MODULE SPECIFICATION
Code: UPZPMS-30-1 Title: Ancient Philosophy Version: 2
Level: 1 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15
Module type: Standard
Owning Faculty: CAHE Field: Philosophy
Faculty Committee approval: QSC Date:
Approved for Delivery by: indicate name of affiliated institution if module will only be delivered by them
Valid from: September 2010 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards: Awards up to BA (Hons)
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Entry requirements: If the module is offered as CPD or stand alone, indicate the entry requirements
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
On completion of the module students are expected to demonstrate:
1. the ability to use a range of logical, analytical, and theoretical tools in the analysis of philosophical issues arising from the study of ancient philosophical texts (assessed at all assessment points)
2. transferable written skills in the presentation and analysis of arguments (assessed at all assessment points)
3. a knowledge of the historical development of ancient philosophy from the beginnings to Plato
Syllabus outline:
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the foundational names, texts, and ideas of early Greek philosophy and thus, a fortiori, to the foundational ideas of Western philosophy as a whole. The first term will focus on the earliest philosophers up to and including Socrates. The second term will focus on the philosophy of Plato. The course will lay foundations for the study of philosophy that can be built upon in subsequent study. Its historical introduction to philosophy will form a useful counterpoint to the problem-based introductions to philosophy available in other modules.
Teaching and learning methods:
Teaching will be by lecture and writing assignment. While other modules will focus on argument and presentation skills via seminars and presentations, this module will focus on reading and writing skills, with an emphasis on the study of philosophical texts and their critical analysis in written assignments.
Reading Strategy
Students will be required to purchase the key texts (inexpensive and widely available) that form the focus of the module. Extensive bibliographies of secondary literature (with recommendations) will be provided in the module handbook and, wherever possible, full use of the electronic journals will be made to ease access to the scholarly literature. Additional material for this new module will be ordered for the library. When necessary additional out of copyright material will be made available electronically via myuwe/blackboard.
Indicative Reading List: (see guidance notes)
The following list is offered to provide validation panels/accrediting bodies with an indication of the type and level of information students may be expected to consult. As such, its currency may wane during the life span of the module specification. However, as indicated above, CURRENT advice on readings will be available via other more frequently updated mechanisms.
J. Barnes, The Presocratic Philosophers (London: Routledge, 1982)
J. Barnes, ed., The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995)
G. Fine, ed. Plato (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999)
W. K. C. Guthrie, A History of Greek Philosophy, 6 vols (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1962-1981)
A. Kenny, Ancient Philosophy (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004)
G. B. Kerferd, The Sophistic Movement (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1981)
R. Kraut, ed., The Cambridge Companion to Plato (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992)
A.A. Long, ed., The Cambridge Companion to Early Greek Philosophy (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999)
C. Shields, Aristotle (Abingdon: Routledge, 2007)
J. Warren, Presocatics (Stocksfield: Acumen, 2007)
R. Waterfield, The First Philosophers (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000)
M. Wright, Introducing Greek Philosophy (Stocksfield: Acumen, 2009)
Assessment
Please state which element of assessment should be recorded as the final assessment for the purposes of submitting data on non-submissions to HEFCE. (For further information please contact Academic Registry.)
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 40% B: 60%
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity (Sit)
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Examination (3 Hours) FINAL 40%
Component B
1. 2,000 word essay 30%
2. 2,000 word essay 30%
Second Assessment Opportunity (Resit) (further attendance at taught classes is not required)
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Examination (3 Hours) 40%
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
1. 2,000 word essay 30%
2. 2,000 word essay 30%
EXCEPTIONAL SECOND ATTEMPT (Retake): Attendance at taught classes is not required.
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)