PS 350 Midterm Prep Guide
Hello PS 350 Political Philosophers!
As you prepare to write your take-home PS 350 midterm, I have prepared a brief explanation of what type of essay it is, and how to prepare for it.
The midterm IS NOT a research essay. You do not need, and should not need, to do outside research. You should be able to write the midterm with the information you have collected through your readings, lectures, and lecture notes.
The midterm is designed for you to ENGAGE with, and RESPOND to, several questions related to Political Philosophy (what is it?), the conflict between the City of Athens/Aristophanes and Socrates/philosophy, why this conflict EXISTS, and WHY it is important.
It should not exceed 7 pages.
How Should You Approach it?
When you prepare for the midterm, go through each of the review questions and prepare answers/responses.
REMEMBER, there is a debate/conflict between Aristophanes (Athens) and Socrates (Plato and Philosophy), so, for each question, there will be TWO responses—Aristophanes’ and Plato’s.
For each question in the review section, do FOUR things. For example, if you are building your response to the question: “Does Socrates use the unjust speech”?
- Define what the “unjust speech is;
- Give Aristophanes’ and Plato’s answer/claim about the question;
- Give a few examples from both Aristophanes and Plato;
- Then provide a few sentences about WHY this is important.
If you are able to do this for each “small question” that makes up the actual Midterm question, you will do great!
