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Course Summary:
The principal aim of the seminar is to give an overview on some of the most important works of the early modem political philosophy. The selection of the texts is based on their relevance to the formation of the modem political science. Special attention will be paid to the classics of liberal thought .
Syllabus:
Sept. 6: The history of political philosophy and its relevance to modem political science.
Introductory lecture
Sept. 13: Methodological problems in the history of political thought.
Introductory lecture
Sept. 20: The renaissance and the revival of ancient political thought
Lecture
Sept. 22: Machiavelli: The Prince
Seminar
Sept. 27: The concept of natural rights and the rise of modem sciences Lecture
Lecture
Sept. 29: Hobbes: Leviathan: Introduction, Chapter 1-10
Seminar
Oct. 4: The concept of sovereignty
Lecture
Oct. 6: Hobbes: Leviathan: Chapter 13-21
Seminar
Oct. 11: The historical context of Locke's political thought
Lecture
Oct. 13: Lock: Second Treatise on Government: The problem of state of nature
Seminar /
Oct. 18: Second Treatise of Government The consent theory of political obligations ;/
Seminar
Oct. 20: Locke-Letter Concerning Toleration
Seminar
Oct. 25: Summary of the first part of the course
Seminar
Oct. 27: Mid-term examination
Nov. 1: Hume's moral philosophy
Lecture
Nov. 3: Hume: A Treatise of Human Nature . Book II. Part. II.
Seminar
Nov. 8: Rousseau and the problem of enlightenment
Lecture
Nov. 10: Rousseau on the origin of inequality
Lecture
Nov. 15: Rousseau. The Social Contract : Chapter 1-2.
Seminar
Nov. 17: Rousseau -The Social Contract :Chapter 3-4
Seminar
Nov. 22: Kants moral philosophy
Lecture
Nov. 29: The origins of utilitarian thought
Lecture
Dec. 1: J.S. Mill: On Liberty: Chapter 1-3
Seminar
Dec. 6: Summary of the course
Dec. 8: Presentation of the final essays
EVALUATION:
Students are required to follow regularly the lectures and to participate actively in the seminars . The evaluation will be based on the activity during seminars, the mid-term in-class paper and the final essay in the following proportion: activity: 30%; mid-term paper: 30%; final essay: 40%.
1. Final essays must be handed by the last day of the first trimester.
Hou_EarlyMo.F94PS.v3
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