WEA Course Information Sheet 2013-14

Course title: Philosophy: First Thinkers - Dialogues with the present
Course reference: C2416940 / Tutor(s): Timothy Stacey
Venue: Pinner centre, Chapel Lane, Pinner / Fee: £79.00
Concession: Free on proof of income related benefit
Start date: 14/01/2014 / End date: 24.03.2014 / Day(s)/time(s): Tuesdays 1pm – 3pm
Number of sessions: 10 / Hours per session: 2 / Level: Level 3
Title of qualification to be gained (if any):
This is a non-accredited course. On 80% attendance you can request a WEA Certificate of Achievement
Awarding body (if any): N/A
Essential materials: None
Course aims:
To provide students with the tools to philosophically question the nature of the good life and its existence or lack in contemporary society.
Course description:
An introduction to some of the ‘First Thinkers’ in Western philosophy: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. We will pay special attention to the dialogical approach, and will use that approach in class to question the relevance of these thinkers today.
Any prior knowledge or entry requirements?
None required. A booklist will be provided for each topic. Below are the texts from which most reading will be drawn.
Course content: what topics will the course cover?
Socrates understanding of truth and its discovery; Plato’s understanding of transcendent ideas and the methods and politics appropriate for discovering and implementing those ideas; Differences between Socrates and Plato; Aristotle’s notion of telos or purpose and the methods and politics appropriate for achieving telos; A critical study of the contemporary relevance of each thinker.
Teaching, learning and assessment methods: tick those to be used ü
Demonstration / Discussion / ü / Group work / ü / Individual work
Project work / Research / ü / Role play / Written work
Question and answer / ü / Activity outside class time / Observation / ü / Practical work
Presentation / ü / Field trip / Other (state)
How will I receive feedback on my learning progress and achievement?
Roundtable discussion. Your Learning Record will ask you to comment on how far you feel you have progressed. Presentation feedback
Learning outcomes: these are the intended outcomes and may be revised in discussion with the class. Students are encouraged to think about and identify their own individual outcomes.
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. / explain different theories of the good and how to bring it about politically
2. / discuss the relevance or lack thereof of these theories in the contemporary context with reference to specific institutions, practices, policies or cultural trends
Reading and information sources:
Meno / Plato / Penguin
Phaedo / Plato / Penguin
Phaedrus / Plato / Penguin
Republic / Plato / Penguin
Metaphysics / Aristotle / Penguin
Nicomachean Ethics / Aristotle / Penguin
Politics / Aristotle / Penguin
After Virtue / Alisdair MacIntyre / Duckworth
Suggestions for progression to further study or for using the skills and knowledge gained:
You should feel more confident to undertake further study, either with the WEA or with another provider. Details of further opportunities will be discussed in class. Other WEA philosophy and related courses. Other providers such as the Open University or Birkbeck, University of London and City Lit.
GAINED: