If you missed an exam, or don't like the grade you got on an exam, don't panic.  My primary concern is that you learn the course material.  I reward brilliance, but I also reward hard work.

Here's what you do:  write a paper in which you demonstrate to me that you really do know the material covered on the exam.  I'm pretty flexible on how you do this, so don't worry about the format, just make sure you understand the content.

For example, if you missed Exam #4, then here are some things you might do.  (You can do them all or you can do just one or you can make up your own or you can do nothing, it's all up to you).

1. Write up a master-list of definitions grouped by type (e.g. all the types of nominalism you know, all the types of realism you know)

2. Explain Aquinas' argument that a human being can be truly happy only by attaining the beatific vision.  (You could do this as a dialogue between Aquinas and you).

3. Pick one or more topics we discussed regarding the human virtues (e.g. what makes an action voluntary or involuntary).

For example, if you missed Exam #1, then your primary task is twofold:

Make sure that you give clear examples, and explain them in detail.  Use the lecture notes that are on this website.  The two that are primarily useful are the lecture notes on Universals, and the lecture notes on Porphyry.   But don't feel restricted to these topics.  Remember that you are trying to convince me that you really do know the material, and so if you can clearly and accurately discuss other relevant material, then feel free to do so.  Here are three suggestions:

There are books on reserve for the course (see Reserve List), and you might consult these to place the philosophers in their historical context (see lecture notes on History), as well as to do further research into their philosophical views.  Also, you are a philosopher in your own right, and I want to see that you are working on your own philosophical views.