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                                                                      

 

STOIC PHILOSOPHY: EPICTETUS’ ‘HANDBOOK’ in DISCOURSES

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