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Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Describe the historical and cultural contexts in which these philosophies were developed.
2. Analyze representative primary texts of the most significant philosophical literature of this period (e.g. Plato's Apology, Euthyphro, Crito, AND Republic. Aristotle's essays on Ethics and Friendship).
3. Describe the relationship between the ancient and medieval philosophies discussed and the major moral and philosophical issues of the present day.
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I. Introduction
A. Historical and geographical introduction to the world of ancient Greece
B. Overview of ancient Greek mythology
II. The origins of Western philosophy in Miletus
III. Heraclitus - flux and strife
IV. The Eliatic philosophers
A. Oneness
B. Changeless (Parmenides and Zeno)
V. Early pluralists
A. Empedocles
B. Anaxagoras - early pluralists
VI. The Pythagoreans - natural law and mathematics
VII. The Atomists - a mechanical description of nature
VIII. The Sophists - the relationship between rhetoric and philosophy
IX. Socrates - the pursuit of human excellence
X. Plato
A. The life of Plato
B. The influence of Socrates, Pythagoras and Parmenides
C. The works of Plato
1. Apology
2. Euthyphro
3. Crito
4. Republic
D. The theory of forms
XI. Aristotle
A. Aristotle's response to Plato
B. The works of Aristotle
1. Ethics
2. Friendship
C. Theology in physics and astronomy
D. Religion and the Unmoved Mover
XII. Hellenistic philosophers
A. Historical developments in Greece and Rome
B. The Epicureans
C. The Stoics
D. The Cynics
E. The Skeptics
XIII. Medieval philosophers
A. Origins and spread of Christianity
B. The question of God's existence
C. The question of faith vs. reason
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1. Regular reading assignments from course text and supplementary materials. (25-50 pages/week).
2. At least two midterm examinations.
3. A final examination.
4. Multiple writing assignments that may include a term paper.
5. Participation in class discussions.
6. Optional quizzes which cover the assigned readings. Quizzes may be either multiple choice or short essay.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing. | Writing 55 - 75% |
Analytical essays, term paper | |
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills. | Problem Solving 0 - 0% |
None | |
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams. | Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0% |
None | |
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams. | Exams 15 - 25% |
Midterm exam(s) and optional quizzes | |
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories. | Other Category 0 - 20% |
Class participation | |
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The Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to Philosophy. Melchert, Norman. Mayfield Publishing Company: 2004.
Seven Masterpieces of Philosophy. Cahn, Steven M. Pearson Educations Inc.: 2008.
Philosophy: History and Problems, 7th ed. Stumpf, Samuel Enoch and Fieser, James. McGraw Hill: 2008.
A Historical Introduction to Philosophy by Fieser, James and Lillegard, Norman. Oxford University Press,: 2002. (Classic)