This unit examines how past thinkers have grappled with three major ideas within the history of political thought. The semester is divided into equal parts dealing with the topics of freedom, justice and democracy. From the ancient Greeks to contemporary philosophers, these concepts have held longstanding interest and remain of central concern to contemporary political discourse. The debate on all three topics is as alive and unresolved today as it was 2000 years ago. The thinkers studied may include historical figures such as Plato, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, J. J. Rousseau, J. S. Mill and Karl Marx. -- Course Website
Instructor: Professor David van Mill
Prerequisites: any Level 1 Political Science and International Relations unit
