DHUM 25A24 - Political Theory: Reading the Classics

This class of methodology focuses on the reading of “classical” texts in Political Theory and Philosophy. Confronting themselves with foundational texts in the Western tradition (Plato, Hobbes, Tocqueville, Marx, Arendt, Foucault…) participants will improve their reading skills. They will acquire a better understanding of the history of political ideas and a better view on current political events. They will also practice their ability to use precise concepts and learn how to develop stronger argumentations. Each week, we will read thoroughly a “classical” text in Political Theory or Philosophy and cover 30 to 40 pages. These texts will be available online each week via Google Docs.
Yaël HIRSCH
Séminaire
English
-NONE- Just the ability and the concentration to read carefully 35 pages each week of the semester
Autumn 2022-2023
1 Oral presentation (30 %) 1 Midterm in Class (20%) 1 Final essay with personal research (40 %) Attendance & Weekly participation (10 %)
Plato, The Republic (extracts)
Martin Luther, Bondage of the Will (extracts)+ Speech at Worms
Baruch Spinoza, Treatise on Theology and Politics, chap 16
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan (chap 13-18)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Social Contract (chap 1 & 2)
Karl Marx, The Capital (Book 1, Part 8)
Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America (extracts)
Walter Benjamin, Thesis on the Philosophy of History
Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism (chap 10 & 11)
Michel Foucault, The History of sexuality vol 1, chap. 5 + Security, Territory, Population, class of the 11th of January 1978.
Hans Jonas, The Imperative of responsibility (chap 2).