PHIL 216

I. Course Title: History of Philosophy: Ancient to Medieval (GE)

II. Course Number: PHIL 216

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: None

V. Course Description: 

This course traces the development of Western philosophy from it birth in ancient Greece, through its Roman and Medieval periods to the origins of modernity in the Renaissance.

Note(s): General Education and Humanistic or Artistic Expression designated course.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

History of philosophy courses offer foundational literacy in the history of ideas and in key figures and cultural events shaping philosophical thought. This course traces the development of Western philosophy from it birth in ancient Greece, through its Roman and Medieval periods to the origins of modernity in the Renaissance. It examines influential philosophers and schools of thought, emphasizing both unifying themes and important contrasts between eras. This examination will function at two levels. First, students will examine individual thinkers in the context of their times. The second level of analysis will seek to understand the contributions of these thinkers and the schools of thought which they led to the birth of the modern world, beginning in the later 14th and early 15th centuries. Emphasis is placed on the developmental connections among earlier and latter thinkers as illustrating humanity’s continuing attempt to achieve a satisfactory worldview.

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

This course will include careful examination of primary and secondary sources. Student activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Lecture and discussion led by the instructor
2. Small group discussion
3. Formal or informal debates
4. Individual and group oral presentations
5. Informal and formal writing assignments
6. Journals
7. Individual and collaborative research activities involving library and Internet searches
8. Written and oral analysis of cases and/or texts
9. Written summaries/evaluations of out-of-class events
10. Guest lecturers/presenters

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

1. Integrate philosophical methods/techniques into the study of timely and timeless questions about human existence and the social and natural world;
2. Assess philosophical arguments through developing skills of critical reading;
3. Sharpen verbal reasoning skills, including comprehension and interpretive understanding skills, and ability to think, reason and solve problems in different ways;
4. Develop a broad view of the history of western philosophy during this period.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

A variety of assessment tools will be used.  These may include quizzes/exams, writing assignments, presentations, and research papers, among others.  

Review and Approval

August 2020

March 01, 2021