Embed Doc
Copy Link
Readcast
Collections

CommentGo Back

Download

Sample Syllabus: Introduction to the History of the Philosophy – Plato and Aristotle1

1. Method & Course Description------------------------------Study of the history of philosophy is important both in terms ofscholarship and because of its usefulness in understanding current debatesin the discipline. In this course, we study, for the most part, the worksof the ancient Greek philosopher Plato and his student Aristotle. The worksof these figures were obviously products of the intellectual environment ofthe Hellenic world, but the philosophical method begun by Plato’s teacherSocrates (and preserved in writing by Plato) is what we use today inanalytic philosophy, and so an examination of its beginning is of utmostrelevance. We will read selected dialogues of Plato (

Euthyphro

Theaetetus

Meno

and

Phaedo

) and a selection from Aristotle (selections from the

Categories

Metaphysics

Prior Analytics

Nicomachean

Ethics

and

Politics

)along with some secondary literature whose targets are Plato and Aristotle.Grades are based on attendance and participation, performance on fourpapers of 1000 (or 1500) words and performance on an optional final paper.2. Instructor Information-------------------------Dr. Jesse Butler<dept. info><contact info><office hour info> Appointments: Please set up an appointment if you're confusedabout something, need help getting started on an assignment or would like to receive feedback for what you've written.3. Course Information--------------------- A. Meeting Places & Times-------------------------<MTWRF> <time> <place>B. Texts--------Required--------Plato

Collected Works

(trans.) (

)e-Packet including works by Aristotle and secondary readings (

)[

Collected Works

is on reserve -- visit the Library circulation desk.]

Sample Syllabus: Introduction to the History of the Philosophy – Plato and Aristotle2

C. Grades---------In order to pass this course, students (1) must complete four papersof at least 1000 (or 1500) words each and (2) must accumulate at least60 ”points”. Points are awarded for each of these four completed papers,attendance and participation and an optional final paper. Letter gradesare assigned based on the number of points a student earns during thesemester according to the following scheme:90+ Points........A 85 - 89 Points........B+80 - 84 Points........B75 - 79 Points........C+70 - 74 Points........C60 - 69 Points........DLess that 60 Points...EPoints are awarded according to the following scheme:+ Each of the four papers is graded out of 15 points.+ The optional final paper is graded out of 15 points.+ For each period a student attends on time, 1 point is awarded.+ For each period for which a student is late, no points areawarded or subtracted.+ For each period during which a student is absent, 1 pointis subtracted.i. Written Work---------------To receive any credit for a paper, the student’s response must(a) be written in clear, cohesive and grammatical English.(b) address, in a straightforward way, the issue raised by theprompt.(c) contain a bare minimum of quoted material (* AT MOST 10% * ofthe total number of words of the assignment can be quotation).(d) be original work (not plagiarized).If a submission fails to satisfy any of (a)-(d) then no credit will beawarded.ii. Example Grade Calculation: Willard--------------------------------------Willard attends 34 class meetings on time, is late twice and is absentsix times. He submits each of the four required papers and earns thefollowing scores on them (each is out of 15): 9, 11, 12, 13. He submitsthe optional final paper and earns a 12 (also out of 15). What isWillard’s final grade?+(34 * 1) (= 34, for attending on time)+(2 * 0) (= 0, for attending late)+(6 * (-1)) (= -6, for not attending)+9 (first paper)+11 (second paper)

Sample Syllabus: Introduction to the History of the Philosophy – Plato and Aristotle3

+12 (third paper)+13 (fourth paper)+12 (optional final paper)-----85 points = B+D. Further Feedback and Comments on Written Work------------------------------------------------If you'd like further discussion of what you've written, please set up anappointment to talk about your work.E. Classroom Conduct--------------------(1) We'll engage in discussion for much of our class time. In orderto have a productive discussion, only one person may speak at a time.(2) Please be on time to class.(3) Please silence your cell phones before class. If your phone rings,don't answer it.(4) Anyone disrupting will be asked to leave.F. E-Mail Policy----------------Only e-mails that are concise and relevant will receive a response.Don't expect an immediate answer.G. Academic Assistance----------------------Free tutoring is available. Individual instruction to help improvereading and writing skills is available from the Reading and WritingCenter.H. Special Needs-------------Students requesting special accommodations must first register with the Dean of Students Office.I. Tentative Schedule---------------------(Week 1)

Euthyphro

: “The Socratic Elenchus” G. Vlastos(Week 2)

Euthyphro

cont’d,

: “Socrates’ Disavowal of Knowledge” G.Vlastos(Week 3)

Theaetetus

: “The Theory of Forms”(Week 4)

Theaetetus

cont’d,

: “The Logic of the Third Man”