History of Political Thought- Period 4

Political science is rooted in a tradition of normative reflection on the biggest political questions: How should we as human beings live and how should we live together? How should we rule or be ruled and how can we be free? Which form of government (if any) allows us best to achieve our personal and common goals? Such questions do not allow for easy answers, but they underlie the way in which politics has been shaped (and studied) throughout history well into in our own time. Hence, a course on the history of political thought is a crucial part of any Political Science undergraduate program. It introduces students to a range of classical texts (from Plato up until the twentieth century) that offer highly influential answers to the questions mentioned. These texts can be called classical because they have been widely considered worthwhile for advancing political reflection and because the ideas expressed in them have shaped the principles and practices of politics as we know it. Studying them can ultimately help us to better understand rivalling political convictions, including our own.

Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course therefore, CEA's recommended credits are based on the ECTS credits assigned by VU Amsterdam. 1 ECTS equals 28 contact hours assigned by VU Amsterdam.