The paper (4-6 pages long) is due Wed., Feb. 26, in class.
As usual: the below topics are suggestions. If you
want to write on another topic, feel free to do so. It might be a good
idea, however, in that case, to check with me and/or the writing
intern first.
Note once again that the topics tend to have many
sub-questions. You need not (and probably should not) try to answer
all of them. (You certainly should not just answer them one
after another in order--that would make a bad paper.) I put them
there to suggest various directions for thinking about the topic, and
in particular to head off superficial or excessively simple ways of
thinking about it.
For all but one of the below topics, I expect you to
discuss in some detail (1) Cervantes and (2) at least one of Leibniz
and Descartes (focusing on the Second Meditation, though you
can use other things from him as well). To write a good paper you will
probably have to mention some other things we've read, at least in
passing. (The last topic is different, as noted there.) If you want to
write about a topic which doesn't fit this, you should definitely check with me about it.
As usual, the intent of the paper is to discuss the
views or attitudes manifested in the reading, rather than your own
opinions on the topic--though of course you can't and shouldn't
completely keep your own ideas out of it.
If you're using the editions I ordered, you can
refer to the readings just by giving the page number. If you use a
different edition and/or some other source, please give at least
enough bibliographical information that I can find it if
necessary. There's no need for a separate bibliography or title page.