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2. Course Overview
Abstract: This course is a text-based Ancient Greek course where we will be thinking through and discussing Plato’s Theaetetus.
Comprehensive Description: Students will read and discuss Plato’s Theaetetus, engaging in a slow and careful reading of the text. The dialogue is about the nature of knowledge, and the main interlocutors are Socrates and the young mathematician Theaetetus. This dialogue is an excellent opportunity to learn about the Socratic method – in it, Socrates explains his “maieutic” mode of inquiry, while involves a kind of philosophical midwifery, helping give birth to ideas and separating the true births from the wind eggs. The goal of this class is not to blast through the dialogue as fast as possible, but rather to carefully follow each logical movement step by step. Since this dialogue is one of the longer ones, we will not be trying to read the whole thing in this one class. Instead, we will see how far we get, and if there is sufficient interest, the course will be followed up by a continuation course picking up where we left off. By reading this work in Ancient Greek, students will have an opportunity to master the philosophical vocabulary and style of Platο, and learn how to rigorously discuss profound philosophical problems using correct Attic grammar and idiom.
3. Proficiency & Requirements
Language Level:
Framework Reference: For students who have at least finished the first volume of Athenaze or otherwise have reached an equivalent level.
General Description: Intermediate and advanced students in Ancient Greek who are comfortable reading straightforward prose, as well as asking and answering questions in the language.
Estimated Self-Study Time:
Time Commitment: Students can expect to spend 2-4 Hours of studying per week for this class in order to be properly prepared for each session.
Preparation Type: Students will be expected to read through the assigned text before each class, coming to class ready to discuss and ask questions about difficult or otherwise remarkable passages.
4. Materials & Bibliography
Required Textbooks:
Primary Text: Plato’s Theaetetus.
Disclaimer: "The acquisition of the physical or digital textbook is mandatory for course attendance. Please ensure you have your copy before the first session."
Further Reading: Students interested in a broader overview and situation of Plato within the history of philosophy may consult G.W.F. Hegel’s Lectures on the History of Philosophy, Part One, Section One, Chapter III, A. The Philosophy of Plato.
5. ATTENDANCE, CERTIFICATION AND RECORDINGS
By enrolling, you agree to our standard academic regulations. These guidelines include the minimum attendance required to earn a Certificate of Completion, policies regarding lesson recording availability, mandatory parental consent for minors, and intellectual property protections. Please read our complete Attendance, Certifications, and Recordings Policy herefor full details on attendance, certifications, session recordings, user privacy, intellectual property rights, and special learning accommodations.
