GOVERNMENT/HISTORY/PHILOSOPHY
447
ANCIENT
POLITICAL THOUGHT
Dr.
Donald N. Schroeder
http://www.campbell.edu/faculty/schroeder/index.htm
Office: D. Rich 107 Office
Hours: 2-3 MWThF
Phone
893-1486 or
by appointment
E-Mail: schroeder@campbell.edu
Spring,
2007
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course includes a rigorous study of the most important works in
political philosophy of the ancient world. This means that we will focus almost
entirely on the political writings of Plato and Aristotle. The purpose of this
study will be not only to understand the significance of Plato's and
Aristotle's ideas in the history of political thought, but also to encourage
you to develop and use experience and reason to interpret and evaluate
political ideas and values. These purposes are consistent with the
purpose & mission of Campbell University
which is committed to helping students develop an integrated Christian
personality characterized by a wholeness that includes a method of critical
judgment, an appreciation of our intellectual, cultural, and religious
heritage, and a sensitive awareness of the world and society in which they live
and work.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The final grade will be based on four essay exams, including a
comprehensive final exam, and a formal term paper due on April 16th.
Essay exams: Questions will come
from a list of possible questions distributed in advance. On exam dates, the student will write one
essay from the advance list chosen by chance (tossed die). However, the final
will require two essays, one from the last segment of the course and another
from a list of questions addressing all segments of the course.
Term paper: The student is
required to write a formal 15- to 20-page (one page = approximately 250 words)
term paper, typed. The topic must be
chosen only after consultation with the instructor. On the due-date, the student must turn in (1)
the finished paper, (2) a copy on computer disk (use only MS Word or Corel
WordPerfect; PC, not MacIntosh, and (3) your research notes. The length of your
paper can exceed the maximum, but it cannot be less than the minimum. Please
note that I define a page in terms of the approximate number of words on a
standard page, assuming standard margins and font size, without footnotes, not
the number of pieces of paper in your paper. Any paper under the minimum
length, even by so little as 2 a page, will not receive a grade higher than a
"D." For guidelines on how to format your paper, consult the
department style manual and/or a standard style manual, such as that by
Turabian. The paper researched and
written for this course must be done exclusively for this course. Papers
written for other courses are not to be used to fulfill this requirement. In
addition, the paper written for this course is not to be used to fulfill
similar requirements in other courses. Any attempt to use this paper in more
than one course will be treated as an Academic Integrity violation.
Grades: Each essay counts as 1/7
of your grade (5 essays including 2 from the final) and the term paper 2/7.
ABSENCE POLICY
Consistent with the recommendation of the Dean of Arts and Sciences, the
student must attend at least 90% of the classes scheduled. If athletics or some other University sponsored
activity makes this impossible, discuss it with me within the next two weeks.
Academic Integrity
All students are subject to the academic integrity and behavioral
expectations of the University.
Learning Disabilities
Students with documented
disabilities who desire modifications or accommodations should contact the
office of Student Support Services located in the University’s Hight House.
TEXTS
Plato. The Republic. Translated by Richard W. Sterling and William
C. Scott. New
York: W.
W. Norton and Co., 1985.
Plato. The Laws. Translated by Trevor J. Saunders. New York: Penguin Books, 1984.
Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics. Translated by Martin Ostwald. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1975.
Aristotle. The Politics. Translated by Benjamin Jowett and revised by
Jonathan Barnes. Edited by Steven Everson. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1988.
Assorted professional articles to be chosen by the instructor as the
course progresses and placed on reserve.
The Style Manual: Standards for Written Work, by the Faculty of the Department of Government
and History.
Course
Outline
I. Introduction: What is Political Philosophy?
II. Before
Plato
A. The
Political Culture of the Ancient Greeks
B. The
Origins of Philosophy
C. Socrates
III. The
Political Philosophy of Plato
A. Biography
and Early Dialogues
B. The
Republic: The Best Polis
1. Introduction: The "Taming" of Thrasymachus
Required: Book I
2. The
Paradigm of Justice
Required: Books II-IV
3. The
Need for the Philosopher-King
Required: Books V-VII
4. Constitutional
Dynamics
Required: Books VIII-IX
5. Why
Be Just?
Required: Book X
FIRST EXAM
C. Law
versus Statesmanship: The Argument of The Statesman
D. The
Laws: The Second-Best Polis
1. Critique
of Existing Poleis and General Principles
Required: Chapters 1-3
2. The
Mixed Constitution
Required: Chapters 4-6
3. The
Rule of Law
Required: Chapters 7-9, 12 & 17
4. Metaphysics,
Religion and Politics
Required: Chapter 21
5. General
Principles of Politics in The Laws
Required: Chapter 26
MIDTERM EXAM
IV. The
Political Philosophy of Aristotle
A. Biography
and Philosophical Assumptions
B. The
Nicomachean Ethics: The Ethical Function of Politics
1. The
Nature of Happiness
Required: Book I
2. Virtue
as a Median
Required: Books II-IV
3. Justice
Required: Book V
4. Practical
Wisdom and Strength of Will
Required: Books VI & VII
5. Friendship
& Community
Books VIII & IX
6. Pleasure,
Happiness and Contemplation
Required: Book X
THIRD EXAM
C. The
Politics: The Science of the Political Association
1. The
Nature of Political Authority
Required: Book I
2. Ideal
Constitutions
Required: Book II
3. The
Nature of the State
Required: Book III
4. Actual
Constitutions
a. Varieties
of Constitutions
Required: Book IV
b. Causes
of Revolution
Required: Book V
c. Methods
for Political Stability
Required: Book VI
5. Political
Ideals
Required: Books VII & VIII
V. After
Aristotle
FINAL EXAM