Faculty of Arts and Science Department of Classics 100 Washington Square East, Room 503 New York, NY 10003–6790 Telephone: 212–998–8597 Facsimile: 212–995–4209 http://www.classics.as.nyu.edu





Spring 2012

CLASS-UA 291, Special Topics in Classical Studies I: Plato

Professor Vincent Renzi

903C Silver Center

212–998–8071

http://www.nyu.edu/classes/renzi

[email protected]

Office Hours: Mondays, 2:00–3:00 p.m.; Thursdays, 10:00–11:00 a.m.; and by appointment.

Lecture:

§001: Tuesdays & Thursdays ................2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. .......NNN Silver Center

Thematic Description

Some major dialogues of Plato, with special attention to situating these works in the genre of the Socratic discourse, comparison to Xenophon and Isocrates, and the ways in which they seek to reimagine the Greek “wisdom tradition.” Intended both for majors and minors in Classics as well as for students from other disciplines seeking an introduction to Plato. Readings in English translation.

Overview

CLASS-UA 291: Plato

Spring 2012

Although Plato is the greatest Attic prose stylist and a most careful and artistic author, his -2works are typically read for their “philosophical” content—as if this could be unproblematically abstracted from its “literary” presentation. By contrast, we will begin on the assumption that Plato’s “philosophical” purposes cannot be understood apart from his “literary” forms. We will be looking, therefore, for what the late Seth Benardete called “the argument of the action” in Plato’s dialogues.

Of particular concern will be the ways in which Plato responds to his predecessors and his contemporaries, his portrayal of Socrates, his emphatic desire to distinguish “philosophy” from “sophisty” and his own work from that of the “poets,” questions of intended audience and mode of reception, and his influence in shaping the canon of both who and what counts as “philosophers” and “philosophy.”

While this course is offered toward a major or minor program in Classics, it is also intended for students from other disciplines who are seeking an introduction to Plato. All readings will be in English. No background in the field is expected (although, of course, a strong interest is assumed), but students will have done well to have completed the Expository Writing requirement and Texts and Ideas.

The goals for the course are several. Students should gain some specific knowledge of some major dialogues of Plato, they should develop an appreciation for his artistic achievement informed by an understanding of his historical context, they should become familiar with the special interpretative problems associated with understanding Plato’s thought and purposes, and they should sharpen their critical and analytical abilities as they work through this material in the assignments they complete.

We begin by examining how Plato positions himself in the Greek “wisdom tradition”— all those pursuits such as poetry, jurisprudence, or history, in which demonstrated excellence was traditionally such as to earn one a reputation for wisdom. We then turn to consider what is known of the historical Socrates and his different influence on and portrayal by Plato’s contemporaries. Finally, we survey some of the major dialogues, aided by insights from the modern scholarship. Always bearing in mind Florence Dupont’s contention that “literature” is not to be found in Classical Greece, we will ask not “Why does Plato write?” but rather, “How?”

Requirements

You are expected to read each of the works listed below, to attend all class meetings, to arrive at class promptly, and to participate actively and appropriately in class. In-class writing exercises and brief homework assignments will also be required, as well as some supplemental reading. Finally, you will be required to write two papers and to sit for two examinations, one at midterm and a comprehensive final. The two papers should be 4–6 pages each (typed, doublespaced). All work will be graded as submitted, with no opportunity for revision, and credit will be deducted for poor grammar and spelling.

In determining your grade, I will weigh your completion of the course requirements approximately as follows; bear in mind, however, that you are expected to complete every assignment in order to receive a passing grade for the class.

Class participation (including attendance), homework, & quizzes .............20%

Papers (15%, 25%) .....................................................................................40%

Midterm Exam ............................................................................................15%

Final Exam ..................................................................................................25%

Note well that a failing grade may be assigned to any student with three absences from class. Late work and electronic submissions will not be accepted. Incompletes will be considered only in cases of documented medical emergency or other, comparably grave circumstances. In the event that you are for good reason unable to attend class, you are expected to contact me in advance (or as soon as is practicable) by telephone or e-mail.

CLASS-UA 291: Plato

A Note on Classroom Decorum -3-

Spring 2012

As a matter of courtesy to the instructor and to your fellow students, please arrive at class promptly, and, apart from emergencies, please remain in the classroom for the duration of the session. Please be sure to shut off your cellular telephone at the beginning of class.

Recording & Transcription

While you are encouraged to take notes in lecture, you may not make audio tapes or any other kind of recording in class. Neither may you take or exchange class notes in return for remuneration. Violation of this policy will result in a failing grade for the course.

Use of laptop computers is also prohibited.

Bibliography

The following texts are required. The course pack is available for purchase from Unique Copies, 252 Greene Street. Book have been ordered through the N.Y.U. Book Center. Be certain to purchase exactly those listed below. Aristophanes. Clouds, translated, with introduction and notes, by Jeffrey Henderson. Newburyport, MA: Focus Classical Library, 1992. I.S.B.N.: 978–0–941051–24–8. Osborne, Catherine. Presocratic Philosophy: A Very Short Instrduction. New York: Oxford University Press: 2004. I.S.B.N.: 978–0–19–284094–3. Plato. Five Dialogues [Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo], translated by G. M. A. Grube, revised by John M. Cooper. Indianapolis: Hackett, 2002.

I.S.B.N.: 0–87220–633–5. --------. Phaedrus, translated, with introduction and notes by Alexander Nehamas and Paul Woodruff. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1995. I.S.B.N.: 978–0–87220–220–7. --------. Republic, translated, with notes, an interpretive essay, and a new introduction by Allan Bloom. Second edition. [New York:] Basic Books, 1991.

I.S.B.N.: 978–0–941051–54–5. --------. Symposium. A translation by Seth Benardete with commentaries by Seth Benardete and Allan Bloom. Chicago & London: University of Chicago Press, 2001.

I.S.B.N.: 0–226–04275–8. --------. Theatetus, translated, with introduction and notes by Joe Sachs. Newburyport, MA: Focus Classical Library, 2004. I.S.B.N.: 1–58510–101–X. --------. Timaeus. Peter Kalkavage, trans. Newburyport, MA: Focus Classical Library, 2001. I.S.B.N.: 978–1–58519–007–1. Tell, Håkan. Plato’s Counterfeit Sophists. Hellenic Studies 44. Washington, D. C.: Center for Hellenic Studies, 2011. I.S.B.N.: 978–0–674–05591–9.

CLASS-UA 291: Plato Readings in the Coursepack

Spring 2012

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Aristotle, Metaphysics A. Aristotle. Metaphysics. W. D. Ross, trans. The Complete Works of Aristotle: The Revised Oxford Translation. Jonathan Barnes, ed. 2 volumes. Bollingen Series LXXI.2. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1985. I.S.B.N.: 0–691–09718–6 Isocrates, Against the Sophists (13). Isocrates I, translated by David Mirhady and Yun Lee Too. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2000. I.S.B.N.: 0–292–75238–5. Kahn, Charles H. Chapter 1: “Skratikoi logoi: the literary and intellectual background of Plato’s work.” Plato and the Socratic Dialogue: The Philosophical Use of a Literary Form. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. I.S.B.N.: 0–521–64830–0. Nightingale, Andrea Wilson. Chapter 1: “Plato, Isocrates, and the property of philosophy.” Genres in Dialogue: Plato and the Construct of Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995. I.S.B.N.: 0–521–77433–0. Plato, Hippias Major, Ion. Pangle, Thomas L. The Roots of Politcal Philosophy: Ten Forgotten Socratic Dialogues, Translated with Interpretative Studies. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1987. I.S.B.N.: 0–8014–9465–6. Plato, Parmenides. Plato. Parmenides, translated by Mary Louise Gill and Paul Ryan. Introduction by Mary Louise Gill. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1996. I.S.B.N.: 0–87220–328–X. Thesleff, Holger. “Plato and His Public.” Thesleff, Holger. Platonic Patterns: A Collection of Studies by Holger Thesleff. Las Vegas, NV: Parmenides Publishing: 2009. I.S.B.N.: 978–1–930972–29–2. Xenophon, Apology, Symposium. Xenophon. The Shorter Socratic Writings: Apology of Socrates to the Jury, Oeconomicus, and Symposium. Robert C. Barlett, ed. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2006. I.S.B.N.: 0–8014–7298–9.

CLASS-UA 291: Plato

Schedule - 5 of - Classes

Spring 2012

Please complete the readings prior to the class at which they are first discussed. Be sure to bring the appropriate texts to class. Lecture

Assignments

T 1/24: Introduction: Who is Plato? Th 1/26: Kahn, Chapter 1. T 1/31: Plato, Hippias Major. Tell, Introduction & Chapter 1. Th 2/2: Aristophanes, Clouds. Tell, Chapters 2 & 4. T Th

2/7: Aristotle, Metaphysics A. Osborne, Introduction, Chapters 1 & 2. 2/9: Plato, Parmenides, 126A–142A.

T 2/14: Plato, Apology of Socrates. Xenophon, Apology of Socrates. .......Paper I due. Th 2/16: Isocrates, Against the Sophists (13). Nightingale, Chapter 1. T 2/21: Osborne, Chapters 4–6. Th 2/23: Thesleff, “Plato and His Public.” T 2/28: Xenophon, Symposium. Plato, Symposium. Th 3/1: Xenophon, Symposium. Plato, Symposium. T Th

3/6: Plato, Republic, Books I–III. 3/8: Midterm.

T 3/13: [Spring Break.] Th 3/15: [Spring Break.] T 3/20: Plato, Republic, Books IV–VI. .......................................................Paper II due. Th 3/22: Plato, Republic, Books VII–X. T 3/27: Plato, Phaedrus. Th 3/29: Plato, Phaedrus. T Th

4/3: Plato, Theatetus. 4/5: Plato, Theatetus.

T 4/10: Plato, Meno. Th 4/12: Plato, Meno. T 4/17: Plato, Timaeus. Th 4/19: Plato, Timaeus. T 4/24: Plato, Phaedo. Th 4/26: Plato, Phaedo. T Th T

5/1: Plato, Ion. 5/3: Conclusion. 5/15: Final Examination. Note time: 2:00–3:50 p.m.