PS 208

Introduction to Political Theory

"No one lives as he wishes save the happy, and no one is happy save the just" - St. Augustine

With this quote, St. Augustine captures several of the important questions addressed by political theorists. What is justice? What is the best form of government and why do we need government? This course introduces students to some of history's greatest political thinkers including Socrates, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.

REQUIRED TEXTS

  • Bartlett, Robert C. and Susan D. Collins. 2011. Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

  • Cox, Richard (ed.). 1987. Second Treatise of Government: Locke. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell. LCC Library Link (Free Access).

  • Dunn, Susan (ed.). 2010. The Social Contract and The First and Second Discourses. New Haven: Yale University Press . LCC Library Link (Free Access).

  • Mansfield, Harvey C. (trans.). 1998. The Prince, second edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

  • Other readings uploaded to Moodle (no cost)

Estimated cost of course materials through the bookstore: $25 (new)/$17.50 (used).