IRS 204: Political Thought: Plato-Machiavelli

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

1. examine the influence of ancient political thought on power, justice and human rights;
2. discuss the influence of ancient political thought on law and governance;
3. discuss the dominance of ancient Greek and roman political thought in the fifth century BC up to the end of the Roman Empire; and

• specifically explain the contributions of the Plato Machiavelli, Socrates and Aristotle to ancient political thought.

Course Contents

A general survey of Classical and Medieval thought up to the fifteenth century with a focus on individual thinkers. Pre-occupations of political thought. The language and methods of political analysis. The influence of political thought and philosophy on power, justice, human rights, law and governance. Predominance of Ancient Greek and Roman thought in the fifth century BC up to the end of the Roman Empire-Plato, Machiavelli, Socrates, Aristotle.