POL 390 - Ancient Political Theory

Surveys pre modern political theories with attention to their major theoretical innovations, historical contexts, and contemporary relevance. Major themes include the nature of political community and its relation to the cultivation of virtue, the origins of the ideas of law and freedom, the relation between knowledge and power and between politics and salvation. Readings include Thucydides, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Niccolo Machiavelli, and others. Prerequisite(s): POL 120, one PHI course, or consent.