PP3SSG-Society and State in Ancient Greece

Module Provider: Philosophy
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr George Mason
Email: g.p.mason@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

A module devoted to the study of classic works in Ancient Greek political philosophy, including some or all of Aristotle’s Politics and Rhetoric and Plato’s Republic and Gorgias. We look at the philosophers’ conceptions of politics, society, and government, and examine their relevance to modern concerns and issues.

Aims:

This module will introduce you to ancient philosophy through a study of the influential Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module you will:

• have a detailed understanding of one or more central texts in Ancient Greek Philosophy


• understand the  moral and political philosophy of the philosophers studied, and the basic outlines of their philosophy in general.


• have a grasp of some of the classic problems in ancient philosophy, particularly in moral and political philosophy.


• be able to relate what you have learned to some of the traditional and contemporary problems of moral and political philosophy.

 

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

The module texts will be some or all of:

• S. Everson (ed. and trans.), Aristotle: The Politics and the Constitution of Athens, Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought (Cambridge Univ. Press, 1996).


• C. D. C. Reeve (ed. and trans.), Plato: Republic, (Hackett, 2004)


• H. C. Lawson-Tancred (ed. and trans.,Aristotle: The Art of Rhetoric, (Penguin Books, 2004)


• Chris Emlyn-Jones(ed. and trans.) & Walter Hamilton (trans.) Plato: Gorgias, (Penguin Books, 2004) 

Recommended preparatory reading:

1. J. Barnes, Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000)


2. Julia Annas, Plato: A Very Short Introduction, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003)

The module will cover some or all of thefollowing topics:

• Origins of the state


• Natural slavery


• Private property


• Types of political organization


• Who is a citizen?


• Political power


• Rhetoric


• Democracy, oligarchy, aristocracy, tyranny


• The ideal state


• Education

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will consist of 10 x 2 hour lectures and 10 seminars devoted to an important article on a topic from the Politics, designed to stimulate class discussion.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Seminars	10
Guided independent study:	170
Total hours by term	200
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One paper review: 35%

One essay: 65%.

Formative assessment methods:

Pre-submission meetings for coursework, and post-assessment discussion, will be made available to all students.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Written assignment, to be completed in August/September.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 22 September 2022