Phil 302/1: History of Western Philosophy I

PHIL 302/1: History of Western Philosophy I

Fall Semester 2003

TR: 1:00p.m.–3:25p.m. // EDUC Rm. 127

Instructor: Dr. Maria Paleologou

Office: FT 101D

Office Phone Number: 664-2417

Email: [e-mail]

Office Hours: TR: 3:30p.m.-5:00p.m. or by appointment
Course Description

Philosophy is an active and intellectual enterprise dedicated to exploring the most fundamental questions in life. Philosophy 302 is designed to introduce the students to the philosophers of ancient Greece, starting with the fragmentary claims of the Presocratics, moving to the more comprehensive systems of Plato and Aristotle, and finally culminating to the views of the Hellenistic philosophers.

Course Objectives

Philosophy is a dynamic process. It is more than just learning the views of the various philosophers. It is also forming one’s own views. Consequently, by the end of this course, students should be able to judge for themselves, in a reflective and reasoned manner, the philosophical arguments they have encountered.

Required Course Texts

1. Annas, Julia. Ancient Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.

2. Baird, Forrest E., Kaufmann, Walter (eds.). Philosophic Classics. Volume I: Ancient Philosophy. Fourth edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000.

3. Seech, Zachary. Writing Philosophy Papers. Fourth edition. New York: Wadsworth, 2004.

4. Reserved Material.
Recommended:

Strunk, W., White, E.B. The Elements of Style. New York: McMillan, c1979.

Course Requirements

--Two Exams: A midterm (30%) and a comprehensive final (30%).

--Homework Assignments: 10%

--A Research Paper: 30%
Grade Distribution

A: 100-93 B+: 89-87 C+: 79-77 D+: 69-67 F : Below 60

A-: 92-90 B : 86-83 C : 76-73 D : 66-63

B- : 82-80 C- : 72-70 D- : 62-60

Course Policies

1. 
   Make-ups: In general, make-ups will not be allowed. However, if you miss an exam or a homework assignment for reasons that were beyond your control (illness, car accident) you must contact me either before class or as soon as possible afterwards. Failure to do so will result in a zero for the missed assignment.
   
2. 
   You will be given a homework assignment almost every class meeting. However, I will not collect all of them. I will let you know which one to turn in the day it is due. The ones turned in will be graded on an ‘S’ (satisfactory), ‘U’ (unsatisfactory) basis. Since homework is worth 10% of your grade, what I call the easy 10%, I highly recommend that you do it. It will help you familiarize with the material and practice for the exams.
   
3. 
   The research paper should be eight to ten pages long, typed, double spaced, using 12 font. You will be given a handout with specific instructions separately. Late papers will be reduced by one letter grade. No papers will be accepted after November 18.
   
4. 
   During the semester I will be posting various announcements to my website. Make sure you check my website as well as your emails regularly.
   
5. 
   Academic Misconduct
   

“ACADEMIC DISHONESTY (CHEATING) is a broad category of actions that use fraud and deception to improve a grade or obtain course credit. Academic dishonesty (cheating) is not limited to examination situations alone, but arises whenever students attempt to gain an unearned academic advantage. PLAGIARISM is a specific form of academic dishonesty (cheating) which consists of the misuse of published or unpublished works of another by claiming them as one’s own. Plagiarism may consist of handing in someone else’s work, copying or purchasing a composition, using ideas, paragraphs, sentences, phrases or words written by another, or using data and/or statistics compiled by another without given appropriate citation. Another example of academic dishonesty (cheating) is the SUBMISSION OF THE SAME, or essentially the same, PAPER or other assignment for credit in two different courses without receiving prior approval.” (California State University, Bakersfield Catalog, p.57)

In such cases as the above, I will rigorously enforce the University’s policies as set forth in the California State University, Bakersfield Catalog.

6. 
   Harassment Policy
   

Written or spoken statements that can be construed as harassment will not be tolerated and will be reported to the appropriate university office for proper legal investigation and action. This includes, but is not limited to, comments based on race, ethnic origin, sex, gender, disability, or sexual orientation.

7. 
   Reasonable Accommodations Policy
   

Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so we can discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate your educational opportunities.

8. 
   Rude Behavior
   

Out of self-respect and respect for others I expect that during lectures or class activities you will refrain from (1) private conversations, (2) reading newspapers, doing crossword puzzles, etc., (3) receiving cell phone calls, and (4) starting pack up your belongings before class is over.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

--Week #1: Sept. 9 & Sept. 11

Introduction

Reading: Annas, Julia: chapters 1-6. Note: Start with chapter six first.

--Week #2: Sept. 16 & Sept. 18

The Milesians: Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes. Read Baird, pp. 6-10

Three Solitary Figures: Pythagoras, Xenophanes, Heraclitus. Read Baird, pp. 11-18

--Week #3: Sept. 23 & Sept. 25

The Eleatics: Parmenides, Zeno of Elea, Melissus. Read Baird, 19-30

The Pluralists: Empedocles, Anaxagoras, Democritus. Read Baird, pp. 31-42

--Week #4: Sept. 30 & Oct. 2

Plato: Apology. Read Baird, pp. 88-105

Plato: Crito. Read Baird, pp. 105-113

Study Guide: Oct. 2

--Week #5: Oct. 7 & Oct. 9

Plato: Euthyphro. Read Baird, pp. 76-88

Plato: Meno. Read Baird, pp. 157-181

Midterm: Oct. 9

--Week #6: Oct. 14 & Oct. 16

Plato: Phaedo. Read Baird, pp. 114-156

Plato: Republic, Book 1. Read Baird, pp. 216-228

--Week #7: Oct. 21 & Oct. 24

Plato: Republic, Books 3-7. Read Baird, pp. 228-288

--Week #8: Oct. 28 & Oct. 30

Aristotle: Physics. Read Baird, pp. 329-340

Aristotle: Metaphysics. Read Baird, pp. 340-365

--Week #9: Nov. 4 & Nov. 6

Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics. Read Baird, pp. 371-441

--Week #10: Nov. 11 & Nov. 13

No Classes: Nov. 11

Hellenistic and Roman Philosophy: Epicurus. Read Baird, pp. 473-480

Hellenistic and Roman Philosophy: Marcus Aurelius. Read Baird, pp. 523-531

Research Paper Due: Nov. 13

Study Guide: Nov. 13

--Week #11: Nov. 18

Review for the final: Nov. 18
FINAL EXAM: Nov. 25 @ 2:00p.m.-4:30p.m.