PAR 201: Ancient and Medieval
Philosophy
COURSE INFORMATION
·
Teacher:
Dr. Schmid: BR 270; x3409; hours: by appointment. email:
schmidt@uncw.edu; website:
http://www.uncwil.edu/people/schmidt.
·
Goal:
Introduction to the history of ancient and medieval philosophy.
·
SLO's: (i) knowledge of
concepts and theories of ancient and medieval philosophy, particularly
Presocratics, Plato and Stoics (ii) knowledge of important works of ancient and
medieval philosophy, including several dialogues by Plato and Epictetus’
Handbook (Enchiridion) (iii) ability
to discuss, in a critical and informed way, important philosophical questions
and arguments of the above works (iv)ability to write argumentative essays on a
topic relating to ancient and medieval philosophy.
·
Methods & content:
Lecture, discussion, class activities, writing. Use of the Internet,
texts, handouts.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
·
Required Books: PURCHASE IN
THE REQUIRED EDITIONS AND PLEASE BRING TO CLASS, as we will refer to these and
other translations are generally not as good and in some cases unusable. Curd,
Presocratics Reader (Hackett), Plato, Trial and Death of Socrates, Gorgias, and
Republic (all Hackett) and Epictetus, Discourses, Handbook C. Gill edition (Everyman's
Library).
·
Daily reading assignment.
·
Tests and papers: 1 test on
Presocratics (100); 1 test on Socrates (100); 1 test and paper on Plato (150); 1
paper on Epictetus (50); 1 paper on medieval philosophy (50). Students with a B+
average or better and satisfactory attendance can opt out to drop the final
paper.
·
Attendance and participation.
Attendance required. 4 cut limit (2 wks). Students with 5+ absences will be
penalized and not be able to opt out of final paper; students with 8+ fail (4
wks). Active, informed participation can raise your grade.
·
Normal expectations on coming
to class on time, doing own work. Abide by UNCW honor code. Tech rules: (1) turn
off your cell phones; (2) computers only if expressly permitted. You know what
plagiarism is; don't let it in your house. Rules of discussion: anything goes,
within the limits of respect for others and honest self-expression. Students who
fail to comply with these rules should expect to be told to leave class. See
UNCW policy on safety.
·
Students with special needs
regarding assignments or test days see me immediately, as I will not give last
minute postponements for assignments or tests, and you may expect to receive an
F- on them.
·
A willingness to examine
philosophical questions and arguments, and form your own and discuss with others
their philosophical beliefs.
READING ASSIGNMENTS
Thursday Aug 23
Introduction; read Curd, A Presocratics Reader, 1-8
PRESOCRATICS
1.
Tuedsay Aug 28
Milesians; read Curd, 9-16
2.
Thursday Aug 30
Pythagoreans; Curd,7-24
3.
T Sep
4
Heraclitus; Curd, 29-41
4.
R Sep
6
Parmenides, Zeno; Curd, 43-51, 73-77; rec: 89-92
5.
T Sep
11
Religious Philosophy; Curd, 25-28, 53-71
6.
R Sep
13
Atomists; Curd, 79-88
7.
T Sep
16
TEST
SOCRATES AND THE
SOPHISTS
1.
R Sep
18
Plato, Euthyphro in Trial and Death of Socrates, 1-19
2.
T Sep
25
Plato, Apology in Trial and Death of Socrates, 20-42
3.
R Sep
27
Plato Gorgias 447a-466b pp. 1-26
4.
T Oct
2
Plato Gorgias 466b-88b pp. 27-59
5.
R Oct
4
Plato Gorgias 488b-527d pp. 59-113; rec: Pericles’ Funeral Oration
6.
T Oct
9
TEST
Thursday Oct 11
Fall Break
PLATO’S REPUBLIC
1.
T Oct
16
Republic I
2.
R Oct
18
Republic II-III
3.
T Oct
23
Republic IV
4.
R Oct
Republic V-VI 505
5.
T Oct
30
Republic VI-VII
6.
R Nov
2
Republic VIII-IX
7.
T Nov
6
Republic X
8.
R Nov
8
TEST and PAPER due in class
1.
T Nov
13
Enchiridion
2.
R Nov
15
Enchiridion
3.
T Nov
20
PAPER due by noon in office
4.
R Nov
22
Thanksgiving
MEDIEVAL
PHILOSOPHY: ST. THOMAS’ SUMMA THEOLOGIAE
1.
T Nov
27
God and His Attributes (OL)
2.
R Nov
29
Proofs for the Existence of God
(OL)
3.
T Dec
4
Proof against the Existence of God (OL)
4.
Monday Dec 10
PAPER due by noon in office