This course has two purposes: first, to give students an opportunity to develop an understanding of some major works in ancient Greek, Roman and medieval political thought, and second, to enable students to appreciate the activity of theorizing as a systematic political and intellectual enterprise. The approach of the course is chronological but its purpose is theoretical: to read and interpret some extraordinary texts of classical antiquity and Greek/Roman/Christian political thought. With this in mind, we shall move from the era of the Peloponnesian War in ancient Hellas (Greece) (Thucydides), to the fall of democratic Athens and the Hellenic Age of empire (Plato, Aristotle), to republican Rome (Cicero), to post-imperial Rome and the development of Christian political thought (Augustine), and finally to the High Gothic era of c13th, where pagan Aristotelianism and Christian doctrine are synthesized (Thomas). Along the way, we will be concerned to illuminate the respective visions of these five monumental (and perhaps strange and alien) political theorists of antiquity, and consider the ways in which their writings challenge our own necessarily partial and limited views concerning some of the great issues of politics: justice, corruption, power, democracy, freedom, war, ethics and religion, and the purpose of civic, political life.

Requirements: Grades will be assigned on the basis of three short papers and a final examination. The paper topics (which will be handed out two weeks before each paper is due) concentrate only on the readings and texts assigned for the course (i.e. these are not "bibliographical" or "research" papers). The first paper (3-4 pages) is due on Thursday, October 15 (in class); the second paper (6-8 pages) is due Thursday, November 12 (in class) and the third paper (8-10 pages), is due Monday, December 8 (in the Political Science Department Office, 1414 SocSci, by 3:00 pm). The papers will be slightly weighted, with the first paper counting less heavily toward your final grade than the second and third. All of the papers will count more toward the final grade than the final examination, which itself can only (potentially) lift your grade, not lower it. (I will explain more about the final examination in class).

The final examination is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9 (1600-1800 pm), in BlegH 435. (The exam will take about 1 hour).

Completion of all three papers and the final exam is a necessary (but not necessarily sufficient) condition for passing the course. Please inform me immediately, and in advance of any due dates, should you face unexpected difficulties in completing any of the requirements. Neither extensions nor incompletes are automatic or frequent options in this course; to seek either you must first obtain permission from me (and also have a very good reason for your request).

The assigned readings are the core of the course, hence familiarity with the texts and regular attendance in class are essential for successful completion of the required work. Look over the syllabus and consider the reading load -- do not take the course if you find the amount of reading overwhelming or have a low tolerance for consistent class attendance.

• The Vision of the Greeks
• Political Philosophy in the Age of the Polis
• After the Polis: All Roads Lead to Rome
• The Medieval Crisis of Church and State