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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Philosophy

Undergraduate Course: Ancient Philosophy (PHIL10181)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThe course will provide a systematic introduction to some central concepts and arguments developed by ancient philosophical schools.
Course description The course will provide a systematic introduction to some central concepts and arguments developed by ancient philosophical schools, starting from the early Greek thinkers, proceeding to the major figures of Plato and Aristotle, and devoting an appropriate amount of time to the main Hellenistic schools such as the Epicureans, Stoics, and Sceptics. The focus of the course will be on a major philosophical theme developed by these schools. A representative theme would be theories of the first principles and the nature of philosophy as a type of knowledge. The course will involve careful analytical reading of primary sources (in English) as well as a study of modern scholarly discussions of ancient texts and arguments.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Knowledge and Reality (PHIL08017) AND Mind, Matter and Language (PHIL08014)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements Students who have not taken Knowledge and Reality (PHIL08017) and Mind, Matter and Language (PHIL08014) must gain permission from the Course Organiser before enrolling on this course.
Students studying on MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) are permitted to take this course without having met the pre-requisites of Mind, Matter and Language and Knowledge and Reality. However, it is advisable that students discuss the suitability of the course with their PT and the course organiser before enrolling.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should have completed at least 3 Philosophy courses at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses. Applicants should note that, as with other popular courses, meeting the minimum does NOT guarantee admission. **Please note that 3rd year Philosophy courses are high-demand, meaning that they have a very high number of students wishing to enrol in a very limited number of spaces.** These enrolments are managed strictly by the Visiting Student Office, in line with the quotas allocated by the department, and all enquiries to enrol in these courses must be made through the CAHSS Visiting Student Office. It is not appropriate for students to contact the department directly to request additional spaces.
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  0
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 32, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 164 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 1500 word midterm essay (40%), 2500 word end-of-semester essay (55%) and Participation (5%).
Feedback (1) One-on-one sessions after the tests
(2) Discussing essay plans before the final
No Exam Information
Academic year 2021/22, Part-year visiting students only (VV1) Quota:  1
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 32, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 164 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 1500 word midterm essay (40%), 2500 word end-of-semester essay (55%) and Participation (5%).
Feedback (1) One-on-one sessions after the tests
(2) Discussing essay plans before the final
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the core concepts of ancient philosophy
  2. Demonstrate the ability to analyse and interpret ancient philosophical texts
  3. Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of the main problems and approaches to solution in ancient philosophical discussions, using both the primary sources and the secondary literature
  4. Demonstrate the ability to construct an original philosophical argument on the basis of sound exegesis of primary texts and critical analysis of scholarly discussions of ancient texts and arguments
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsFirst principles,elements,theory of forms,particulars,substance,form and matter,atoms
Contacts
Course organiserDr Damian Caluori
Tel: (0131 6)50 3484
Email: dcaluori@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Ann-Marie Cowe
Tel: (0131 6)50 3961
Email: Annmarie.Cowe@ed.ac.uk
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