PHIL 2011 ARISTOTLE

Department of Philosophy (School of Humanities)

Course Title

Aristotle

Course Code

PHIL 2011

No. of Credits

6

Department

Philosophy

Faculty

Arts

Pre-requisites

Course Code

None

Co-requisites Course Code

None

Course Coordinator

Dr. Alexandra Cook

Email

cookga@hku.hk

Telephone No.

2859 2796

Lectures

Tuesdays 10:30-12:25 p.m., MB 142

Learning Hours

Total: 70 Learning Hours.

Lecture (18hrs), Tutorial (4hrs), Private Study (4hrs/week: 48hrs minimum)

Student Quota

No limit

Course Type

¨ Core Course     ¨Compulsory       X Elective      ¨Other   

Offer in Academic Year

þ1st Semester     ¨ 2nd Semester     ¨Summer     ¨Year Long     ¨Other

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Aristotle contributed to many fields of philosophical inquiry: logic, biology, physics, politics, and ethics.  In this course we focus on Aristotle’s 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.  

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The course objectives are to:

1.       become conversant with the principal ideas of Aristotle presented in the course;

2.       develop a good understanding of the context in which Aristotle’s ideas emerged;

3.       apply Aristotle’s theories to modern issues and contexts, e.g. Hong Kong;

4.       develop interpretive, analytical, and argumentative skills in oral presentation and writing.

GUIDELINES ON GRADING AND STANDARDS OF ASSESSMENT

General Course Grade Descriptors:

A

 

B

 

C

D

 

 

F

Demonstrates original thought, strong analytical and critical abilities, as well as a thorough grasp of the topic; excellent organizational, rhetorical, and presentation skills.

Demonstrates evidence of critical and analytical thinking, but not necessarily original thought; good grasp of the topic; strong organizational, rhetorical, and presentation skills.

Demonstrates a reasonable grasp of the subject, but work is derivative, with little evidence of critical thinking; demonstrates fair organizational, rhetorical and presentation skills.

Assembles the bare minimum of information, poorly digested, and not well organized.  Little or no evidence of critical thinking.

Lacks knowledge and understanding of the subject; lacks coherence and organization.

COURSE PLAN

6 September: Course Introduction

 

13 September: no class--public holiday

 

20 September: Politics, pp. xxxix, 11-19, Polis, household & slavery

Selections from T. Wiedemann, Greek and Roman Slavery

 

27 September: Politics, pp. 18-30, Sexual hierarchy, property

 

4 October: Actual and ideal constitutions, Sparta—model for Plato

Plato, Republic, 416d-424a, 457c-466d (pdf); Xenophon, Constitution of the Lacedaemonians (pdf)

 

11 October: Sparta: anti-model for Aristotle: Politics, pp. 30-46, 49-59

 

18 October: no class--mid-term reading break

 

25 October: Citizenship: Politics, pp. 61-69, Constitution of Athens, pp. 211-63; Arnaoutouglou, Ancient Greek Laws: A Sourcebook, pp.17-19, epigamia (pdf)

 

1 November:  Types of constitutions and their ends: Politics, pp. 71-99, 106-119

 

8 November: Quiz

 

15 November: Politics, Book 7, pp. 166-186; Recommended: “Airs, Waters, Places,” in Hippocratic Writings (pdf)

 

22 November: Politics, Books 7-8, 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)

 

29 November: Essay revision tutorials: details tba

 

12 December: ESSAYS DUE

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

Aligned Programme Learning Outcomes

After participating in the course, students should

1)       be conversant with the principal ideas of Aristotle presented in the course;

2)       have a good understanding of the context in which these ideas emerged;

3)       be able to apply his theories in modern contexts, e.g. Hong Kong;

4)       demonstrate interpretive, analytical, and argumentative skills in oral presentation and writing.

 

1, 2

 

3

4

COURSE TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Course Teaching and Learning Activities

Aligned Course Learning Outcomes

There are two contact hours weekly, 1 x 2 hour lecture, plus a total of four 1-hour tutorials over the semester  (arrangements tba).  All tutorials are elective, EXCEPT for the tutorials on 29 November.

This course comprises interactive lectures and tutorials.  The tutorials will address questions raised in the online discussion forum as well as developing critical reading sills and sound arguments.

1.       Lectures

2.       Interactive class discussion

3.       Online discussion and forum

 

 

1, 2, 3

1, 2, 3, 4

1, 2, 3, 4

COURSE ASSESSMENT METHODS

Assessment Method

Description

Weight

Aligned Course Learning Outcomes

Participation in class and online forum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz

 

 

Essay

 

 

(1) one discussion question/comment on the reading posted at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of class on the course Yahoo group (you will be invited via email; sign-up sheet to be circulated in lecture).

 

(2) participation: in lecture + required essay revision tutorials on 29 November (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 Yahoo group.

 

The quiz will draw on the lectures, tutorials, and readings; 1 hour, 55 mins.

 

The essay gives students the opportunity to explore a topic of their choosing in depth, and formulate a careful argument.  The essay should be coherent, succinct, use proper grammar, display independent thought, AND reference Aristotle’s writings as evidence.  Circulation of essay drafts invites constructive peer feedback.  Should not exceed 2000 words.  Details tba.

25%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30%

 

 

45%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1, 3, 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,2,3,4

 

1,2,4, and possibly 3 (depending on chosen topic)

 

 

 ESSENTIAL READINGS: (Journals, textbooks, website addresses etc.)

 

Textbook:

Aristotle, The Politics and the Constitution of Athens, ed. S. Everson (Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1996).

 

Additional assigned texts are available for photocopying in the dept office; some may be available on the yahoo group, subject to copyright laws.

 

On reserve in the Main Library:

 

Aristotle, Politics (also on reserve in the Philosophy Dept General Office)

Books on the attached reading list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEANS/PROCESSES FOR STUDENT FEEDBACK ON COURSE

The SETL questionnaire is one HKU courses and teaching are evaluated. HKU places significant importance on student learning and on the continuous enhancement of teaching and learning outcomes.  Students are asked to complete this evaluation of their learning experiences at the conclusion of each course in which they enroll. Questionnaire items relate to the evaluation of the course as well as an evaluation of teaching.

COURSE POLICIES

Penalty for late submissions: 5% of original mark per late day, including weekends.

 

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 http://www0.hku.hk/plagiarism/page2s.htm.  In addition, students should familiarise themselves with http://lib.hku/hk/turnitin/.

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION

Queries to Dr Cook at cookga@hku.hk.

 

 

 

Background Readings

 

Main Library reserve (one-day):

 

Barker, E. The Political Thought of Plato and Aristotle. New York: Dover, 1959 (text by leading authority and translator).

 

Barnes, J. ed. Cambridge Companion to Aristotle. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1996 (collection of essays on variety of topics).

 

Brunschwig, J. and G.E.R. Lloyd, eds. Greek Thought: a guide to classical knowledge (collection of essays on a variety of cultural and historical topics).

 

Lloyd, G.E.R. Aristotle: The Growth and Structure of his Thought. London: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1968 (text written for Oxbridge undergraduates).

 

Mulgan, R.G. Aristotle’s Political Theory. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977 (solid, readable introduction).

 

Ober, J.  Mass and Elite in Democratic Athens: Rhetoric, Ideology and the Power of the People.  Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press, 1989 (also available as e-book).

 

     . The Athenian Revolution: essays on ancient Greek democracy and political theory.  Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press, 1996, 1999.

 

Ober, J. and Charles Hedrick.  Dēmokratia: a conversation on democracies, ancient and modern.  Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press, 1996, esp. pp. 91-104, 139-74, 187-202 (essays on Athenian notions of equality, freedom and rights).

 

Roberts, J. T. Athens on Trial: The Antidemocratic Tradition in Western Thought.  Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press, 1994 (helpful for understanding the antidemocratic element of Plato and Aristotle; also available as e-book).

 

Wiedemann, Thomas.  Greek and Roman Slavery. London and New York: Routledge, 1981 (historical documents and commentary; on reserve in Phil Dept library).