PH-124: Introduction to Ancient Philosophy
Course Term: Spring Ahead Term 4 2023, March 13 - May 5
Instructor:
Anthony Pasqualoni
Adjunct Instructor
Department of Philosophy
pasqualonia@sacredheart.edu
Course Description and Learning Outcomes:
Students will gain an understanding of ancient philosophy by studying selected texts from Plato and Aristotle.
Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will apply critical thinking competences to philosophical problems and texts.
2. The student will develop writing skills by composing an essay, submitting weekly discussion posts, and completing a written exam.
3. The student will learn how to apply philosophical and critical thinking to current events and issues.
Required Texts:
Print (available through the university bookstore):
Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo
by Plato (Author), John M. Cooper (Editor), G. M. A. Grube (Translator)
Hackett Publishing Company; 2nd edition (October 1, 2002). ISBN-13: 978-0872206335
Republic
by Plato; Translated by G. M. A. Grube; Revised by C. D. C. Reeve
Publisher: Hackett Publishing Company (1992). ISBN-13: 978-0-87220-136-1
Online:
Aristotle: Metaphysics, Book 1
Course Schedule:
Week 1: Mar. 13-17: Read and discuss the general introduction (pp. ix-x) and the Apology (pp. 21-44) in Plato: Five Dialogues.
Week 2: Mar. 20-24: Read and discuss Meno (pp. 58-92) in Plato: Five Dialogues.
Week 3: Mar. 27-31: Read and discuss the preface, introduction, and Books I,II, and III in the Republic.
Week 4: April 3-7: Read and discuss Books IV,V, and VI in the Republic.
Week 5: April 10-14: Read and discuss Books VII,VIII, IX, and X in the Republic.
Week 6: April 17-21: Read Metaphysics, Book 1.
Week 7: April 24-28: Optional discussion
Week 8: May 1-5: Essay due. Exam due.
Grading:
Introduction: 5%
Discussion 1: 10%
Discussion 2: 10%
Discussion 3: 10%
Discussion 4: 10%
Discussion 5: 10%
Essay: 25%
Final Exam: 20%
The University grading scale is:
100–93 A / 92–90 A- / 89–87 B+ / 86–83 B / 82–80 B- / 79–77 C+ / 76–73 C / 72-70 C- / 69–67 D+ / 66–60 D / 59 and below F
Essay:
The essay will be due during the final week. Details and topics will be posted at least two weeks before the due date.
There are no extra-credit assignments. No credit will be given for assignments or exams submitted after the last day of class.
Discussions:
Unless otherwise stated, each discussion opens on Monday morning and closes Friday just before midnight. Instructions and a grading rubric have been posted on the Discussion Guidelines page. Partial credit will be given if your first post is submitted after the due date, but no credit will be given for posts submitted after a discussion closes.
Office Hours:
Office hours are Tues. and Weds. 9-10 am and by appointment — we can talk through video or phone. Contact me to set up a time.
Academic Integrity Policy and Administrative Statements:
Students should be familiar with Sacred Heart’s Academic Integrity Policy. The remarks about plagiarism are especially important, and they apply to all assignments and exams. If there is evidence of plagiarism, a grade of F will be given for the assignment; at my discretion, an F will be given for the final grade. If you have any questions about how to cite material, please let me know. The Jandrisevits Learning Center and the Ryan Matura Library can provide assistance as well.
The Office of Student Accessibility and other departments have provided information on student accommodations, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Withdrawing:
The course withdrawal policy provides details, including a list of deadlines, for withdrawing from the course. Contact the Student Accounts Office at 203-371-7925 to request a withdrawal.