Classics in Political Philosophy

Description

The course uses the methods of the disciplines of history of political thought, political theory, and political philosophy to introduce students to the different ways in which key texts in the modern period have discussed and shaped our views of politics. So, for instance, we will discuss Locke’s view of the origin of political authority as a response to the travails of English politics during and following the English civil war (which is its historical setting), and as one of the great opening claims in political philosophy that a political authority should only hold power if it has the consent of the people.

All basic course materials can be found on the course Learn page. Should students not have access to the internet, they should see the lecturer on the first day of the course.  Chronologically, the course will cover the major political theories of Western Europe from the Renaissance period until the end of the Nineteenth Century. Each topic will be accompanied by an assigned reading. Each week you will be expected to do some reading (between 30 to 60 pages a week). This will include the text, and, if necessary, some secondary material.