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 [email protected] Office Hours: T and Th 2-3 and by Appointment1149 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 1II. Course Requirements 1. Midterm Essay (30%) 4-6 pages. Due date: June 20 2. Final Essay (40%) 8-10 pages. Due date: July 17 3. Quizzes (Total 20%) 4. Preparation & Participation (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 2Notes, 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