Introduction to Political Philosophy - YBLP002

• Title: Introduction to Political Philosophy
• Guaranteed by: Programme Liberal Arts and Humanities (24-SHVAJ)
• Faculty: Faculty of Humanities
• Actual: from 2024
• Semester: summer
• E-Credits: 4
• Examination process: summer s.:
• Hours per week, examination: summer s.:2/0, MC [HS]
• Extent per academic year: 26 [hours]
• Capacity: 20 / unknown (20)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Old code: YBAJ014
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment
• Guarantor: Mgr. Milan Hanyš, Ph.D.
• Teacher(s): Mgr. Milan Hanyš, Ph.D.
• Class: Courses available to incoming students
• Incompatibility : YBAJ014

Annotation

English

The course provides students with a brief introduction to Western political philosophy by examining some of the major texts of classical authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Rousseau, and the modern (Mill, Weber, Arendt, Strauss, Rawls, etc.). The course has the character of a seminar and requires the student to read the texts regularly (20-30 pages every weekend), prepare a presentation, and prepare weekly short answers to the reading questions.

Last update: Horáčková Karolína, Bc. (23.12.2024)

Czech

This course introduces students to foundational texts in political philosophy, focusing on premodern thinkers who shaped Western political thought. We will explore key themes such as justice, power, virtue, and the role of the state mainly through the works of Plato, Aristotle, and Machiavelli. Students will engage critically with these texts, examining their relevance to contemporary political issues.

Last update: Hanyš Milan, Mgr., Ph.D. (27.02.2025)

Aim of the course

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Comprehend and explain key arguments from Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, and Hobbes.
2. Compare different philosophical approaches to politics, especially in relation to justice, virtue, power, and governance.
3. Analyze historical and contemporary political issues through the lens of these thinkers.
4. Develop critical reading and argumentative skills by engaging with complex texts.
5. Articulate their own views on political philosophy.
6. Engage in Collaborative and Critical Dialogue.
7. Develop Skills in Clear and Structured Communication.

Last update: Hanyš Milan, Mgr., Ph.D. (07.03.2025)

Course completion requirements

The course has the character of a seminar and requires the student to read the texts regularly (20-30 pages every weekend).

• Class Participation (20 %) – Contributions to discussions and debates
  Class participation requires regular attendance. If there are more than two absences during the semester, the participation score will be reduced to zero.
• Weekly Presentations (30 %) – Each student (or group) presents a summary and critical discussion of the assigned reading at least once during the semester.
• Final Exam (50 %) – Essay-based assessment of key thinkers and concepts.

Grading:

A (Excellent)    90–100%    Outstanding analysis, deep engagement with texts, strong argumentation, and clear expression. Shows independent thought and creativity.
B (Good)    80–89%    Solid understanding, well-structured arguments, and competent use of sources. Some minor gaps in reasoning or clarity.
C (Satisfactory/Pass)    70–79%    Basic comprehension of key concepts but lacks depth, coherence, or precision in argumentation.
F (Fail)    Below 70%    Minimal or no engagement, major gaps in understanding, or failure to meet basic requirements.

Last update: Hanyš Milan, Mgr., Ph.D. (27.02.2025)

Teaching methods

This course employs an active, discussion-based learning approach to political philosophy. Students will engage with the material through a combination of student presentations, class discussions, small group debates, and inquiry-based learning techniques.

• Each session begins with a student-led presentation summarizing key ideas from the assigned reading, ensuring that all participants are on the same page.
• Discussions will be guided by Socratic questioning, encouraging students to critically analyze texts, challenge assumptions, and refine their arguments.
• Small group activities will foster collaboration, allowing students to explore different perspectives.
• The course emphasizes real-world connections, encouraging students to apply philosophical concepts to contemporary political issues and personal experiences.

By actively engaging with classical texts and participating in structured debates, students will develop critical thinking, argumentation, and analytical skills essential for the study of political philosophy.

Last update: Hanyš Milan, Mgr., Ph.D. (07.03.2025)

Syllabus

Week 1 - What is political philosophy? (Feb 27)

Week 2 - Introducing the problem of justice (6 March)
Plato: The Republic, Book I

Week 3 - Problem of Justice II, Plato: The Republic, Book II (13 March)

Week 4 - The just city according to Plato, The Republic, Book IV. (20 March)

For making the student's presentation understanding of the previous book is important. Thus reading the passage 412b-417b from the book III is strongly recommended.

Weel 5 - Forms of Government: Plato: The Republic Book VIII, 543a–569c (27 March)

Week 5 - Aristotle's Political Anthropology: Aristotle, Politics I (3 April)

Week 6 - Forms of Government II: Aristotle, Politics, Book III (1278b–1288a), chapters 6-18 (10 April)

Week 7 - presumably no class = reading week (17 March)

Week 9 - Machiavelli: The Prince, chapters VIII-IX, XV-XVIII, XXV-XXVI (24 March)

Week 10 - Hobbes: Leviathan, chapters XIII-XIV, XVII-XVIII, XXI (15 May)

Week 11 - Final Exam (22 May)

Dates are not definitive and may shift during the semester due to illness.

Mandatory Readings:

Aristotle’s Politics. Translated by Carnes Lord. Second edition. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. 2013.

Reeve, C. D. C. A Plato Reader: Eight Essential Dialogues. Hackett Publishing Company, 2012.

Machiavelli : The Prince. Edited by Quentin Skinner and Russell Price. Second edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2019.

Hobbes, Thomas: Leviathan. Penguin Classics 2017. 

 

Recommended introductory readings:

Miller, David, Political Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford 2003.
Wolin, Sheldon. Politics and Vision: Continuity and Innovation in Western Political Thought. Princeton 2016.
Ottmann, Henning. Geschichte des politischen Denkens: von den Anfängen bei den Griechen bis auf unsere Zeit. Band 1, Die Griechen. Teilband 2, Von Plato bis zum Hellenismus. Stuttgart 2001.
Ottmann, Henning. Geschichte des politischen Denkens: von den Anfängen bei den Griechen bis auf unsere Zeit. Band 3, Neuzeit. Teilband 1, Von Machiavelli bis zu den großen Revolutionen. Stuttgart 2006.

Last update: Hanyš Milan, Mgr., Ph.D. (03.04.2025)