Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - PHIL 880 G100

Pro-Seminar (5)

Class Number: 6937

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: TBA, TBA
    Burnaby

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

Important note regarding enrollment:  PHIL 880 is required for and restricted to incoming Philosophy graduate students.

In the Graduate Pro-Seminar, which is required for incoming graduate students, we will study some classic works in the history of analytic philosophy, and develop the skills that are necessary for success as a graduate student in philosophy.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Students will learn to give presentations in a style appropriate for conferences in philosophy.
  • Students will cultivate their ability to read philosophical works. This includes both fast or skim reading, and slow, detailed
  • Students will cultivate their ability to write philosophy papers in a style appropriate to philosophy journals.
  • Students will cultivate their ability to engage in philosophical conversation and debate.

Grading

  • Assignments 100%

NOTES:

A summary of the assignments in the course:

  • Before each seminar (except the first), students will be expected to answer questions on the reading. These are the “short assignments” in the course.
  • Each student will complete six longer written assignments.
  • Each student will also give two in-class presentations.

Each short assignment will receive either a “pass” or a “fail”. The longer written assignments, and the in-class presentations, will receive either a “high pass”, “pass” or “fail”. Each student’s overall grade will be a function of their grades in the individual assignments, in a manner to be determined at the end of the course.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be made available in Canvas in pdf format, or will be available through the SFU library. Students will not be expected to purchase books.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.