Political Theory 2237
Fall/Winter 2011-2012
Class Time/Location: Th, 10:30 AM-12:20 PM University College, Room 224
Professors
Professor Biswas Mellamphy (Term 1), Professor Long (Term 2)
Course Description
This course is an exploration of some of the dominant forms of political organization, association and
identity that human beings have created in the historical traditions of western civilization. It is, as such,
also a story about the historical forms of domination that have enabled the collective organizing of
political and social life to either develop and expand, or wither and die away.
Term I is dedicated to exploring the ancient historical roots of western political ideas, focusing on the
birth of political thought as it is presented in some of the major historical, dramatic and political texts of
ancient Greece (but also touching on ancient Rome and Renaissance Europe). Some of the political
thinkers we will investigate include Aeschylus, Sophocles, Aristophanes, Thucydides, Protagoras, Plato,
Aristotle, Cicero and Machiavelli.
Among the issues we will explore are:
 war and peace and the moral dilemmas attending them
 the dilemmas and challenges of leadership and rulership
 the origins and definitions of democracy, monarchy, aristocracy and tyranny
 the different, often conflicting functions, between the domestic (family) and political spheres of
life (state)
 the extent of an individual’s obligation to obey the law of the state
 the influence of gender on political concepts
Mark Breakdown
2 In-class tests (format: long answer questions):
2 In-Tutorial Pop Quizzes:
Tutorial Attendance/Participation:
Long Essay (6-8 pages)
10% (5% each) Oct 20, 2011, Nov 10, 2011
10% (5% each) Surprise!
10% (5% attendance; 5% Participation)
15% Due Dec 1, 2011
45%
THERE IS NO SCHEDULED MIDTERM EXAM FOR THIS CLASS
The penalty for late papers begins at 4pm on the due date.
GRADING RUBRIC FOR ESSAYS AND ESSAY STYLE QUESTIONS:
Quality of work submitted will be evaluated on the degree of success in the following categories:
• THESIS STATEMENT (including originality and clarity of interpretation)
• ARGUMENT (organization of ideas, content and use of course materials, logical
development of ideas, analysis, synthesis, accuracy of interpretation)
• EVIDENCE (quality and use of sources and textual support, accurate and appropriate use
of quotes, explanation of quotes used)
• ESSAY FORM (introduction, body, conclusion, references and citations, bibliography)
• TECHNIQUE (credibility of authorial voice, grammar, style, spelling)
Grades will be assigned based on the following rubric:
• Exceptional: Went beyond expectation in all categories; went beyond course material -above 86
• Strong: Displayed high level of capability in all categories, but did not go beyond the
obvious and did not exceed all conceivable expectations- 80-85
• Strong/Average: Displayed high level of capability in some categories but not all; did not
go beyond the obvious - 76-79
• Average: Displayed average (good) level of capability overall, with some strengths and
some weaknesses - 70-75
• Average/Weak: Displayed average capability is some categories, but no particular
strengths: 66-69
• Average/Weaker: Displayed average capability is some categories and some
underaverage levels of capability: 60-65
• Weak: Displayed an underaverage level of capability overall - below 60.
Term 1 Schedule
Class Date
1
Sept. 08
2
Sept. 15
Required Readings
Lecture Topic
Introduction to the
Course: Themes,
Objectives, Policies,
Organization; How to
avoid Plagiarism
http://www.believermag.com/issues/200708/?re Reinventing the Ancient
ad=interview_simon
Political World for the
New Millennium:
http://www.thefader.com/2006/12/08/listening- Introduction to Issues
in-part-iv/
and Problems in Political
Thought
‘Preface’, Steinberger Readings in Classical
Political Thought, p. xi-xii.
‘Tragedians and Comedians’ in Steinberger
Readings in Classical Political Thought, p. 5961
3
Sept. 22
4
Sept. 29
Note: Start reading ‘Aeschylus: The Furies’ in
Steinberger Readings in Classical Political
Thought,p. 62-77.
No class; tutorials are still on.
“The Early Poets”, Steinberger Readings in
Classical Political Thought, p. 1-4.
Aeschylus: The Furies’ in Steinberger
Readings in Classical Political Thought,p. 6277.
5
Oct. 06
6
Oct. 13
7
Oct. 20
Dawn of the ‘Greeks’:
Agamemnon’s Lesson
and The Birth of Politics
Viewing: The Greeks:
Crucible of Civilization
Recommended: “The Way They Came”,
Cahill Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: Why the
Greeks Matter, p. 1-14.
“The Fifth Century: The Politics of Power 479- War and and the birth of
404 B.C, Charles Freeman, The Greek
Athenian Democracy:
Achievement, p. 192-101 (* available on course The Empire is born
website)
Viewing: The Greeks:
Recommended: “The Warrior” Cahill Sailing
Crucible of Civilization
the Wine-Dark Sea: Why the Greeks Matter, p.
15-50.
‘Sophocles: Antigone, Steinberger Readings in The Case of Antigone: Is
Classical Political Thought,p. 117-135.
there a duty to disobey?
In Class Test
Worth 5%
8
Oct. 27
‘Historians’, Steinberger Readings in Classical
Political Thought,p. 29-31.
The Empire Strikes Back:
Thucydides and The
Peloponnesian War
‘Thucydides: History of the Peloponnesian
War’, Steinberger Readings in Classical
Political Thought,p.35- 39.
9
Nov. 03
“The Fifth Century: The Politics of Power 479404 B.C, Charles Freeman, The Greek
Achievement, p. 203-214 (* available on course
website)
‘Thucydides: Pericles’ Funeral Oration and The Justice or Expediency?
Plague’, Steinberger Readings in Classical
The Moral Costs of
Political Thought,p. 39-47
Power
“Thucydides”, Steinberger Readings in
Classical Political Thought,p. 47-52
10
Nov. 10
11
Nov. 17
‘Thucydides’, Steinberger Readings in
Classical Political Thought,p. 54-58.
In-class test
Worth 5%
“Pre-Socratics and Sophists,” Steinberger
Readings in Classical Political Thought,p. 1719.
What is Justice?
Introducing Republic
Book 1 and 2
‘Socrates and Plato’, Steinberger Readings in
Classical Political Thought,p. 137-138.
12
13
Nov. 24
Dec. 01
‘Plato, Republic: Book 1 and 2,’ Steinberger
Readings in Classical Political Thought, p.
166- 196.
‘Plato, Republic: Books 3, 4 and 5,’
Steinberger Readings in Classical Political
Thought.
‘Aristotle, ‘Politics: Books 1 and 2,’
Steinberger Readings in Classical Political
Thought, p. 358-360; 377-394.
‘Aristotle, Politics: Books 3 and 4,’ Steinberger
Readings in Classical Political Thought, p.
394-405.
Last class of Term 1
Plato’s Ideal City and
Introduction to
Aristotle’s Critique of
Plato
Why Polity is the Best
Practical Regime
Long Essay due today
(through Turnitin):
worth 15%