PLPT 3010

Prof. Bird is an effective lecturer in conveying the main ideas of each thinker, which include Plato, Aristotle, Hellenistic Philosophers (Epicureans, Skeptics, Stoics), Cicero, St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, and Machiavelli (in chronological order). Technically, Thomas More's Utopia is in the course, but that was not tested and was only given the attention of one lecture. The main topics explored in this class include justice (what is it?), virtue (what is the purpose of it?), constitution building (is a democracy the best solution?), and political participation (who should participate in politics?). The role of Christianity in politics is explored as well of course because of the Christian thinkers.

Plato's Republic took up the whole first four weeks of classes and is the most discussed text in the class. In terms of reading difficulties, Plato's Republic is on the easier side of the ones that you will encounter in this class. The easiest is Machiavelli's Prince and The Discourses. It is hard to say who is the hardest. Frankly, I stopped reading after Republic.

Prof. Bird's lectures are really, really informative. One can probably understand 75% of the material by going to his lectures. He does not test on things that only appeared in the reading, so the reading is not quintessential. For the two essays (one due after the Republic and one due on the last day of classes), he will be relatively harsh in grading (do you see the grade distribution?). In the essays, you really have to show nuance in your argument. He will be teaching the two theory classes for at least the next year as well from what I hear. I did not go to any office hours, but he is always happy to answer questions even after class.

Overall, I am not a politics major and took this to fulfill a politics elective. I found it quite a good exposure to Ancient and Medieval thinkers, but the novelty of this class really died off near the end of Aristotle.

stay away from this class- the worse class i have ever taken and the most boring too. Don't think you will take away anything- Plato and Aristotle will still be difficult to understand after you take this class- you won't become some yogi master by taking this class, it will deflate your GPA... #tcf2016