Instead of a final exam, during our regularly scheduled final exam period we will hold a final symposium in which groups will present and discuss their own original projects. The class will be divided into groups, each of which will select a topic, and prepare a class presentation for the day of the symposium. The symposium will be on Saturday, May 8, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in our regular classroom, Greer 118.

Over the semester, we have dealt with questions concerning the distinction between appearance and reality and the ways Western philosophers have approached these questions from the shadows of Plato's cave to Baudrillard's discussion of hyperreality. All semester long, we have relied on on-line computer texts and e-mail discussion lists to pursue these questions. In your final projects, I would like you to reflect on some of the changes these technologies have introduced into both the appearance and reality of the practice of philosophy as philosophy itself has changed from the public dialogues of Plato to Descartes' private meditations to our own virtual e-texts. In this light, consider the following topics:

1. Address some aspect of our final philosopher, Jean Baudrillard, in relation to another philosopher we have studied this semester (Hesiod & Thales, Heraclitus, Parmenides, Zeno & Melissos, Plato, Sextus, Descartes, Nietzsche, or Wittgenstein). You may want to consider the relation between the form, or style, of the philosophies in question to the views expressed, and what implications this might have for philosophy today. You may also want to reflect on the relation between the style and content of your own presentation. Be creative!

2. Creatively explain Baudrillard's concepts of simulation and hyperreality and apply his ideas to a particular case, then discuss in what ways you think this particular case is and/or is not a case of simulation in Baudrillard's sense of the term. For instance: Is ASU a real university or a simulation of a university? Are you a real college student or a simulation of a college student? Is Baudrillard a real philosopher or a simulation of a philosopher? Or, pick one aspect of current popular culture (MTV, CNN, X-Files, music, movies, fast food, shopping malls, the internet, etc.) and argue in what ways you think it is and/or is not a case of simulation. Be creative and specific in choosing and presenting your topic.

3. Or, your group may do something completely different. Your project must still deal substantively with Baudrillard and the general themes of the course, but other than that you are free to creatively engage a topic of your choice in the manner of your choice. The only requirement is that you discuss your idea with me by the last day of class, Wednesday 5/5.

Each group member should keep a log of notes, meetings, ideas, research, and drafts of the final group presentation to be handed in at the end of the symposium. This log should be kept in some fairly orderly and comprehensive manner so that you will have some record of your work which is clear and vaguely legible to a third party (i.e. me). The format of the actual presentation is open, however, the presentation should be at least somewhat formal, i.e. clear, coherent, cogent, well prepared, researched and organized, possessing identifiable conclusions, about 20 minutes in length, and with every group member having a clearly identifiable role. Multi-media content is encouraged where appropriate, including using video and/or the internet. A web page for your project would be highly desirable. The group should also be prepared to field questions by the class after their presentation. Agreement within the group is not required. A very effective presentation could consist, at least in part, of discussing the disagreements which you have over the material and why. The presentation should have some recognizable contact with the readings and discussions from this semester. Finally, your group should be organized and prepared on the day of the symposium.

By the end of class on Wednesday 5/5 your group should have handed in a brief written statement of your group topic, have discussed your topic with me, and scheduled a time and place for your next out of class group meeting.