grades on the two papers will be roughly85% of the grade in the course. The rest will be based on discussion questions, other written assignments and in-class contribution.

Learning goals: The course is intended to provide a good understanding of Leibniz’s philosophical system and a firm understanding of several main topics he addresses. This involves not only knowledge of the texts, but grasp of arguments, resources for defending positions, grounds for criticizing them, connections with other views. The course is also intended to develop skill in analyzing arguments and philosophical writing.