Course Texts
Aquinas by Eleonore Stump
Introduction to St. Thomas Aquinas edited by Anton C. Pegis
Supplemental Aquinas texts on or linked to BeachBoard

Both texts are available at the University Bookstore

Course Description
In this course, we will investigate Aquinas’s views in metaphysics, action theory, and ethics.  That is, we will look at Aquinas’s answers to questions such as “What is the ultimate nature of reality?”  “What makes a human being?”  “Are human actions free?”  “What are the virtues?”

Course Requirements
Undergraduates:  There will be 4 short paper assignments 3-5 pages each on assigned topics due throughout the semester.  Each of these papers will be worth 20% of your course grade.  The other 20% of your course grade is based on attendance, participation, short homework assignments and quizzes.

Graduates:  Graduate students will write 4 short papers 5-7 pages in length.  Each paper will be worth 20% of your course grade.  The other 20% of your course grade is based on attendance, participation, short homework assignments and quizzes.

Lecture Topics and Reading Assignments

January 29th – Introduction to Course: Syllabus, Course Expectations, Aquinas’s life and work

February 5th – Homework due.  Discussion of Angelology & Metaphysics: A Theory of Things (Part I)
            Stump, 35-60

February 12th – Metaphysics: A Theory of Things (Part II)
Stump, 35-60

February 19th – President’s Day – NO CLASS

February 26th – Goodness
Stump, 61-91
Pegis, 34-52 [ST I.5.1-6; ST I.6.1-4}

March 5th – Simplicity
            Stump, 92-130
            Pegis, 28-33; 62-69 [ST I.3.3, ST I.3.4, ST I.3.7; ST I.11.1-4]

March 12th – Eternity
            Stump, 131-158
            ST I.10.1-6  See BeachBoard

March 19th – Knowledge
            Stump, 159-187
            Pegis, 126-160 [ST I.14.1-16]

March 26th – Forms and Bodies: The Soul
            Stump, 191-216
            Pegis, 280-310 [ST I.75.1-7; ST I.76.1-8]

April 2nd – SPRING BREAK NO CLASS

April 9th – Freedom
            Stump, 277-306
            Pegis, 361-375; 484-519 [ST I.82.1-4; ST I.83.1-4; ST Ia.IIae.6.3-8; ST Ia.IIae.9.1-6;
ST Ia.IIae.12.1-2; ST Ia.IIae.13.1-6]
Supplemental: ST IaIIae.14.1-6; ST IaIIae.15.1-4; ST IaIIae.16.1-4; ST IaIIae.17.1-9

April 16th – Justice (Moral Virtue)
            Stump, 309-338
Pegis, 544-608 (This reading is for all three sections on virtue) [ST IaIIae.54.2-3; ST IaIIae.55.1; ST IaIIae.55.4; ST IaIIae.56.1; ST IaIIae.57.1-6; ST IaIIae.58.1-2; ST IaIIae.60.1; ST IaIIae.61.1-2; ST IaIIae.62.1-4; ST IaIIae.63.1-4; ST IaIIae.64.1-2]

April 23rd – Wisdom
            Stump, 339-360
            Pegis, see above

April 30th – Faith
            Stump, 361-388
            Pegis, see above
            ST IIaIIae.1-7  See BeachBoard

May 7th – Grace and Free will
            Stump, 389-404
            Pegis, 651-681 [ST IaIIae.109.1-10; ST IaIIae.112.1-5]

May 14th – Providence and Suffering
            Stump, 455-478
            Pegis, 214-224; 272-279 [ST IaIIae.22.1-4; ST IaIIae.49.1-3]
Supplemental: SCG III.71-77 See BeachBoard
            Literal Commentary on Job (you’re on your own with this)