The Study of Political Philosophy Ancient and Modern Philosophy and its Critics GVPT 241 Department of Government and Politics University of Maryland Summer 2007 T Th 4 00pm 7 20pm Tydings 1102 Gregory A McBrayer gmcbrayer gvpt umd edu 301 314 5451 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 only a handful of thinkers This should allow us to read these texts with the greatest care and to gain an appreciation for a handful of important themes in the history of political philosophy Philosophy has been called from time to time either useless vicious or both We will therefore examine some attacks on philosophy and see whether philosophy can provide for itself an adequate apology Can philosophy tell us anything about how we ought to live our lives either individually or collectively Is it useful for good politics or a threat to all existing regimes Can nature provide any guidance in our attempt to answer this question or is nature something to be overcome conquered Or is there no such thing as nature and we should therefore set out to create our own horizons At stake is the greater question always looming in the background of how one ought to live Should one lead the contemplative life of the philosopher or the passionate life of an artist Our authors will touch on these questions and hopefully provide us with some insight into the human condition and make us aware of fundamental alternatives to these most important questions 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 Hesse Hermann Narcissus and Goldmund Trans by Ursule Molinaro Picador Publishing NY 2003 ISBN 0312421672 Machiavelli Mandragola Trans by Mera J Flaumenhaft Waveland Press Long Grove IL 1981 ISBN 0917974573 1 Machiavelli Prince 2nd Ed Trans by Harvey C Mansfield University of Chicago Press Chicago 1998 ISBN 0226500446 Nietzsche Friedrich The Portable Nietzsche Translated and Edited by Walter Kaufman Penguin Books New York 1977 ISBN 0140150625 Plato Gorgias Trans James H Nichols Cornell University Press Ithaca 1988 ISBN 0801485274 Plato Symposium Trans by Seth Benardete Universtiy of Chicago Press Chicago 2001 ISBN 0226042758 Strunk White Elements of Style Any edition West Thomas G and Grace Starry West Four Texts on Socrates Plato s Euthyphro Apology and Crito and Aristophanes Clouds Cornell University Press Ithaca NY 1998 ISBN 0801485746 II 1 2 3 4 5 Course Requirements Preparation Participation First Essay Due date June 19 Second Essay Due date July 3 Final Essay Due date July 14 Quizzes 10 20 4 6 pages 20 4 6 pages 30 8 10 pages 20 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 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 2 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 to use any outside sources 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 5 Clouds June 7 Apology June 12 Nietzsche selections June 14 Nietzsche selections June 19 Narcissus and Goldmund June 21 Narcissus and Goldmund June 26 Symposium June 28 Symposium July 3 Mandragola July 5 Prince July 10 Gorgias July 12 Gorgias 3