Course overview
Most ancient political thought which has come down to us is anti-democratic. In this course, students learn how Athenian democracy produced a philosophical response to the idea of the mixed constitution. They further learn how Greek theory and Roman practice collided in the dramatic and vicious politics of the last century of the Roman Republic. Problems of land, justice, civil rights, and the best way for humans to live together were fought out with words and, ultimately, swords. The result was the extinction of democracy from the world.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the origins, nature and evolution of ancient historical sources related to political thought
- Draw lessons from ancient history for how political struggles play out in ancient and modern reality
- Write coherent and evidence-based arguments about ancient political thought and/or issues
- Evaluate and critique ancient and modern authors’ writings about ancient politics based on the assumptions and biases they observe
- Offer a clear, literate and logical exposition of ideas in independently researched work (written or oral), based on suitable primary and secondary sources, using appropriate referencing