POLSC201: Introduction to Western Political Thought

Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

• explain the difference between classical political thought and modern political thought both in terms of historical context and method;
• describe the influence that the Renaissance and the Enlightenment had on political thought;
• define the "state of nature";
• discuss and analyze the ideas and arguments regarding justice, equality, sovereignty, citizenship, and the nature of the individual in the works of Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Locke, with particular regard to "the social contract";
• define constitutional government and explain Locke's arguments in support of it; and
• explain Locke's influence on the content of the US Constitution.