POE-255 Introduction to Political Philosophy
Through Plato
An introductory survey of western philosophical
ideals regarding political economy with an
emphasis on Plato's Republic. In this course we
examine major philosophies in western political
economy in light of the political economy
discussions Plato initiates in the Republic.
Focus will be primarily on Plato but we will
further compare the ideas he raises with Locke,
Smith, Burke, Marx, anarchists, contemporary
liberals, contemporary conservatives and
democratic socialists, feminists, and
environmentalists. Students do daily written
analyses of the reading before class then engage
in Socratic dialogue with the professor. There is
very little lecture.