welcome to the torrey academy plato orientation our goals for tonight review of class requirements...
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to the Torrey Academy
Plato
Orientation
Our Goals for Tonight
• Review of class requirements
• Overview of Plato-specific requirements
Course Description
Plato
• Students will become competent in early Greek thought surrounding Socrates
• Students will develop an understanding of Plato’s arguments about beauty, God, justice, virtue, and knowledge
• Students will increase their ability to discuss carefully and productively
• Students will create Socratic dialogues, in play or film
Parent Involvement
• Supervise computer time• Proof-read writing
assignments• Oversee time-management• Continue discussion at home• Guide the heart and hand• Communicate with the TA
staff
Course Components &
Expectations
Reading
• Finish each dialogue by the first scheduled discussion session for that dialogue.• Failure to do so will result in a “0” on the discussion for that class.
• Plan ahead.• Dialogues, though short, are philosophically
dense, and take more time, therefore, allow more time for them. (Examples: Republic, Meno)
• Begin reading the next section when discussion has started for the previous section.
Reading• Preview each book first
• Use the information in the Writing Lab about previewing books
• Use the background information on the Torrey Academy website
• Read the questions from both Plato and Foundations to help you begin thinking about the key cross-over ideas
• Read carefully• Focus on key ideas and sections• Write in your books!
Class Meetings
• Discussion Format:• Prayer & announcements• Socratic discussion• Summary
• Audio conferencing for online students• Attendance & Participation:• Attendance is mandatory• Aim for at least three substantial
comments per discussion session• Use common sense and courtesy
Discussion Guidelines
• Strive for humility; listen to others.• Show courtesy; use titles of respect
(Mr., Miss).• Attack ideas, not people.• Stay on topic and respect the tutor.• Use reason, and avoid emotive or
dogmatic assertions. • Cite the text and explain your
interpretation.• Remember that the tutor will play
Devil’s Advocate- what he/she says is NOT necessarily what he/she believes.
Writing
• Pull Questions each class
• Platonic Dialogue fall semester
• Interpretative Project (group) spring semester
Pull Questions
• To be completed once a week• Hand-written in a journal• Answers a question given by tutor• A continued “pulling together” of
the ideas from class
Pull Questions cont.
• Should answer question fully, demonstrate an understanding of the text and the importance of each question, and should include textual citations and quotations
• No official length requirement, but should be thoughtful and lengthy enough to fully answer assigned question and address its implications (in general, aim for about 1 page)
• Turned in and evaluated at Mid and Don Rags
Class Make-ups – handbook p. 57
Options for making up missed class session:
A) Copy class notes from a classmate AND answer an additional pull question from the week you were absent B) Copy class notes from a classmate AND read and summarize an additional text assigned by your tutorC) Attend the same session in another Plato class
Additional Course Components
• Context Lectures• Notebooks• Computer Requirements• Google Apps
Late Work Policy• No late work accepted
– No late work will be graded after the due date; a score of 0 is awarded for assignments submitted after the due date without an extension
– However, you must still submit the assignment, even though you receive the zero
– Ask for help from your tutor if you get behind• Extensions
– Ask for extensions if you suspect you might not be able to finish an assignment
– All extension requests must be emailed to tutor at least 24 hours before class begins
– An extension request may or may not be granted– A 5% penalty is deducted from assignments
submitted after the due date with an extension
Extra Credit• Torrey Academy seeks to avoid
grade inflation while at the same time providing grade equity
• Torrey Academy seeks to balance high standards and realistic expectations
• Sustained effort balances out a few lower scores over the semester
• Ask your tutor about possible extra credit opportunities
TA Student Survival Tips• Don’t panic!• Scheduling
• Check Google Apps and Gmail often.• Keep a calendar and schedule. Prioritize. • Do not turn in late work.• Ask for help when you need it .
• Papers• Proof-read every paper• Keep an electronic and a paper copy of assignments.• Do not plagiarize. • Get extra print cartridges now & find the nearest FedEx Office
• Reading• Read ahead, especially longer assignments• Practice intelligent pre-reading (see How to Read a Book)
• Pray daily
Grading & First Assignments
First Assignments• Order books• Check computer set-up
• Login to your Google Apps account• Login to your TA web toolbox account
• Read once through the TA Handbook• Read Alcibiades two times• Attend site orientation
Break
On behalf of myself and Torrey Academy, thank you for coming!
Drive safely!