UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

     PHILOSOPHY 398W: JUNIOR YEAR WRITING

Vere Chappell                                                                   courses.umass.edu/chappell/jyws04.html                                                                                                             Spring 2004
                                                               

INSTRUCTIONS FOR INITIAL PAPER

For your first assignment, please write a brief paper describing your philosophical experience up to now. Mention college courses you have taken, pre-college academic
work if any, philosophical books you have read on your own, and philosophical discussions you have had with peers and family members as well as teachers. Then specify 
what you find to be most interesting and rewarding about philosophy, and also what you find to be most tedious and boring.

Write a systematically-organized narrative as opposed to a mere list or catalog, and make it as clear and coherent as you can. Write about 600 words (two pages double-
spaced) and send the result via e-mail to chappell@philos.umass.edu by next Monday (Feb 09) before 10.00pm.

The purpose of this exercise is twofold: (1) to give me some information about your background and interests, and (2) to provide a sample of your writing before the course begins.