Foundations of Political Thought

Catalog description

Pre-req: Completion of the Core Curriculum Research & Professional Writing requirement. The classical Greeks and Romans, as well as the medieval theorists who followed them, provide the philosophical basis for many contemporary questions in politics and political philosophy. They explored, in systematic ways, questions like: What is the best form of government? What makes a good ruler? Why should we obey governments? What is the purpose or end of government? What is the nature of justice? We will explore the theories and insights of some of these foundational thinkers, working both to understand their positions and arguments as well as to understand the long-lasting impact of their thought on contemporary society.