Plato and Aristotle
Greek 904
Spring 2011
Student Learning Outcomes
 Students will be able to read, translate and interpret ancient Greek texts at an advanced level.
 Students will develop an enhanced understanding of written and spoken English
 Students will develop an understanding of other cultural traditions, expanding their cultural experience and
being presented with fresh perspectives on their own cultural assumptions and traditions
 Students will develop an understanding of human experiences and cultures through close reading and
critical analysis of history
 Students will be able to research, synthesize, and draw reasoned arguments from the evidence of history
Text:
Plato; Aristotle
This course is intended for advanced, mature students, who can effectively and conscientiously work through the
readings and fulfill the assignments with minimal supervision.
Requirements:
 weekly tutorial meetings with instructor
 completion of assigned texts - ancient and secondary
 final project, to be delivered orally during the final week of classes, with outline and sources due during
exam week
Evaluation: Grades will be based on the following components:
 Class preparation and work in tutorial: 25%
 Exam #1: 25%
 Exam #2: 25%
 Final Project: 25%
Class attendance. Students are expected to go to class regularly.
Accommodations for students with disabilities: Southwestern University is committed to assisting students with
disabilities. Southwestern University will make reasonable accommodations for students with documented
disabilities. To arrange accommodations students should contact Kimele Carter, the Academic Services Coordinator
within the Office of Academic Success, PRC 120; phone 863-1536; e-mail carterk@southwestern.edu). Students
seeking accommodations should notify the Academic Services Coordinator at least two weeks before services are
needed. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss any necessary accommodations with the appropriate faculty
member.
Final grades. The plus and minus grading system will be used for final grades. Semester % averages will translate
to the following letter grades:
GRADE
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
INCLUSIVE GPA POINTS
% RANGE
EQUIV.
96.7-100.0
4.00
93.4-96.6
4.00
90.0-93.3
3.67
86.7-89.9
3.33
83.4-86.6
3.00
80.0-83.3
2.67
76.7-79.9
2.33
C
CD+
D
D-
73.4-76.6
70.0-73.3
66.7-69.9
63.4-66.6
60.0-63.3
2.00
1.67
1.33
1.00
0.67
Divided Line (wikipedia)
Republic 6 (509D–513E)
Segment
Type of knowledge
DE
Philosophical knowledge (νόησις)
(highest)
Type of object
Forms, especially the Form of the Good
CD
Mathematical knowledge (διάνοια)
Abstract mathematical objects, such as
numbers and lines
BC
Beliefs about physical things (πίστις), including
scientific knowledge
Physical things
AB
(lowest)
Opinions, illusions (εἰκασία)
"Shadows" and things which do not really
exist
ὁρατόν, νοητόν
Weekly Schedule
10 January - 16 January
Introduction to Plato
Read (in English) Republic, Analogy of the Divided Line (VI. 509D–513E)[see "Additional
Resources," "Plato, Republic (Jowett trans.)," "Now take a line which has been cut into two
...." above]
17 January - 23 January
Plato, Republic, 514α-516α4 (λεγομένων ἀληθῶν)
24 January - 30 January
Plato Republic 516α4-518β12 (μετρίως λέγεις)
31 January - 6 February
Plato, Republic 518β12-519δ (αὐτοῖς ὂν ἄμεινον)
7 February - 13 February
tba
14 February - 20 February
tba
21 February - 27 February
tba
28 February - 6 March
tba
7 March - 13 March
tba
14 March - 20 March
spring break
21 March - 27 March
tba
28 March - 3 April
tba
4 April - 10 April
tba
11 April - 17 April
tba
18 April - 24 April
tba
25 April - 1 May
final project due