PHIL 411: ANCIENT WESTERN PHILOSOPHY
Section 1 (22376) TTH 4:00 – 5:15 pm (IT-101)
COURSE SYLLABUS – FALL 2013
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Instructor: H. V. Reyes
Office: AL 427
E-mail: hreyes@mail.sdsu.edu
(619) 594-8839
Office Hours: MWF 10:00-10:50am; TTH 3:00-3:50 pm
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Ancient western philosophy through the third century CE.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
It is my hope that students will gain philosophical illumination through a close and
careful reading and analysis of the great works of the ancient western philosophers and in doing
so come to realize that in many respects the ideas and claims of these ancient western
philosophers are not antiquated (i.e., dated). It is also my hope that in the process of engaging in
a close reading and interpretation of the works of these ancient western philosophers students
will not only be enlightened but also entertained.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to read and write critically; discuss
and articulate different and opposing philosophical perspectives; and demonstrate awareness of
the contribution of ancient philosophy to the evolving history of philosophy.
NOTE #1: Any students with special needs due to documented medical condition should
avail themselves of the resources of the Disabled Student Services Office, Calpulli Center
Rm 301(619-594-6473). Students who have concerns that might prevent them from
otherwise doing well in this course should discuss this with the instructor so that proper
arrangement may be made to accommodate their conditions.
NOTE#2: Students must inform instructor within the first two weeks of class of any
planned absences on account of religious observances.
REQUIRED TEXT: Baird. Forrest E. 2011. Ancient Philosophy, vol. 1 6/E. Prentice Hall
(ISBN: 978-0-205-78385-4)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Attendance and Participation (in-class and on-line):
 Because of the nature of the course and the structure by which it is conducted, it is
imperative for the students to attend each class on time. It will be to your benefit to
avoid unnecessary absences as such absences drastically affect your appreciation and
understanding of the materials discussed as well as your performance in the exams.

To be prepared for each class and actively participate in class activity. You will have
(or at least have tried to) read and thought about the assigned reading before each
class. Be sure to bring the assigned text or handout with you to class. Active
participation requires that you follow closely the on-going class discussion, think of
the questions asked and answers offered even if you are not the one asked. Keep in
mind that you are a major participant to the philosophical conversation going on in
class.

On-line class participation will be through the Blackboard Discussion Board.
For every major reading assigned, you will be asked to answer some questions
based on the reading, or make comments about some passages taken from the
reading, or participate in a group discussion or activity.
2. 3 Major Exams: These are announced/scheduled hour-long essay exams. One week before
the scheduled quiz (to give focus and direction in your preparation) you will be provided
with guide questions from which the quiz questions will be chosen at random. Please refer to
the course outline section of this handout for the dates of the quizzes.
3. Final Exam: This is a comprehensive essay exam, covering all the philosophers discussed in
the course.
GRADING POLICY: Your final grade will be based on the following distribution of points:
60 % -------------------- 3 Major Exams
20 % -------------------- Online Discussion Board
20 % -------------------- Final Exam
100 % ------------------ Final Grade
Your letter grade will be based on the following scale:
96 – 100 ---------- A
76 – 79 ----------- C+
90 - 95 ----------- A73 – 75 ----------- C
86 – 89 ----------- B+
70 – 72 ----------- C83 – 85 ----------- B
66 – 69 ----------- D+
80 – 82 ----------- B60 – 65 ----------- D
Anything below 60 is an F.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Week #1 (8/27; 8/29) Introduction
Get acquainted, class orientation, discuss course requirements, etc.
Assignment for Week #2: Read the Milesians (pp, 8-13)
Week #2 (9/3; 9/5): The Milesians
Discuss Thales, Anaximande, Anaximenes
Assignment for Week #3: Read Three Solitary Figures (pp.14-21)
Week #3 (9/10; 9/12): Three Solitary figures
Discuss Pythagoras, Xenophanes, Heraclitus
ODB #1 DUE: THURSDAY, 9/12
Assignment for Week #4: Read the Monists (pp. 22-30)
Week #4 (9/17; 9/19): The Monists
Discuss Parmenides, Zeno of Elea
ODB#2 DUE: THURSDAY, 9/19
Assignment for Week #5: Read the Pluralists (pp. 31-42)
- Review for Major Exam #1
Week #5 (9/24; 9/26): The Pluralists
Discuss Empedocles, Anaxagoras, Democritus and Leucippus
MAJOR EXAM #1: THURSDAY, 9/26
Assignment for Week #6: Read the Sophists (pp. 43-48)
Week #6 (10/1; 10/3): The Sophists
Discuss Protagoras, Gorgias, Critias
Assignment for Week #7: Read Euthyphro, Apology, Crito (pp. 70-107)
Week #7 (10/8; 10/10): Socrates
Discuss Socrates
ODB #3 DUE: THURSDAY, 10/10
Assignment for Week #8: Read Plato’s Phaedo, Meno, Symposium (pp. 108-199)
Week #8 (10/15; 10/17): Plato
Discuss Plato
ODB #4 DUE: THURSDAY, 10/17
Assignment for Week #9: Read Plato’s Republic, Parmenides, Theaetetus,
Timaeus, Laws (pp. 199-314)
Week #9 (10/22; 10/24): Plato
Continue to discuss Plato
ODB #5 DUE: THURSDAY, 10/24
Assignment for Week #10: Read Aristotle’s Categories, Physics, Metaphysics (pp. 319371)
- Review for Major Exam #2
Week #10 (10/29; 10/31): Aristotle
Discuss Aristotle
MAJOR EXAM #2: THURSDAY, 10/31
Assignment for Week #11: Read Aristotle’s selections: On the soul,
Ethics, Politics (pp. 371-450)
Nicomachean
Week #11 (11/5; 11/7): Aristotle
Continue to discuss Aristotle
ODB #6 DUE: THURSDAY, 11/7
Assignment for Week # 12: Read Epicurus (pp. 469-490)
Week # 12 (11/12; 11/14): Epicurus
Discuss Epicurus
Assignment for Week #13: Read Lucretius and the Early Stoa (pp. 492-504; pp.507517)
Week # 13 (11/19; 11/21): Lucretius and Zeno of Citium
Discuss Lucretius
Discuss Zeno of Citium
Assignment for Week 14: Read Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius (pp. 519- 539);
and Sextus Empiricus (pp.541-545)
- Review for Exam #3
Week #14 (11/26): MAJOR EXAM #3: TUESDAY, 11/26
THANKSGIVING RECESS (11/28-11/29) – NO CLASS
Week #15 (12/3; 12/5): Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Pyrrho, Sextus Empiricus
Discuss Epictetus
Discuss Marcus Aurelius
Discuss Pyrrho
Discuss Sextus Empiricus
12/10: Last day of regular class; distribute pre-final grade
FINAL EXAM: TUESDAY, DEC. 12 – 3:30-5:30 pm
Pyrrho