Spring 2008

GK 324 • Plato

Course Description

This class will serve as an introduction to the dialogues of Plato, the great fourth-century Athenian philosopher and writer. The focus will be on Plato as author and stylist, and in particular the relation of literary form to philosophical content in his work. We will be reading, in Greek, a selection of famous passages from his oeuvre, including the story of Atlantis, the Myth of Er, the allegory of the Cave, the Origin of Love, etc, as well as more of the dialogues in English, and some secondary literature. Grading will be based on in-class performance (translation, participation, and short oral presentations), two midterms and a final, and a short 5-6 page paper.

Texts

Course Packet containing Greek text and secondary literature. Plato: The Atlantis Story. C. Gill (ed.). Bristol Classical Press.

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