Material for 400-level courses

Syllabi, supplementary notes, and more

PHIL 421, Section 001 (Spring 2003): Seminar in Philosophy: Aristotle (a.k.a. Advanced Deep Evil Scary Metaphysics)

PHIL 421 Spring 2003 Main Page
PHIL 421 Spring 2003 Syllabus
Spring 2003 Reading Assignments
General introduction to Aristotle
Pluralism without Relativism in the Nicomachean Ethics
Notes on Nicomachean Ethics Book I, Chapter 7
Notes on Nicomachean Ethics Book II
Notes on Nicomachean Ethics Book V: Justice
Notes on Nicomachean Ethics Book VI


PHIL 421, Section 001 (Spring 2004): Seminar in Philosophy: Plato (a.k.a. Other Advanced Deep Evil Scary Metaphysics)

PHIL 421 Spring 2004 Main Page
PHIL 421 Spring 2004 Syllabus
Spring 2004 Reading Assignments


PHIL 421, Section 001 (Spring 2006): Seminar in Philosophy: Plato: Knowledge, Justice, and Good (a.k.a. Deep Evil Scary Metaphysics of Ethics and Epistemology)

PHIL 421 Spring 2006 Main Page
PHIL 421 Spring 2006 Syllabus 
PHIL 421 Spring 2006 Supplementary Readings  


PHIL 421, Section 001 (Spring 2007): Seminar in Philosophy: Aristotle's Ethics and Politics (a.k.a. Intensive Deep Evil Scary Metaphysics of Ethics and Politics)

PHIL 421 Spring 2007 Main Page 
PHIL 421 Spring 2007 Syllabus 
PHIL 421 Spring 2007 Readings 
(See also the notes on Nicomachean Ethics listed for the 2003 version of PHIL 421.)


PHIL 421, Section 001 (Spring 2008): Seminar in Philosophy: Aristotle's Metaphysics (a.k.a. Hardcore Deep Evil Scary Metaphysics)

PHIL 421 Spring 2008 Main Page  
PHIL 421 Spring 2008 Syllabus (.pdf) 
PHIL 421 Spring 2008 Readings


PHIL 421/422, Section 001 (Spring 2010): Seminar in Philosophy: Plato's Gorgias and Republic (a.k.a. Deep Evil Scary Metaphysics of Epistemology, Politics, and Communication)

PHIL 421/422 Spring 2010 Main Page
PHIL 421/422 Spring 2010 Syllabus (revised in accordance with University snow day make-up schedule)
PHIL 421/422 Spring 2010 Readings
PHIL 421/422 Spring 2010 Writing Assignments

PHIL 421/422, Section 002 (Spring 2013): Seminar in Philosophy: Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics and Politics (a.k.a. Intensive Deep Evil Scary Metaphysics of Ethics and Politics - now with more!)

PHIL 421/422 Spring 2013 Main Page
PHIL 421/422 Spring 2013 Syllabus
PHIL 421/422 Spring 2013 Readings
PHIL 421/422 Spring 2013 Writing Assignments

Guides for Writing in Philosophy

Writing Guide for Philosophy, by Philosophy Writing Fellows in collaboration with Prof. Cherubin, with contributions by additional members of the Philosophy Department, and with support from the Writing Across the Curriculum Program.
Criteria for good writing in philosophy (developed by the GMU Philosophy Department with support from the Writing Center)
"Statements, Arguments, Validity, Soundness, and Informal Fallacies" (compiled by Prof. Roger Paden, Philosophy Department, GMU)
Examples of Plagiarism vs. Examples of Legitimate Use of Material Written by Others  
A nicely detailed and well-explained page on plagiarism from Indiana University 
Hermeneutical Principles: Interpreting ancient Greek philosophy