The Study of Political Philosophy Ancient and Modern GVPT 241 Department of Government and Politics University of Maryland Summer 2006 T Th 4 00pm 7 20pm Tydings 1102 Gregory A McBrayer gmcbrayer gvpt umd edu 301 314 5280 Office Hours T and Th 2 3 and by Appointment 1149 Tydings Hall This is a course intended to introduce you to the history of political thought through ancient and modern authors Due to the brevity of a summer course we will limit our study to four main works and selections from two other thinkers This should allow us to read these texts with the greatest care Instead of treating this course simply as a very general survey I have chosen to focus on a particular theme political ambition The goal will be to understand how each author explores this question and the conclusions he draws With respect to political ambition we will be forced to confront the claim that the political life is the highest life for a human being At stake is the greater question always looming in the background of how one ought to live I Required Texts Please Note I apologize but I must insist that you purchase the editions listed below We will read together in class a great deal and it is imperative to remain on the same page Johnson David Socrates and Alcibiades Four Texts Focus Publishing Newburyport MA 2003 ISBN 1585100692 Machiavelli Prince 2nd Ed Trans by Harvey C Mansfield University of Chicago Press Chicago 1998 ISBN 0226500446 Plato Symposium Trans by Seth Benardete Universtiy of Chicago Press Chicago 2001 ISBN 0226042758 Strunk White Elements of Style Any edition Xenophon The Education of Cyrus Trans by Wayne Ambler Cornell University Press 2001 ISBN 0801487501 1 II Course Requirements 1 Midterm Essay 20 2 Final Essay 17 3 Quizzes 4 Preparation Participation 30 4 6 pages Due date June 40 8 10 pages Due date July Total 20 10 Class Preparation Participation and Attendance Attendance is mandatory missing two classes will result in a failing grade Your primary task is to come to class each day having reading very carefully and to be prepared to talk intelligently about the material Do not come to class having read the text only once Reread it Take notes as you read and outline arguments Think about what you are reading and reflect on the human importance of it Analyze the arguments Are they persuasive Do they convince you Above all come prepared Class discussion is imperative I will do my best to involve everyone in class discussion From time to time I will offer interpretation My interpretation however is not final Stand your ground if you think my interpretation is wrong say so The same goes for each other Do not hesitate to challenge your fellow students and be prepared to be challenged You will find that once you get over any initial discomfort you may have it is quite pleasant to engage in rational argument As this is a class that encourages discourse three absences will result in a failing grade Essays These essays are meant to encourage you to wrestle with the text I expect papers that are well argued original succinct and beautiful I want to enjoy reading them I am not looking for summary we have all read the text Make an argument You should feel free to take me to task Agree or disagree with interpretations offered in class I encourage you to write and rewrite read and proofread I will count off for bad arguments I will also hold you accountable to the highest standards of style This includes grammar Grammatical mistakes often indicate a lack of time and effort spent on a paper One of the great benefits of this course is that you will hopefully learn in addition to a something about Political Thought how to read and write carefully These are great tools that will aid you in whatever you pursue Under no circumstances whatsoever will papers be accepted after the dates listed above Quizzes There will be from time to time Pop Quizzes These are simple and meant only to reveal to me whether you in fact have read the text The better the grades attendance and participation are the fewer the quizzes we will have Miscellanea 1 Academic Dishonesty All work must be done in strict accordance with the letter and spirit of the honor code of the University of Maryland All violations will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible If you have any doubts or questions whatsoever as to what constitutes a violation feel free to speak to me ahead of time When writing papers you are not permitted in any case whatsoever to use outside sources This means Cliff s 2 Notes the internet scholarly journals etc You are to remain solely within the confines of the text at hand Part of this course is learning how to think for oneself about the issues raised in the text and this can only be clouded by the judgment of others 2 Students with documented disabilities should see the instructor Their needs will be accommodated 3 The UMD policy of respecting the religious observances of students or their participation in university activities will be followed You must inform me ahead of time III Schedule of Readings June 6 Abraham Lincoln The Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions Address Before the Young Men s Lyceum of Springfield Illinois Strunk White pages 1 14 June 8 Alexis de Tocqueville Democracy in America Selections June 13 Machiavelli The Prince June 15 The Education of Cyrus Book 1 June 20 The Education of Cyrus Book 2 3 June 22 The Education of Cyrus Book 4 5 June 27 The Education of Cyrus Book 6 7 June 29 The Education of Cyrus Book 8 July 4 NO CLASS July 6 Alcibiades I Alcibiades II July 11 Symposium 172a 201c July 13 Symposium 201d End 3