Open Yale Courses
PLSC 114: Introduction to Political Philosophy
Mirrored from oyc.yale.edu · CC-BY-NC-SA-3.0 · Steven B. Smith Alfred Cowles Professor of Political Science
Mirrored from: oyc.yale.edu · Yale University · Political Science
Instructor: Steven B. Smith Alfred Cowles Professor of Political Science · License: CC-BY-NC-SA-3.0
About this course
This course is intended as an introduction to political philosophy as seen through an examination of some of the major texts and thinkers of the Western political tradition. Three broad themes that are central to understanding political life are focused upon: the polis experience (Plato, Aristotle), the sovereign state (Machiavelli, Hobbes), constitutional government (Locke), and democracy (Rousseau, Tocqueville). The way in which different political philosophies have given expression to various forms of political institutions and our ways of life are examined throughout the course.
Course details
Course Structure
This Yale College course, taught on campus twice per week for 50 minutes, was videotaped for Open Yale Courses in Fall 2006. The Open Yale Courses Series. For more information about Professor Smith’s book Political Philosophy, http://yalepress.yale.edu/yupbooks/book.asp?isbn=9780300181807 click here.
Texts
Plato, Trial and Death of Socrates Plato, Republic Aristotle, Politics Machiavelli, The Prince Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan John Locke, Second Treatise of Government Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Political Writings Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America
Requirements
There will be three short papers (5-7 pages each) and a final exam. Attendance and participation in weekly discussion sections is a further requirement.
Grading
Short papers: 20% each (total: 60%) Final examination: 20% Discussion section attendance and participation: 20%
Syllabus
1 section · 24 lectures · links open at oyc.yale.edu.
Course sessions
- Introduction: What Is Political Philosophy?
- Socratic Citizenship: Plato, Apology
- Socratic Citizenship: Plato, Crito
- Philosophers and Kings: Plato, Republic, I-II
- Philosophers and Kings: Plato, Republic, III-IV
- Philosophers and Kings: Plato, Republic, V
- The Mixed Regime and the Rule of Law: Aristotle, Politics, I, III
- The Mixed Regime and the Rule of Law: Aristotle, Politics, IV
- The Mixed Regime and the Rule of Law: Aristotle, Politics, VII
- New Modes and Orders: Machiavelli, The Prince (chaps. 1-12)
- New Modes and Orders: Machiavelli, The Prince (chaps. 13-26)
- The Sovereign State: Hobbes, Leviathan
- The Sovereign State: Hobbes, Leviathan
- The Sovereign State: Hobbes, Leviathan
- Constitutional Government: Locke, Second Treatise (1-5)
- Constitutional Government: Locke, Second Treatise (7-12)
- Constitutional Government: Locke, Second Treatise (13-19)
- Democracy and Participation: Rousseau, Discourse on Inequality (Author's Preface, Part I)
- Democracy and Participation: Rousseau, Discourse on Inequality (Part II)
- Democracy and Participation: Rousseau, Social Contract, I-II
- Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville, Democracy in America
- Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville, Democracy in America
- Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville, Democracy in America
- In Defense of Politics