Module Descriptors
INTRODUCING ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHY
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Key Facts
Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies
Level 4
10 credits
Contact
Leader: David Webb
Email: D.A.Webb@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 24
Independent Study Hours: 56
Total Learning Hours: 80
Assessment
- COURSEWORK -ESSAY weighted at 50%
- EXAMINATION - UNSEEN IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Assessment
A COURSEWORK -ESSAY weighted at 50%.
A EXAMINATION - UNSEEN IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS length HOUR(S) weighted at 50%.
@Generated by system
A EXAMINATION - UNSEEN IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS length HOUR(S) weighted at 50%.
@Generated by system
Module Learning Outcome
Upon completion of the module, students will have achieved:
(1) an understanding of the basic ideas and themes within Plato's philosophy
(2) skills in reading and interpreting philosophical texts
(3) an awareness of the way in which Greek philosophy forms the basis for
subsequent developments within the history of western philosophy
(4) and awareness of the way in which philosophy interralates with other
disciplines, such as politics, art, law, literature, etc.
(1) an understanding of the basic ideas and themes within Plato's philosophy
(2) skills in reading and interpreting philosophical texts
(3) an awareness of the way in which Greek philosophy forms the basis for
subsequent developments within the history of western philosophy
(4) and awareness of the way in which philosophy interralates with other
disciplines, such as politics, art, law, literature, etc.
Module Learning Strategies
The module will be taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, and
formal debates. It will be assessed through a mixture of short papers and
end of module short examination.
formal debates. It will be assessed through a mixture of short papers and
end of module short examination.
Module Indicative Content
The module will use Plato's Republic as the basis for examining the
emergence of the key ideas of Greek philosophy. It will commence by
situating Greek philosophy within its social and cultural context. The
module then falls into 3 sections: i - Greek metaphysics: an examination of
the analogy of the cave and the line, and the theory of forms:ii - Politics:
an examination of the debates concerning different systems of government; the
nature of the good and the just; and Plato's ideal Republic; iii - Aesthetics
mimesis, the nature of the work of art, and the relation of this issue to
Plato's metaphysics; Plato's objections to the artist and the work of art.
Throughout the course the necessary interrelationship between these three
themes will be stressed and explored.
emergence of the key ideas of Greek philosophy. It will commence by
situating Greek philosophy within its social and cultural context. The
module then falls into 3 sections: i - Greek metaphysics: an examination of
the analogy of the cave and the line, and the theory of forms:ii - Politics:
an examination of the debates concerning different systems of government; the
nature of the good and the just; and Plato's ideal Republic; iii - Aesthetics
mimesis, the nature of the work of art, and the relation of this issue to
Plato's metaphysics; Plato's objections to the artist and the work of art.
Throughout the course the necessary interrelationship between these three
themes will be stressed and explored.
Module Resources
IT facilities, Library, seminar rooms for the preparation of independent and group work.
Module Texts
Plato, Republic (Hackett, 1982)
Melling D, Understanding Plato (Oxford University Press, 1987)
Cross R C, Plato's Republic (Macmillan, 1964)
Reeve R D C, Philosopher Kings: the Argument of Plato's Republic (Princeton University Press, 1992).
Melling D, Understanding Plato (Oxford University Press, 1987)
Cross R C, Plato's Republic (Macmillan, 1964)
Reeve R D C, Philosopher Kings: the Argument of Plato's Republic (Princeton University Press, 1992).
Module Additional Assessment Details
Coursework 50%
(This will take the form of 2 short pieces of work comprising philosophical
analysis of selected reading from the text (approx 750 words)
Examination (1 Hour) 50%
Students are required to both pass the examination and submit coursework to
a satisfactory standard in order to pass the module.
(This will take the form of 2 short pieces of work comprising philosophical
analysis of selected reading from the text (approx 750 words)
Examination (1 Hour) 50%
Students are required to both pass the examination and submit coursework to
a satisfactory standard in order to pass the module.