[bioundgrd] Fwd: SPRING SEMINAR: SEM.155--FREEDOM AND TYRANNY IN THE AGE OF SCIENCE

[Janice Chang]

>From: Cheryl Butters <cbutters at MIT.EDU>
>Subject: SPRING SEMINAR:  SEM.155--FREEDOM AND TYRANNY IN THE AGE OF SCIENCE
>Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:59:38 -0500
>Cc: Bernhardt L Trout <trout at MIT.EDU>, jwk <jwk at MIT.EDU>
>
>The six-unit seminar described below will be given this spring on 
>Thursdays, 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., in Rm. 16-160.   Dr. Lenzner is one of 
>the world's leading young scholars, and this is a great opportunity 
>to learn about the deep connections between science and political 
>philosophy.  Anyone interested in enrolling should register for 
>SEM.155--FREEDOM AND TYRANNY IN THE AGE OF SCIENCE.   Space may be 
>limited.  Students should try and register as soon as possible.
>
>Thank you.
>
>Cheryl Butters
>Concourse
>Room 16-135
>617-253-3200
>
>
>
>SEM.155
>
>Freedom and Tyranny in the Age of Science
>
>
>
>             This seminar will explore the way in which literature is 
>especially suited to pose some of the essential questions of ethical 
>and political life.  The enigmatic and allusive literary artistry by 
>which great authors convey their ideas can stimulate a much richer 
>consideration of profound issues than treatises make possible. 
>Through great literary works in a variety forms (dialogue, novel & 
>play (perhaps a movie on the last class)) we will reflect on:
>
>
>
>-       the roots of tyranny and liberty in human nature
>
>-       the relationship between the moral virtues and a free, 
>flourishing society
>
>-       the role and limits of religion in modern liberal democracies
>
>
>
>Course requirements: student grades will be determined by class 
>participation (25%) and a 2000 word essay on a topic approved by the 
>instructor.
>
>
>
>Readings:
>
>Second Treatise of Government, by John Locke
>
>On Tyranny: Revised and Enlarged Edition, by Leo Strauss
>
>Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift
>
>Nathan the Wise, by Gotthold Lessing
>
>
>
>I. Introductory
>
>II. Second Treatise. Chs. 1-5
>
>III. Hiero, by Xenophon (included in On Tyranny) and On Tyranny, 
>introduction, chapters 1 & 2
>
>IV. On Tyranny, chapters 3-4
>
>V. On Tyranny, chapters 5-7
>
>VI.  Gulliver's Travels, parts 1 & 2
>
>VII  Gulliver's Travels, parts 3 & 4
>
>VIII. Nathan the Wise
>
>IX.  Summary and wrap-up.
>
>
>
>Instructor: Steven J. Lenzner, Ph.D., Research Fellow, Henry 
>Salvatori Center, Claremont McKenna College; 
><mailto:slenzner at cmc.edu>slenzner at cmc.edu
>
>
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