2017/2018
Plato’s Republic
Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'
Type:
Optional course (university)
Delivered by:
School of Philosophy
When:
3 module
Instructors:
Aaron James Wendland
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
24
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Plato’s Republic is a foundational text in Philosophy. It has also had a profound influence on Western Civilization, generally. Themes to be discussed include: truth, knowledge, reality, justice, statecraft, morality, sexuality, and art.
Learning Objectives
- The aim of this course is to introduce students from across the University to the Republic via a close reading of Plato’s classic text.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- The meaning of the text is adequately exposed and explained
- Main arguments of the author are correctly reconstructed
- Own position is articulated and supported by sound arguments
Course Contents
- 1. The Last Days of Socrates – Plato’s Apology: 37-67 [17a-42a]
- 2. Republic – Justice and Injustice: 3-24 [327a-342e]
- 3. Republic – The Value of Injustice: 25-52 [343a-367e]
- 4. Republic – Principles of Societal Organization and Education: 53-111 [368a-412a]
- 5. Republic – Class Structure in an Ideal Society: 112-129 [412b-427c]
- 6. Republic – Justice in the State and Individual: 130-156 [427d-449a]
- 7. Republic – Women and the Family: 157-188 [449a-471c]
- 8. Republic – Philosopher Kings: 189-225, 249-274 [471c-502c, 521c-541a]
- 9. Republic – Knowledge and Reality: 189-192, 226-248 [471c-474b, 502d-521b]
- 10. Republic – Imperfect Societies: 275-334 [543a-592b]
- 11. Republic – Art and Immortality: 335-368 [595a-621d]
Assessment Elements
- First assignment
- Second assignment
- Third assignment
- Fourth assignment
- Fifth assignment
Interim Assessment
- Interim assessment (3 module)0.2 * Fifth assignment + 0.2 * First assignment + 0.2 * Fourth assignment + 0.2 * Second assignment + 0.2 * Third assignment
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Benson, H. H. (2006). A Companion to Plato. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=193221
- Plato. (2016). Republic (Vol. Enriched Classic). [N.p.]: Simon & Schuster. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1992908
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Plato, & Blackburn, S. (2018). The Republic. Kesington: Clydesdale. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1708022
- Schofield, M. (2006). Plato : Political Philosophy. Oxford: OUP Oxford. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=215317