Unit 1 Introduction. Methodology. Definitions. The Context of Political Theory. The Invention of Political Philosophy.
(Jan. 13, 15) (Deutsch, p. xxi-xxviii; Sabine, p. 3-34; assigned readings)
Unit 2 Ancient Greek Political thought. Socrates and Plato. The Republic. Virtue and Knowledge. Classes and Souls.
(Jan. 20, 22) (Deutsch, p. 1-34; Morgan, p. 75-251; assigned readings)
Unit 3 Aristotle and the Science of Politics. The Rule of Law. The Best Practicable State. From Polis to Cosmopolis.
(Jan. 27, 29) (Deutsch, p. 35-70; Sabine, p. 125-140; Morgan, p. 361-418; assigned readings)
Unit 4 From Feudalism to Capitalism. Augustine, Aquinas. Renaissance. The Discovery of the Individual.
(Feb. 3, 5) (Deutsch, p. 71-142; Morgan, p. 442-476; assigned readings)
Unit 5 Machiavelli and Modern Absolutism. The Nature of Politics. The Role of the State. Moore’s Utopia.
(Feb. 10, 12) (Deutsch, p. 183-224; Morgan, p. 482-526; assigned readings)
Unit 6 The Protestant Reformers, Luther, Calvin, and the radicals. Political Authority Reconceived. Forms of Government.
(Feb. 17, 19) (Deutsch, p. 143-182; assigned readings)
Unit 7 Hobbes. Locke. The Individual and the Community. The Natural Right to Property. Society and Government.
(Feb. 24*, 26) (Deutsch, p. 225- 310; Morgan, p. 551-749; assigned readings)
*MIDTERM EXAM
Unit 8 Rousseau. The Social Contract and the General Will. Man as Citizen. The Paradox of Freedom.
(Mar. 3, 5) (Deutsch, p. 311-350; Morgan, p. 831-890; assigned readings)
Unit 9 Enlightenment and the Development of the Modern State. Voltaire. Burke. Tocqueville.
(Mar. 10, 12) (Deutsch, p. 351-416; Morgan, p.752-774; assigned readings)
Unit 10 Hegel. Dialectic and Nationalism. The Spirit of the Nation. Individualism and the Theory of the State.
(Mar. 24*, 26) (Sabine, p. 570- 607; assigned readings)
*PROJECT PROPOSAL
Unit 11 Liberalism. Philosophical Radicalism. The Question of Liberty. Economic and Political Theory. John Stuart Mill.
(Mar. 31, Apr. 2) (Deutsch, p. 441-466; Morgan, p. 936-994; assigned readings)
Unit 12 Socialism. Marx. Communism. Dialectical Materialism. Economic Determinism. Social Democracy.
(Apr. 7, 9) (Deutsch, p. 418-440; Morgan, p.1093-1108; assigned readings)
Unit 13 Nietzsche. Modern Crisis. The Death of God. The Prejudice of Truth. Irrationalism and Anti-Rationalism.
(Apr. 14, 16 *) (Deutsch, p.467-491; Morgan, p. 1142-1209; assigned readings)
Unit 14 Conclusions. Review.
(Apr. 23 *) (assigned readings)
* FINAL PAPER * PORTFOLIO
(Apr. 26 30, tba*) * FINAL EXAM
REFERENCES:
Plato The Republic 424-347bce
Aristotle Politics 384-322bce
Augustine City of God 415
Aquinas Summa Theologica 1274
More Utopia 1516
Mȕntzer Sermon to the Prince 1524
Machiavelli The Prince 1532
Luther On the Jews 1543
Campanella The City of the Sun 1602
Hobbes Leviathan 1651
Locke Two Treaties of government 1689
Voltaire Candide 1759
Rousseau Government of Poland 1772
Burke Reflections on the Revolution in France 1790
Kant Perpetual Peace 1795
Tocqueville Democracy in America 1840
Marx On the Jewish Question 1843
Stirner The Ego and His Own 1844
Mill On Liberty 1859
Bakunin Statism and Anarchy 1873
Nietzsche Thus Spoke Zarathustra 1885
Nilus The Protocols of the Elders of Zion 1903