PHIL 130: History of Ancient Philosophy

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2021
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Strongly Recommended: ENGL 101.
District General Education: C2. Humanities
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

A study of selected works in ancient philosophy in the Western tradition, including the Presocratics, the Sophists, Socrates and Plato, Aristotle, and some Greek and Roman philosophers after Aristotle. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • read and understand an ancient philosophical text in English translation
  • discuss the meaning of an ancient philosophical text in English translation
  • evaluate philosophical arguments contained in an ancient philosophical text in English translation
  • write a persuasive essay on a philosophical thesis inspired by an ancient philosophical text

Major Course Content

  1. The Presocratics
    1. The Milesians
    2. Pythagoras and Pythagoreanism
    3. Xenophanes
    4. Heraclitus
    5. Parmenides
    6. Zeno
    7. Empedocles
    8. Anaxagoras
    9. Leucippus and Democritus
  2. The Sophists
    1. Protagoras
    2. Gorgias
    3. Prodicus
    4. Hippias
    5. Antiphon
  3. Socrates and Plato
    1. Euthyphro
    2. Apology
    3. Crito
    4. Meno
    5. Phaedo
  4. Aristotle
    1. Aristotle and Plato
    2. Selections from Aristotle's Writings
  5. After Aristotle
    1. Epicureanism
    2. Stoicism
    3. Skepticism
    4. Philo of Alexandria
    5. Plotinus
    6. Early Christian Thought

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Conversations of Socrates by Xenophon

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Short essays Final essay exam
Example of an essay prompt:
The Sophists vs. Socrates and Plato. What is the difference between these two philosophical views? Does it have any relevance for us today?

Examples of Outside Assignments

Readings from the texts Homework assignments to demonstrate reading comprehension Example:
Read Apology by Plato and Defence of Socrates by Xenophon. Write a short essay that addresses the following questions: In what ways does Xenophon's account agree with Plato's? In what ways do the two accounts differ?

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture

IGETC Area 3: Arts and Humanities

3B. Humanities