Philosophical Classics I: Ancient Western Philosophy
PHIL 201
Fall 2018
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
COL 359, CCIV 217 |
This course provides an overview of the development of Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, from its inception in the 6th century BCE through to Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the Epicureans, and the Stoics. In exploring this material, we will touch on all or nearly all of the central concerns of the Western philosophical tradition: metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics, aesthetics, religion, and logic. Our focus in class will be on the close analysis of primary texts. Students must be willing to engage with readings that are fascinating but at the same time dense, difficult, and perplexing. The course requires no prior experience in philosophy and should be of equal interest to students who are pursuing or intend to pursue other majors. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA PHIL |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (CLST-History, P)(PHIL-Philosophy)(PHIL-Social Jus) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 75% - 89% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Presocratics, Plato, Aristotle, Epicureanism, Stoicism. All readings will be made available in a course pack.
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Examinations and Assignments:
3-4 page paper of argument analysis on Plato; midterm exam (shortly before Thanksgiving break); choice of journal entries for "Live Like a Philosopher" exercises OR a final exam. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Since philosophy in the ancient world was viewed not simply as a discipline or set of doctrines, but as a way of life, students will be invited about midway in this course to participate in a series of four "Live Like a Philosopher" units. Each unit will be based on a distinctive approach to the good life promoted by one of the philosophers/schools we will study this semester: the life of dialogue; the life of virtue; the life of pleasure; and the life of control. The aim of participating in these units is to test the viability of these philosophers' views, consider how they may be put into practice, and explore how they may illuminate for us what it means to lead a well-lived life. Students who participate consistently in every unit will be excused from taking a final exam. |
| Instructor(s): Irani,Tushar Times: ..T.R.. 10:20AM-11:40AM; Location: PAC002; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 50 | | SR major: 5 | JR major: 5 | | |
| Seats Available: 5 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 5 | JR non-major: 5 | SO: 15 | FR: 15 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 3 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 3 |
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