FYS 1118 ANCIENT DEMOCRACIES & TYRANTS
What does it mean to be a citizen? Why does citizenship confer special rights and privileges, but also obligations? What does a fully-realized democratic project actually look like, and what are the roots of democracy as an idea? Ancient Democracies, Republics, and Tyrants examines what it meant to be a Greek or Roman citizen, and how the people played a role in the fates of their societies. Starting with Athenian Democracy, a short-lived but extremely influential experiment, and then moving to Italy to see the transition of Rome from a flawed Republic to pure dictatorship, students will discover the strengths and weaknesses of ancient attempts at representative government. The course examines classical reception in the political philosophy of 18th century figures like Thomas Paine, and considers how the traditions and beliefs of Mediterranean states from almost 2000 years earlier, hypocritically or otherwise, came to form the intellectual and moral foundation of American and French revolutionaries, whose ideas are invoked both as a call to tradition and of rebellion across American political history into the modern day.
Enrollment Limit
Enrollment limited to 16 students.
Attributes
MOIE, W