1

PLSC 114: Introduction to Political Philosophy (Fall 2006, Open Yale Courses). Instructor: Professor Steven B. Smith.

FREE
This course includes
Hours of videos

666 years, 7 months

Units & Quizzes

24

Unlimited Lifetime access
Access on mobile app
Certificate of Completion

This course is intended as an introduction to political philosophy as seen through an examination of some of the major texts and thinkers of the Western political tradition. Three broad themes that are central to understanding political life are focused upon: the polis experience (Plato, Aristotle), the sovereign state (Machiavelli, Hobbes), constitutional government (Locke), and democracy (Rousseau, Tocqueville). The way in which different political philosophies have given expression to various forms of political institutions and our ways of life are examined throughout the course. (from

Course Currilcum

  • Lecture 01 – Introduction: What is Political Philosophy? Unlimited
  • Lecture 02 – Socratic Citizenship: Plato’s Apology Unlimited
  • Lecture 03 – Socratic Citizenship: Plato’s Crito Unlimited
  • Lecture 04 – Philosophers and Kings: Plato’s Republic, I-II Unlimited
  • Lecture 05 – Philosophers and Kings: Plato’s Republic, III-IV Unlimited
  • Lecture 06 – Philosophers and Kings: Plato’s Republic, V Unlimited
  • Lecture 07 – The Mixed Regime and the Rule of Law: Aristotle’s Politics, I, III Unlimited
  • Lecture 08 – The Mixed Regime and the Rule of Law: Aristotle’s Politics, IV Unlimited
  • Lecture 09 – The Mixed Regime and the Rule of Law: Aristotle’s Politics, VII Unlimited
  • Lecture 10 – New Modes and Orders: Machiavelli’s The Prince (chaps. 1-12) Unlimited
  • Lecture 11 – New Modes and Orders: Machiavelli’s The Prince (chaps. 13-26) Unlimited
  • Lecture 12 – The Sovereign State: Hobbes, Leviathan Unlimited
  • Lecture 13 – The Sovereign State: Hobbes, Leviathan Unlimited
  • Lecture 14 – The Sovereign State: Hobbes, Leviathan Unlimited
  • Lecture 15 – Constitutional Government: Locke’s Second Treatise (1-5) Unlimited
  • Lecture 16 – Constitutional Government: Locke’s Second Treatise (7-12) Unlimited
  • Lecture 17 – Constitutional Government: Locke’s Second Treatise (13-19) Unlimited
  • Lecture 18 – Democracy and Participation: Rousseau’s Discourse on Inequality (Part I) Unlimited
  • Lecture 19 – Democracy and Participation: Rousseau’s Discourse on Inequality (Part II) Unlimited
  • Lecture 20 – Democracy and Participation: Rousseau’s Social Contract, I-II Unlimited
  • Lecture 21 – Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville’s Democracy in America Unlimited
  • Lecture 22 – Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville’s Democracy in America Unlimited
  • Lecture 23 – Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville’s Democracy in America Unlimited
  • Lecture 24 – In Defense of Politics Unlimited