PHIL
2011 ARISTOTLE
DEPARTMENT OF
PHILOSOPHY
THE
SEMESTER II
2009-10
Lecturer: Dr Alexandra Cook
Email: cookga@hku.hk
Lecture info: Tuesdays 10:40-12:30 p.m., MB 142
Tutorials: REQUIRED
essay tutorials on 20 April; we shall schedule additional ones if there is sufficient
demand, and students are prepared to attend.
Mobile phones: should be OFF
during lectures and tutorials.
Course Summary:
The influence of Aristotle down
through the centuries has been enormous¡Xhe contributed to virtually every field
of inquiry: logic, biology, physics, politics, and ethics. In this course we focus on his political
and social thought in both its theoretical and empirical aspects. We examine such key categories of
Aristotelian thought such as virtue, happiness, the polis, justice, nature,
final ends, education and the Good for man.
The principal texts for this course are
in Aristotle¡¦s The Politics and The Constitution of Athens, available from the HKU bookstore, Main Library Reserves and
the Dept. library (see Ms. Loletta Li). I shall provide some secondary
readings on a separate list to provide background knowledge, but these readings
should not form the basis for essays or other assignments. The primary
sources by Aristotle are the main focus of the course.
Course Texts:
On reserve in the Main Library:
Aristotle, Politics
Books on reading list
CLASS FORMAT:
The class meets for two hours once a
week. The format comprises some
combination of comments by the lecturer, short presentations by students and
discussion.
ASSESSMENT (THREE components):
1. Test (30%): 23 March
2. Participation (25%):
(1) one discussion question/comment on the reading
posted at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of class (a sign-up sheet will be
circulated in lecture).
(2) participation: in lecture + required
essay revision tutorials on 20 April (failure to
participate WILL affect your grade).
(3) at least ONE well thought-out response to the question/comment for the
day on the course Google group (you will need a
Google identity).
3. Essay (45%): due 7 May, not to exceed 2000 words.
The goal of the
essay is to give students the opportunity to explore a topic in depth, and formulate
a careful argument. Essays should
be coherent, succinct, use proper grammar, display independent thought, AND reference Aristotle¡¦s writings as evidence. Circulation of essay drafts invites
comments from a wider audience for constructive feedback.
Course web page:
http://www3.hku.hk/philodep/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.Courses
.
Academic honesty:
Unacknowledged use of others¡¦
work constitutes plagiarism. There
are serious penalties for this academic offense. Reference your work correctly. See the following
link for guidelines on proper referencing:
http://www3.hku.hk/philodep/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.Citation. See ¡¥What is Plagiarism?¡¦ at www.hku.hku/plagiarism
for a full discussion of plagiarism.
Penalty for late submissions: 5% of original mark per late day, including
weekends.
COURSE PLAN:
19 January: Course
Introduction
Recommended: Selections from T. Wiedemann, Greek and Roman Slavery
2 February: Politics, pp. 18-30, Sexual Hierarchy,
Property
13 April: Politics, pp. 186-199, Principles of education; pp.199-207,
Music education, musical instruments and harmoniai; Recommended: W.D.
Anderson, Music and Musicians in Ancient
Greece, ch. 5 (pdf)