Ancient Phil Syllabus

Ancient Greek Philosophy
PHIL 4003
Fall 2014

Professor Oksana Maksymchuk Dr. Nicholas Barber
Office: Old Main 306 Office: Old Main 307
Office Hours: Tu 12:30 -3 P.M. Office hours: MW 5-6:30 P.M.
email: omaksymc@uark.edu email: nmbarber@uark.edu

Course Description

In this introductory course on ancient Greek philosophy, well focus on three major thinkers: Socrates,
Plato, and Aristotle. Well examine their views and arguments on some central questions about human
conduct, the nature of reality, and the possibility of knowledge. Throughout the course, we will try to make
sense of what these thinkers say and their reasons for saying it. The main goal is not to memorize information
but to develop a critical understanding of some problems and arguments that worry philosophers to this day.

Required Texts

1. Nehamas, Alexander, and Paul Woodruff. Plato: Symposium. Hackett Publishing, 1989.
2. Grube, George Maximilian Anthony, and John M. Cooper. Plato: five dialogues. Hackett Publishing, 1981.
3. Grube, G. M. A., & Reeve, C. D. C. trans. Plato: Republic. Hackett, 1992.
4. Burnyeat, Myles. The Theaetetus of Plato. Hackett Publishing, 1990.
NOTE 1-4 are all included in a single hardcover volume: Cooper, John M., and D. S. Hutchinson. Plato: Complete
Works. Hackett Publishing, 1997.

5. Irwin, Terence, and Gail Fine. Aristotle: Introductory Readings. Hackett Publishing, 1996.

Assignments and Course Requirements
Do all the readings before class, preferably more than once, and be ready to take a quiz and to say something
brilliant! Your writing assignments will consist of four short exegetical papers, each no longer than 1200 words
(three and a half pages). In these papers, you will develop a close reading of the text and come up with your own
critical response to the philosophical problem that it presents. We will distribute a list of suggested paper topics
about ten days before a paper is due. If you decide to come up with your own paper topic, email it to one of us
at least five days before the due date. Be sure to include a word count on all of your papers. Papers turned in late
will be counted down 1/6 of a grade (from A to A/A-) for each additional day (or part of a day) that they are
late. We encourage you to read Jim Pryors article on writing philosophically at
http://www.jimpryor.net/teaching/guidelines/writing.html

Grade Distribution
Class attendance and participation: 10%
Quizzes: 10%
First thesis paper: 20%
Second thesis paper: 20%
Third thesis paper: 20%
Fourth thesis paper: 20%
Students with Disabilities
In compliance with University of Arkansas policy and equal access laws, I am available to discuss appropriate
academic accommodations that you may require as a student with a disability. For more information, visit:
http://cea.uark.edu/
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to comply with University regulations regarding academic integrity. When in doubt about
your particular paper writing strategy or approach, come talk to one of us. All forms of cheating, copying, and
taking credit for others ideas and work defeat the purpose of getting higher education. It also makes us very sad.
Please dont do it. We are required to report any breach of academic integrity mercilessly. Information about that
process can be found here: http://ethics.uark.edu.

In-Class Participation and Behavior:
1. The class will be run as a lecture, with ample opportunity for discussion. Always do the readings
before you come to class. That way, you will be able to follow the lecture and to make thoughtful
contributions to the discussion. Its also the only reliable way to do well on the quizzes.
2. Come to class on time.
3. Do not talk in class except when we are having a discussion.
4. Be respectful. Do not interrupt. When you have something to say, raise your hand and wait for
your turn to speak.
5. All phones, tablets, etc. must be in the off or silent mode during class. No laptops, ipads,
netbooks, etc. may be used in class. To take notes, please use pen and paper.
6. You may not use any recording devices without our prior permission.

Inclement Weather Policy
In the event that the UA declares that its inclement weather policy is in effect for any time period that coincides
with the scheduled duration of our class, the whole class will get automatically cancelled.

Emergency Procedures
Many types of emergencies can occur on campus; instructions for specific emergencies such as severe weather,
active shooter, or fire can be found at emergency.uark.edu.
WEEK 1 08/26 Introduction
08/28 Symposium up to 201d1
Recommended reading: Apology

WEEK 2 09/02 Symposium 201d1-end

09/04 Euthyphro

WEEK 3 09/09 Crito
09/11 Meno
First paper topics handed out

WEEK 4 09/16 Phaedo
09/18 Phaedo (continued)

First thesis paper due on Sept. 21
st
by 11:59 P.M.

WEEK 5 09/23 Republic Book I
09/25 Republic Book II

WEEK 6 09/30 Republic Book IV
10/02 Republic Book VI

WEEK 7 10/07 Republic Book VII
10/09 Republic Book IX
Second paper topics handed out

WEEK 8 10/14 Republic Book X
10/16 Theaetetus up to 187b2

Second thesis paper due on October 19
th
by 11:59 P.M.

WEEK 9 10/23 Theaetetus 187b2- end

WEEK 10 10/28 Metaphysics Book I
10/30 Metaphysics Book IV

WEEK 11 11/04 Metaphysics Books V, VII
11/06 Metaphysics Book VIII
Third paper topics handed out

WEEK 12 11/11 Metaphysics Book IX
11/13 Metaphysics Books XII, XIII

Third thesis paper due on Nov. 16
th
by 11:59 P.M.

WEEK 13 11/18 On Soul Book I
11/20 On Soul Book II

WEEK 14 11/25 On Soul Book III

WEEK 15 12/2 Nicomachean Ethics Book I
12/4 Nicomachean Ethics Book II
Fourth paper topics handed out

WEEK 16 12/09 Nicomachean Ethics Book VIII
12/11 Nicomachean Ethics Book X

Fourth thesis paper due on December 18
th
by 11:59 P.M.

Ancient Phil Syllabus

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ancient Phil Syllabus

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ancient Phil Syllabus

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ancient Greek Philosophy

You might also like