2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
CLAS3710 Plato on Love
20 creditsClass Size: 50
Module manager: Dr Elizabeth Pender
Email: E.E.Pender@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2008/09
This module is approved as an Elective
Module summary
The module considers two texts written by the Athenian philosopher Plato on the theme of love. The module is divided into two sections. In semester 1, through lectures, students are taken through the key themes and arguments of the two texts. In semester 2, through seminars, students discuss their reactions to Plato's presentation of love and its role in the good life. This module is suitable for elective students.For further information, visit us at the Electives Fair or contact the Department of Classics, situated on the first floor of the Parkinson Building, south end (email: classics@leeds.ac.uk; website: www.leeds.ac.uk/classics/; telephone: 0113 343 3537).Objectives
On completion of this module, students will be able to understand Plato's views on love, as expressed in the Symposium and Phaedrus; the hermeneutical issues of the dialogue form; how Plato's views on love reflect his cultural context, especially in the areas of Greek homosexuality, honour and shame; and how Plato's language of love echoes earlier Greek poetry.Syllabus
What does Plato contribute to the age-long attempt to understand the experience of love? Two Platonic dialogues have love as their central theme: Symposium and Phaedrus. The scene is Athens. In the Symposium we join a celebratory drinking party and in Phaedrus a walk in the countryside. These beautifully-written dialogues consider love from many different perspectives and reveal Plato's own enduring passion for Socrates for debate and for truth. We shall consider the concept of love within Plato's philosophy, assess Plato's influence on the history of thought on love and debate contemporary challenges to his ideas arising from our own cultural viewpoints.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 15 | 1.00 | 15.00 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
| Private study hours | 180.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
180 hours - reading, preparing for test, writing coursework (review and essay).Opportunities for Formative Feedback
- 1-hour test on the contents of set texts (week 11, semester 1 (20%)).- Critical review and essay plan (max 600 words) (week 4, semester 2 (20%)).
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | Between 2,500 and 3,000 words | 60.00 |
| In-course Assessment | 1-hour test | 20.00 |
| In-course Assessment | Critical review and essay plan (max 600 words) | 20.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 13/03/2009
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