Introduction to Philosophy-Honors
Ancient Philosophy
Fall 1999
PI 370 / PI 225 AZ, 11:00 - 11:50 MWF
Dr. Ted Toadvine, 411P Plumb Hall
Phone: 341-5566 (office); 341-5462 (dept); Email: toadvint@emporia.edu
Office Hours: MWF 3:00 - 4:00; T 2:00 - 3:20; and by appointment 

Text
Ancient Philosophy, 3rd ed., ed. by Baird & Kaufmann (Prentice Hall, 2000)

Course Goals & Topics
This course will explore in depth the Greek origins of the Western intellectual tradition. Our survey will open with the dawn of Western philosophy among the Milesians around 600 B.C.E. and cover the most important philosophical thinkers from the pre-Socratic period. The core of the class will then focus on Plato and Aristotle, among the most brilliant and influential minds in western history. The last segment of the course will examine the major schools of thought flourishing in the late Hellenistic and early Roman period, including Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Skepticism, to close with a look at Neoplatonism, the last great movement of Greek thought.

In addition to providing a close examination of Ancient Greek Philosophy, this course serves as an Honors Introduction to Philosophy. The study of the Greeks provides an introduction to epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and politics, as well as revealing the historical origins and genealogy of our intellectual heritage. Since the path of western thought has followed a trajectory already mapped out in ancient Greece, the study of Greek thought is essential for an understanding of Western thought and culture up to the present.

PI 225 satisfies the General Education requirement in Literature and Ideas (Basic Skills VI) for certain majors.
 
Course Requirements and Grading
Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Quizzes will be given every 2-3 weeks, and will consist of true/false and short answer questions covering the material just completed. The mid-term and (non-comprehensive) final will include an "objective" (true/false and short answer) component and an essay component. Review sheets will be distributed prior to exams. Research papers must be at least 1500 words (about 5 pages on most word-processors), and a word count must appear on the first page of your essay. Essays will only be accepted if typewritten, double-spaced, stapled, and proof-read. You must select your own topic, which should explore a figure or theme from the course in greater detail. A brief explanation of your proposed topic and a bibliography of sources you will consult must be submitted to me no later than 10th week for approval. You are expected to attend class and to come prepared to discuss assigned material. Three absences will result in a full grade reduction. No make-up quizzes or exams will be given without documented evidence of an emergency.

Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes plagiarism, the paraphrase or quotation of any published or unpublished source without full and clear acknowledgment. The university policy regarding academic dishonesty, as explained in the Student Handbook (p. 37), will be strictly enforced.

If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations or emergency evacuation, please contact me as soon as possible.

Office Hours
As listed above, my office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 3:00 to 4:00, and Tuesday, 2:00 to 3:20. I will be spending these hours in my office for the sole purpose of being available for your questions. If these times are not convenient for you, and there is something you need to discuss with me, please ask to make an appointment. Messages can be left with the Social Sciences secretary (PH 411) at 341-5462. You are also welcome to address inquiries to me via Email at toadvint@emporia.edu.

Course Schedule
This is an ambitious schedule subject to modification according to our progress.

WEEK 1 (8/23-8/27):  Introduction to Course, Introduction, The Milesians, Three Solitary Figures (1-18)

WEEK 2 (8/30-9/3):  The Eleatics, the Pluralists, The Sophists (19-46)

WEEK 3 (9/6-9/10):  HOLIDAY: Monday (9/6), Epilogue: Two Views of Athens (53-64), QUIZ 1, Introduction to Socrates/Plato (65-70)

WEEK 4 (9/13-9/17):  Euthyphro, Apology (70-100)

WEEK 5 (9/20-9/24):  Crito, Phaedo (100-152)

WEEK 6 (9/27-10/1):  QUIZ 2, Meno, Symposium (153-195)

WEEK 7 (10/4-10/8):  Symposium (195-212), Republic (272-281), CLASS CANCELED: Friday (10/8)

WEEK 8 (10/11-10/15): Review, Monday (10/11), MIDTERM EXAMINATION (Wednesday, 10/13), Introduction to Aristotle (304-7), On Interpretation (313-8)

WEEK 9 (10/18-10/22): Physics, Metaphysics (322-358)

WEEK 10 (10/25-10/29): On the Soul (358-364), Nichomachean Ethics (364-398), PAPER TOPIC PROPOSALS DUE

WEEK 11 (11/1-11/5):  Nichomachean Ethics continued, Politics (434-444), QUIZ 3
 
WEEK 12 (11/8-11/12): Introduction to Hellenistic and Roman Philosophy (445-8), Epicurus (449-472), Early Stoa (473-485)

WEEK 13 (11/15-11/19): Epictetus (386-499), CLASS CANCELED: Friday (11/9)

WEEK 14 (11/22-11/26): Catch up, QUIZ 4, HOLIDAY: Wednesday and Friday, 11/24-11/26

WEEK 15 (11/29-12/3): RESEARCH PAPERS DUE, Lucretius (500-515), Pyrrho/Sextus Empiricus (525-532)

WEEK 16 (12/6-12/10): Plotinus (533-552), Review

FINAL EXAM: Monday, 12/13, 10:10 - 12:00 

This page created by Ted Toadvine
Last Updated 13 September 1999