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HUM 224 Humanities Seminar IV: Great Ideas

Azusa Pacific University

Fall 2007

4 Units

Instructor: David Williams, Ph.D.

E-mail:

Azusa Pacific University’s Statement of Mission and Purpose: Azusa Pacific University is an evangelical Christian community of disciples and scholars who seek to advance the work of God in the world through academic excellence in liberal arts and professional programs of higher education that encourage students to develop a Christian perspective of truth and life.

Mission Statement for the High Sierra Semester: “The mission of the High Sierra Semester is to help facilitate the student’s personal growth and development spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally and physically while living in a non-traditional academic community.”

Catalog Description: a study of selected philosophical works illustrating intellectual perspectives of a specified historical era. Taught by a faculty tutor in an integrative, inter-disciplinary fashion in conjunction with one or more other Humanities Seminar(s). HUM 224 and HUM 324 may not be taken concurrently, and additional work is required in HUM 324. This course may be repeated once for credit as the topic varies. Meets the general studies core philosophy requirement in Heritage and Institutions.

This section of HUM 224/324 explores the intellectual background of the Western tradition up to the end of the Middle Ages. Special emphasis is placed on the influence of philosophical concepts on the development of religious, political, and social structures in western culture.

Student Learning Outcomes in the Great Works Program: the task of the liberal arts, the artes liberales, is to liberate the mind from the many fetters that bind it and to prepare the student for understanding in its fullness “the truth [that] shall make you free.” In this way, liberal education contributes to the moral, intellectual, social, civic, spiritual maturity and growth that accompany a life well-lived. Preparing students for the proper ordering of all spheres of life and for a lifetime of learning is the overarching goal of the Great Works program. At the completion of this program, students will be better prepared to:

1. Read, analyze, and interpret complete primary works more effectively, equipping them for a lifetime of learning

2. Approach intellectual inquiry in an integrative and cross-disciplinary fashion, exploring multiple perspectives on a related topic, noting disciplinary distinctives as well as mutual influences and common ground

3. Explore the influence of great works on religion, literature, science, philosophy, politics, economics, society, and the arts

4. Compare and contrast great works of art, music, science, literature, philosophy, and theology from different cultures and eras

5. Demonstrate familiarity with important and influential efforts to address central human questions: What is true? What is good? What is beautiful? Who am I? Why am I here? What is my responsibility to God, to other individuals, to the community?

6. Explain how various great works have contributed to or challenged a Christian world-view.

Specific Course Objectives for HUM 224

1. Understand and be able to express the main ideas of the major philosophical thinkers, the significant philosophical problems and key philosophical themes of the classical, and medieval periods.

2. Understand how early Christian and medieval philosophy developed against the background of Greek and Roman thought.

3. Work toward the development of a Christian worldview that takes into account the influence of classical and medieval thought on the development of Christianity.

4. Improve skill in philosophical reading, writing and dialogue.

Texts (arranged in order of use)

Curd, P. (Ed.) A Presocratics Reader: Selected Fragments and Testomina (Hackett) ISBN: 0872203263

Plato. Republic (Hackett) ISBN: 0872207366

Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics (Oxford) ISBN: 0198752717

Epictetus. The Handbook (The Encheiridion) (Hackett) ISBN: 0915145693

Augustine. Confessions (Oxford) ISBN: 0192833723

Anselm. Proslogion, with the Replies of Gaunilo and Anselm (Hackett) ISBN: 0872205657

Kreeft, P. (Ed.) A Summa of the Summa: The Essential Passages of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica Edited and Explained for Beginners (Ignatius) ISBN: 0898704383

Course Procedures

1.Class periods will consist of lecture, discussion, and small group assignments. I will provide the relevant context and historical background for the texts we will be considering. I expect you to be prepared to raise questions in class and discuss the material in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

  1. Academic Integrity Policy: “The mission of Azusa Pacific University includes cultivating in each student not only the academic skills that are required for a university degree, but also the characteristics of academic integrity that are integral to a sound Christian education. It is therefore part of the mission of the university to nurture in each student a sense of moral responsibility consistent with the biblical teachings of honesty and accountability. Furthermore, a breach of academic integrity is viewed not merely as a private matter between the student and an instructor but rather as an act which is fundamentally inconsistent with the purpose and mission of the entire university. A complete copy of the Academic Integrity Policy is available in the Office of Student Life, the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Programs, and online.”
  1. Available Support Services for Students with Disabilities: Students in this course who have a disability that might prevent them from fully demonstrating their abilities should meet with an advisor in the Learning Enrichment Center (ext. 3849) as soon as possible to initiate disability verification and discuss accommodations that may be necessary to ensure full participation in the successful completion of course requirements.
  1. University Policies: All university and departmental policies affecting student work, including academic integrity, appeals, and grievances, as outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog and/or Department Handbook will apply, unless otherwise indicated in this syllabus.

Ground Rules

  1. I welcome your suggestions and criticisms regarding the format of the course and will give you an opportunity to evaluate the course at mid-semester.
  1. Laptop computers are not allowed in class for any reason.
  1. You are free to stop me at any point during class and ask me why what we are discussing is important.
  1. I will attempt to provide a balance between lecture and discussion.
  1. Tests will be on material that is central to the aims of the course.
  1. We will incorporate small group discussions.
  1. While it is difficult for me to be available for discussion right before class, you should know that High Sierra provides a good deal of time for student faculty interaction and I expect you to take full advantage of that.

Questions that you would like to pursue (based on your feedback from the first day of class):

1. Why study the Greeks? What makes them so special?

2. What is the relationship between pagan works and God’s providence?

3. How can I learn how to enjoy reading?

4. How can I expand my vocabulary?

Course Requirements

1.Class Participation: The nature of this class is such that its success depends on the active participation of each student. Thus, 15% of the final grade will be determined by participation in the seminar. Your participation will be evaluated using the following rubric:

“A” level participation indicates that the student comes to class prepared, contributes voluntarily and actively to class discussion without dominating it, makes thoughtful comments that show interest in the views of others while advancing the conversation.

“B” level participation indicates that the student comes to class prepared, makes thoughtful comments when called upon (but occasionally contributes without prompting), and respects the views of others by making comments that advance the conversation (though these comments may be less cogent and well-developed than the “A” level).

“C” level participation indicates that the student comes to class prepared, but does not voluntarily contribute and gives only minimal answers when called upon. This student has, however, shown interest in the discussion, actively listened and taken notes.

“D” level participation indicates that the student has either talked too much by making rambling, tangential comments, or not all because they have not read the material.

“F” level participation indicates that the student has been disruptive by radiating negativity via hostile or bored body language or overt rudeness in respecting the views of others.

2.TextArgument Summaries: You will be required to submit a brief typedstatement (the blank form is available on e-Companion) that indicates the central problem, arguments, thesis, and your questions for the reading presently under discussion. There are 21 opportunities to submit a Text Argument Summary for HUM224 students. Each Text Argument Summary is worth up to 10 points (with the exception of the first three). Grades for this assignment category will be calculated out of 175 possible points (you cannot earn more than 175 points). Hence, a score of 163 points would be necessary to earn a grade of “A” in this assignment category (i.e., 163 = 93% of 175 possible points) for HUM224. Text Argument Summaries must be submitted in the correct e-Companion drop box prior to the start of class.

3.Plato Test: This short test will require you to display an overall command of the central argument of Plato’s Republic.

  1. Mid-term Paper: This is a 4-5 page double-spaced response to one of the questions posted on e-Companion. This research paper will require you to integrate some of the larger themes of classical Greek thought from Thales to Aristotle.
  1. Final Paper: A 10 page double-spaced essay will be required. The purpose of the essay is to compare the ideas of two or three individuals covered in the class on a specific topic. The source material for this essay will be the course texts and the topic will be posted on e-Companion.

6.Final Exam: This final exam will require you to identify the key themes and problems in Western philosophy from Thales to the end of the Renaissance as well as identify how Christian faith intersects with what you have learned.

7.Self-evaluation: As part of the process of determining your final grade in this course, you will have the opportunity to evaluate your own learning and assign a grade to the work you’ve done during this course. A few paragraphs critiquing the degree of your involvement, how well you understood the material, your completion of the assigned readings, and your personal interaction with the material will be submitted with the final paper.

Grading Standards

“A” work - Outstanding

“Above and beyond the requirements of the assignment; outstanding effort, significant achievement, and personal improvement are clearly evident. Some measure of remarkable skill, creativity, or energy is also evident.”

“B” work – Above Average

“Fulfills all aspects of the assignment and goes a bit beyond minimum competence to demonstrate extra effort, extra achievement or extra improvement.”

“C” work - Average

“Fulfills all aspects of the assignment with obvious competence and grace. Assignments are completed exactly as assigned.”

“D” work – Below Average
“Below average either because some aspect of the assignment has not been fulfilled or because a preponderance of errors (more than one or two per page) interferes with clear communication. A “D” may also indicate failure to follow directions, failure to follow specific recommendations, or failure to demonstrate personal effort and improvement.”

“F” work – Not Acceptable

“Not acceptable, either because the student did not complete the assignment as directed, or because the level of performance is below an acceptable level for college work.”

Grading scale for the course:

93-100=A87-89=B+77-79=C+67-69=D+0-59=F

90-92=A-83-86=B73-76=C63-66=D

80-82=B-70-72=C-60-62=D-

Your final course grade will be comprised of the following:

Class Participation 15%

Text Argument Summaries 25%

Plato Test 5%

Mid-term Paper 15%

Final Paper 20%

Final exam 15%

Self-Evaluation 5%

Assignment Schedule
Date / Topic / Assignment
The Presocratics
Tues 9/11 / Thales and Pythagoras (in Curd): 9-11; 17-24 (TAS Assignment: for Thales answer only the “Problem” section; for Pythagoras answer the “Problem” and “Fundamental Points” sections only)
Thurs 9/13 / Heraclitus (in Curd): 29-41 (TAS Assignment: for Heraclitus answer only the “Problem, Fundamental Points, and Central Thesis” sections)
Tues 9/18 / Parmenides (in Curd): 43-51 (TAS Assignment: answer all sections)
Trek I (9/20-25)
Thurs 9/27 / Democritus (in Curd): 79-88
Friends and Family Weekend (9/28-30)
Plato
Tues 10/2 / Plato: Republic Books 1-3
Thurs 10/4 / Plato: Republic Books 4-5
San Francisco Art Trip (10/8-10)
Thurs 10/11 / Plato: Republic Books6-7
Friday 10/12
2:30-4:00 / Plato: Republic Books 8-9; Plato Test
Aristotle
Tues 10/16 / Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics Books I-III
Thurs 10/18 / Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics Books IV-V
Homecoming Weekend (10/19-21)
Tues 10/23 / Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics Books VI-VIII
Thurs 10/25 / Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics Books IX-X
Preview Weekend (10/26-28)
Tues 10/30 / Mid-term Paper Due
Epictetus
Thurs 11/1 / Epictetus: The Handbook
Augustine
Tues 11/6 / Augustine: Confesssions Books I-VI
Thurs 11/8 / Augustine: Confesssions Books VII-IX
Trek II (11/9-12)
Tues 11/13 / Review
Thurs 11/15 / Augustine: Confesssions Books X-XI
Anselm
Tues 11/20 / Anselm: Proslogion
Thanksgiving Break (11/21-25)
Aquinas
Thurs 11/27 / Kreeft: Summa 33-50
Tues 11/29 / Kreeft: Summa 154-163, 301-319
Galileo
Tues 12/4 / Galileo: Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina 173-216
Thurs 12/6 / Final Paper Due
Final Exams (12/10-12) / Final Exam

The instructor reserves the right to alter or modify this schedule to meet the specific needs and pace of the class. Any changes will be announced prior to going into effect.

“The ancient Greek philosophers, such as Epicurus, Zeno, and Socrates, remained more faithful to the Idea of the philosopher than their modern counterparts have done. ‘When will you finally begin to live virtuously?’ said Plato to an old man who told him he was attending classes on virtue. The point is not always to speculate, but also ultimately to think about applying our knowledge. Today, however, he who lives in conformity with what he teaches is taken for a dreamer.”

-Immanuel Kant, Lectures on the Philosophical Encyclopedia