POS 301����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Gunnell

Fall 2003

 

 

 

 

 

HISTORY, JUSTICE, AND POLITICAL ORDER

 

 

This course is an exploration of the origins of politics and political thought in Western culture. The emphasis will be on classical Greece and the relationship between visions of political order and history, but we will examine both earlier and later periods and the nexus of politics, religion, and philosophy.The focus will be on texts but with sensitivity to their contextual setting. The centerpiece of the course will be Plato�s Republic, and we will move both toward and away from this work as we consider various pieces of literature.

 

The course is somewhat experimental in that it will utilize internet resources, and the course does assume computer literacy and access. The books we will be reading are, however, easily available, in local bookstores, Amazon, etc. if you should feel more comfortable with that format.In any event, you might wish to purchase Plato�s Republic on which you will be writing a 10 page paper.Earlier and later material will be the basis of two respective examinations.There are no preferred editions. The syllabus will be in printed form as well as available on a class web page where the reading can be reached electronically and read, downloaded, or printed. Reading must be accomplished prior to class discussion on the designated day.Specific reading assignments for various sections of the course will be assigned in class.

 

The course is very tightly structured, and regular attendance, careful notes on both class discussion and reading, and continuing intellectual engagement are essential.Several very brief quizzes will encourage attendance and reading and will count as a portion of the final grade.

 

My email is [email protected]�� ph. 442-5265

Office hours: TTH 9:30-11

 

 

Sept. 2 Introduction

 

��������� 4 Gilgamesh and demise of the compact universe

������������ http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MESO/GILG.HTM

 

��������� 9 Israel and history

�������������� www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/asbook06.html

 

�������

11 Minoan and Mycenaen Greece

������������ http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/MINOA/MYCENAE.HTM

 

������� 16 Homer: war and justice in the Iliad and Odyssey

������������� http://library.thinkquest.org/19300/data/homer.htm

 

������� 18 Hesiod: cosmos and polis

���������������� http://www.studylit.com/main_authorpage/hesiod.htm

 

������ 23 Herodotus: history and society���

�������������� http://www.livius.org/he-hg/herodotus/herodotus01.htm

 

�������� 25 Aeschylus: the celebration of the polis

������������ http://www.theatrehistory.com/ancient/aeschylus001.html

������������ http://www.geocities.com/tmartiac/thalassa/oresteia.htm

 

30-Oct. 9 Thucydides: the city and war

��������������� http://books.mirror.org/gb.thucydides.html

 

���������� 14 Sophocles and Aristophanes: politics as tragedy and comedy

��������������� http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/weekly/aa111897.htm

��������������� http://classics.mit.edu/Aristophanes/clouds.html

 

����������� 16 Examination

21-Nov. 6 Plato: philosophy and politics

���������������� http://socrates.clarke.edu/aplg0101.htm

���������������� http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/republic.html

���������������� http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/laws.html

���������������� http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/stateman.html

 

11-18������� Aristotle: the idea a science of politics

���������������� http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.html

���������������� http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/politics.html

 

������ 20����� Hellenism, Rome, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

 

Dec. 2������ St. Augustine, St. Thomas: religion and political order

������������ �����http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/jod/augustine.html

����������������� http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/a/aquinas.htm#Writings

����������������� http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft9902/articles/novak.html

����������������� http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/ip/rep/H021.htm

 

��������� 4����� Conclusion

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��������� 9����� Examination