I have been asked to work one-on-one with a student for about 10 weeks, studying philosophy. We’d be meeting once a week for about an hour, and she’ll have time for reading and writing during the week on her own. There’s such a wealth of topics I’d like to cover, and I am having a hard time narrowing down the list. I’d like to incorporate some self-reflection on the part of my student- i.e. developing the idea of a “personal philosophy”.
Any ideas on how to create a meaningful mini course for this student? Things to definitely touch upon, or definitely avoid, in the interest of time? I have great liberty in designing the course, and am not teaching to a test.
You know, to try and gain wisdom without the Shijing is like trying to gain wisdom with your nose to a wall
That said, Boston has an awesome Neo-Confucian movement (‘Boston’ Confucians) going on, lead by Tu Weiming et al., may as well try and take advantage of the hometown philosophy. Drink . . . . errrr, Think better, think local. You know, throw in the less important Adams (you know, John) and some other founding fathers as well, and you’ve got a good start.
Seriously though, why not start with the foundations of Eastern and Western philosophy and work your way up? What level of class is this? Senior thesis? Graduate? Freshmen? High School? Give us some info and let’s see if we can help you out.
well 10 weeks is a fairly good amount of time. im not sure if this is high school or college level course, and whether or not the student has any experience with philosophy (meaning is this student a ‘thinker’ already). You can go much faster if they are.
If this person is dense then i dont know why they are taking the course but you should always start out with Plato’s “Allegory of The Cave” that is really the best way to introduce to a student the basic ‘idea’ of philosophy, where it all begins. So if the person is dense then this will do wonders for them.
I assume this person is a thinker though and thats why they are taking the course. So…you should introduce them to Neitzsche. “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”, ask them to elaborate as to what Neitzsche is trying to explain with the crazy man and “God is dead!!”
hmm…what else…
The Stranger (Albert Camus) is an interesting book to read, but mabye to existential focused for a one on one course.
political philosophy is essential, Foucault would be good. the panopticon is an interesting discussion topic, and how it mirrors our society today.
those are all just suggestions and i hope that they help you out. good luck
