Up@dawn 2.0

Syllabus

The syllabus is a constant work-in-progress, subject to change at the last minute; always consult the "Next" section in the upper right corner of our Homepage (cophilosophy.blogspot.com) for the latest revisions and other announcements.

PHILOSOPHY 1030-Introduction to Philosophy
(aka "CoPhilosophy," in Oliver's sections. We take a peripatetic* approach when we can, wear comfortable shoes.)

Spring 2020 sections
#5 TTh 9:40-11:05 (but we'll plan to finish by 11) BAS-S301 
#6 TTh 1:00-2:25 CKNB-105 
#11 TTh 4:20-5:45 PH 305

Dr. Phil Oliver, phil.oliver@mtsu.edu - (615) 898-2050, 898-2907 (Philosophy Dept) NOTE: don't bother trying to contact me via D2L: we're not using it, mostly.

OFFICE HOURS (Spring '20: TTh 11:15-12:45 and by appointment, James Union Building (JUB) 300. FYI: I reply to email mainly during office hours. Best way to insure a prompt reply to any query: call or come in during office hours or designated appointment time.

The purpose of our course is to introduce some of the leading topics and figures of (mostly western) philosophy, with both a thematic and historical approach, and to help students discover and articulate their own philosophical ideas in a constructive and cooperative spirit. Our  emphasis is on collaboration: we'll be conversing, listening, and “putting our heads together” in discussion both in the classroom and, in the peripatetic* fashion, around campus (when weather permits). See more on this at the course blogsite “CoPhilosophy": www.cophilosophy.blogspot.com.

Achieving our purpose will entail asking lots of questions and conversing about them, argumentatively but not disagreeably... supporting claims with reasons, listening thoughtfully and respectfully to one another, expressing our views amicably and hearing others’ views receptively. It is possible-- in a functional democracy it really is essential-- to share and contest differing views respectfully and in good faith. As a political culture we've not been doing such a good job of that lately. But why, after all, would you have come to college and enrolled in a philosophy course if you weren't prepared to entertain unfamiliar points of view? It's crucial, to that end, to really listen to one another - whether or not we think we'll like what we hear.

Among the central, perennial preoccupations of philosophy in its pursuit of wisdom is the crucial importance of honesty and truthfulness about what's real. In our historical moment, with so much casual talk of "alternative facts" and so much documented daily dishonesty in the executive branch of our federal government, truth and reality seem under seige. Hence, the focus in our course (anchored by Fantasyland) on how we got here.

TEXTS
REQUIRED for Spring 2019:
(I've been notified by the Phillips Bookstore that The Joys of Walking is out of print, but is still available in a kindle edition.)

I also recommend books/resources listed below. You may wish to use one or more of them, or some other text you find (and I approve), as the basis of your midterm group or final solo report.

RECOMMENDED-
    Also see "More books" in our blogsite sidebar... and look for more in the Philosophy stacks on the 2d floor of our library.
* Midterm collaborative report topics-

  • Religion in 19th century America, from Cane Ridge to Joseph Smith (see FL 9-10) -
  • Pseudoscience and magical thinking (see FL 11) - 
  • Socrates and Plato - 
  • Aristotle -
  • Skepticism - 
  • Epicureans and Stoics -
  • Machiavelli and Hobbes -
  • Montaigne, Descartes, & Pascal - 


    Final solo report topics


    • Eastern vs. western philosophy, "The Monk and the Philosopher
    • Pre-Socratic philosophy-The Milesians (Thales et al)
    • Pre-Socratic philosophy-Democritus and the atomists, Protagoras and the sophists... Democritus, Diogenes, and the Sophists
    •  Stone essays - select & discuss three or more of these short essays, explain how & why you see them as mutually related and interesting
    • This I Believe, TIB II essays - select & discuss three or more of these short essays, explain how & why you see them as mutually related and interesting, and how they relate to your own personal philosophy
    • Peripatetic philosophy - select and discuss three chapters in Rebecca Solnit's Wanderlust OR Frederic Gros's Philosophy of Walking... and do so peripatetically, conditions permitting
    • Pop philosophy - select and discuss three chapters in the "Pop culture and philosophy" volume of your choice...
    • Your (approved) suggestion...
    • indigenous philosophiesNative Pragmatism 
    • Eastern vs. western philosophy, "The Monk and the Philosopher
    • Pre-Socratic philosophy-The Milesians (Thales et al)
    • Pre-Socratic philosophy-Democritus and the atomists, Protagoras and the sophists... Democritus, Diogenes, and the Sophists
    •  Stone essays - select & discuss three or more of these short essays, explain how & why you see them as mutually related and interesting
    • This I Believe, TIB II essays - select & discuss three or more of these short essays, explain how & why you see them as mutually related and interesting, and how they relate to your own personal philosophy
    • Peripatetic philosophy - select and discuss three chapters in Rebecca Solnit's Wanderlust OR Frederic Gros's Philosophy of Walking... and do so peripatetically, conditions permitting
    • Pop philosophy - select and discuss three chapters in the "Pop culture and philosophy" volume of your choice...
    • indigenous philosophiesNative Pragmatism 
    • Spinoza, Einstein, and pantheism - 
    • Your (approved) suggestion...
    • You may select a topic related to your midterm report, OR suggest something else (including any approved post-Descartes philosopher), OR do a StoryCorps interview/essay,OR transcribe an imaginary dialogue between yourself and one or two philosophers... 
Important Dates-
Spring 2020

  • January 21 - Classes Begin (Tuesday after MLK, Jr. Day)
  • February 6 - identify midterm report topics
  • February 11 - midterm collaborative report presentations begin
  • March 5 - Exam
  • March 9-14 - Spring Break
  • April 28 - Exam
  • April 29 - Last Day of Classes
  • April 30 - Study Day, No Classes/Exams/Mandatory Meetings
  • May 1-7 Final Exams as Determined by University Approved Exam Schedule
  • May 5 - Final report blog post final draft due (post earlier if you'd like constructive/collaborative feedback)
  • May 8 - College of Graduate Studies Commencement (Tentative)
  • May 9 - Commencement (Two ceremonies)
  • May 11 - Deadline for Final Grades

JAN
T 21 - Introduce yourself in class and online (before next class) by replying to "Introductions" on our blogsite at http://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/ & read classmates' introductions. Answer two questions (bearing in mind that this is an open site): Who are you? and Why are you here? (in school, in a philosophy class, in middle Tennessee... whatever you'd like to share.)

Th 23 - What's your definition of "philosophy"? Do you have a favorite philosopher? Can you summarize your current, personal philosophy of life? And: if you read Educated, post a comment on it. William James, Pragmatism lecture 1; WATCH: What's Philosophy for? School of Life (SoL); FL 1-2
     Recommended: LISTEN: What is Philosophy? and Who's Your Favourite Philosopher? (PB Philosophy Bites). Also recommended, if you need help articulating your personal philosophy: Look on the This I Believe website for essays you like, and post links to them; and this;  TIB II

T 28 - Cosmic philosophy. William James said ""The really vital question for us all is, What is this world going to be? What is life eventually to make of itself?" What do you think? Will humans go back to the moon, to Mars, and beyond? Should we? Is there a long-term future for human life on this planet? Will we ever learn to think of ourselves as one species, with a common fate? Or will humans forever antagonize themselves? Pale Blue Dot, &WATCH: Pale Blue Dot (Sagan) LISTEN: Why explorling space still matters (Tyson)

Th 30 - Peripatetic* philosophy. Gymnasiums of the Mind; Finley, "Traveling Afoot" (JW); FL 3-4
     Also recommended: Read these old posts, & this one.

FEB
[Feb 3: Honors Lecture, 3 pm: Philosophical reflections on climate change]

T 4 - FL 5-6;

Th 6 - FL 7-8; identify midterm report topics (see list above*)

T 11 -  FL 9-10. Midterm collaborative report(s): (tba)__________

Th 13 - FL 11-12; Midterm collaborative report(s): (tba)__________

Bring treats to celebrate Valentine's Day (and somebody's birthday), and earn a bonus base!

T 18 - Socrates and Plato, LH1; FL 13-14; Midterm collaborative report(s): Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle...

Also recommended: LISTEN M.M. McCabe on Socratic Method & Angie Hobbs on Plato on Erotic Love (PB); WATCH: Know ThyselfDiotima's Ladder: From Lust to MoralityPlato (SoL)

Th 20 - Aristotle, LH 2; FL 15-16Midterm collaborative report(s): (tba)__________...
     Also recommended: WATCH: Aristotle on Flourishing: How to Live a Good Life? LISTEN: Aristotle & flourishing; How Do I Live a Good Life? (HIp); Terence Irwin on Aristotle's Ethics (PB).

T 25 -  Skepticism, LH 3; FL 17-18; Midterm collaborative report(s): (tba)_______...; Exam

Th 27 - NO CLASS, I'm at a conference in Chicago... but read and post comments (etc.):

Epicureans and Stoics, LH 4-5; FL 19-20
     Also recommended: WATCH Epicurus (SoL); Epicurus on HappinessThe Stoics (SoL);  LISTEN Epicureanism (IOT); Epicurus the greatest philosopher? (IOT); Seneca & facing death (HI)

MAR
T 3 - Augustine, Boethius, Anselm, Aquinas LH 6-8; FL 21; Midterm collaborative report(s): (tba)_______...
     Also recommended: WATCH Augustine (SoL); LISTEN Neuroscience & free will (HI); Boethius (LH); Consolation of Philosophy tba; LISTEN Religious freedom as constraint (HI); WATCH: Boethius & Philosophy; WATCH Aquinas & 1st Cause (HI) LISTEN Anthony Kenny on Aquinas' Ethics (PB)

Th 5 - Exam; Machiavelli, Hobbes, LH 9-10; FL 22; Midterm collaborative report(s): (tba)_______...
     Also recommended: WATCH Hobbes on freedom & security (HI) LISTEN Quentin Skinner on Machiavelli's The Prince, Quentin Skinner on Hobbes on the State (PB); Hobbes & civil disobedience (HI)

SPRING BREAK

T 17 - Montaigne, Descartes, & Pascal, LH 11-12; FL 23-24
     Also recommended: (How to Live, ch1); LISTEN Sarah Bakewell on Michel de Montaigne (PB); A.C. Grayling on Descartes' Cogito (PB); WATCH Montaigne (SoL); Descartes (HI)

Th 19 - Spinoza, Locke, & Reid, LH 13-14FL 25-26
     Also recommended: LISTEN Susan James on Spinoza on the Passions (PB)
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UPDATE: Major alterations necessitated by the extended break/coronavirus...
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APR
Th 2- Berkeley, Leibniz, Hume, & Rousseau, LH 15-18; FL 27-28
     Also recommended: John Campbell on Berkeley's Puzzle (PB); Locke on personal identity (HI); WATCH The Is/Ought Problem. LISTEN Peter Millican on Hume's SignificanceMelissa Lane on Rousseau on Civilization (PB); Hume & the philosophy of good taste (HI); Hume (IOT); Hume the greatest philosopher? (IOT)

T 7 - Kant, Bentham, Hegel, Schopenhauer LH 19-23FL 29-30
     Also rec: WATCH Kant's Axe (HI); LISTEN Adrian Moore on Kant's Metaphysics (PB); LISTEN Robert Stern on Hegel on Dialectic (PB)

Th 9 - FL 31-32; AP Prologue

Th 2 - NO CLASS, I'm at a conference in Kansas... but read and post comments (etc.):

T 14 - Mill, Darwin, Kierkegaard, Marx LH 24-27; FL 33-34; AP -38
     Also rec: WATCH Mill's harm principlePaley & the divine watchmaker (HI); LISTEN Richard Reeves on Mill's On Liberty (PB); WATCH Marx (SoL); Marx on alienation (HI); Humans, Apes, & Linnaeus; Evolution & Beauty (HI)

Th 16 - Peirce & James, Nietzsche, Freud LH 28-30; FL 35-36; AP -77
     Also rec: LISTEN Angie Hobbs on beauty & goodness (HI); WATCH Nietzsche (SoL); LISTEN: Aaron Ridley on Nietzsche on Art and Truth (PB); Jung & the mind (HI)

T 21 - Russell, Ayer, Sartre, de Beauvoir, Camus LH 31-33; FL 37-39; AP -119

Th 23 - Wittgenstein, Arendt, Popper & Kuhn, Foot & Thomson LH 34-37; FL 40-41; AP -149

T 28 - Last class. Exam tba. Rawls, Turing & Searle, Singer LH 38-40; FL 42-46; AP -235

MAY
T 5 - Final report blog post final draft due (post earlier if you'd like constructive/collaborative feedback)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

& grades, Spring 2020-
  • participation, which we'll track on a daily "scorecard" with "bases" and "runs" contributing to final grade. 4 bases = 1 run, which you can earn in each class. You have to come to class to "get on base" and have a chance to score your daily participation run, but if you ever have to miss a class see the *make-up policy below.
  • two 20-question objective format exams based on short ungraded daily quizzes which we'll go over in class, exams worth one run per correct answer
  • MIDTERM COLLABORATIVE REPORT, working with two other classmates. 500+word blog post (due date tba) & 10-15 minute presentation (to be scheduled), worth up to 20 runs. Include quiz & discussion questions, relevant graphics, videos, and links in your blog post. Topics tba, including pre-Descartes philosophers, recommended supplemental texts, Stone & This I Believe essay(s)...
  • FINAL SOLO REPORT. 500+ word blog post (due date tba) worth up to 20 runs. Possible topics include any post-Descartes philosopher, further development of midterm report topic, a StoryCorps interview/essay, a transcribed imaginary dialogue between yourself and one or two philosophers...
Presentations, like group discussions, will follow the peripatetic model when weather and inclination permit. So, post all supplemental and supportive multimedia material on our site in advance and be prepared to report like a peripatetic, in the open air.

*MAKE-UP POLICY. To "get on base" and be eligible to score when you're not able to be physically present, post an extra-credit blog post of 500 words (minimum) on a topic covered when you were absent, within one week of the class date you missed.

Scorecards, & how to play the game

Can't tell the players without a scorecard.


We'll track daily participation with baseball-style scorecards. But our game's much easier than the national pastime, all you have to do to get to 1st base is show up for class (or submit a make-up post when you have to miss class: see make-up policy above). Each class date is a column or "inning" on the scorecard. Simply showing up to class gets you to 1st base. Mark your scorecard accordingly. Now you're eligible to collect more bases and score your daily participation run (runs=participation points, 4 bases = 1 run).

Collect up to four bases (= 1 run) per class.
  • How to score your daily participation run. Come to class: you're now on 1st base. Move up to 2d, 3d, & home to score if you posted any combination of three relevant alternative quiz questions, discussion questions, comments, and/or links. (Post in the comments section under the day's quiz. Keep a record of your posts in your own notes, be prepared to document them by date and location when asked.) Bases awarded during class also count toward your daily participation run.
Besides posting, you can claim a base if you started the computer/projector & opened this site in our classroom before class, or were verbally awarded a base during class.

How to post. Eventually, everyone will have an opportunity to sign up as an "author" on our site. Until then, post your questions, comments, links, etc. in the current "comments" section under each day's quiz. Or, post via a classmate's author account (click on "new post" in the upper right.)
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Daily Quiz

We'll do daily ungraded quizzes, posted before class on our site by me and supplemented (in the comments section) by you. Exams will be based on the daily quizzes. 
Why a daily quiz? Because philosophy is all about the questions, and because "frequent quizzes can deepen learning" (see "How to Study" below).

And note: "One reason scientists suspect that studying in pairs or groups can be helpful is that students are forced to talk to one another about the material-or better yet, argue about it... [this] deepens learning more than passively rereading or reviewing the material" alone. Hence, the rationale for our quiz-and-collaboration course format.

And besides, it's fun.

Questions & Links etc.
QUIZ QUESTIONS, DISCUSSION QUESTIONS. An example of a QQ: “Was it Plato or Aristotle who presented the Allegory of the Cave in his book The Republic?” [Plato]. A DQ might be: “Who do you think had a better understanding of reality and how we can discover it, Plato or Aristotle? Why?”
LINKS. An example of a posted link that would earn you a base: “Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is helpfully explained in a cartoon I found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EPz5z1pUag”... OR, “I found a helpful article about Aristotle in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy at http://www.iep.utm.edu/aristotl/” etc.

Grades

FAQ-How do you grade?

"Well, I add up the grades for the essays, quizzes, the midterm and final. I average them out. Then I consult my stomach."
That's how someone else puts it. Here's how I do:

Those with the most RUNS get an A. If you finish within 10% of the 3d-highest run scorer, you're safe at the plate.

Others will probably also receive A's based on exceptional report and exam scores and participation.

To those who think this is a less "objective"grading system than others, I say a run is a run. The only subjective element is my evaluation of your blog posts and reports... and I'm looking to make those assessments more inter-subjective in the future, by soliciting class feedback on posts and reports. Everything else reflects your efforts and achievements as recorded on the daily scorecard.

I'd be happy to stop grading altogether, if the administration would let me. See what you can do about that and let me know.
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And if you're tempted to complain about your B+, complain first to the administration which doesn't let us report an A- ...and read What Straight-A Students Get Wrong... "Academic grades rarely assess qualities like creativity, leadership and teamwork skills, or social, emotional and political intelligence. Yes, straight-A students master cramming information and regurgitating it on exams. But career success is rarely about finding the right solution to a problem — it’s more about finding the right problem to solve..."

Honors College Information
To graduate from the University Honors College, students must complete 18 hours of lower-division of Honors coursework, and 11 hours of upper-division Honors coursework, including a capstone thesis research or creative project. Students must maintain a 3.25 to participate in the Honors Program. For all of the special benefits of the Honors program, specific course graduation requirements, and/or questions about the thesis or creative project, please contact one of our Honors College advisors:

Ms. Laura Clippard (FOR SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS) in HONR 227; Laura.Clippard@mtsu.edu; or 615-898-5464; OR
Ms. April Goers (FOR FRESHMEN) in HONR 228; April.Goers@mtsu.edu; or 615-494-7767; OR
Ms. Judy Albakry (FOR SOPHOMORES THROUGH SENIORS) in HONR 229; Judy.Albakry@mtsu.edu; or 615-494-8819.
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Academic integrity is a hallmark of Middle Tennessee State University. We expect students to complete academic exercises, i.e., assignments turned in for credit, that are original and appropriately credit all sources used. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to: 1. Plagiarism: The adoption or reproduction of ideas, words, statements, images, or works of another person as one’s own without proper attribution. This includes self-plagiarism, which occurs when an author submits material or research from a previous academic exercise to satisfy the requirements of another exercise and uses it without proper citation of its reuse. 2. Cheating: Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. This includes unapproved collaboration, which occurs when a student works with others on an academic exercise without the express permission of the professor. It also includes purchasing assignments or paying another person to complete a course for you. 3. Fabrication: Unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise. Going online and using information without proper citation, copying parts of other students’ work, creating information to establish credibility, or using someone else’s thoughts or ideas without appropriate acknowledgment is academic misconduct. If you have a question about an assignment, please ask me to clarify. All cases of academic misconduct will be reported to the Director of Student Academic Ethics and may result in failure on the test/assignment or for the course. When students participate in behavior that is considered to be academic misconduct, the value of their education and that of their classmates is lessened, and their academic careers are jeopardized. -Michael Baily, Director of Student Academic Ethics

Granny Rice
"When the last great scorer comes to mark against your name, it matters not if you won or lost, but how you played the game." Grantland Rice (Murfreesboro's most famous son)


*Peripatetics
The original peripatetics were Aristotle's students at the Lyceum, back in the day. Legend has it that they didn't sit indoors in orderly rows like students nowadays, but instead roamed the grounds in small groups, walking-and-talking philosophy. I like their style, apocryphal or not. It’s a model we’ll emulate when the weather is nice enough, outdoors.

Would you be interested in joining a peripatetic Study Abroad summer course that involves walking and talking in England? Let me know...


"Solvitur ambulando" (says The Thinker's best friend)
Questions & Links etc.QUIZ QUESTIONS, DISCUSSION QUESTIONS. An example of a QQ: “Was it Plato or Aristotle who presented the Allegory of the Cave in his book The Republic?” [Plato]. A DQ might be: “Who do you think had a better understanding of reality and how we can discover it, Plato or Aristotle? Why?
LINKS. An example of a posted link that would get you home to score: “Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is helpfully explained in a cartoon I found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EPz5z1pUag”... OR, “I found a helpful article about Aristotle in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy at http://www.iep.utm.edu/aristotl/” etc.

Word counts

Generally, 3 pages is 1,500 words single spaced, 750 words double spaced. 4 pages is 2,000 words single spaced, 1,000 words double spaced. 5 pages is 2,500 words single spaced, 1,250 words double spaced. 6 pages is 3,000 words single spaced, 1,500 words double spaced.

Here's a font-sensitive word-converter.

ALSO RECOMMENDED:
School of Life (SoL) videos
History of Ideas video animations
History of Ideas podcasts
In Our Time podcasts

JPO's blogs & podcasts (we're not using D2L): JPO blogs at CoPhilosophy, Up@dawn and Delight Springs, podcasts here and on Soundcloud (More day to dawn, at iTunes), and tweets @osopher. "You don't need to follow me..."



but if a blog or podcast link is included with the daily quiz you'll probably want to read or listen.
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FREE TUTORING!
Learn how to study, get help with understanding difficult course material,  receive better test grades, or simply improve your grade point average!  Our FREE tutoring service is available in study skills and learning strategiesthat includes sessions on time management, notetaking, when and where to study, and memory principles.  Tutoring is also available in several courses including biology, history, computer information systems, physics, math, psychology, chemistry, economics, recording industry, and many more.  The central location for tutoring is the Tutoring Spot, located in Walker Library, but is also conducted at various other campus sites.  For available tutoring opportunities, visit http://mtsu.edu/studentsuccess/tutoring.php#on .  For questions, call the Tutoring  Spot at 615-904-8014.

You are encouraged to take advantage of this free service.

And, watch this space (and the sidebar) for details on Philosophy Tutoring...
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Lottery scholarship statement,
from: Academic Affairs <Academic.Affairs@mtsu.edu>
to: Faculty

Do you have a lottery scholarship? To retain the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship eligibility, you must earn a cumulative TELS GPA of 2.75 after 24 and 48 attempted hours and a cumulative TELS GPA of 3.0 thereafter. A grade of C, D, F, FA, or I in this class may negatively impact TELS eligibility.

If you drop this class, withdraw, or if you stop attending this class you may lose eligibility for your lottery scholarship, and you will not be able to regain eligibility at a later time.

For additional Lottery rules, please refer to your Lottery Statement of Understanding form (http://www.mtsu.edu/financial-aid/forms/LOTFEV.pdf) or contact your MT One Stop Enrollment Coordinator (http://www.mtsu.edu/one-stop/counselor.php).
==
Take advantage of our FREE tutoring service and learn how to study, get help with understanding difficult course material,  receive better test grades, or simply improve your grade point average.  Tutoring is available in study skills and learning strategies that includes sessions on time management, notetaking, when and where to study, and memory principles.  Tutoring is also available in over 200 courses including biology, history, computer information systems, physics, math, psychology, chemistry, economics, recording industry, and many more.  The central location for tutoring is the Tutoring Spot, located in Walker Library, but is also conducted at various other campus sites.  For available tutoring opportunities, visit http://mtsu.edu/studentsuccess/tutoring.php#on .  For questions, call the Tutoring  Spot at 615-904-8014.

Dr. Cornelia Wills
Director of Student Success
Middle Tennessee State University
P. O. Box 500
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Telephone:  615-898-5025
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Title IX
Students who believe they have been harassed, discriminated against or been the victim of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking should contact a Title IX/Deputy Coordinator at 615-898-2185 or 615-898- 2750 for assistance or review MTSU’s Title IX website for resources. http://www.mtsu.edu/titleix/