COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE PREFIX
AND NUMBER: PHI 209-01 (3 credits)
Spring, 2005 (Rus 2)
COURSE NAME:
ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Philip Blosser
Contact info: Russell House, No. 7;
P.O. Box 7211; Tel. ext. 7186.
Search L-R webpage for “Blosser” to find “Blosser’s homepage”
TEXTS:
-
Justin
D. Kaplan, ed., Dialogues of Plato (Jowett translations)
-
Mortimer Adler, Aristotle for
Everybody: Difficult Thought Made Easy (Bantam Books, 1980)
-
St. Augustine, Confessions,
translated by Frank Sheed (Hackett, 1992)
-
St.
Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae: A Concise Translation
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
[Prerequisites: none]
A
study of selected major philosophers and their writings from early Greek to late
Medieval times. A consideration of the synthesis of Greek and Christian thought achieved
in such thinkers as Augustine and Aquinas, and the breakdown of this synthesis
in the late medieval nominalist thinkers, such as Scotus and Ockham. May be repeated on different topics with consent of the
instructor.
SPECIFIC COURSE
OBJECTIVES/COMPETENCIES:
This course is designed to acquaint the student with (1) a brief survey of the
basic philosophical movements of the Patristic and Medieval periods, (2) a
substantial introduction to the system of thought of two major philosophers
through selected readings from their works (and secondary expositions), and (3)
a general grasp of the classic problems of epistemology, metaphysics, and moral
philosophy as they emerge in the theories examined.
In
the first part of the course, we will deal with the historical background and
development of Ancient philosophy and read selections from the Jowett’s
translations of Plato’s dialogues, and from Mortimer Adler’s
eminently capable popular exposition of Aristotle’s philosophy.
In the second part of the course, we will deal with the historical
background and development of Medieval philosophy and read selections from the
famous Confessions of St. Augustine, than whom no greater Patristic
thinker can be conceived, and from McDermott’s excellent translation of the
magnum opus, Summa Theologiae, by St. Thomas Aquinas, than whom no
greater medieval Scholastic can be conceived.
As both of these Medieval writers are theologians as well as
philosophers, we will inevitably be treating some theological, as well as
philosophical, issues.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Selected readings, reaction papers, a 8-10 page research paper, a mid-term, and
a final exam. A proposed outline of
your paper is due before Mid-Term Break; the final draft of your paper is due on
the last day of class before reading day.
EVALUATION:
Reaction papers = 15% of final grade; mid-term = 20%; final
exam = 30%; class participation = 10% (3 excused absences); research paper =
25%. Academic integrity is
expected.
Grades will be based on reaction papers (quality,
effort, promptness--not on point of view), tests (which will involve a mix of
objective, short-answer, and essay questions) and quality of participation.
Exams: excepting extenuating cases, tests may be
taken only on days scheduled. If a
test is missed, there is no penalty. However,
the material covered by the missed test will be included as part of a cumulative
final examination (i.e., for the person who has missed a test, the final will be
cumulative with respect to the material on the missed test).
Attendance policy: only 3 excused absences per
semester without affecting final grade.
Academic integrity is expected and respected.
Cheating (copying, plagiarism, etc.) is morally reprehensible, will not
be tolerated, and if discovered will result in automatic failure of the course.
Final exam time: Friday, April
29, 2005, at 1:00pm (The final is required and cannot be re-scheduled.)
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SUGGESTED RESOURCES
Brown, Peter, R. L. Augustine
of Hippo: A Biography
Copleston, F.C., S.J. A
History of Philosophy (especially Vol. 1 on Greek philosophy and Vol.
2 on Medieval philosophy)
Copleston, F.C. S.J., Aquinas
Dooyeweerd, Herman.
Roots of Western Culture (6 vols in
library)
Edwards, Paul. The
Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 8 vols.
Gilson, Etienne. The
Christian Philosophy of St. Augustine
Gilson, Etienne. The
Christian Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas
Gilson, Etienne. Being
and Some Philosophers
Leff, Gordon. Medieval Thought
The New Catholic Encyclopedia
Runes, Dagobert D. Dictionary
of Philosophy
GRADING SCALE:
| A- |
92-93 |
| A |
94-100 |
| B+ |
90-92 |
| B |
84-89 |
| B- |
82-83 |
| C+ |
80-81 |
| C |
74-79 |
| C- |
72-73 |
| D+ |
70-71 |
| D |
64-69 |
| D- |
62-63 |
| F+ |
60-61 |
| F |
52-59 |
| F- |
0-51 plus a lashing !!!!!!! |
List
of Blosser's current courses