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Anna
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Verona, Wisconsin
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If I have an interest in studying Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy in particular, should I study classics instead of general philosophy? How would that affect which courses I take in college? #fall25
If I have an interest in Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy in particular, should I study Classics instead of general philosophy? How would that affect which courses I take in college?
#fall25
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Michelle M.
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Hello, Anna !
If you are intending to Major in this, you can Major in Philosophy and the Greek and Roman works would be included in this path. Double check the Philosophy Program and the list of courses offered at the college you will attend to know the exact names of the courses and the course descriptions.
Any course similarly named History of Philosophy would include several eras of philosophy. Most colleges do not offer specific Major programs in particular eras, it would be a major for Philosophy. You could also borrow or buy books on Greek and Roman philosophy and the philosophers.
It depends on which college you attend. There are 4 colleges that offer a Philosophy Major. University of Wisconsin in Madison, Marquette University, University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, and University of Wisconsin in Stevens Point.
University of Wisconsin in Madison's Philosophy Department offers History of Ancient Philosophy as a required course and that would probably cover Greek and Roman, and a course called Classical Philosophers. At Marquette University, the course Foundations in Philosophy would probably touch on Greek and Roman. At the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, courses exploring major philosophical traditions and thinkers such as Plato, Machiavelli, and Rawls are offered within their Philosophy Department. At the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point a course named Ancient Greek Philosophy is offered. At these colleges used as examples, there are no stand alone courses fully focused on Roman Philosophy or Greek Philosophy.
The bulk of a Philosophy Program would be with the various subjects like Logic, Reasoning, Existentialism, Metaphysics, etc. If you find the college you will be attending is the same as these, there are options.
Consider taking an online course, not for college credit necessarily, but if you want to focus on those aspects of philosophy. Several online platforms offer free courses in Greek and Roman philosophy. The University of Pennsylvania provides a course titled "Ancient Philosophy: Aristotle and His Successors". Another course from the same university, "Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors," is also offered. Tsinghua University offers a course on edX titled "Plato, Socrates, and the Birth of Western Philosophy". You can also try the University of Pennsylvania's "Greek and Roman Mythology" online. The course "The Roman World," available as free iTunes Audio from La Trobe University is also available online. Coursera has an online course on Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors. You can probably find more online through doing a search.
Keep in mind that if you intend to Major in Philosophy, you will get a variety of courses that will teach you how to be a philosopher and you will get some lessons on some philosophers themselves.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best in this awesome study !
If you are intending to Major in this, you can Major in Philosophy and the Greek and Roman works would be included in this path. Double check the Philosophy Program and the list of courses offered at the college you will attend to know the exact names of the courses and the course descriptions.
Any course similarly named History of Philosophy would include several eras of philosophy. Most colleges do not offer specific Major programs in particular eras, it would be a major for Philosophy. You could also borrow or buy books on Greek and Roman philosophy and the philosophers.
It depends on which college you attend. There are 4 colleges that offer a Philosophy Major. University of Wisconsin in Madison, Marquette University, University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, and University of Wisconsin in Stevens Point.
University of Wisconsin in Madison's Philosophy Department offers History of Ancient Philosophy as a required course and that would probably cover Greek and Roman, and a course called Classical Philosophers. At Marquette University, the course Foundations in Philosophy would probably touch on Greek and Roman. At the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, courses exploring major philosophical traditions and thinkers such as Plato, Machiavelli, and Rawls are offered within their Philosophy Department. At the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point a course named Ancient Greek Philosophy is offered. At these colleges used as examples, there are no stand alone courses fully focused on Roman Philosophy or Greek Philosophy.
The bulk of a Philosophy Program would be with the various subjects like Logic, Reasoning, Existentialism, Metaphysics, etc. If you find the college you will be attending is the same as these, there are options.
Consider taking an online course, not for college credit necessarily, but if you want to focus on those aspects of philosophy. Several online platforms offer free courses in Greek and Roman philosophy. The University of Pennsylvania provides a course titled "Ancient Philosophy: Aristotle and His Successors". Another course from the same university, "Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors," is also offered. Tsinghua University offers a course on edX titled "Plato, Socrates, and the Birth of Western Philosophy". You can also try the University of Pennsylvania's "Greek and Roman Mythology" online. The course "The Roman World," available as free iTunes Audio from La Trobe University is also available online. Coursera has an online course on Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors. You can probably find more online through doing a search.
Keep in mind that if you intend to Major in Philosophy, you will get a variety of courses that will teach you how to be a philosopher and you will get some lessons on some philosophers themselves.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best in this awesome study !
Loved reading this, thanks!