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? * Please note: This course syllabus may be adjusted in terms of course schedule or required readings due to actual teaching and learning needs. Students are advised to check the course webpage for updates and refer to the latest version of the syllabus. * This course DOES NOT allow auditing. After Week 2, students who are not officially registered for the course are not allowed to sit in the classroom.

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 PRIOR TO every class meeting 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 understanding. (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 every week. An absence without prior approval by the instructor will incur a deduction in the final participation grade. If you need to request leave, please notify the Teaching Assistant (TA) via email and send a copy (CC) to the instructor at least two hours BEFORE class on the day of the class. Late requests will not be accepted. *** Please note: During regular class periods, if a student requests leave of one day or less, they do not need to apply through the leave application system; simply follow the above method (i.e., email the TA and CC the instructor). However, if a student requests leave of more than one day (e.g., due to special circumstances requiring two consecutive weeks of leave), or if there are midterm or final exams, they must apply through the leave application system according to the University’s regulations. *** Failure to follow the above regulations (e.g., only emailing the instructor WITHOUT CONTACTING THE TA, or only applying through the leave application system WITHOUT CONTACTING THE TA) will be considered as an UNAPPROVED leave request. (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. (7) In class, please practice attentively listening to your classmates – active listening. Attentive listening is part of classroom participation and will earn you extra points; conversely, if you do not listen attentively when your classmates are speaking, such as talking to other classmates, even whispering, or doing your own thing with your head down, you will lose points. 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 sit 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: a. When emailing the instructor or the TA, please include the course name in the subject line. You are welcome to communicate in English or Mandarin in all email correspondence. b. Please use your NTU email. Emails sent from external email addresses, such as Gmail, will not be replied to. c. Please consult the syllabus and the course webpage before asking questions that are answered there. d. The instructor and the TA 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. e. 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.

All assigned readings this semester are in English, so the number of study hours will vary depending on your English reading speed. However, as long as you diligently complete the assigned readings each week, your English reading ability will definitely improve. As the course progresses, you will become increasingly adept at reading English texts on political philosophy.

Plato. 2004. 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: These texts have many different versions and English translations. It is important to use these specific versions so that we can use the same translation and the same page numbers in class and for your assignments.