PHILOSOPHY 3340  – EPISTEMOLOGY

FINAL EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE


FORMAT

1.  The final examination will be a two and one-half hour, essay-type examination.

2.  The examination will be a closed book examination.

3.  The examination will contain at least 15 questions.

4. The examination is divided into sections corresponding to different topics in the course.

5. There will be no question on the final examination on Topic I – Introduction: Epistemology and Philosophy.  

6. In the case of all of the other topics that we have covered in class – and this should include topics II through VII – there will be at least two questions on each topic, and possibly more.

7.  In the case of topics listed in the syllabus that will not have been covered in class – and this will probably be topics VIII and IX– there will still be at least one question – but quite possibly no more – on each of those topics.  The reason for including at least one question on each of those topics is that some people in class may, because of their interests, have done the relevant readings for those topics, or may have written essays on them.

8.  All of the questions on the final examination will be selected from the possible examination questions listed in the document “Final Examination Questions”


REVIEWING MATERIAL FOR THE FINAL EXAMINATION
    
        What is a good way to prepare for the final examination?  I would suggest doing things in the following order:

(1) It's very important to see the big picture, and to have an overview of the fundamental issues and the different positions that one might take in given area.  So before you review the material for a particular section of the course, I would suggest that you read through the material in the relevant part of the "Overview" on the class web site at http://spot.colorado.edu/~tooley/CourseOverview3340.html

(2) Next, it is probably best to read through the material in the class handouts, focusing especially on the material dealing with the questions in which you're most interested.  Those handouts are available on the class web site at http://spot.colorado.edu/~tooley/Handouts3340.html

(3) Next, read through your lectures notes.

(4) Finally, and if you have time, look over articles that you found especially helpful.


TAKING THE FINAL EXAMINATION

1.  Read through the whole examination carefully, to decide which three sections you want to choose for your questions.

2.  Writing out a short, point-form plan of your answer often results in a better-organized answer.

3.  Rather than trying to incorporate as much material as possible into your answer, try to give clearly structured answers where you focus upon the more important issues and arguments that are relevant to the question.

4.  The University does not supply Blue books, so please remember to bring one along to the exam.