The course is conducted in English。Students in English-Taught Program in Department of Political Science have priority in taking this course.

This course offers an introduction to key thinkers and major debates in the history of Western political philosophy. We will read, interpret, and evaluate some classic texts in ancient and modern political thought. Through the careful and attentive reading and critical analysis of these texts, we will study common political concepts, questions, and problems across our texts and explore central themes, such as justice, liberty, equality, human nature, democracy, property, violence, and political authority. While we will attend closely to the ideas and arguments of these thinkers in their own contexts, we will also consider the validity or value of their ideas more generally: What do they have to teach us about the nature of political interaction and political inquiry? Do the thinkers’ similarities or differences make them more or less appealing or relevant to you, as a 21st-century reader with your own political values, commitments, and experiences? Do they teach you anything new about politics?

The main objective of the course is to gain an understanding of some of the most pressing debates in the history of Western political thought through a close reading of canonical texts. This course is meant to teach students to see each reading as politically and philosophically interesting in its own right and in its own historical context. Another major aim of this course is to encourage students to judge for themselves which ethical and political perspectives and arguments are persuasive or compelling to them and which aren’t. Students will learn to: (1) critically engage (in writing and discussion) some of the best-known texts in the history of political thought (2) grasp the overall thrust of a text’s argument and articulate an elaborate account of the key concepts theorized by the thinkers under study (3) identify key passages in a given text and unpack their meaning by relating them to other parts of the text and cognate themes or concepts in other thinkers and texts (4) identify major ethical and political questions and concepts that are important to the tradition of political theory and reflect on the implications of the ideas (5) interpret the primary texts and then use them as evidence in formulating and supporting your arguments (6) develop and articulate a more sophisticated understanding of your own political stances by analyzing and comparing terms and concepts in their various uses and the merits and shortcomings of different arguments (7) write argumentative essays that analyze, interpret, or compare relevant texts (8) critically evaluate and further develop your own political values and commitments, including reflecting on contemporary political institutions or practices and finding resources that help stimulate political imaginations in facing the challenges of our current world

1. Reading: Read the texts diligently and come to class prepared to discuss them. Close reading entails entering into an authentic conversation with the author, a conversation in which you are both trying to get to the heart of the political problems we confront as human beings. You are trying to listen well to what they are trying to tell you, and to arrive at a judgment about why you find them persuasive, or where you disagree with them. In order to arrive at that judgment, you have to be confident that you have understood what they are trying to say. 2. In-Class Discussion and Participation: (1) Come to class every week, having read the text carefully and with questions or critical reactions in mind. (2) Try your best to arrive in class on time – late arrivals can disrupt your classmates’ learning. (3) The class will be a combination of lecture and discussion. Sometimes we will break into small-group discussions during which you should participate actively in discussions with your peers to help develop and challenge your understandings. (4) Comments should be constructive and respectful even if you disagree with a classmate’s interpretation; aim at raising questions that we can discuss in class. All members of the learning environment in this course should strive to create an atmosphere of mutual respect where all members of our community can express themselves, engage with each other, and respect one another’s differences. The University does not condone discrimination or harassment against any persons or communities. (5) Attendance will be taken irregularly. An absence without a previously approval by the instructor will incur a deduction in the final participation grade. If you have to miss a class, please inform the instructor at least 2 hours BEFORE the class starts; any requests for an excused absence later than the said due time will not be processed. (6) Occasionally, we will also have short on-the-spot writing exercises or quizzes in class. No make-up writings or quizzes are possible unless students’ absence is approved by the instructor. 3. Lateness Policy: Late assignments will be penalized at the rate of 5% per day of lateness, including weekends. All assignments that are submitted after the deadline will immediately incur a penalty of 5%. AFTER 1 WEEK, NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. If you are having trouble meeting a deadline, it is essential that you reach out to the instructor at least 2 days BEFORE the assignment is due. Unless there are verified, documented, and justifiable reasons, extensions are not granted. Any extension requests that do not follow the course policy will not be processed. 4. Academic Honesty: Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses against academic integrity and are subject to disciplinary action by the University. Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated and any form of plagiarism will incur severe consequences including failing this course. 5. Use of AI NOT Permitted: Any use of generative technologies is prohibited in this course. Using any form of generative AI for research or writing is considered an academic offense. 6. Use of Cellphones/Smartphones NOT Permitted in Class: Cellphones/smartphones should not be used during class. Those using smartphones during class, even quietly, may be asked to stop. Those awaiting urgent phone calls should seat themselves near an exit; put their phones on vibrate; and excuse themselves from the lecture hall if they receive an alert requiring the use of a phone. 7. Email Protocol: (1) When emailing the instructor, please include the course name in the subject line. You are welcome to communicate in English or Mandarin in all email correspondence. (2) Please use your University email (@ntu.edu.tw) (3) Please consult the syllabus and the course webpage before asking questions that are answered there. (4) The instructor will usually respond within 2 business days (i.e. not including weekends or public holidays) whenever possible. Emails sent on weekends, public holidays, or after 5 pm on weekdays will NOT be read. Students are responsible for leaving adequate time for a response and contacting the instructor in a timely manner, especially in asking for an approved absence or an extension. (5) Norms of politeness apply. All communication with anyone in the course should be respectful. While ordinary questions are welcome, hectoring or harassing emails are not appropriate and may incur consequences.

Plato. 1992. Republic. Trans. G.M.A. Grube, Rev. C.D.C. Reeve. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett. Aristotle. 1998. Politics. Trans. C.D.C. Reeve. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett. Christine de Pizan. 2018. The Book of the City of Ladies. Ed. Sophie Bourgault and Rebecca Kingston. Trans. Ineke Hardy. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett. Machiavelli, Niccolò. 1994. Selected Political Writings. Trans. David Wootton. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett. Hobbes, Thomas. 1994. Leviathan. Ed. Edwin Curley. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett. Locke, John. 1980. Second Treatise. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett. * Attention: There are many different editions and translations of these texts. It is very important that you acquire these editions so that we can refer to them in lectures (using the same translations of the texts with the same pagination) and so that you can cite them in your assignments.