POL200Y1Y L5101
Political Theory: Visions of the Just/Good Society
Themes
This course provides an introduction to Western political theory covering major political works of Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes and Locke. Through these works we investigate different understandings of the following concepts (among others): justice, equality, freedom, democracy, obligation, authority, and tyranny.
Texts
Plato, Trial and Death of Socrates and Republic; Aristotle, Politics; Machiavelli, The Prince, Discourses & other writings; Hobbes, Leviathan; and Locke, Second Treatise of Government.
Format and Requirements
Two lectures and one tutorial per week or as available. Assignments include a combination of tests and/or essays and a final exam.