PHIL 1315 - Ancient Philosophy

Spring 2001

Course Syllabus

Requirements: Students are required to attend all classes consistent with University policy. A part of each student's grade will be determined by class attendance and participation.

Students are required to read all assignments carefully and more than once. The reading and analysis of philosophical writing is a skill difficult to acquire which this course will help students to develop. Study question will be provided to facilitate students' comprehension. Failure to read thoughtfully the assignments will show in class discussions, hurt the students' participation and grades, and make for a boring class.

One five-page paper will be due two weeks before the end of the semester. In it, students are required to treat some topic in the philosophy of Plato and/or Aristotle. Paper topics must be submitted for approval at date to be determined by the instructor. The paper is not primarily a research paper, but a philosophical and analytical one. As such, each student should explain the problem he or she is examining making perspicuous the difficulties it involves, the philosophical principles it presupposes, and what new understanding (new principle or rejection of a principle) is necessary to resolve the conflict. Finally, the student should discuss what consequences ensue from this resolution of the problem. More information as to format and style will be provided in the course of the semester.

The final grade for the course will be determined from the scores earned throughout the semester and weighted in the following manner: 20% midterm exam I, 25% midterm exam II, 20% paper, and 35% final exam. Final grades may be adjusted +/- 3 points based upon participation and attendance, according to the professor's judgment.

Students should have (or acquire) an e-mail account, and check it frequently.  Communication by e-mail will greatly facilitate communication between the instructor and students, especially outside of class time.  Students are encouraged to e-mail questions, comments and notifications of absences to the instructor at JosephMagee@aol.com.

Students will find the following texts in the bookstore containing required readings for the course.  Additional reading assignments will be distributed in class and/or through the course web page (http://www.AquinasOnline.com/magee/ancient.html).

Texts:

Forrest E. Baird and Walter Kaufman, eds., Philosophic Classics, Volume I, Ancient Philosophy (B&K)  
W. K. C. Guthrie, The Greek Philosophers 

Plato - Psychology

Notes on Plato's Phaedo

Week 8 - Oct. 15-19
(Oct. 15-16: Mid-Semester Break)

Notes on Aristotle's Psychology

Week 13 - Nov. 19-23
(Nov. 22-23: Thanksgiving)

Week 16 - Dec. 10-11

Review