PLT1050

Nature, law and revolution: political ideas in context

(ART)

Michael Janover

6 points + 3 hours per week + Second semester + Clayton

Synopsis: Themes of nature and reason, law and will, revolution and history in selected political and philosophical writings. Central to the subject will be writings by Plato, Niccolo Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Edmund Burke and Karl Marx. We will consider questions of the origins of political society, ways of organising power, connections (or gaps) between morals and politics.

Assessment: Tutorial presentation and participation: 10% + Assignment (500 words): 15% + Essay (2000 words): 35% + Examination (2 hours): 40%