Live Like a Philosopher
PHIL 207
Spring 2017
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01
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Philosophy in the ancient world was viewed not simply as a discipline or body of doctrine, but as a way of life. In this project-based learning course, we will study and put into practice the theoretical views of four schools of ancient philosophy in the Greek and Roman world: Platonist, Aristotelian, Epicurean, and Stoic. After some preliminary work introducing ourselves to each of these schools, the majority of this course will be divided into four units. In each unit, students will "live like a philosopher" by incorporating the thought of each school into their daily lives. The aims of this course are to test the viability of these philosophical theories, 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. |
Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS PHIL |
Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Credit/Unsatisfactory |
Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (PHIL)(PHIL-Social Jus) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 50% - 74% |
SECTION 01 | Special Attributes: FYS |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Readings will include works by Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, and various Stoic philosophers. All readings will be available in a course pack. In addition, there will be various meditations to study and activities to complete for each "live like a philosopher" unit, which will be distributed online.
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Examinations and Assignments: For every "live like a philosopher" unit, students will be given a set of readings associated with the assigned texts we will study and a set of activities to complete. Some of these activities will require that you reflect on a few questions or life challenges. Others will involve the cultivation of certain habits, changing your behaviour with others in a certain way, or going about your everyday routines a little differently. Students will be required to complete these activities daily and, by the end of each week, write a journal entry on how/whether the exercises they have engaged in during the week have affected their outlook on life. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments: In addition to a course journal, there will be other project-based assignments to complete during the semester. In place of essays and exams, students may be asked to create digital stories or video diaries chronicling their experiences living like a philosopher. At least some class time will also be spent outside the classroom engaged in work related to the content we will be studying. |
Instructor(s): Irani,Tushar Times: ..T.R.. 01:20PM-02:40PM; Location: BOGH115; |
Total Enrollment Limit: 19 | | SR major: X | JR major: X |   |   |
Seats Available: 2 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: X | JR non-major: X | SO: X | FR: 19 |
Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
Total Submitted Requests: 6 | 1st Ranked: 1 | 2nd Ranked: 2 | 3rd Ranked: 2 | 4th Ranked: 1 | Unranked: 0 |
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