Political Thought to the Sixteenth Century: Syllabus

Political Thought to the Sixteenth Century
Dr. Laurie Bagby
Syllabus

Prof. Laurie Bagby
Phone: 532-0441
Office: Waters 220
Office Hours:
e-mail: lauriej@ksu.edu
Web Page: http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~lauriej/index.html

Introduction:

This course is designed to allow you to study in-depth some great political philosophers who wrote before the 16th Century. Emphasis will be placed on interpretation of their works, developing your own analyses and hypotheses about them, and applying your findings to contemporary and timeless political questions. You will be given study aids for the midterm and final exam as the times approach. In addition, you will receive written guidance on the essay portion of your course requirement.

Texts:

Plato, The Republic, Trans. GMA Grube, 2nd Edition, Hackett Publishing Co.
Aristotle, Politics, Trans. CDC Reeve, Hackett Publishing Co.
Nederman and Forhan, Trans., Readings in Medieval Political Theory, Hackett Publishing Co.
Arnhart, Political Questions, 3rd Edition, Waveland Press, Inc.

Requirements:

In addition to regular attendance and participation, the requirements for the course are:*

Midterm: 35%
Final Exam: 45%
Essay: 20% (Due November 16, in class)

*I reserve the right to take into account your attendance and participation in determining the final grade.

FINAL EXAM DATE/TIME: Monday, December 11, 2 - 3:50 p.m., in same classroom.

Course Outline:

1. Introduction

a. "Introduction," and introductory material in Ch. 1, Arnhart, pp. 1-12.

b . “What is the political lesson of the trial of Socrates?” Arnhart, pp. 12-15.

Ancient Political Thought

Plato

a. Plato, The Republic, Trans. GMA Grube, Hackett (as assigned).

b. Political Questions, Arnhart, pp. 18-36, (as assigned).

Aristotle

a. Political Questions, Arnhart, pp. 39-61, (as assigned).

b. Aristotle, Politics, Trans CDC Reeve, Hackett (as assigned).

MIDTERM: October 10

Augustine

a. “The Political Realism of Christian Theology: Augustine’s City of God,” Arnhart, pp. 65-83.

b. Augustine, The City of God, excerpts (handouts).

Medieval Political Thought

Thirteenth Century

Aquinas

a. “The Formation of Medieval Political Culture,” Readings in Medieval Political Theory, pp. 1-16.

b. St. Thomas Aquinas, “On Kingship," and "Summary of Theology," pp. 97-136, (as assigned).

c. “Natural Law: Thomas Aquinas’s ‘Treatise on Law’.” Arnhart, pp. 85-103.

Fourteenth Century

William of Pagula, “The Mirror of King Henry III,” Readings in Medieval Political Theory, pp. 200-206.

Christine de Pizan, The book of the Body Politic,” Readings in Medieval Political Theory, pp.
230-247.

Note: The instructor of this course will adhere to/enforce KSU's student honor code. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Plagiarism consists not only in taking materials from authors verbatim without attribution but also in taking concepts and ideas without attribution.

See: http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~lauriej/courses/polsc821/plagiarism.html for further information.