NOTE: I reserve the right to modify the reading assignments. The readings below are illustrative (i.e. from a past version of the course.) Different works of Greek and Roman thought may appear, shorter texts, etc. (Note: choice secondary literature will also be assigned).
Course Introduction: Greek and Roman Political Philosophy
Class 1.
Course Introduction: what is Greek and Roman Political Philosophy?
Class 2.
Reading: How to read Plato, and why read Plato.
Plato's Republic
Book I: The Question/Problem of Justice.
Class 3.
Plato’s Republic, book I continued
Class 4
Book II: Glaucon’s Challenge, and the Ideal City in Speech
Class session Plato’s Republic, book II
Class 5
Book III: Poetry and the Educations of the Guardians
Plato’s Republic, book III
Class 6
Book IV: Justice and the Virtues
Plato’s Republic, book IV
Class 7
Book V: Community of Women and Children; Equal Education of Women; Philosopher Kings,
Class 8
Plato’s Republic, book VI/VII
Class 9
Plato’s Republic, book VIII/IX
Class 10
Plato’s Republic, book X
Class 11
Aristotle's Politics
Introduction to Aristotelian Political Science
Book I: The Nature of the City, and the Forms of Rule
Class 12
Book I. continued
Class 13
Book II: Aristotle on Plato and other well-managed regimes
Aristotle’s Politics, book II
Class 14
Book III: The City and the Regime: Citizenship, Regime kinds, Class tensions
Aristotle’s Politics, book III
Class 15
Aristotle’s Politics, book III
Class 16
Book IV/V: Polity as Best Practicable Regime, and the Causes of Political Degeneration
Book IV
Class 17
Book V
Class 18
The Best Regime: Aristocracy of Virtue
Book VII
Class 19
Book VIII
Class 20
Cicero's Republic
Intro Cicero and Roman Political Philosophy
Polybius book VI: the Cycle of Regimes
Class 21
Cicero's Republic I
Class 22
Cicero's Republic II
Class 23
Cicero's Republic III
Class 24
Cicero's Republic IV
Class 25
Cicero's Republic V
Class 26
Exam period