History of Ancient Philosophy - Advanced Course
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The main objectives of the course are the following: consolidate knowledge of the main lines of the history of ancient (Greek and Roman) philosophy, with special reference to the theoretical positions of the most important philosophical figures and the main philosophical traditions in the classical and post-classical times; enhance knowledge of the philosophical lexicon of (Greek and Roman) antiquity via a critical engagement with central works written by the main philosophical figures; encourage the application of the knowledge acquired in the study of ancient philosophical texts to the study of authors or problems that are different by era and style
Expected learning outcomes
Anticipated Learning Outcomes Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the course students will be able to
Identify salient moment in the history of ancient (Greek and Roman) philosophy.
Explain specific areas of the philosophical lexicon of antiquity, with special attention to how the meaning of terms change over time as we move from the Greek to the Roman world.
Engage in a close and autonomous reading of one or more texts that are central to the Greek and Roman philosophical tradition.
Recognize, classify, and explain the main styles or forms of argumentation adopted in the texts studied in class.
Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the course students will be able to:
Engage critically with an ancient (Greek and Roman) philosophical text.
Apply, in an autonomous way, the knowledge acquired in the study of ancient (Greek and Roman) philosophy to the study of texts and authors that belongs to a different era.
Express the main concepts, ideas, and claims made in the study of an ancient philosophical text, in a clear and effective way.
At the end of the course students will be able to
Identify salient moment in the history of ancient (Greek and Roman) philosophy.
Explain specific areas of the philosophical lexicon of antiquity, with special attention to how the meaning of terms change over time as we move from the Greek to the Roman world.
Engage in a close and autonomous reading of one or more texts that are central to the Greek and Roman philosophical tradition.
Recognize, classify, and explain the main styles or forms of argumentation adopted in the texts studied in class.
Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the course students will be able to:
Engage critically with an ancient (Greek and Roman) philosophical text.
Apply, in an autonomous way, the knowledge acquired in the study of ancient (Greek and Roman) philosophy to the study of texts and authors that belongs to a different era.
Express the main concepts, ideas, and claims made in the study of an ancient philosophical text, in a clear and effective way.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
During the ongoing COVID emergency, the course syllabus will be maintained with the following changes made to enhance the effectiveness of the online version of the course, which was originally designed for face-to-face teaching.
All lectures will be delivered in dual mode. The face-to-face lecture will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom.
Nota bene: the instructor will not register his lectures.
The Moodle page of the course can be found here: https://labonline.ctu.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=319
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lectures must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/teaching-activities-campus
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lectures must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/technology-and-online-services/microsoft-office-365-education
All lectures will be delivered in dual mode. The face-to-face lecture will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom.
Nota bene: the instructor will not register his lectures.
The Moodle page of the course can be found here: https://labonline.ctu.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=319
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lectures must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/following-your-programme-study/teaching-activities-campus
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lectures must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/technology-and-online-services/microsoft-office-365-education
Course syllabus
Plato's Timaeus is a sustained reflection on the Presocratic inquiry into nature that is known to us as peri physeos tradtion. Plato not only adopts and indeed adapts elements taken from this tradition but he also goes beyond this style of investigation in more than one way.
In the first part of the course we will familiarize ourselves with the Presocratic style of investigation by working on a few fragments from authors such as Anaxagoras, Empedocles, and Diogenes of Apollonia. We will also read the Hippocratic text On Fleshes (De carnibus) , which is the only extant text documenting this tradition in extenso. In the second part of the course, we will engage in an in-depth textual reading of Plato's Timaeus.
In the first part of the course we will familiarize ourselves with the Presocratic style of investigation by working on a few fragments from authors such as Anaxagoras, Empedocles, and Diogenes of Apollonia. We will also read the Hippocratic text On Fleshes (De carnibus) , which is the only extant text documenting this tradition in extenso. In the second part of the course, we will engage in an in-depth textual reading of Plato's Timaeus.
Prerequisites for admission
This is an advance class in ancient philosophy, so students are expected to have taken and passed the introductory class in ancient philosophy.
Teaching methods
The main lecture will be used to introduce the primary texts followed by discussion. Additional suggested or mandatory readings will be introduced via Moodle.
The student is strongly suggested to attend class.
The student is strongly suggested to attend class.
Teaching Resources
We will use the following primary texts:
Presocratics, Testimonianze e Frammenti. Biblioteca Universale Laterza. 2 volumi. Bari
Hippocrates, On Fleshes (De carnibus). An Italian translation produced by the instructor will be uploaded on Moodle.
Platone, Timeo, a cura di Francesco Fronterotta. Testo greco a fronte. BUR. Milano.
classici greci e latini. Milano.
Presocratics, Testimonianze e Frammenti. Biblioteca Universale Laterza. 2 volumi. Bari
Hippocrates, On Fleshes (De carnibus). An Italian translation produced by the instructor will be uploaded on Moodle.
Platone, Timeo, a cura di Francesco Fronterotta. Testo greco a fronte. BUR. Milano.
classici greci e latini. Milano.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The written exam will be a closed books exam, so the student will not be allowed to use class notes, textbooks or other approved material. The exam will be comprehensive and will test the knowledge acquired in class as well as in the study of the relevant primary and secondary literature.
Unita' didattica
M-FIL/07 - HISTORY OF ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica
M-FIL/07 - HISTORY OF ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica
M-FIL/07 - HISTORY OF ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Fridays 17:00-20:00. Please be in touch by email (no later than 13:00, on Friday) to arrange for a meeting on MS Teams.. No office hours in August
Microsoft Teams