Princes, Republics and Utopias
This module focuses upon the political thought of the Renaissance, an extraordinarily rich period in the history of ideas that produced Machiavelli’s Prince and More’s Utopia. Examining these works alongside other key Renaissance texts, this course will investigate the origins, development and reception of Renaissance political thought in Europe. In particular we shall explore the reinterpretation of classical ideas by Renaissance authors and the development of civic humanism in both monarchic and republican theories. We shall consider Renaissance conceptions of liberty, tyranny, civic virtue and reason of state, and their influence upon subsequent political thinkers as well as their continuing importance today.
Convenor: Dr Jon Parkin
Spring Terms, 3rd year (Term 8)
20 credits
Procedural work: Assessed essay plan, due in week 9
Assessment: 3000 word essay to be submitted on Monday of week 2 Summer Term.
Links
Module guide (pdf)
Plato extract (pdf)
Cicero extract (pdf)
Livy extract (pdf)
Sallust extract (pdf)
Guicciardini's Discorso (1516) (pdf)
Handout 1 (pdf)
Handout 2 (pdf)
Handout 3 (pdf)
Handout 4 (pdf)
Handout 5 (pdf)
Handout 6 (pdf)
Handout 7 (pdf)
Handout 8 (pdf)
Lecture 1 (powerpoint)
Lecture 2 (powerpoint)
Lecture 3 (powerpoint)
Lecture 4 (powerpoint)
Lecture 5 (powerpoint)
Lecture 6 (powerpoint)
Past Exam Papers
2005 (pdf)