Faculty: Frank Rohmer
Description: The investigation of politics as tragedy here will be built around a careful study of Thucydides’ Peloponnesian War, a war fought in classical antiquity between Athens and its allies and Sparta and its allies. The class requires no previous training in political science or history, but will require intense preparation for daily class discussion and exact interpretation of the text in three short analytical papers. The greatness and complexity of the text will require many hours of reading seven days a week, careful reflection on that reading, and participation each day in class discussion. The study of this great war, the great issues that generated it, and the towering ambitions of the men who conducted it will all contribute to a deep reflection on the nature of politics as tragedy. Thucydides’ masterpiece will provide a good introduction to political science, especially to the subfield of international relations and political theory.
Meeting Information: 01/03/2022-01/25/2022; M-F 09:00AM – 12:00PM; Hopkins Center, Room 111
Section Requisites: N/A
Course Fee: N/A
Out-of-Pocket Expenses: N/A