Philosophy 211

The Classical Mind

Fall 2007

The Catholic University of America

School of Philosophy

Dr. Angela McKay

Course time and location

TTh 9:10-10:25am, Hannan 108

Course description

An introduction to philosophy, using the original writings of several philosophers from the ancient and medieval periods, with a more general consideration of the  history of philosophy.  Offered for Honors program students only. 

Credits: 3

Course aims

This course aims to introduce students to the fundamental works of classical philosophy and to develop the students’ ability to read, write, and think in a critical manner.

Instructional methods

Lecture, discussion, papers and exams. Students may be asked to make oral presentations.

Required books

Plato, The Trial and Death of Socrates, 3^rd ed., trans. John Cooper (Hackett, 2001)

Plato, The Republic, 2^nd ed., trans. Alan Bloom (Basic Books, 1991)

Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics, 2^nd ed., trans. Terence Irwin (Hackett, 1999)

Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, trans. Richard Green (Prentice Hall, 1962)

Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentiles 1, trans. Anton Pegis (Notre Dame, 1975)

Diana Hacker, A Writer’s Reference, 5^th ed. (Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2003)

All of these are available at the university bookstore. The bookstore returns extra copies to the publisher early in the semester, so be sure to buy these texts soon.

Course requirements

In-Class Papers: 25%

Final Paper: 20%

Midterm: 20%

Cumulative final exam: 25%

Participation: 10%

Late papers are penalized 3 points per day. A paper is late if it hasn’t been turned in by 5:00 p.m. on the day the paper is due.

More on the course requirements

• Presentations: Each time we meet, one of you will give a brief (5 minute) presentation on one of the study questions for that day, or on one aspect of one of the study questions for that day. The purpose of your presentation is to help the class delve deeper into the text. Therefore, rather than arriving at the correct “answer,” you should demonstrate thoughtful engagement with the text. You may simply explain why you are not sure what the answer is, so long as you use the text to explain why.

o Note: If you are not presenting, you are not off the hook! You should come to class prepared to engage in the class discussion.

Important dates

Sept. 13 in-class essay

Oct. 9 midterm exam

Oct. 25 in-class essay

Nov. 15 in-class essay

Dec. 4 final paper due

Dec. 13 final exam (8am)

Grading scale

A 94-100%

A- 90-93%

B+ 87-89%

B 83-86%

B- 80-82%

C+ 77-79%

C 73-76%

C- 70-72%

D 60-69%

F less than 60%

The University grading system is available at

http://policies.cua.edu/academicundergrad//gradesfull.cfm#II for undergraduates and http://policies.cua.edu/academicgrad//gradesfull.cfm#iii for graduate students.

Reports of grades in courses are available at the end of each term on http://cardinalstation.cua.edu.

Attendance policy
The following is the attendance policy for all sections of The Classical Mind.

Attendance is required and will be checked on a daily basis. Attendance counts toward the assessment of the final grade in the following way: . . . . For classes meeting two days per week, three absences will be tolerated without academic penalty. Each absence after the third will result in a reduction of three points of the total 100 points for the course up until the seventh absence, which results in failure for the course. For such a course, a maximum of six absences will be allowed without failure for the course due to absences. No distinction in general is made between excused and unexcused absences.

If you come to class late, it’s your responsibility to check with me after class to be sure that you were marked as present. If you forget you may be marked absent. Three “tardies” are equivalent to one absence.

• Legalistic Details:
• In this class, “tardy” means that you missed a small portion of the class. Hence, you can be marked “tardy” for leaving class early, just as you would be for arriving late.
• If you miss more than half of the class, you will be marked absent.

Missed assignments

You are required to take exams and other in-class assignments at the scheduled time. If you miss an exam or other in-class assignment, you may make it up, but you will be penalized one letter grade. Obviously, some exceptions apply.

Academic honesty

University policies on plagiarism and all other forms of academic dishonesty are strictly enforced in this course. The normal penalty for plagiarism or cheating of any kind is that you fail the entire course.

For more information on plagiarism, please see the university policy on academic dishonesty. The policy can be located at http://policies.cua.edu. If you are unsure whether something is plagiarism or not, please check it with me before the due date.

Campus resources for student support

Counseling Center: x5765

Writing Center: x4286

ATLAS Tutoring Center: x5765

Disability Support Services: x5211

Accommodations for students with disabilities

Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss specific needs. Please contact Disability Support Services (at 202 319-5211, room 207 Pryzbyla Center) to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. To read about the services and policies, please visit the website: http://disabilitysupport.cua.edu.  

Getting in touch with Dr. McKay

Telephone: 202-319-6692

Email: mckay@cua.edu

Website: http://faculty.cua.edu/mckay

Office: Aquinas Hall #208 (Philosophy offices are located in the former Life Cycle Institute)

Office Hours: By appointment.