POS 301�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Gunnell
Fall 2003
HISTORY, JUSTICE, AND POLITICAL ORDER
This course is
an exploration of the origins of politics and political thought in Western
culture. The emphasis will be on classical Greece and the relationship between
visions of political order and history, but we will examine both earlier and
later periods and the nexus of politics, religion, and philosophy.� The focus will be on texts but with sensitivity
to their contextual setting. The centerpiece of the course will be Plato�s Republic,
and we will move both toward and away from this work as we consider various
pieces of literature.�
The course is
somewhat experimental in that it will utilize internet resources, and the
course does assume computer literacy and access. The books we will be reading
are, however, easily available, in local bookstores, Amazon, etc. if you should
feel more comfortable with that format.�
In any event, you might wish to purchase Plato�s Republic on
which you will be writing a 10 page paper.�
Earlier and later material will be the basis of two respective
examinations.� There are no preferred
editions. The syllabus will be in printed form as well as available on a class web
page where the reading can be reached electronically and read, downloaded, or
printed. Reading must be accomplished prior to class discussion on the
designated day.� Specific reading
assignments for various sections of the course will be assigned in class.
The course is
very tightly structured, and regular attendance, careful notes on both class
discussion and reading, and continuing intellectual engagement are
essential.� Several very brief quizzes
will encourage attendance and reading and will count as a portion of the final
grade.
My email is [email protected]�� ph. 442-5265
Office hours:
TTH 9:30-11
Sept. 2
Introduction
��������� 4 Gilgamesh and demise of the
compact universe
������������ http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MESO/GILG.HTM
��������� 9 Israel and history
�������������� www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/asbook06.html
�������
11 Minoan and Mycenaen
Greece
������������ http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/MINOA/MYCENAE.HTM
������� 16 Homer: war and justice in the Iliad
and Odyssey
������������� http://library.thinkquest.org/19300/data/homer.htm
������� 18 Hesiod: cosmos and polis
���������������� http://www.studylit.com/main_authorpage/hesiod.htm
������ �23 Herodotus: history and society���
�������������� http://www.livius.org/he-hg/herodotus/herodotus01.htm
�������� 25 Aeschylus: the celebration of the polis
������������ http://www.theatrehistory.com/ancient/aeschylus001.html
������������ http://www.geocities.com/tmartiac/thalassa/oresteia.htm
30-Oct. 9
Thucydides: the city and war
��������������� http://books.mirror.org/gb.thucydides.html
���������� 14 Sophocles and Aristophanes:
politics as tragedy and comedy
��������������� http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/weekly/aa111897.htm
��������������� http://classics.mit.edu/Aristophanes/clouds.html
����������� 16 Examination
�
21-Nov. 6 Plato:
philosophy and politics
���������������� http://socrates.clarke.edu/aplg0101.htm
���������������� http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/republic.html
���������������� http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/laws.html
���������������� http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/stateman.html
11-18������� Aristotle: the idea a science of
politics
���������������� http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.html
���������������� http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/politics.html
������ 20�����
Hellenism, Rome, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Dec. 2������ St. Augustine, St. Thomas: religion and
political order
������������ �����http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/jod/augustine.html
����������������� http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/a/aquinas.htm#Writings
����������������� http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft9902/articles/novak.html
����������������� http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/ip/rep/H021.htm
��������� 4����� Conclusion
�������
��������� 9����� Examination