BRIEFING ON THE TERM PAPER

Feedback on Reflective Journal

Understanding of the Text
Higher Level Thinking
Format
Suggestions for Term Paper
Understanding of the Text
Higher Level Thinking
Format

FEEDBACK ON THE REFLECTIVE JOURNAL

TOPIC 1
Based on your reflection on the first four texts (Text 1 Text 4) we have read, what
do you think we have gained and what do you think we have lost in our
approach to Nature (our dialogue with Nature) in the transition from ancient to
modern science?
HLi: (1) Giving a definition of modern science; (2) gains; (3) losses.
HLa: (1) explaining/supporting the definition of modern science; (2) clear arguments for
gains; (3) clear arguments for losses.
UT: (1) mentioning and referring to the four texts; (2) accurate reporting of the
mentioned texts; (3) evidence of having read and understood the texts.

TOPIC 2
Imagine that Plato, Aristotle, and Newton meet for an afternoon tea, one day.
Imagine also that you are one of them. It's up to you to decide whom to be. The other
two (that is, not you) start a heated debate.
What do you think would the core of their debate be? And how would you
moderate the debate?
HLi: (1) correct understanding/description of the situation (two arguing, one moderator);
(2) showing the core of their debate; (3) moderate the debate.
HLa: (1) meaningful choice of the core of the debate; (2) arguments that show the
debate topic is indeed important; (3) meaningful moderation of the debate; (4)
completeness and accuracy of the analysis of the debate issues.
UT: (1) mentioning and referring to the three texts; (2) accurate description of the
characters ideas, according to our texts; (3) evidence of having read and understood the
texts.

TOPIC 3
In what ways Nature and/or our knowledge of it have a fundamental importance
for your life (physical life, or spiritual/moral life, or professional life)?
(You must relate to at least three of the first four texts (Text 1 Text 4),
though you may refer to some specific parts of each text, not necessarily the
whole text).
HLi: (1) stating what is meant by Nature; (2) stating in what ways important; (3)
stating in what sense fundamental.
HLa: (1) clear arguments for why fundamental; (2) explaining for what aspects of life
they are fundamental; (3) distinguishing between Nature and our knowledge of it.
UT: (1) mentioning and referring to at least three texts; (2) accurate reporting of the
mentioned texts; (3) evidence of having read and understood the texts.

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE TERM PAPER

HIGHER LEVEL THINKING:
UNDERSTANDING OF THE TEXT:
LANGUAGE:
FORMAT:
TOTAL:

3+3+1 = 7
4
1
2
14

Format
Your name, the full topic statement and the reference list, do not count towards
the word limit of ~1500 words.
See format template on Blackboard Course Content Reflective Journal and
Term Paper.
Basically, do not forget to put your name at the beginning of the page,
the full topic statement, and
at least three references in the reference list.
A large number of references does not matter for the evaluation.
The presence of a clear introduction, main argument(s), and conclusion is
necessary. A not well structured essay will imply a mark deduction from
the Format component.
Use any citation and reference style you like. You may use the example in
the Template (MLA style).

 Understanding of the Text:

you should provide enough information on our texts or evidence of having read
and understood the texts (as for the Reflective Journal).
Quotes from the book constitute a basic evidence.
Rephrasing, explaining and commenting the text is a better way to do it.

Term Paper Topics

1) What relationships do you find between three important skills for acquiring knowledge
observation through sense experience, intuition, and logical deduction on the one
hand, and three important human values beauty, usefulness, and truth on the other
hand?
Higher Level Thinking
Addressing the issues (Hli):
stating what relationships you find;
giving your definition of at least 'intuition', 'usefulness', 'truth'.
Analysis of the issues (Hla):
providing reason for your statements;
discussing possible objections to your statements;
providing clear arguments and examples to support your statements.
Special point:
Remarkably original and meaningful reflection, remarkably comprehensive
discussion (1 point)

2) Reflect and share on what is and what should be the interaction between Nature and
the needs and values of your prospective profession.
Higher Level Thinking
Addressing the issues (Hli):
stating what is Nature for you;
stating what is your prospective profession;
what are the needs of your prospective profession;
what are the values of your prospective profession;
what is the interaction (not a generic relationship);
what should be the interaction;
Analysis of the issues (Hla):
providing reason for your statements;
discussing possible objections to your statements;
providing clear arguments and examples to support your statements.
Special point:
Remarkably original and meaningful reflection, remarkably comprehensive
discussion (1 point)

3) State and motivate your opinion with regard to the following statement:

The adoption of the hypothetico-deductive method, to increase our knowledge about

Nature, is a natural consequence of human development. Sooner or later humans would
come up with this method, no matter what is their culture, what are their values, whether
they are isolated from any other civilization etc....
(Notice: referring to some issues presented in Text 10 is necessary)
Higher Level Thinking
Addressing the issues (Hli):
stating whether you agree or not;
stating what is the hypothetico-deductive method;
stating what relationship can exist between science development and culture,
society, values;
mentioning some of the issues presented in Text 10.
Analysis of the issues (Hla):
providing reason for your statements;
discussing possible objections to your statements;
providing clear arguments and examples to support your statements.
Special point:
Remarkably original and meaningful reflection, remarkably comprehensive
discussion (1 point)