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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 210-3"
COURSE NAME: "Ancient Philosophy"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: David Levy
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
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:

"For indeed these things that we are disagreeing about do not happen to be at all small, but are pretty much those things that it is most fine to know about and most shameful not to know about; for the chief point of them is either to know or to be ignorant of who is happy and who is not." Plato, Gorgias

This semester we will read texts by Plato and Aristotle. We will begin with readings from Aristotle concerning wisdom, nature, cause, and soul. We will then take up Plato's Gorgias, concerning rhetoric, in which Socrates must defend justice and his philosophic way of life against the challenge of Callicles, an ambitious young man who argues that "might makes right" and that philosophers are weak and unmanly compared to political men such as himself. Other questions discussed include: If one has to choose, it is better to do injustice or to suffer it? Is the good pleasure? What does it mean to be powerful?

Note that you are required to obtain a hard copy of the Gorgias in the translation by James Nichols (see below on this syllabus for details). 

A note on the use of "artificial intelligence"

Our purpose in this class is to do our own reading, writing, and thinking, not to outsource these tasks to a machine. I recommend avoiding generative AI entirely. But if you do choose to make use of it for your work in this course, then to avoid plagiarism you must cite AI in accordance with JCU guidelines: https://johncabot.libguides.com/artificial-intelligence/citing. If you wish to use an AI-assisted grammar tool such as Grammarly, please consult me first.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Gain experience in the art of careful reading, for both Plato and Aristotle are very careful writers. 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 questions and arguments of Platonic and Aristotelian philosophy, and of how they might be relevant to our lives today.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
GorgiasPlatoCornell9780801485275  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
class participation(1) Students are expected to attend all classes (barring illness or other compelling reason), to have done the assigned reading carefully, and to come to class prepared to contribute meaningfully to class discussions. You must use the assigned editions of the texts and you must bring a hard copy of the reading to each class. The use of electronic devices in class is not permitted. (2) A written reflection consisting of one brief, well-crafted paragraph (double-spaced, please) on the assigned reading must be turned in at the beginning of every class, except when a paper is due. (If you are absent, bring the reflection to the following class.) The reflection should interpret a section of the reading or pose a good question, and must demonstrate that you have studied the text carefully and thoughtfully. One good approach is to try to state the main point of the reading (or a section of it). Needless to say, if you make use of other sources in writing your reflections you must give proper credit. (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).15
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" without proper citation qualifies as plagiarism.60
final examEssay questions on the assigned readings. 15
marking up the readingsMark up / annotate each reading (in pencil). This facilitates careful reading and active engagement with the text. Your work will be checked periodically during the semester.10

-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

Basic schedule (Detailed schedule will be available on Moodle)

Weeks 1-4: Aristotle, selections from the Metaphysics, Physics, and De Anima

Weeks 5-14: Plato's Gorgias