PHIL 410: Classical Philosophy (Spring 2005)

The URL for this syllabus is http://aristotle.tamu.edu/~rasmith/Courses/Ancient/410/. Please check the online version for updates and announcements.

• Place and Time: Tuesday/Thursday 8:00-9:15 AM, H. R. Bright 104
• Instructor: Robin Smith (rasmith@tamu.edu)
• Office: Bolton 314
• Office hours: By appointment, or TR 9:30-11:00
• Telephone: 845-5696

This course surveys the history of philosophy in ancient Greece during the classical period, from about 600 BCE through about 300 BCE. The first third of the course will concern the earliest Greek philosophers, usually called "Presocratics" (since many of them, though not all, lived before Socrates) and the thinkers of fifth-century Athens, including Socrates (469-399 BCE) and the Sophists. The next third will concentrate on Plato (428/7-348/7 BCE), and the last third on Plato's student Aristotle (384/3 BCE-322/21 BCE).

Objectives

1. To give you a basic knowledge of Ancient Greek philosophers, especially Plato and Aristotle, and an understanding of their importance to the later history of philosophy.
2. To give you experience in reading and interpreting historical philosophical texts.
3. To introduce you to the methods of research in the history of philosophy.
4. To give you experience in writing a philosophical research paper.

Texts

• Richard McKirahan, Philosophy before Socrates. (Hackett Publishing Co., 1994). ISBN0-87220-175-9
• Complete Works of Plato, ed. John Cooper & D. S. Hutchinson (Hackett Publishing Co., 1997). ISBN 0872203492
• New Aristotle Reader, ed. J. L. Ackrill (Princeton University Press, 1987). ISBN 0-691-02043-4

Formal Work

Class Schedule and Readings

The schedule of readings and exams below is subject to revision, as necessary, to accommodate the pace of the class better or to accomplish any other really fine and appropriate end. However, I won't move the dates of exams up, and any change in the dates of exams will be announced (both in class and on this web site) at least a week in advance.

Academic Integrity Statement

The Aggie Honor Code:

Effective September 1, 2004, Texas A&M University has an Honor Code that defines campus policy on academic integrity and academic misconduct. The Aggie Honor System is charged with the enforcement of this Code. Students should be aware that the Aggie Honor System has the power to impose punishments for academic misconduct. For information on the Aggie Honor System, see http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor; information of particular concern to students, including definitions of types of academic misconduct, may be found at http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor/studentresources.php.

It will be my policy in this course to include the following statement on all examinations and request students to sign it:

 "On my honor, as an Aggie, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this academic work."

________________________________

Signature of student 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy Statement

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accomodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accomodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities in Room 118 of Cain Hall, on the Internet at http://studentlife.tamu.edu/ssd/, or by telephone at 979-845-1637.