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Academic Year 2003/2004

Virtue and Glory: Classical Political Theory
GOVT 337 SP

This course is a survey of premodern political theories, with attention to their major theoretical innovations, historical contexts, and contemporary relevance. Major themes will include the nature of political community and its relation to the cultivation of virtue, the origins of the ideas of law and freedom, the relation between knowledge and power and between politics and salvation. Readings will include Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Maimonides, Aquinas, and Machiavelli. This course, together with GOVT338 and GOVT339, provides a survey of major Western political theories, and at least two of these courses are recommended for students concentrating in political theory.

MAJOR READINGS

Plato, REPUBLIC
Aristotle, NICOMACHEAN ETHICS; POLITICS
St. Augustine, CITY OF GOD (selections)
St. Thomas Aquinas, SELECTED POLITICAL WRITINGS
Lerner & Mahdi, eds., MEDIEVAL POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
Machiavelli, THE PRINCE; DISCOURSES (selections)

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

One short essay; one quiz; one mid-term paper; final exam.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS GOVT    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

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