Phil 3000: Classics of Ancient Western Philosophy Instructor: Gregory Moss Office Hours, T 2-3pm, Peabody 1 Through Session 2011, 1:00-2:00pm MTWTHF, Peabody 205S Email: greg@uga.edu Description and Objective:
Phil 3000 is an introduction to Ancient Greek philosophy focusing particularly on works of Plato and Aristotle. Prerequisite: PHIL 1000 or PHIL 2200 or PHIL 2400 or permission of department. This course will specifically focus on problems in Ancient Greek Metaphysics and Epistemology.
Required Texts*:
1) Barnes, Jonathan, Early Greek Philosophy, Penguin Books, 2001 2) Plato, Parmenides, Trans. Albert Keith Whitaker, Focus Philosophical Library, 1996 3) Aristotle, Metaphysics, Trans. Joe Sachs, Green Lion Press, 2002
*ATTENTION: Acquire these books immediately!
Tentative Grading Percentages:
Argument Critique, Plato 20% (100pts), Due June 27th
Mid Term (cumulative) 20% (100pts), July 1st
Argument Critique, Aristotle 30% (150pts), Due July 18th
Final Exam (cumulative) 30% (150pts)
TOTAL POINTS: 500
Grade Scale:
A: 93-100%
A-: 90-92%
B+: 87-89%
B: 83-86%
B-: 80-82%
C+: 77-79%
C: 73-76%
C-: 70-72%
D: 60-69%
F: < 60%
Grade Criteria:
A:
The student knows the authors positions, and proves this knowledge by knowing the argument(s) supporting the theses in the text. Student evidences self-initiated thinking and understanding of the arguments through his/her ability to present her own counter-arguments and possible replies to counter-arguments. The student exhibits thorough understanding of the relations of the themes presented in the various texts.
B:
The student knows the authors positions, and generally understands the arguments supporting them. Student has difficulty developing her own criticisms and rebuttals to criticism. The student exhibits relatively complete understanding of the relations of the themes presented in the various texts.
C:
The student shows the ability to properly relay information about the text and the positions contained therein, but has difficulty re-constructing the arguments, presenting counter-arguments, and criticism. Student has a difficulty understanding arguments. The student shows an incomplete understanding of the relations of the themes presented in the various texts.
D:
The student cannot explicate the positions or the arguments for such positions in the text. The student exhibits seriously incomplete understanding.
F:
The student exhibits all the failures mentioned under ‘D’. The student earns an F by having a blatant disregard for the great masters of the western tradition by not reading and not attending lectures.
Participation:
Two unexcused absences are permitted. For each unexcused absence beyond two, one-half a letter grade will be deducted from your final grade. In case of emergencies, either notify me of your absence ahead of time, or plan to bring some formal documentation of your absence. Without documentation, I will not accept absences as excused. All technology, including laptops and cell phones, must be turned off during our meeting hours. If you are caught texting, reading ‘texts’, or violate this technology policy in any way, I reserve the right to count you as absent.
Assignments:
Read and study each assignment before class meetings. You are responsible not only for all written assignments, but also for having completed each reading assignment. Helpful contributions to class discussions requires close readings of the text before we discuss them.
Consider the following schedule tentative.
June
10 Introduction
13 Heraclitus, Early Greek Philosphy
14 Heraclitus, Early Greek Philosophy
15 Parmenides, Early Greek Philosophy
16 Zeno, Early Greek Philosophy
17 Plato, Parmenides
20 Plato, Parmenides
21 Plato, Parmenides
22 Plato, Parmenides
23 Plato, Parmenides
24 Plato, Parmenides
27 Plato, Parmenides
28 Plato, Parmenides
29 Plato, Parmenides
30 Plato, Parmenides
July
1 Plato, Parmenides
5 MidtermExam
6 Aristotle, Metaphysics
7 Aristotle, Metaphysics
8 Aristotle, Metaphysics
11 Aristotle, Metaphysics
12 Aristotle, Metaphysics
13 Aristotle, Metaphysics
14 Aristotle, Metaphysics
15 Aristotle, Metaphysics
18 Aristotle, Metaphysics
19 Aristotle, Metaphysics
20 Aristotle, Metaphysics
21 Aristotle, Metaphysics
22 Aristotle, Metaphysics
25 Aristotle, Metaphysics
26 Aristotle, Metaphysics
27 Aristotle, Metaphysics
28 Aristotle, Metaphysics
29 Aristotle, Metaphysics Paper II Due
August
1 Aristotle, Metaphysics
2 Aristotle, Metaphysics
3 Review
FINAL EXAM: August 5 3:30-6:30
Exams:
Exams will contain two sections. One section will consist of short answer questions, in which you will be asked to provide arguments for particular conclusions elicited from the texts. You will not be asked to provide arguments for any conclusions except those which are discussed in class. The second section will consist of long-essay questions in which you will re-construct the position and the arguments of a philosopher(s) on a particular theme, e.g. ‘Being’. You will also be asked to critique these arguments and relate them to other philosophers and texts which we have discussed.
Essays:
Essays consist of three parts. In respect to the papers, I shall provide you with passages from the texts which we are reading, and I will ask you to choose one passage to work on. You will formulate the argument contained in that passage, and formulate a critique of that passage. The last stage consists in formulating a reply to the criticism that you raise. I encourage you to utilize the texts that we are reading in formulating your criticisms.
Administrative Policies:
Late Work/Make-Ups: Late papers will be penalized one-half a letter grade for each day the paper is tardy. I will only give a make up, exam if the absence is approved in advance or you provide evidence that an emergency prevented you from attending class. I will always be willing to discuss your grade with you. If you would like a grade changed, you must provide me with a detailed written argument for why you think it should be changed, otherwise I will not consider it.
Resources:
If you have a disability requiring special accommodations, contact the Disability Resource Center @ (http://www.drc.uga.edu). For general academic counseling, see (www.uga.edu/dae). To better inform yourself about UGA's policies concerning academic honesty visit the following website:
(http://www.uga.edu/ovpi/honesty/culture_honesty.htm). It is your responsibility to be familiar with these policies.
