COURSES > UNDERGRADUATE [→ ONLINE ARCHIVE MATERIAL]
This course is designed both to introduce students to some of the major texts of the Western tradition and to help students develop their critical thinking skills, including the ability to understand, assess and formulate logical arguments. To pursue these goals we will read, discuss and write about works loosely organized around two themes: 1) god(s); 2) power. The oldest of these texts was composed almost 3000 years ago; the most recent was composed about 300 years ago.
Texts*
- Homer, Odyssey
- Genesis
- Plato, Euthyphro
- Plato, Apology
- Plato, Crito
- Beowulf
- Machiavelli, The Prince
- Shakespeare, Macbeth
- Bacon, New Organon
* THE READING LIST VARIED SLIGHTLY OVER THE YEARS.
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TAUGHT: FALL 2003, SPRING 2003, SUMMER 2003, FALL 2005, FALL 2006,
FALL 2009, FALL 2010