FS 301, Plato.

In this seminar, we will read and discuss many of the dialogues of Plato.

Each week each student will be required to submit an essay a page or two long on a question related to the assigned reading. The course will be largely devoted to reading and discussing these essays. Grades will be based upon the essays.

Text: Plato Complete Works. John M. Cooper, editor, Hackett Publishing Company, 1997. ISBN: 0872203492. Amazon link.

Most of Plato's work can be found freely available on line in English translation under Books On Line. See also Perseus. UT students have access to Past Masters.

Some details about the assigned essays

  • Papers are due in class on the date assigned. Late papers are not accepted.

  • The two lowest grades on the papers will be dropped before averaging to determine the final grade. Opportunities for rewriting to increase a grade on a paper are liberal.

  • It should go without saying that in each paper, one should attempt to justify one's position on the given question rather than merely asserting it without defense.

  • It should also go without saying that in each paper, one should try to make a connection with the assigned Platonic dialog and the treatment of the question in that dialog.

    Rules, rules, rules

    P. S. The University of Texas has many rules and regulations. It is highly recommend that for all courses at the University of Texas that students be familiar with the General Information catalog, the Course Catalog, and of course the Course Schedule, which can all be found on-line at http://www.utexas.edu. Also highly recommended is http://cns.utexas.edu/faculty/files/2006CourseworkRoutine.pdf , Dean Laude's memo on Coursework and Routine: Policies, Procedures, and Recommendations.