Friday, October 15:

1. Read Part I (pp 5-55)

2. We'll start with some of these questions:
   • Who are these people? What are they like?
   • Three definitions of justice are given in Part I: 1) Cephalus, 2) Polemarchus, and 3) Thrasymachus. In your own words, write a sentence describing each of the three definitions.
   • How does Socrates refute each the three definitions? Outline each argument.
   • What are the three categories of good things? In which category does justice belong 1) according to common opinion in Plato's day, 2) according to Socrates, 3) according to you.
   • How does the story of the Ring of Gyges bolster Glaucon's argument for injustice? Is it convincing?
   • Summarize Socrates' argument for just people being happier than unjust people.
   • Summarize the challenge laid before Socrates by Glaucon and Adiemantus that sets up the rest of the book.

Monday, October 18:

1. Attend the lecture by Professor Ryckman. Bring your books to the lecture. As always, take good notes and prepare a summary of Ryckman's main point (or points) about the Republic.

2. Professor Ryckman suggests that you read something about Plato's Theory of Forms (particularly pp 149-158, and pp 360-1) before the lecture, so please read those sections (even though they're out of sequence).

Wednesday, October 20:

1. Read Part II, III, and IV (pp 56-136)

2. Group 1 will lead our discussion.

3. In these sections, Plato begins his discussion of the Ideal City, describes the classes of society, and talks about education. We'll try to understand Plato's rationale for the prescriptions in these parts.

4. We'll also have a discussion of Professor Ryckman's lecture. Bring your notes.

Friday, October 22:

1. Read Part V and Part VI (pp 137-199).

2. Group 2 will lead our discussion.

3. In Part V, Plato makes a first pass at defining justice in the state and in the individual.

4. Part VI deals with women and the family.

1. Read Part VII (pp 200-264) dealing with the philosopher ruler.

2. Group 3 will lead our discussion.

3. This part discusses the education and responsibility of the philosopher and incorporates the three similes: the Sun, the Divided Line, and the Cave.

Wednesday, October 27:

1. Paper due.

2. Read Parts VIII and IX (pp 265-358).

3. Group 4 will lead our discussion.

4. These sections deal with the education of the ruler, the role of the arts, and the need for citizens to have a sense of origin, identity, and immortality.

1. Read Parts X and XI (pp 359-393).

2. Group 5 will lead our discussion.

3. These last parts, often thought of as an afterword to the Republic, discuss Plato's theory of art and the immortality of the soul.

4. We'll also talk about Monday's mid-term examination.