Great Ideas of Politics and Ethics

Catalog description

Introduces fundamental debates and ideas of politics in both the West and beyond. Surveys ancient, medieval and modern thinkers in the Greek, Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions, tracing their influences on contemporary debates with focus on the great questions of human nature, social and political life, and the relationship between religion and politics. Studies both the ideas and historical statesmanship of such figures as Plato, Cicero, Tertullian, Aquinas, Saadyah Gaon, Maimonides, Al-Farabi, Ibn Rushd (Averroes) and Al-Ghazali, as well as various leaders and writers from modernity in America and abroad. Includes separate discussion to encourage active learning; expects students to write analytical papers and make a class presentation.