PHIL 390 - Classical Political Theory

Institution:

Northeastern Illinois University

Subject:

Philosophy

Description:

In this course, we will study ancient political thought to gain a critical perspective on the politics and ethical practices of our own time. But to do so is not to bow to the present. This approach guided the Medieval Era's study of classical philosophy and the Modern Age's study of classical history. And thus, to ask what the ancients teach us about ourselves is to ask a question that is both contemporary and traditional. It is also to ask a question that requires respect for antiquite's distinctiveness. All political philosophy is an inquiry into how we should live and how we should live together and this is especially ture for the ancients. Throughout the semester, we will be attentive to how their understandings of these dimensions of human existence are sometimes quite different from our own. This course will introduce you to some of the dominant texts and concepts of "Western" political thought drawn from the Mediterranean region and originally written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. Some of our readings will challenge the centrality of these texts--they will force us out of the frame-- and we will take the fact of this centrality in this liberal arts and sciences as a problem for thought and discussion.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.neiu.edu/

Phone Number:

(773) 583-4050

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

The Course Profile information is provided and updated by third parties including the respective institutions. While the institutions are able to update their information at any time, the information is not independently validated, and no party associated with this website can accept responsibility for its accuracy.