Instructor Class Description

Time Schedule:

• Autumn Quarter 2009
• Winter Quarter 2010

Jason Mayerfeld
POL S 308
Seattle Campus

The Western Tradition of Political Thought, Ancient and Medieval

Origin and evolution of major political concepts from ancient Greece to the medieval period, from Thales through Aquinas.

Class description

Why do people go to war? Does morality apply to international relations? Are citizens entitled to disobey the law? Is democracy the best form, of government? What defines a just state? These questions absorbed the attention of a number of brilliant thinkers in 5th and 4th Century B.C. Athens. Their search for answers left behind works of unmatched insight and permanent relevance. In this course we will try to understand and evaluate their contributions.

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

Recommended preparation

Texts. Thucydides, Peloponnesian War; Sophocles, Antigone; Plato, Apology, Crito, Republic; Aristotle, Politics.

Class assignments and grading

Assignments. Two 8-10 page papers.

Grading: Papers: 80 %; Class/quiz participation: 20 %.

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Modified:November 11, 2009