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Greek Philosophy (PHIL20040)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject examines the ideas of pre-Socratic philosophers, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. We focus specifically on the philosophical innovations of the Ancient Greeks, both in their contributions of radically new ideas and radically new methodologies. Specific questions to be discussed will include: What makes philosophy different from mythology? What is knowledge and how is it possible? What is the epistemological value of a definition? What is the nature of the soul and mind? What is virtue and what is its relation to happiness? What is the good life for a human being? These questions grew out of one another for the Greeks, and we will trace that development. We will also think about the relevance of Ancient Greek philosophical positions to our own lives and our own understanding of the world. In doing so, we will test the staying power of Plato and Aristotle’s thought and, more importantly, put into action the Socratic sentiment that the unexamined life is not worth living.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- Acquire ability to give an account of the scope, achievements, and principal concerns of some central Greek philosophical investigations into the nature of reality, knowledge and value;
- Improve skills in reading philosophical texts and in writing philosophical papers.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should:
- have developed their powers of critical and analytical thinking.
- be able to apply these powers to problems and issues in other areas of philosophy, and in other disciplines.
- have a deeper understanding of what it means to be a human being.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
PHIL10002 | Philosophy: The Big Questions | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PHIL10003 | Philosophy: The Great Thinkers | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- A 2000 word essay due mid-semester (50%)
- A 2000 word essay due during the end of semester examination period (50%)
Hurdle requirement:
- Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials (i.e., 8 out of 11 weeks) in order to pass this subject
- All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject
Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day; after five working days, late assessment will not be marked.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Emily Hulme Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 35 hours - 2 x 1 hour lectures each week and 1 x 1 hour tutorial in weeks 2-12 Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 29 July 2019 to 27 October 2019 Last self-enrol date 9 August 2019 Census date 31 August 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 27 September 2019 Assessment period ends 22 November 2019 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
Please note that whilst it is recommended that students complete a first year philosophy subject, before enrolling in this subject, this is not a requirement.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, trans. C.D.C. Reeve (Hackett, 2014)
Plato Complete Works, eds. John M. Cooper and D.S. Hutchinson (Hackett 1997) - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Ancient World Studies Major Philosophy Major Philosophy Major Breadth Track Ancient Greece Studies - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024