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Reading for Class 01 - SOCRATES Trial and decision to die - Apology Crito.pdf | Reading for Class 01 - SOCRATES Trial and decision to die - Apology Crito | Janusz Salamon, Ph.D. |
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CLASSICS OF POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (JPB195) COURSE SYLLABUS Semester: Winter 2025 Lecturer: Jakub Franěk (jakub.franek@fsv.cuni.cz) Lectures: Tuesdays 11AM–12.20PM @ Room C123 Seminars: Wednesdays 2–3.20PM, 3.30PM–5PM @ Room B317 Office hours: See https://konzultace.fsv.cuni.cz appointment booking system.
Course description This course introduces the students to the study of political philosophy. Taking a historical approach, it focusses on the ancient foundations and modern transformations of (Western) political philosophy covering its key thinkers from Socrates to Nietzsche.
Aims and purpose The primary aims of this course are to make students familiar with the historical development of European political thought and to familiarise them with its principal concepts and theories. Moreover, participation in the seminar should improve the students’ analytical and argumentative skills. Teaching methodology This course uses a combination of lectures and seminars. The students will be expected to have read the assigned reading before the class so that they can participate in the discussion. NB: The lectures will be held once a week. All students enrolled in this course are expected to attend the lectures. The seminar meetings will be held every other week. The class will be divided into four seminar groups (A-D). Each seminar group will meet every other week.The students will be assigned to seminar groups during the first week of the semester. The first seminar meeting will be held during the second week of classes. Note on the use of generative AI use in this class The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the preparation of assignments, projects, or other outputs in this course is not permitted. The aim of the course is to develop independent skills, and working with AI would undermine this goal. Any use of AI will be considered a violation of the rules and may be classified as plagiarism. Course assignments / grading Midterm exam: 35% Active participation (including quizzes): 20% Final exam: 45% COURSE GRADE: 100%
Grading scale The Faculty of Social Sciences uses the following A-F grading scale: A (excellent) = 91–100% B (very good) = 81–90% C (good) = 71–80% D (satisfactory) = 61–70% E (sufficient) = 51–60% F (fail) = 0–50% Literature NB: All assigned texts will be available through the Moodle e-learning system. Additional texts may be assigned during the semester. All students must register into this course in the Moodle during the first week of classes.
Aristotle, Politics G. W. F. Hegel, Elements of the Philosophy of Right T. Hobbes, Leviathan I. Kant, Towards Perpetual Peace J. Locke, The Second Treatise of Government N. Machiavelli, The Prince K. Marx, On the Jewish Question K. Marx & F. Engels, The Communist Manifesto F. Nietzsche, The Genealogy of Morals Plato, The Defence of Socrates Plato, Crito Plato, The Republic
Course schedule
Week 1: Socrates as the first “public intellectual” Reading: Plato, The Defence of Socrates (selections) Plato, Crito (selections)
Week 2: Plato as the first “ideologue” Reading: Plato, The Republic (selections)
Week 3: Aristotle on the nature of politics Reading: Aristotle, Politics (selections)
Week 4: Machiavelli’s modern turn (on politics and morality) Reading: N. Machiavelli, The Prince (selections)
Week 5: Hobbes’ modern turn (on politics and science) Reading: T. Hobbes, The Leviathan (selections)
Week 6: Locke’s liberalism Reading: J. Locke, The Second Treatise of Government (selections)
Week 7: MIDTERM EXAM
Week 8: Rousseau on the goodness of man and popular sovereignty Reading: J.-J. Rousseau, Discourse on the Origins of Inequality; On the Social Contract (selections)
Week 9: Kant on morality and politics Reading: I. Kant, Towards Perpetual Peace
Week 10: Hegel on history and the rule of law Reading: G. W. F. Hegel, Elements of the Philosophy of Right (selections)
Week 11: Marx: “It’s the economy, stupid!” Reading: K. Marx, On the Jewish Question (selections) K. Marx & F. Engels, The Communist Manifesto (selections)
Week 12: Nietzsche: Deconstruct everything! Reading: F. Nietzsche, The Genealogy of Morals (selections) Last update: Franěk Jakub, Mgr., Ph.D. (03.10.2025)
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