Plato's Dialogues
Module title | Plato's Dialogues |
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Module code | PHL3127 |
Academic year | 2024/5 |
Credits | 15 |
Module staff | Dr Jonathan Davies (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
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Module description
The module will engage with a selection of Plato’s dialogues. While the module doesn’t quite go along with A.N. Whitehead’s famous quip that, “…the European philosophical tradition […] consists of a series of footnotes to Plato.”, you will encounter some of the most influential and important works of philosophy in studying Plato’s texts. One of the reasons for the influence of Plato is the wealth of his writing that has survived intact. In these dialogues, written around 2500 years ago, many of the core philosophical problems that you will encounter in your studies are presented, in a form that remains highly relevant and engaging. As well as surveying Plato’s answers to these problems, we are also able to get a glimpse of the vibrant philosophical scene of classical Athens, through the cast of characters that he presents.
There are no pre-requisites required for this module. The module is suitable for philosophy students, as well as students interested in classical philosophy and literature. It is also available to students from other faculties and departments as an optional philosophy module.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module will focus on reading, interpreting, and critiquing Platonic dialogues on a broad range of philosophical themes. Topics will include, metaphysics, theory of knowledge, ethics, rhetoric, politics and aesthetics. Typically, we will look at two texts that discuss a particular philosophical theme, understand what Plato’s position is and develop a critical engagement with this position. We will also explore the objections that Plato presents, in order to understand the philosophical context in which he was writing. Over the course of the module, we will also come to a wider understanding of Plato’s philosophical development. From the early “Socratic” dialogues to his mature works, we will explore how his philosophy changes (or perhaps doesn’t).
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Engage in in-depth analysis of a selection of platonic dialogues, and critically evaluate differing interpretations of the text.
- 2. Understand the texts in their historical and philosophical context, relating texts to each other and identifying developments or inconsistencies between earlier and later dialogues.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Identify and analyse arguments from historical texts. Understand the issues at stake and present clear summaries of the issues, verbally and in writing.
- 4. Write well-argued essays that critically engage with arguments from the primary texts, as well as with rival interpretations of the texts in secondary literature.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Grasp and be able to articulate problems and theories of varying degrees of abstractness, and present coherent clear arguments in response to these problems and theories.
- 6. Demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, making use of knowledge and external courses to complete a specified task.
Syllabus plan
The course will be structured thematically. Each week will focus on one dialogue, selected to represent that theme. The themes and texts are indicative. There may be some variation in the texts and topics selected.
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Plato on the life and death of the Philosopher: Apology and Crito
- Plato’s Ethics: Euthyphro and Protagoras
- Plato on Love: Phaedrus and Symposium
- Plato’s Theory of Knowledge: Sophist and Theaetetus
- Plato’s Metaphysics: Cratylus and Parmenides
- Plato on Religion and the Soul: Phaedo and Timaeus
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | 11 two-hour seminars |
Guided Independent Study | 38 | Assigned readings associated with seminars |
Guided Independent Study | 10 | Preparation for presentations and in-class discussion |
Guided Independent Study | 80 | Preparation for assigned essays |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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In-class presentation/summary | 10 minutes/250 words | 1-3, 5, 6 | Oral and Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Essay 1 | 50 | 1500 words | 1-6 | Written |
Essay 2 | 50 | 1500 words | 1-6 | Written |
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
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Essay 1 (1500 words) | Essay 1 (1500 words) | 1-6 | Referral/Deferral period |
Essay 2 (1500 words) | Essay 2 (1500 words) | 1-6 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Plato (1997) Complete works / edited, with introduction and notes, by John M. Cooper; associate editor, D.S. Hutchinson. Hackett. (Indianapolis)
- Plato (2017) Euthyphro; Apology ; Crito ; Phaedo; edited and translated by Chris Emlyn-Jones and William Preddy. Harvard University Press. (Cambridge, MA)
Secondary Literature: - Nightingale, A. W. (2021) Philosophy and religion in Plato's Dialogues. Cambridge University Press (Cambridge)
- Politis, V. (2015) The structure of enquiry in Plato's early Dialogues. Cambridge University Press (Cambridge)
- Ralkowski, M. (2018) Plato's trial of Athens. Bloomsbury Academic (London)
- Rowett, C. (2018) Knowledge and truth in Plato: stepping past the shadow of Socrates. Oxford University Press (Oxford)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE – Faculty to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages
Credit value | 15 |
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Module ECTS | 7.5 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 6 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 01/02/2023 |
Last revision date | 01/02/2023 |