An introduction to the political ideas and theories of the ancient Greeks and Romans. We will focus on primary texts by Plato, Aristotle, Cicero and Augustine of Hippo, supplemented by some selections from the Greek historian Thucydides and the political school of thought known as the “Sophists”. About one-third of the course will be devoted to role-playing game, The Threshold of Democracy: Athens in 403 B.C. This game is part of a “Reacting to the Past” method developed at Barnard College. Students will be assigned different roles, e.g. Thrasybulus, a radical Democrat, Oligarch, Supporter of Socrates, Rich Athlete--derived from the historical setting, each role being defined largely by its game objective-exonerate Socrates, banish Socrates, condemn him to death. Students will determine on their own, however, how best to attain their goals, though they will receive guidance from important texts in the history of ideas
The heart of each game is persuasion. For nearly every role to which you will be assigned, you must persuade others that your views make more sense than those of your opponents. Your views will be informed by the texts cited in your game objectives, and the more you draw upon these texts and the more cleverly you draw upon them, the better. You have two ways of expressing your views: orally and in writing. Both will be graded.
Grading Policy
Your grade will be based on the following:
(1) regular class attendance, careful preparation of the readings, and active participation in the games: 10%,
(2) four analytical outlines: 10%.
(3) pop quizzes: 10%.
(4) points earned (as part of a group) in “Reacting to the Past” simulation: 10%,
(5) approximately three writing assignments -- speeches, newspaper articles, poems, or whatever written expression that enables you to persuade your fellow students in the context of the “Reacting to the Past” simulation -- totaling about ten pages: 20%,
(6) two exams (the first 15%, the second 25% ).
Timely submission of all work is essential.
Texts
The Threshold of Democracy Athens in 403 B.C. by Mark Carnes (Longman, 2005)
Plato, The Republic (Penguin Classics, 2007);
Thucydides, On Justice, Power and Human Nature: The Essence of The History of the Peloponnesian War (edited by Paul Woodruff, Hackett, 1993)
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (trans. David Ross, Oxford World Classics, 2009)
Aristotle’s Politics and the Constitution of Athens (trans. Everson, Cambridge. 1996)
Cicero, Republic and the Laws (trans. Rudd, Oxford World Classics, 2009)
Cicero, On Obligations: De Officiis (trans. Walsh, Oxford World Classics, 2008).