Modesto Junior College

Spring Term, 2002

Dr. Joseph Monast

Office: FH 104C Phone: 575-6124

Office hours: MWF 9:00 - 10:00 AM Email: monastj@yosemite.cc.ca.us

TTh 1:00 - 2:00 PM

Syllabus for:

PHILO 120, Ancient Philosophy

Section 1214 (MW 2:10-3:30 PM, FH182)

Course Description: Western ideas and philosophers from ancient Greece to the 16^th century, with a consideration of prominent Eastern philosophies. The primary focus is on Greek and Roman philosophy, and the development of Christian philosophy through the Middle Ages. Some of the topics include free will/determinism, the nature of existence, being, definition, and logic.

Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

A. Describe, distinguish, demonstrate, analyze, explain and evaluate the historical development of specific philosophic issues, e.g., determinism/free will, logic, existence, being, definition, ethics, psychology.

B. Identify, evaluate, and justify the historical development of various world views.

C. Explain and assess the change in specific philosophical issues from ancient times to the mid-16^th century.

D. Explain and assess the differences and similarities of world views of various epochs in history.

E. Criticize, appraise and estimate the value of various world views.

F. Discuss and evaluate the philosophical contributions from the past in the light of their cultural settings.

G. Judge the meaning and value of this heritage in the world today.

Student audience:

No prerequisites. This course is appropriate for students in any major area of study.

Instructional Facilities: The primary facilities are classroom lectures and discussions, assigned readings and such additional or supplementary readings as the student may find valuable to his understanding of the thinkers and issues being discussed. The library is, of course, an excellent resource. Also excellent, if used carefully, is the World Wide Web. Use the normal search engines, such as Yahoo or Google, but also try Hippias, which is dedicated to philosophy and philosophical resources. Be advised, though, that while there are some excellent resources on the Web, there are some less than excellent. Unfortunately there is no guarantee of the quality of many Web sites you will locate, so utilize the knowledge you’ve gained from your reading as well as your own good judgment in assessing any of the information you do find. If you like, I would be happy to take a look at such sites as you locate to help you determine their usefulness.

Instructional Methods and Assignments:

As its primary instructional methods, this class will utilize lectures on background, discussion of terms and methods, practice in philosophic investigation of historical or current issues, and outside reading and writing assignments on opposing viewpoints and important issues. Methods for achieving learner independence and critical thinking include reading assignments exploring a variety of philosophical positions and their logical defenses as well as writing assignments emphasizing critical and evaluative support for various philosophical positions. The student may expect reading assignments for most classes and must come to class prepared to participate in a discussion of the material. Throughout the term the student should expect to write analytic essays discussing and resolving assigned problems in the logic and philosophy of science and scientific method.

Grading/Evaluation System and Policies:

Class participation - 16 points

3 4-page essays - 12 points each

3 tests, including final examination - 16 points each

Textbook:

Louis Pojman, Classics of Philosophy, Volume One: Ancient and Medieval, Oxford University Press.

Attendance and Timeliness: Class attendance and participation are important in this class, as in your other classes. My policy is to consider over 6 hours (2 class weeks) of unexcused absences as excessive, and I reserve the right to withdraw from the class those students who exceed this. [If your absences are ones I would consider legitimately to be excused, make certain you contact me as soon as possible.] Although I intensely dislike tardiness and strongly discourage it, I do not intend to count tardies as absences... although I do reserve the right to change that policy if tardiness proves to be a problem.

Behavioral Expectations: Students in this class are expected to behave as mature adults, respectful of their classmates, their instructor and themselves. Among other issues too numerous to list in detail are the following: cell phones and pagers are to be turned off during class; cheating in any form will not be tolerated; respect your fellows in class discussion, especially as the topics might become particularly controversial; and come to class prepared, having carefully read the assigned material. Turn in your assignments on time and take tests on the days assigned. Tardy assignments and missed tests may be made up only with my permission, which will require a really good excuse that I, as a reasonably intelligent and reasonably sane person, would accept as a legitimate one for failing to satisfy an obligation.

SPRING 2002 MW SCHEDULE*

*The following schedule is tentative and subject to amendment as needed.

DATE CLASS # ASSIGNMENT/PROJECTED ACTIVITY

SECTION ONE: THE PRESOCRATICS AND PLATO

Mon., Jan. 7 1 Introduction and Orientation

Wed., Jan. 9 2 Thales and the Milesians, pp. 3-6 and 11-12

Mon., Jan. 14 3 Pythagoras and the Eleatics, pp. 6-9 and 12

Wed., Jan. 16 4 Heraclitus, the Atomists, and Anaxagoras, pp. 9-10 and 12-14

Mon., Jan. 21 MLK Jr. Holiday

Wed., Jan. 23 5 Plato's Apology, pp. 28-41

Mon., Jan. 28 6 Plato's Republic, pp. 74-80

Wed., Jan. 30 7 Plato's Republic, pp. 80-92

Mon., Feb. 4 8 Plato's Republic, pp. 174-181

Wed., Feb. 6 9 Plato's Republic, pp. 181-185

Mon., Feb. 11 10 Test #1, Pre-Socratics and Plato

Wed., Feb. 13 11 Essay One due, no reading assignment.

Mon., Feb. 18 Washington's Birthday Holiday

SECTION TWO: ARISTOTLE

Wed., Feb. 20 12 Introduction to Aristotle and Aristotle's Categories, pp. 245-251

Mon., Feb. 25 13 Aristotle's Physics, pp. 255-266

Wed., Feb. 27 14 Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, pp. 289-298

Mon., Mar. 4 15 Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, pp.298-304

Wed., Mar. 6 16 Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, pp. 304-314

Mon., Mar. 11 17 Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, pp.315-320

Wed., Mar. 13 18 Aristotle's Politics, pp. 320-330

Mon., Mar. 18 19 Aristotle's Politics, pp. 330-336

Wed., Mar. 20 20 Aristotle's Politics, pp. 336-345

Mon., Mar. 25 21 Test #2, Aristotle

Wed., Mar. 27 22 Essay Two due, no reading assignment

Mon., Apr. 1 Spring Break

Wed., Apr. 3 Spring Break

SECTION THREE: HELLENISTIC AND MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY

Mon., Apr. 8 23 Epicurus' "Letter" and "Principle Doctrines," pp. 352-358

Wed., Apr. 10 24 Epictetus' Encheiridion, pp. 358-369

Mon., Apr. 15 25 Sextus Empiricus' "Outlines of Pyrrhonism," pp. 370-379

Wed., Apr. 17 26 St. Augustine's "On Free Will," 393-407

Mon., Apr. 22 27 St. Augustine's "Time and Eternity," pp. 408-420

Wed., Apr. 24 28 Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy, pp. 421-428 and

Avicenna's "Essay on the Secret of Destiny," pp. 429-431

Mon., Apr. 29 29 Anselm's Proslogium and his exchange with Guanilo, pp. 432-435

Wed., May 1 30 St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica, pp. 442-446

Mon., May 6 31 St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica, pp. 446-453

Wed., May 8 32 Essay Three due; wrap-up and review

FRIDAY, MAY 10 (12-2 PM) FINAL EXAM (TEST #3)