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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 210-2"
COURSE NAME: "Ancient Philosophy"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: David Levy
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome debated fundamental questions with an imagination, subtlety, and daring that have captured the attention of thoughtful people in every epoch. For example, they considered the nature and origin of the universe, what changes and does not change, as well as what causes change, how perception and reasoning produce knowledge, the relation between the soul and the body, the meaning of justice and beauty, and the nature of the good life. Through a careful reading of selected texts – in the form of dialogues, poems, aphorisms, or treatises – the course will introduce you to the great questions and controversies of ancient philosophy.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

We will begin with a careful reading Plato's dialogue the Laches. Here we see Socrates testing two of Athens' most distinguished generals regarding a subject they ought to know something about, namely, courage. Can the generals define courage? If not, can Socrates himself do so? Furthermore, the Greek word for courage (andreia) also means manliness. Is courage then a manly virtue? Or is it gender-neutral? How should we evaluate manliness in general? Such questions, much disputed in our own time, were no less important for Socrates and Plato.

We will turn next to Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, perhaps the most famous and influential book of moral philosophy ever written. More precisely, the N.E. is a book about happiness--what it is and how to attain it. Virtue, we learn, is the key to happiness--yet virtue by itself is not sufficient. As with Plato's Laches, we will try to understand what Aristotle is saying and whether it is true.

This course, while introductory in nature, is not designed to be easy. The assigned texts are quite challenging and will require careful and repeated study on your part. You will be expected to come to each class fully prepared to discuss the assigned reading in detail. This is also a writing-intensive class.

The use of "Generative AI" is not permitted in this course, because we want to do our own thinking.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Gain experience in the art of careful reading. (In the words of Sherlock Holmes: "Never trust to general
impressions, but concentrate yourself upon details," for "the little things are infinitely the most important.") 

2. Improve your capacity for clear and logical thinking, speaking, and writing.

3. Gain understanding of some major philosophical questions in ancient philosophy and of how those questions might be relevant to our lives today.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Aristotle's Nichomachean EthicsAristotle (trans. Bartlett and Collins)Chicago978-0226026756 Please note that ONLY this edition of the Nicomachean Ethics is acceptable. Hard CopyAlmost Corner BookstoreAmazon.it, Amazon.co.uk, Abebooks
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
class participation(1) Students are expected to attend all classes (barring a compelling reason for being absent, such as illness), to have done the assigned reading carefully, and to bring a hard copy of the reading to class. The use of electronic devices in class is not permitted. (2) A written reflection consisting of ONE WELL-CRAFTED PARAGRAPH on the assigned reading is due every class, except when a paper is due. (If you are absent you may turn in two reflections the following class.) The reflection should explain a section of the reading or pose a good specific question, and should demonstrate that you have studied the text carefully and thoughtfully. I recommend you begin by trying to answer this question: what is the MAIN POINT of the reading (or of part of it)? Students will sometimes be asked to present their reflections to the class orally. Needless to say, your reflections, like all your academic productions, must be your own work; if you make use of outside sources you must give proper credit. (The use of generative AI, as already mentioned, is not permitted.) (3) Be punctual and do not leave the room during class except in cases of emergencies. Eating in class is not permitted (drinking is OK).20
3 papersApproximately 1200 words each. Late papers will be assessed a penalty unless an extension has been granted in advance. You must cite in your paper the assigned editions and translations of the readings; papers which fail to do so will not be accepted. Please note that your papers may be submitted to Turnitin (a plagiarism detection program). The use of "generative AI" is not permitted.60
final examEssay questions on the assigned readings. 20

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A Work of this quality provides a coherent, orderly argument based on a very careful reading of the relevant texts and a solid understanding of the relevant issues. The student displays superior reasoning skills and has done a good deal of original thinking about the material. He or she knows how to raise important questions about the text and to evaluate possible answers to them. The student writes very clearly and has a near-perfect command of English usage and grammar. (Appropriate allowances are made for those for whom English is not a first language.)
BThis is a good level of performance. The student displays a capacity for careful reading and good reasoning. The work reflects some original thinking and is not simply a repetition of lecture material and readings. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions. The student writes clearly and has a good command of English usage and grammar.
CThis is an acceptable, or fair, level of performance. The student provides answers that are clear but limited, consisting mainly in a repetition of the text or lectures. The student has some ability to write clearly and correctly.
DThe student fails to demonstrate a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and/or irrelevant points included. The paper is poorly organized, and the student shows limited ability to write clearly and correctly.
FThis work fails to show any significant knowledge of the texts and the issues. Most of the material is irrelevant or inaccurate. There is no coherent argument and the student shows little ability to write clearly and correctly. This grade is also given for an act of plagiarism or other form of academic dishonesty.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Preliminary schedule

Weeks 1-5: Plato, Laches

Weeks 6-14: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics