| CODE | DGP0125 | ||||||
| TITLE | Exploring the Concept of Freedom in Antiquity | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 00 - Mod Pre-Tert, Foundation, Proficiency & DegreePlus | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | Not Applicable | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Degree Plus Programme | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This course explores the development of the notion of human freedom through the works of ancient Greek and Roman authors. By visiting selected texts, the course will engage into critical discussion that helps the student to analyse various notions of human freedom against the literary, cultural and anthropological milieu of a particular era in antiquity as well as assess the organic development of the notion across different classical periods. Beginning from the Greek myths, it weaves its way through various ancient schools of thought leading to the works of St Augustine of Hippo, who provides the most consequential account of human freedom for modern Western thought. Study-Unit Objectives: - To attain a deeper understanding of the origins that shape the notion of human freedom; - To develop skills in thinking critically about human freedom; - To generate interest in ancient culture in general. Learning Outcomes: 1.By knowledge and understanding: By the end of the course the student will be able to provide an historical and analytical account of the notion of human freedom in antiquity. 2.By Skills: The student will be able to engage different notions of freedom and questions on the human being critically. Unit Material: - Appropriate reading material and / or handouts will be provided by the tutor ahead of the sessions. Suggested Bibliography: - Coope, Ursula. Freedom and Responsibility in Neoplatonist Thought. 1st edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020. - Frede, Michael. A Free Will: Origins of the Notion in Ancient Thought. Edited by A. A. Long. Sather Classical Lectures, v. 68. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2011. - Raaflaub, Kurt A. The Discovery of Freedom in Ancient Greece. 1st edn., rev. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2004. Assessment: - In keeping with the spirit of the Degree Plus, there will be no formal assessment associated with this study-unit. A certificate of attendance and of satisfactory completion of the unit will be provided at the end of the semester. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | This unit may not be offered if there are an insufficient number of applicants. | ||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Alan Joseph Adami Joseph Noel Grima (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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