Great Texts in Western Political Thought

What is the nature and purpose of civil government? What is civil government’s unique and proper task, belonging to it and no other human institution? What are the proper limits of civil government, and what, if anything, may be done to resist government when it exceeds those limits? Would there have been civil government had human beings never fallen into sin? Where does political authority come from, and how do we know? These are some of the central and perennial questions of political philosophy, and which serve as the focus of this semester-long course. In this class, students will read and critically examine some of the most important and influential texts and ideas in the history of western political thought.

In this 16-week course, each week students will (1) watch a lecture, (2) complete the readings and assigned questions, and (3) attend an hour-and-a-half recitation for in-depth discussion and debate. Each quarter (half semester) will also have an exam and a 1,000 word essay.

Course objectives

• Students will become acquainted with and develop their skills in both critically and appreciatively examining some of the great texts and ideas of western political thought.
• Students will develop a framework for identifying and evaluating political-philosophical assumption and claims.
• Through recitation participation and quarterly essays, students will practice and develop their skills of oral and written communication.
• Through recitation discussions and debate, students will practice and develop their skills of advancing and defending arguments, receiving critique from their instructor and peers, and responding with Christian charity, humility, and grace.

Texts

(Most readings will involve selections; see the course syllabus for more specific reading assignments.)

• Bible
• Plato, Apology, Crito, and Republic
• Aristotle, Politics and Ethics
• Augustine, City of God
• Aquinas, Summa Theologiae
• Machiavelli, The Prince
• Hobbes, Leviathan
• Calvin, On Civil Government
• Locke, Second Discourse
• Federalist Papers