Dr. J. F. Harrison
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the assumptions, arguments and conclusions of political thinkers from the time of the ancient Greeks up to the modern era. The original writings of specific thinkers will be the basic material of the course. Lectures are to be regarded as guides to reading these materials.
Outline:
1) The beginnings of "objective" thought concerning Nature and the place of human beings within it. The Sophists' challenge of tradition. Socrates' pursuit of universal ethical and political truths.
2) Plato's "idealism" as outlined in The Republic. The concept of utopia and uses of utopian thought. Political power and its purpose.
3) Aristotle's "empiricism" as found in his Politics. The ideal political system and the best practicable political system. Class analysis.
4) Class analysis in the modern period as developed by Karl Marx.
5) Pan-Hellenic political argument. The loss of political participation and the pursuit the "private" sphere. Stoicism, Scepticism and Epicureanism.
6) The Roman republic and the Roman Empire: the concept of "human law" applicable to all.
7) Church and State in compromise and conflict. St. Augustine's affirmation of a political role for the Church. Acquinas and the law of nature.
8) Secularisation of the political realm--Marsiglio and Machiavelli.
9) The State as Contract: Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau. Liberalism, property and capitalism.
10) Liberal thought as revolutionary, reformist, and conformist.
11) Conservative ideas. History and tradition as the source of political order--Burke and Hegel.
The mark for the each term will be based on a quiz (20%), an essay (20%), and an exam (60%). Students must complete all elements to receive a passing grade.
Although this is a lecture course students should feel free to ask questions and provide comments at any time. Dr. Harrison's office is on the fifth floor of Nicholson (room 517) should you wish to discuss any aspect of the course with him.
Information concerning texts will be provided in class.