Whether America begins with the Puritans and the Mayflower Compact, or with the Declaration of Independence and the Revolution, it is founded in resistance to empire. In the generations between, Americans have desired, dreaded and debated empire. This course will focus on empire and imperialism in American political thought. We will read primary texts addressing empire: from the departure and dissent of the Puritans, and Burke's Speech on Conciliation with the Colonies, to twentieth and twenty-first century debates over America's role in the world. These texts will include political pamphlets and speeches, poetry, novels, policy papers and film.

Whether America begins with the Puritans and the Mayflower Compact, or with the Declaration of Independence and the Revolution, it is founded in resistance to empire. In the generations between, Americans have desired, dreaded and debated empire. This course will focus on empire and imperialism in American political thought. We will read primary texts addressing empire: from the departure and dissent of the Puritans, and Burke's Speech on Conciliation with the Colonies, to twentieth and twenty-first century debates over America's role in the world. These texts will include political pamphlets and speeches, poetry, novels, policy papers and film.

Whether America begins with the Puritans and the Mayflower Compact, or with the Declaration of Independence and the Revolution, it is founded in resistance to empire. In the generations between, Americans have desired, dreaded and debated empire. This course will focus on empire and imperialism in American political thought. We will read primary texts addressing empire: from the departure and dissent of the Puritans, and Burke's Speech on Conciliation with the Colonies, to twentieth and twenty-first century debates over America's role in the world. These texts will include political pamphlets and speeches, poetry, novels, policy papers and film.

Whether America begins with the Puritans and the Mayflower Compact, or with the Declaration of Independence and the Revolution, it is founded in resistance to empire. In the generations between, Americans have desired, dreaded and debated empire. This course will focus on empire and imperialism in American political thought. We will read primary texts addressing empire: from the departure and dissent of the Puritans, and Burke's Speech on Conciliation with the Colonies, to twentieth and twenty-first century debates over America's role in the world. These texts will include political pamphlets and speeches, poetry, novels, policy papers and film.

This course surveys some of the most influential and important contributions to political thought since 1900. We will study the work of such figures as Weber, Arendt, Schmitt, Dewey, Berlin, Habermas, Rawls, Foucault, and Derrida. Topics include the nature of the political and its difference from economics; a critical appraisal of liberal democracy, the reigning contemporary political ideal; and the problem of emergency powers, especially in light of the post-9/11 politics of security.

This course surveys some of the most influential and important contributions to political thought since 1900. We will study the work of such figures as Weber, Arendt, Schmitt, Dewey, Berlin, Habermas, Rawls, Foucault, and Derrida. Topics include the nature of the political and its difference from economics; a critical appraisal of liberal democracy, the reigning contemporary political ideal; and the problem of emergency powers, especially in light of the post-9/11 politics of security.

This course surveys some of the most influential and important contributions to political thought since 1900. We will study the work of such figures as Weber, Arendt, Schmitt, Dewey, Berlin, Habermas, Rawls, Foucault, and Derrida. Topics include the nature of the political and its difference from economics; a critical appraisal of liberal democracy, the reigning contemporary political ideal; and the problem of emergency powers, especially in light of the post-9/11 politics of security.

This course surveys some of the most influential and important contributions to political thought since 1900. We will study the work of such figures as Weber, Arendt, Schmitt, Dewey, Berlin, Habermas, Rawls, Foucault, and Derrida. Topics include the nature of the political and its difference from economics; a critical appraisal of liberal democracy, the reigning contemporary political ideal; and the problem of emergency powers, especially in light of the post-9/11 politics of security.

Through reading texts of Plato (Socrates), Aristotle, Augustine and Aquinas, the student encounters a range of political ideas deeply challenging to--and possibly corrosive of--today's dominant democratic liberalism. Can classical and medieval thinking offer insight into modern impasses in political morality? Is such ancient thinking plausible, useful, or dangerous?

Through reading texts of Plato (Socrates), Aristotle, Augustine and Aquinas, the student encounters a range of political ideas deeply challenging to--and possibly corrosive of--today's dominant democratic liberalism. Can classical and medieval thinking offer insight into modern impasses in political morality? Is such ancient thinking plausible, useful, or dangerous?