PHIL233

PHIL 233 Greek Philosophy

PHIL233
200 Level Course
Fall
3 Units
In-person
3

None

one-way Exclusions
  • Plato, Republic, and Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics. These are both available at the campus bookstore.

Instructor: Paul Fairfield

This course will examine two foundational texts in ancient Greek philosophy and in the western tradition as a whole: Plato’s Republic and Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. While neither text makes for easy reading, fear not. If you read them patiently, read my lecture notes, and come to class regularly, you will have a good understanding of these philosophers’ ideas by the end of the semester. The class format will be a combination of lectures, discussion, and debates. 

Assessments

Assessments

Students will write one essay of 2500-3000 words, to be worth 50% of the grade. 10% of the grade will be for class participation, and the remaining 40% will be for in-class debate participation. These will be formally structured debates. Each student will participate in two debates, to be worth 20% each, depending on enrollment.